Showing 1 - 10 of 52
A moral exemplar
Oped, Postbag, Published on 03/10/2025
» Re: "Legal eagles voice worries over Thaksin's pardon bid", (BP, Oct 1). Whatever naughtinesses he may have been accused of, it cannot be denied that Thaksin Shinawatra continues to prove a moral exemplar to the nation in at least two areas. The first is that he faithfully follows the traditional example of accumulating the greatest possible sufficiency of extreme wealth; the second is that he entertains as unfailingly as Lisa Manoban herself, albeit with his humorous approach to preached legal norms rather than with her doubtless impressive song and dance routines.
Tiny Vanuatu steps up to protect the climate
Oped, Antara Haldar, Published on 28/08/2025
» Although the International Court of Justice (ICJ) turned 80 this year, there is a sense in which it has never felt younger. In a David-versus-Goliath moment, the tiny Pacific Island state of Vanuatu recently changed international law forever by bringing the world's most important issue before its highest court. The result is an ICJ advisory opinion on "the legal obligations of states in respect of climate change", as requested -- at Vanuatu's urging -- by the UN General Assembly (with 132 states co-sponsoring the resolution).
The Trump melodrama: Relief is at hand
Oped, Gwynne Dyer, Published on 22/08/2025
» Nobody had been bothering for the past three years, but then along came Donald Trump, determined to shape a "peace deal" between two countries about which he knows little and cares less. Why? Just to win a bauble called the Nobel Peace Prize, because Barack Obama got it first and that wasn't fair.
Beyond police lines, community and culture persist
Oped, Joe Mathews, Published on 11/06/2025
» On Saturday, I went to a riot and found myself at a quinceañera -- a traditional coming-of-age celebration for girls in Latino culture.
Clear danger as war in Europe is in the air
Oped, Gwynne Dyer, Published on 10/06/2025
» 'There is a clear, present risk, particularly as Vladimir Putin does see himself as being at war with the West. The homeland is again (in peril)...Air and missile attacks will potentially cause civilian casualties (in the United Kingdom) in very large numbers." Therefore, concludes Gen Sir Richard Barrons, the UK needs to bring back air raid sirens and air raid drills.
Thaksin probe welcome
Oped, Editorial, Published on 03/05/2025
» Later is always better than never. The Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions is doing the right thing in deciding to launch an inquiry into claims of improper enforcement of the prison sentence against former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
Censure theatrics
Oped, Postbag, Published on 29/03/2025
» Re: "Political experts split on censure outcome", (BP, March 26).
Thailand's tense dance of diplomacy
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 04/03/2025
» Last Thursday evening, Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai showed his true colours when he addressed the repatriation of 40 Uyghurs to China. Cool as a cucumber, he spoke with authority yet with an apologetic tone. That day's press conference was his perfect coda; other cabinet ministers were mere decorative artefacts.
Be wary of the TikTokalypse on the radar
Oped, Todd G Buchholz, Published on 31/01/2025
» When the United States president, Congress and Supreme Court are all in a tizzy at the same time, the topic under discussion is usually a global meltdown or, at the very least, income taxes. Today, the concern is dancing cat videos. In his first day back in the White House, Donald Trump launched a strike against the Court and Congress by signing an executive order to pause the ban on TikTok, earning applause from the Chinese-owned company. TikTok's online content creators are relieved, too, for many warn that a ban (or a forced sale to a US company) would devastate them. I call it the TikTokalypse.
Time ripe to prevent unrest
Oped, Editorial, Published on 29/11/2024
» Political tensions have soared this week after firebrand Sondhi Limthongkul, leader of the now-defunct People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), unveiled his plan to hold regular political activities starting next year.