Showing 1 - 10 of 347
Will poll be breakout or more of same?
Oped, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 06/02/2026
» As Thais go to the polls this Sunday, the most consequential question is whether Thailand will finally break out of its debilitating cycle of political instability and economic underperformance that has marked the past two decades. The signs and signals suggest otherwise -- at least not yet.
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.
People’s Party’s diplomatic 'elegance' rings hollow
Oped, Pavin Chachavalpongpun, Published on 16/01/2026
» On Jan 11, the People’s Party held a high-profile event to showcase its “People’s Government”, offering a glimpse of its proposed executive leadership. Among the key speakers was Pisan Manawapat, a former diplomat and senator, designated as the party’s future foreign minister.
Coast pays the price
Oped, Editorial, Published on 13/01/2026
» The flooding caused by high seas that battered coastal communities in Bang Khunthian, Bangkok, last week is a reminder that coastal erosion remains inadequately addressed.
It's time to choose peace
Oped, Editorial, Published on 25/12/2025
» More than two weeks after armed clashes were reignited on Dec 7, Thailand and Cambodia have tentatively agreed to return to square one by reviving a key bilateral mechanism -- the General Border Committee (GBC) -- with the aim of seeking a peaceful resolution, or at least a ceasefire.
Syria's tragic saga a long way from being over
Oped, John J Metzler, Published on 12/12/2025
» Just one year ago Syria's brutal and seemingly eternal Assad family dictatorship was toppled.
UN debate swerves, slides, but scores
Oped, John J Metzler, Published on 01/10/2025
» US President Donald Trump lambasted the United Nations on opening day for its failure to stop global crises in the midst of major regional wars, humanitarian disasters, looming security threats, never mind costly bureaucratic waste. But as the leader of the most prominent and founding UN member state, he then added that the world organisation isn't living up to its potential, and scathingly challenged, "What's the purpose of the United Nations?" The old rebuke, "You can do better!" Sometimes it works.
Time to help Rohingya refugees
Oped, Kannavee Suebsang, Mercy Chriesty Barends & Andrew Hudson, Published on 29/09/2025
» Just over eight years since 700,000 Rohingya were forced out of Myanmar over the border into Bangladesh in what the UN has described as a "textbook example of ethnic cleansing", people continue to languish in camps in Cox's Bazar without access to work or education. Those remaining in Myanmar are largely confined to internally displaced camps, or forcibly conscripted to fight for the military junta.
Symbolic acts won't create a real Palestine
Oped, Gwynne Dyer, Published on 25/09/2025
» Ten more countries are recognising Palestine as a sovereign state in the course of this week. That brings the total up from 147 to 157. It's a big deal to an extent because for the first time it includes quite a few big, rich Western countries (France, the UK, Canada and Australia). But it is not unified, and it still controls no territory.
Immigration Bureau faces new scrutiny
Oped, Editorial, Published on 23/09/2025
» The Police Immigration Bureau (IB) is fuming over a Reuters documentary-style interactive graphic report based on interviews with nine people who had allegedly been trafficked to scam centres in Myanmar between 2022 and 2025.