Showing 1 - 10 of 1,209
'Paris of the East' turns 'Concrete Oven'
Oped, Drew B Mallory, Published on 29/04/2026
» If you stand on the banks of the Khlong Saen Saep today, near the glossy high-rises of Wireless Road, you are witnessing a battle for the soul of Bangkok. On one hand, you see the future: concrete embankments and new walkways, part of a government push to connect the city in the vein of European capitals or our neighbour, Singapore. On the other hand, you see the ghosts of the past: fresh stumps of rain trees that stood for decades, severed to make way for the very cement intended to "beautify" the city. It is a paradox that defines modern Bangkok. We are a city desperate to be green, yet addicted to grey.
Thailand's need for AI sovereignty
Oped, Craig Warren Smith, Published on 29/04/2026
» Thailand is building a serious AI policy architecture. Last year, the National AI Committee, formed by then Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and Digital Economic Minister Prasert Jantararuangtong, initiated drafting a unified AI law, officially known as the Draft Principles of the Artificial Intelligence Law.
Anutin govt faces three diplomatic tests
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 28/04/2026
» Less than three weeks into office, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has signalled three immediate foreign and security priorities: managing tensions with Cambodia, addressing unrest in the country's southern border provinces, and quietly preparing for a more active role in Myanmar.
The art of speaking English badly in Africa
Oped, Gwynne Dyer, Published on 28/04/2026
» It is a matter of chronic surprise that politicians, otherwise well-trained in saying just the right thing for the audience they are addressing, forget that whatever they say can be heard everywhere. Right away. By anybody who cares to listen, including journalists always hungry for the next story.
NACC must try harder
Oped, Editorial, Published on 24/04/2026
» The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), our national graft-busting body, tried and failed on Thursday to win public trust for its controversial ruling clearing Saksayam Chidchob, a former minister from the Bhumjaithai Party (BJT), of a false asset declaration.
Vaping menace shifting more into childhood
Oped, Karnjana Karnjanatawe, Published on 23/04/2026
» The news of primary school children posting themselves vaping on Instagram is a warning sign. Viral images of young students vaping or smoking e-cigarettes have now become strikingly casual and performative, speaking volumes about how far the problem has gone.
PM must step up for peace
Oped, Editorial, Published on 21/04/2026
» On Monday, a bomb exploded in front of a school in Bannang Sata district of Yala province, injuring an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) officer. The same morning in adjacent Pattani province, a security volunteer was killed by someone using a military-grade weapon as he rode a motorcycle from his home to begin a security protection shift.
Myanmar looks east again in search of legitimacy
Oped, Larry Jagan, Published on 17/04/2026
» Myanmar understands it needs to reach out to the world if it is to end its isolation and roll back the sanctions much of the West has levied against it. To this end, the men in green, now in civilian clothes, are seeking the support of traditional allies -- China and Asean, especially Thailand -- as well as Bangladesh and Pakistan, in an effort to reset foreign policy and regain international acceptance.
Orban's fall seen as a populist turning point
Oped, Gwynne Dyer, Published on 16/04/2026
» Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk sent a message congratulating Hungary's newly elected prime minister, Peter Magyar, for having evicted long-serving populist leader Viktor Orban (aka "The Viktator") from power. All the usual welcoming words, but Mr Tusk's message ended with two slightly mysterious words in Hungarian: "Ruszkik haza" -- Russians go home.
Stuck in Senate
Oped, Postbag, Published on 08/04/2026
» Re: "BJT pulls support for Clean Air Bill", (BP, April 7). This article chose to single out and quote Bhumjaithai (BJT) party list-MP Supachai, voicing concerns about "fast-tracking" and the economic fallout caused by the Clean Air Bill (CAB) during a recent House debate on a severe PM 2.5 crisis in the Northern region.