Showing 1 - 10 of 78
Thai baht under watch
News, Editorial, Published on 03/02/2026
» As Thailand heads to the polls this Sunday, the campaign trail has been crowded with promises of wage hikes, subsidies and generous domestic giveaways. Yet last week, a far more sobering message arrived from Washington. The US Treasury has placed Thailand back on its currency monitoring list, a move that carries implications well beyond a routine financial assessment.
Keeping in step with ballroom moves
Roger Crutchley, Published on 02/11/2025
» The most entertaining news of the week was the response to President Donald Trump's demolition of the East Wing of the White House so he can build a "big, beautiful ballroom". It is probably fair to say it prompted a "mixed reaction" -- many being totally horrified.
Cambodia's bluster fails at UN event
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 30/09/2025
» At the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Thailand and Cambodia verbally clashed again over their border dispute. What stood out was not just the usual complaints, but the gap between quiet promises made behind closed doors and loud posturing in public.
Paper bags, patriotism and mushy peas
Roger Crutchley, Published on 10/08/2025
» One of the more thought-provoking stories of the week was an unnamed Thai hospital being fined after it was discovered private files on patients were being used to make paper bags for popular street snacks. Apparently some people at the business entrusted with destroying the files instead took them home and made paper bags out of them.
Can Thailand engage with Trump's US?
News, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 03/06/2025
» Thailand must be bold and dynamic in recalibrating its diplomatic ties with the United States under President Donald Trump. Asia's oldest relationship with Washington carries little weight in the era of transactional diplomacy. Although the 1833 Treaty of Amity and Commerce between the US and Siam described their relations "as long as heaven and earth can endure", the two countries now face formidable challenges in living up to that 192-year-old oath. That treaty was the United States' first treaty with a country in Asia, making Thailand America's oldest friend in the region.
Trump must learn from history's Arctic profiteers
Oped, Peter C. Mancall, Published on 18/04/2025
» The US president has not been subtle about his goals for the Arctic: "We'll go as far as we have to go" to acquire Greenland, he stated while sitting behind the Resolute desk in the Oval Office. The desk, made from the British Arctic exploring vessel called HMS Resolute, is itself a reminder of the northern voyages of empire builders -- the type of pursuit the president is after.
Cross at your peril
Oped, Postbag, Published on 05/04/2025
» Re: "French tourist killed on zebra crossing in Kanchanaburi", (BP, April 4).
Slanted cartoons
Oped, Postbag, Published on 04/04/2025
» During Donald Trump's first term, the Biden years, and the pre-2024 election run-in, the average Trump media coverage recorded by most media outlets was 93% negative.
Present from Putin
Oped, Postbag, Published on 22/03/2025
» Re: "Putin call 'a test' of deal-making skill", (World, March 19).
Lifelines for small island states
Oped, Maya Delaney & Aminath Shauna, Published on 28/01/2025
» Small island developing states (Sids) are on the front lines of climate change, threatened by rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and ocean warming and acidification, despite contributing the least to global greenhouse gas emissions. This now poses an existential risk to our ways of life, our livelihoods, and the very ground beneath our feet.