Showing 1 - 10 of 248
Nose for business: Smell, sell, repeat in Thai laundry culture
Nonthawat Phakham, Published on 28/01/2026
» Have you ever felt confused buying fabric softener or detergent in Thailand? I have. Choosing these products is no longer just about scent. They now offer features like UV protection, night-dry and indoor-dry formulas, quick or expert wash options, fast-wash, anti–colour-transfer technology and multiple scent variations for each formula.
‘Mai pen rai’ paradox: from kindness to toxic silence
Juranan Soranet, Published on 07/01/2026
» "Mai pen rai" (It’s okay/never mind) is perhaps the most classic Thai phrase, symbolising kindness, compromise and a go-with-the-flow attitude. It is the hallmark of Thai charm. However, in a modern world driven by consumer rights and accountability, the harmless phrase is becoming a double-edged sword. We are witnessing the rise of "Toxic kreng jai" — an excessive form of considerateness where we suppress our own rights just to avoid being labelled "demanding".
Flood resilience a national imperative
Oped, Srinivasa Popuri and Kotchakorn Voraakhom, Published on 18/12/2025
» The twin cyclones Senyar and Ditwah that struck South and Southeast Asia in November caused unprecedented flooding across the region, with Thailand among the most severely affected.
Still not learning
Oped, Editorial, Published on 09/12/2025
» The Anutin government recently launched a national committee to investigate mistakes made during Hat Yai flood management. The goal of the committee, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Borwornsak Uwanno and flood experts, is to "draw lessons" from the Hat Yai flood disaster, with the hope that such lessons will improve future disaster preparedness.
Iran: Drought, incompetence, revolution?
News, Gwynne Dyer, Published on 22/11/2025
» Twenty years of strict sanctions on Iran by both the United States and the United Nations did not bring down the regime of the ayatollahs. Half a dozen major waves of non-violent protest involving several thousand deaths have not brought it down either. Even last June's massive bombing campaign by Israel and the US did not bring it to heel.
Building an energy resilient bloc
Oped, Fajar Ikhsandy, Ignatius Primadi Limin, Mahila Shabira, Weilie Winaldy Sugianlie, Published on 11/11/2025
» According to our latest projection, electricity demand in Asean will reach around 173 million tonnes of oil equivalent (Mtoe), or about 2,000 terawatt-hour (TWh), in 2050 -- roughly 1.6 times higher than the 2023 level.
AI may be both a bubble and a boon
News, Mike Dolan, Published on 10/11/2025
» Bubble or bonanza? AI could be both.
Jane Goodall and the chimp wars
News, Gwynne Dyer, Published on 11/10/2025
» Jane Goodall died last week, still on the road at the age of 91 and still advocating for biodiversity in general and the welfare of chimpanzees in particular. She was a hero to me and millions of others for her courage, her wisdom and her compassion. She was also one of the greatest self-taught scientists in history.
Digitisation needed
Oped, Postbag, Published on 02/10/2025
» Re: "New DES minister urged to prioritise AI", (Business, Sept 23). My son, who completed a BBA, has just joined an MBA programme at a local university. For this, he had to cancel his existing visa from his college and apply for a fresh one through his new university. He reached the immigration office at 8am and was given token 78 for cancellation and 900 for issuance of a new visa. With each applicant's process taking about 10 minutes, he would easily be spending over 12 hours there. The officials work beyond 4.30pm and until 9pm to issue or reject every visa.
Honest monks hung out to dry
Editorial, Published on 28/09/2025
» A series of monk scandals and temple corruption cases in recent months has prompted the Ecclesiastical Council to order all temples to make their accounts transparent. But good intentions are not enough. Without systemic support, the order may prove hollow.