Showing 1 - 10 of 24
Singapore turns 60 with much to show
Oped, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 08/08/2025
» No country turns 60 like Singapore. In a neighbourhood of political dynasties and varying shades of autocracies and flawed democracies, the little island state of six million got lucky with its strongman rule. When he died in 2015, Singapore's patriarchal founder Lee Kuan Yew left a great country behind. This weekend, Singaporeans can take stock of what's gone by and rightly celebrate its milestone with much to show for.
Trump hurting global trade in ideas
Oped, Sally Tyler, Published on 04/08/2025
» Much attention has been focused on Thailand's scramble to achieve a bilateral trade agreement with the United States to avoid a 36% tariff on all exported goods. Yet a different restrictive trade policy has received comparatively less scrutiny -- the Trump administration's clampdown on American universities, including a possible ban on the enrolment of international students.
Can the 30-baht health scheme survive?
Oped, Philip J Cunningham, Published on 19/06/2025
» I recently met Dr Jadej Thammatacharee, secretary-general of the National Health Security Office (NHSO), at the home of a mutual friend to ask questions, of which I had many, about the so-called 30-baht scheme -- also known as the "gold card" scheme.
Is cannabis a viable health option?
Oped, Viroj NaRanong & Wuttipong Tunyut, Published on 17/07/2024
» Cannabis has been known as a herbal plant with psychoactive effects for thousands of years. The herb has been used for both medical and recreational purposes. As the plant is addictive, several countries have categorised it as a narcotic drug.
What do Indian women want from poll?
Oped, Sanjukta Sharma, Published on 25/05/2024
» Since April 19, the day general elections began in India, voters have queued up outside polling booths, braving a muggy, scorching heatwave. The mood appears mostly upbeat. Voters talk to TV news reporters. They articulate wishes for change or belief in the incumbent leader.
Blinken's diplomatic dance in China
Oped, John J Metzler, Published on 01/05/2024
» US Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited China for whirlwind discussions with the People's Republic political grandees in Shanghai and Beijing with the hope of "stabilising the relationship" between both countries. So into the Beijing/Washington political turbulence, Mr Blinken flew to smooth the Sino-American political rivalry, especially over China's military assertiveness towards the South China Sea, Taiwan, the Ukraine war, and naturally two-way trade.
More than just thugs
Oped, Editorial, Published on 02/12/2023
» The premiere screenings of 4Kings (Part 2), a local drama-action film that depicts violent scuffles among vocational school students, attracted a big police presence.
Poor playgrounds
Oped, Postbag, Published on 18/11/2023
» A sign of a thriving city is one that provides safe and accessible playgrounds for its children. While Bangkok is to be commended for its plans to implement over 100 pocket parks, the state of many existing playgrounds in our existing parks leaves much to be desired.
Unemployment and economic future in China
Oped, Nancy Qian, Published on 29/07/2023
» In May, China reported that youth unemployment had reached a record-breaking 20.8%, with the high-paying, high-skilled jobs that university graduates are trained for growing scarcer.