Showing 1 - 10 of 313
Politics at the border
Oped, Editorial, Published on 06/02/2026
» Amid a fierce election campaign, Bhumjaithai -- once a mid-sized party -- has ridden a wave of nationalism, becoming a force to be reckoned with in Sunday's poll.
Rethinking global health finance
Oped, Walter O Ochieng & Tom Achoki, Published on 06/02/2026
» For the past half-century, the economics of global health were straightforward. Under the so-called "grant-based" approach, rich countries donate to poor countries, which use the funds to meet their populations' health needs. Success was measured by services provided or lives saved, rather than by balance sheets. While this model was far from perfect, the latest approach replacing it -- focused on using tools like guarantees and blended finance to crowd in private capital -- threatens to produce even worse outcomes.
Efficiency over pomp
Oped, Editorial, Published on 04/02/2026
» The video of Bangkok governor Chadchart Sittipunt opening the new Phran Nok-Phutthamonthon Sai 4 Road lasts only a few seconds, yet it has gone viral for that exact reason. In an era of elaborate ceremonies, the footage is a testament to bureaucratic restraint -- proving that when leaders prioritise pragmatism over pageantry, the public wins.
Choice at life's end
Oped, Editorial, Published on 20/01/2026
» As political parties showcase a raft of mainly economic policies designed to boost Thailand's competitiveness ahead of the February general election, one relatively minor initiative stands out for its bold moral impetus.
2026 will be a year of debt struggles
Oped, Chartchai Parasuk, Published on 08/01/2026
» Forget GDP growth. Forget tourist arrivals. Forget export figures. In 2026, Thailand's overriding economic challenge will not be growth but debt repayment.
Poll is a test of courage
Oped, Editorial, Published on 05/01/2026
» Thailand has now entered election campaign mode, with barely a month before the next general election takes place on Feb 8.
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.
Is a return to gold standard possible?
Oped, Chartchai Parasuk, Published on 11/12/2025
» We are now in the middle of the holiday season. Therefore, I will refrain from writing about heavy and depressing issues like the Thai economy and the outlook for 2026 and beyond. In this moment of joy, I will write about the possibility of returning to the gold standard, which some supporters say can be seen in central banks aggressively buying gold bullion to replace the dubious US dollar. The last article of the year will be about the Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF).
Taking the National Universal Health Coverage experience global
Oped, Catharina Boehme, Published on 11/12/2025
» As Thailand convenes its National Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Conference 2025, the stakes could hardly be higher. The world is navigating a period of profound transition in financing of health and development. Traditional sources of global support are shifting, while new pressures -- from climate change to ageing populations -- are reshaping national health priorities. In this dynamic landscape, Thailand's leadership on UHC is both timely and essential, building on the nation's sustained progress toward achieving health for all. The World Health Organization (WHO) is looking to this conference for guidance on how best to advocate for renewed and sustained investment in health across all sectors.
VAT hikes alone won't narrow deficit
Oped, Chartchai Parasuk, Published on 27/11/2025
» This article is not meant to attack Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas’s Medium-Term Fiscal Framework (MTFF) for the fiscal years from 2026 to 2030. It is meant to emphasise the fragility of a Thai fiscal position that requires multiple revenue enhancement measures.