Showing 1 - 10 of 104
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.
Parties silent on temple corruption
Editorial, Published on 18/01/2026
» The monk scandals that shocked Thailand in 2025 are not the result of moral lapses among clerics. They are the outcome of decades of governance failure. Addressing them requires political solutions. As the country prepares to form a new government in the coming months, there is hope for policy, not religious excuses.
When the news is wrong about my homeland
Oped, José González Vargas, Published on 11/12/2025
» The people of Venezuela conjure contradictory images, particularly for those living in the Global North. We're starved and oppressed masses under a totalitarian thumb, but also arrogant and pigheaded émigrés living in golden exile from Miami to Madrid. More recently, we are hordes of criminals, the scum of the Earth, flooding into the United States. Where's the truth? Where's the lie?
Singapore turns 60 with much to show
Oped, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 08/08/2025
» No country turns 60 like Singapore. In a neighbourhood of political dynasties and varying shades of autocracies and flawed democracies, the little island state of six million got lucky with its strongman rule. When he died in 2015, Singapore's patriarchal founder Lee Kuan Yew left a great country behind. This weekend, Singaporeans can take stock of what's gone by and rightly celebrate its milestone with much to show for.
Monastic discipline in the digital age
Oped, Watcharin Ariyaprakai, Published on 23/07/2025
» At a time when Thai society is reeling from scandals in the monastic community -- from leaked audio clips of money transfers via apps to secret relationships with women -- we are not merely shocked that "monks have done wrong", but rather at how swiftly the "image of purity" we've long upheld has collapsed.
Corrupt monks have lost their way
Oped, Sanitsuda Ekachai, Published on 14/07/2025
» Just as Thailand was about to celebrate Asalha Bucha Day and the start of Buddhist Lent, the nation was gripped by the biggest sex scandal ever to rock its clergy. How irony.
Philippines sidelines local languages
Oped, Analiza Liezl Perez-Amurao and Michael Thomas Nelmida, Published on 09/07/2025
» In October 2024, the Philippine government, in its management of a linguistically rich and culturally diverse population, decided to make the then-existing Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual Education (MTB-MLE) expire by not signing it.
Little action on cutting power bills
Editorial, Published on 06/04/2025
» On the surface, a pledge by the Paetongtarn Shinawatra government to cut electricity prices from 4.15 baht per kilowatt-hour to 3.99 baht for the next billing cycle starting May 1 seems like long-awaited good news.
How a short EV ride shows deep Sino-Thai bond
News, Lin Hao, Published on 03/02/2025
» On one of the final days of 2024, I decided to book a ride through a popular ride-hailing app from my condo to downtown Bangkok, opting for the convenience of not having to drive. When the car arrived, I was surprised to find it was an electric vehicle (EV) from a Chinese automaker. Despite being a frequent ride-hailing user, it was my first experience with an EV.
Supporting Ukraine is in Donald Trump's interest
Oped, Michael Froman & Charles A Kupchan, Published on 02/01/2025
» Even before taking office, Donald Trump has launched a diplomatic effort to end Russia's war against Ukraine, calling for an "immediate ceasefire" after meeting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Paris in early December.