Showing 1 - 10 of 24
Quakes jolt old fears
Oped, Editorial, Published on 08/07/2025
» Although geologists are urging calm and caution against panic, a recent series of tremors detected in the Nicobar Islands, located off the coast of Phuket and Phangnga provinces, as well as the northern province of Lampang, has been a powerful reminder of the need to ensure the country's tsunami warning system remains fully functional.
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.
China's 'grey zone' tactics pressure Taiwan
Oped, John J. Metzler, Published on 10/04/2025
» China's growing naval power is regularly and systematically harassing the waters around Taiwan in what appears to be rehearsal exercises for a future invasion of the self-ruled democratic island. Units of the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN), as well as swarms of military aircraft, regularly probe the waters and skies near Taiwan, often crossing into the island's sovereign airspace and waters.
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.
Tsunami plea unheard
Oped, Editorial, Published on 26/12/2024
» Today, Andaman coastal communities in Phuket, Phangnga, Krabi, Trang, Satun and Ranong provinces commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami that claimed more than 5,000 lives and injured 8,000 others. Tears will be shed. Survivors, family and friends of the victims will retell their sad memories.
Lessons for a more resilient future
Oped, Marco Toscano-Rivalta & Niamh Collier-Smith, Published on 26/12/2024
» Today, we honour the memory of the 230,000 lives lost to the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami and reflect on the countless lives forever changed. This tragic event, which devastated Thailand and more than a dozen other countries across the region, stands as a stark reminder of our shared responsibility to reduce disaster risks.
Flood woes are systemic
Oped, Editorial, Published on 21/09/2024
» The severe floods in Chiang Rai and Phayao provinces raise questions about Thailand's early warning systems. Are there sufficient early disaster warning systems in place? If so, why were hundreds of thousands of villagers in flood-hit areas left to fend for themselves?
Time to prepare for 'Disease X'
Oped, Tom Achoki, Lawrence Were & Ahmed Ogwell, Published on 04/06/2024
» On Dec 12, 2019, a group of patients in Wuhan, China, started showing symptoms of an atypical pneumonia-like illness that did not respond well to standard treatments. Ninety days later, with more than 118,000 cases reported in 114 countries and 4,291 deaths, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared Covid-19 a pandemic.
Time to ramp up Seoul dialogue
Oped, Pou Sothirak & Ek Bunly, Published on 22/12/2023
» A year ago, President Yoon Suk-yeol inaugurated the Indo-Pacific Strategy aiming to make the Republic of Korea (ROK) a global pivot state, by building a multi-layered and comprehensive network of cooperation with the Indo-Pacific region, home to one-third of the world's economy and multitude of latent flashpoints. This strategy possesses both opportunities and challenges for Korea and Asean, especially with the deepening of the US–China rivalry.
Navy's big gamble
Oped, Postbag, Published on 05/09/2023
» Re: "Navy ready to hold annual China drill", (BP, Sept 2).