Showing 1 - 10 of 409
Rethinking Thailand's visa-free policy
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 31/03/2026
» Thailand is planning to cut visa-free stays from 60 days to 30 days. This long-overdue change reflects growing concern over the effectiveness of immigration surveillance. Moreover, scaling down visa-free stays underscores the seriousness of the Anutin government's efforts to combat scammers, illegal work, and other underground activities that exploit easy visa access to turn Thailand into a base for under-the-table operations.
Hun Manet's high-stakes scam pledge
News, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 17/03/2026
» With international criticism mounting, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet has launched a major effort to repair Cambodia's reputation, promising that all online scam centres in the country will be eliminated by next month.
Curb online hate now
Oped, Editorial, Published on 05/03/2026
» As Thailand and Cambodia observe a truce, a group of social media users is pursuing aggressive online campaigns to incite hatred between the peoples of the two countries.
Diplomacy over silence
Oped, Editorial, Published on 24/02/2026
» Caretaker Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow is garnering praise for his open diplomacy aimed at re-engaging with Myanmar. Last Wednesday, he formally met his counterpart Than Swe in Phuket. There, Mr Sihasak was quoted by international media as saying that Thailand will serve as a "bridge" to bring Myanmar back into Asean.
China military purge exposes Xi's unease
News, John J Metzler, Published on 14/02/2026
» Strange and mysterious events are transpiring inside the walls of Beijing's Forbidden City. In the massive nearby government compound Zhongnanhai there's a clear unease as Communist Party Chief and military supremo Xi Jinping, the Chinese president, has shuffled the political cards in the powerful Central Military Commission (CMC), by purging his two top generals.
The case of the disappearing senior generals
News, Gwynne Dyer, Published on 10/02/2026
» Armies can be used against both against foreigners abroad and against citizens at home, but the two roles require quite different equipment and tactics. The same applies to their commanders: you need a different kind of general if you think that the primary task of their troops will be controlling dissent at home.
From conflict to shared prosperity
News, David Jay Green, Published on 10/02/2026
» The news from the front line, the border between Cambodia and Thailand, has a depressing familiarity. Another ceasefire is agreed upon, but it is accompanied by hostile statements from officials of both governments, and, in the past, such statements have led to aggressive action by one or both military forces. This opens the door to armed combat. People are killed or injured, property and infrastructure damaged, and people's livelihoods disrupted. We need to break this cycle; we need real peace.
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.
Breaking men: a conscript's tale
Oped, Sanitsuda Ekachai, Published on 19/01/2026
» His face looks tired and strained. His voice trembles, carrying the pain and bitterness from the dehumanisation he endured as a conscript.
Anti-military tag harms PP poll hopes
Oped, Veera Prateepchaikul, Published on 12/01/2026
» War creates heroes. It also fuels a strong sense of patriotism. Hence, in the eyes of most Thais, the Thai military -- especially Lt Gen Boonsin Padklang, former commander of the 2nd Army Region -- have become heroes for risking their lives, or for the lives lost and injuries sustained, during the two rounds of bloody armed conflict with Cambodian forces in July and December.