Showing 1 - 10 of 492
Donald Trump and his tragedy of errors
Oped, Joseph E. Stiglitz, Published on 29/04/2026
» It is true, as Alexander Pope once said, that to err is human. But while everyone is fallible, some humans are more prone to error than others. The history of authoritarian and absolutist political rule is rife with figures whose mistakes proved calamitous not just for themselves but for the societies they ruled.
Myanmar's robbery of a democracy
Oped, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 24/04/2026
» Five long years after Myanmar's military seized power on 1 Feb 2021, what has taken place in recent weeks amounts to a delayed fait accompli. Led by Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, then commander-in-chief of the armed forces, the coup diverged from its traditional playbook seen in 1962 and 1988, when tanks rolled and the military ruled by brute force. This time, the takeover nearly unravelled amid a nationwide uprising that evolved into a civil war, waged by an armed and determined resistance comprising the civilian-led National Unity Government (NUG), the People's Defence Forces (PDFs), and a constellation of Ethnic Armed Organisations (EAOs).
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.
Time for fair reform
Oped, Postbag, Published on 22/04/2026
» Re: "Another perspective" & "Leave S112 alone", (April 20, April 19). I sincerely thank Khun Yingwai Suchaovanich and Khun Felix Qui for their thoughtful comments on our application of our lese majeste law, aka S112. This law demands our thorough scrutiny before being used, for as our beloved late national father told us, "(its) use ultimately damages the monarchy".
The war and its likely consequences
Oped, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 17/04/2026
» As the joint attack between the United States and Israel against Iran that resulted in a wider regional conflict in the Middle East approaches its two-month mark, the directions of the war remain precarious while some of the longer-lasting consequences appear evident. Unsurprisingly, the war has been detrimental and damaging for all states and societies concerned, not just within the affected region but the wider world. Already we can start counting some of the long-term costs.
No, this is not a New Normal
Vanich Kittichai, Published on 04/04/2026
» “This is the New Normal” is how spokesperson for the Centre for Monitoring the Situation in the Middle East, Nuttaa Mahattana, has characterised Thailand’s current struggle with soaring fuel and commodities prices triggered by the war in the Middle East.
A plaintive song for the taxman
Roger Crutchley, Published on 29/03/2026
» I've just got back from filing my income tax and must thank the staff at the branch of the Revenue Department for their helpfulness and efficiency. It must be a thankless job knowing that nearly everyone they deal with would probably rather be somewhere else.
Trump goes off-script, US gone rogue
Oped, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 27/03/2026
» It was not supposed to work like this. "America First" and "Make America Great Again" (MAGA) were supposed to be about an inward turn to repair, replenish and rebuild an externally overstretched and internally weakened country, weighed down by unnecessary global entanglements, unsustainable national debt, and unimpeded mass migration. It seemed for a time that the MAGA movement to prioritise America above and beyond the international system and its constituent parts had found its final prophet in President Donald J Trump. But now, somehow, President Trump has betrayed the movement that has carried him to office by waging a disastrous war on Iran in cooperation with Israel.
Global travel erases places we love
News, Richard Florida and Carlo Ratti, Published on 17/03/2026
» Venice is drowning -- not just in rising waters but also in tourists. The city is charging a day-tripper fee and has banned large tour groups and loudspeakers in an effort to curb the crush. Barcelona residents march with squirt guns and "Tourists go home" signs to protest rising rents and crowds. Amsterdam is moving to cap and eventually ban ocean-going cruise ships to reduce pollution and visitor pressure.
Democrat lessons
Postbag, Published on 17/03/2026
» Re: "Democrats chart a cautious course", (BP, March 14).