Showing 1 - 10 of 530
Asean banks face climate pressure
Oped, Rachel Ho, Published on 08/04/2026
» The global oil and gas crisis is worsening. Amid the Middle East war, the central banks of countries in Southeast Asia must address a perfect storm of rising fuel prices, cost-of-living pressures, and worsening impacts of climate disasters.
Can alliances with the US be replaced?
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 07/04/2026
» The increasingly loud debate over the future of alliances -- after reports that the US could scale back or even withdraw from Nato -- is nerve-racking. It has caused alarm across Europe and in Southeast Asia, another node of the US alliance network. Even without any official decision, remarks by US President Donald Trump on social media were enough to shake already fragile US alliances. The question now frequently asked by Thai policymakers is: What comes next if alliances weaken?
Where are we in terms of SDGs?
Oped, Evgeny Tomikhin, Published on 03/04/2026
» As 2026 began, the United Nations Commission for Asia and the Pacific (Unescap) headquarters reopened its doors for the annual Asia-Pacific Forum for Sustainable Development (APFSD).
Fuel-saving ideas
Oped, Postbag, Published on 02/04/2026
» Re: "PM apologises for fuel 'chaos'", (BP, March 28).
Visa blowback
Oped, Postbag, Published on 26/03/2026
» Re: "MFA proposes slashing visa-free tourist period in half", (BP, March 25) & "Explainer: Thailand's new visas", (Podcast, Aug 5, 2024).
The fire this time is for US climate science
Oped, Gwynne Dyer, Published on 18/03/2026
» In 1953 Ray Bradbury, an American writer, published a book entitled simply Fahrenheit 451. It was a novel about an American fireman in a not-too-distant future who realised that he was doing his job all wrong -- because his job was to burn books, which were banned in that future America. (451°F is the temperature at which paper catches fire.)
Solar boom risks leaving toxic legacy
Oped, Nattaphorn Buayam, Published on 11/03/2026
» Solar power is Thailand's master key in the fight against global warming. It is cheap, popular, and even promoted by the state. But beneath the success story lies a big question: What happens when millions of panels begin to die?
It's never been more important to strengthen ties
Oped, Genevieve Donnellon-May, Published on 09/03/2026
» Australia and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) face a defining moment. Intensifying great-power competition, climate crises and economic fragmentation are reshaping the Indo-Pacific, raising urgent questions about how the two sides can build a truly resilient partnership.
Shoddy massages
Oped, Postbag, Published on 06/03/2026
» Re: "Thai massage industry set for overhaul", (BP, March 4). I'm looking forward to the day the Thais will finally upgrade and greatly improve the massage industry in this country. It is indeed in a dire state. I'm a fully qualified masseur with three diplomas from the world-renowned Wat Po school, two of them specialist courses. Very proud of it.
Unlocking Thai competitiveness
Oped, Kiratipong Naewmalee & Phumjit Sri-Udomkajorn, Published on 25/02/2026
» Regulatory reform is an urgent priority in restoring growth to Thailand's emerging economy. Rigid rules and excessive red tape have become significant structural barriers to private sector development. Evidence from several key industries demonstrates that outdated, fragmented legislation continues to constrain competitiveness.