Showing 1 - 10 of 139
A fond farewell to the poster people
Oped, Roger Crutchley, Published on 08/02/2026
» For a couple of months the streets in Bangkok and throughout Thailand have been decorated with posters of political candidates. But now the Big Day has arrived and soon the posters will disappear. In a strange sort of way, I will miss their presence as they were at least something to look at when stuck in the traffic. They generally appeared to be a cheerful lot, beaming at us with big cheesy grins as one would expect in the Land of Smiles.
Today's date with national destiny
Oped, Editorial, Published on 08/02/2026
» Thailand has a double date with destiny today. As the polls open across all 77 provinces, it is imperative for citizens to exercise their right to vote in both the general election and the constitutional referendum.
Thailand's responses to Board of Peace
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 27/01/2026
» US President Donald Trump's invitation to Thailand to join the Board of Peace (BOP) has elicited three distinct responses. The first two are succinct and clear in their rationale. The third, however, is more nuanced -- and notable for its ambivalence.
The dark side of vaping
Oped, Editorial, Published on 24/12/2025
» The latest crackdown on e‑cigarette labs in Pattaya and Bangkok this week is a stark reminder that e‑cigarettes -- illegal products that have become a lifestyle accessory for young people and partygoers -- are growing more widespread and more dangerous.
Phasing out coal makes economic sense
Oped, Rapeepat Ingkasit, Published on 24/12/2025
» Thailand's recent update to its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 3.0) was met with polite applause from diplomatic circles and global communities. By finally aligning the national net-zero target with the mid-century goals of our neighbours, the kingdom appears to be getting back on track.
Mass transit preferred
Oped, Editorial, Published on 11/12/2025
» The fierce resistance against the idea of turning the Kasetsart tunnel–Ngamwongwan Road–Phong Phet Bridge into part of a double deck expressway should remind the Ministry of Transport to embrace public participation early when it comes to such projects rather than obsessing over the top-down decision-making process.
New tech disrupts global order
Oped, Mark Blyth & Daniel Driscoll, Published on 18/11/2025
» News media tend to focus on the world's major powers because they command more resources by dint of their relatively larger economies, militaries and energy endowments. But there are costs to such dominance. For example, a single American Gerald R Ford-class aircraft carrier costs $13 billion (421.6 billion baht), while the F-35 fighter jet costs about $100 million. So, if you can build your military equipment for less than your opponent, you can gain a strategic advantage.
Asean's moment of truth is now
Oped, Mari Elka Pangestu & Tan Sri Rebecca Fatimah Sta Maria, Published on 05/11/2025
» For decades, integration into the global trading system has been vital to economic growth and development. Now, however, integration implies vulnerability, as powerful actors -- beginning with the US -- wield tariffs, export restrictions, and financial sanctions. For Southeast Asia, this turn of events represents both a warning and a call to action: countries must work together to shape their own destiny or others will decide their fate for them.
SMEs need ecosystems, not donors
Oped, Chakorn Loetnithat, Yos Vajragupta & Tan Chaimadee, Published on 08/10/2025
» In today's fast-changing economy, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) matter more than in the past.
Lawless state capitalism no answer to China's rise
Oped, Curtis J Milhaupt & Angela Huyue Zhang, Published on 19/09/2025
» It is tempting to frame the Sino-American economic rivalry as a clash between engineering doers and lawyerly naysayers, as the Chinese-Canadian analyst Dan Wang does in his new book Breakneck: China's Quest to Engineer the Future. But this is a false dichotomy, because law is a crucial feature of US capitalism.