Showing 1 - 10 of 23
Long live the Dalai Lama, but who is next?
Oped, Gwynne Dyer, Published on 08/07/2025
» The whole business of succession would be a lot simpler if the Dalai Lama could just regenerate, like Doctor Who -- a long-running British science fiction series. When the time comes for The Doctor to stop looking like David Tennant and start looking like Matt Smith, there's flame coming out of his head and gushing out of his sleeves, and then he explodes. When the smoke clears, there's the new Doctor.
Myanmar's 'my way' vs Asean norms
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 08/07/2025
» It appeared to be a done deal. During their summit on May 26, Asean leaders agreed to admit Timor-Leste as the 11th member of the regional bloc. Since then, Nay Pyi Taw has raised an unexpected objection, with the junta issuing an official statement that could potentially embarrass Asean and its current chair, Malaysia.
Cell death a wake-up call
Oped, Editorial, Published on 11/03/2025
» The recent death of Pol Col Thitisan "Joe Ferrari" Utthanapon, who was serving a life sentence at Klongprem Central Prison in Bangkok, casts more doubt over the integrity of the country's corrections system.
East Asia braces for Trump's second term
Oped, Takatoshi Ito, Published on 08/02/2025
» The first two weeks of US President Donald Trump's second term were marked by a flurry of directives and executive orders.
Beyond the world's favourite hippo
Oped, Curtis S Chin & Jose B Collazo, Published on 02/01/2025
» The news from Asia at year-end 2024 that dominated headlines here in the United States included the tragic crash landing of Jeju Air flight 2216 flying from Thailand. As hundreds of millions took to roads and to the air for the holidays, the news seemed especially close to home, even thousands of miles away.
The high cost of Yoon's martial law
Oped, Takatoshi Ito, Published on 20/12/2024
» When South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol abruptly declared martial law late on Dec 3, claiming that it was necessary to enable him to eliminate "anti-state" forces, street protests erupted almost immediately.
Give equal jail care to all
Oped, Editorial, Published on 09/11/2024
» As the probe into Thaksin Shinawatra's questionable illnesses and treatment on the 14th floor of the Police General Hospital deepens, with several state officials already in hot water, so too do reports of a sick prisoner in jail on charges relating to a Section 112 violation being rejected hospital admission. What irony!
Thai-Korea ties: From K-pop to policy
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 06/08/2024
» Thai singer Lalisa "Lisa" Manobal, a member of the phenomenal yet now defunct Blackpink, epitomises the modern Thai-South Korean relationship thanks to her popularity and global appeal.
Buddhism is always oddly political
Oped, Guanxiong Qi, Published on 16/03/2024
» This year, His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua is turning 72. Following the sexagenary cycle, the Thai government organised a month-long royal procession of the Buddha's relics from Feb 24 to this coming Monday including tours of four major Thai cities -- Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Ubon Ratchathani and Krabi.
Thaksin case leaves stain
Oped, Editorial, Published on 17/02/2024
» Finally, convicted former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who has never stayed even a night in jail since returning from self-imposed exile in August, is to gain his freedom when he is discharged on parole, probably today.