Showing 1 - 10 of 84
Reinvent Thailand to revive growth
Oped, Boonwara Sumano, Published on 11/02/2026
» In the 1990s, Thailand ranked second in Asean for state performance, behind only Singapore. Today, we trail several neighbours. This decline has unfolded gradually over three decades -- through repeated economic crises, institutional stagnation, and reforms that never quite went far enough. What is different today is that the cost of inaction has become far more dangerous.
Decriminalising sex work needs clarity
Oped, Poramet Tangsathaporn, Published on 04/02/2026
» The world's oldest profession has always been a taboo subject in Thai society, even in our politics so it was encouraging to see at least five political parties -- the Pheu Thai Party, the People's Party, the Movement Party, the Thai Sang Thai Party, and the Democrat Party -- agree that the current Prevention and Suppression of Prostitution Act B.E. 2539 (1996) needs to be repealed.
No special species
Oped, Postbag, Published on 29/11/2025
» Re: "Jakarta dog meat ban sparks debate", (World, Nov 27). Yes, if an animal is infected with rabies or any other disease, it is probably better not to eat its meat, however tasty, albeit recognising that the starving might reasonably have different priorities. This is true whether the animal is a dog, a cow, a cat, a pig, a chicken, or another of our animal relatives.
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.
Cute posts, cruel trade
Oped, Editorial, Published on 04/11/2025
» For years, CITES -- the United Nations' multilateral treaty aimed at protecting endangered plants and animals from threats posed by international trade -- has focused on combating wildlife trafficking networks that smuggle exotic animals from forests and breeding centres to meet demand from private zoos and the traditional medicine trade.
The time I really put my foot in it
Oped, Roger Crutchley, Published on 19/10/2025
» A half-hearted spring-cleaning session at home during the week came to a welcome halt when I unearthed a couple of my father's wartime RAF books under a pile of disintegrating paperbacks. The Air Ministry books, published more than 80 years ago, always serve as a reminder of when as a kid I made a faux pas of embarrassing proportions.
SET expat problems
Oped, Postbag, Published on 09/10/2025
» Re: "Capital market task force unveils 'quick win' reform", (Business, Oct 7). One still unresolved issue is foreigners/expats at times not getting their freely issued warrants, even those who reside here in permanence and own the so-called NVDR shares.
Ease border tensions
Oped, Editorial, Published on 08/10/2025
» In response to Cambodia's failure to submit a plan for repatriating its citizens living in three disputed areas, including Nong Chan, in Sa Kaeo province, the Thai army has indicated it will boycott the forthcoming Regional Border Committee (RBC) meeting with Cambodia, scheduled to take place in Poi Pet on Friday and Saturday.
Fraud sweep causes fallout
Oped, Editorial, Published on 18/09/2025
» In principle, any government deserves praise for efforts to tackle online fraud and mule accounts. However, the latest attempt by the Bank of Thailand (BoT), the cyber police under the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society, the police, and commercial banks has drawn condemnation, rather than praise.
It's a fishy start
Oped, Postbag, Published on 04/09/2025
» Re: "Pak Klong Sam Saen to become new tourist hub" & "Fish deaths in canal spark probe", (BP, Sept 3). The ironic juxtaposition of these two headlines in Wednesday's edition appears not to bode well for future grandiose plans. One wonders if the irony was intentional.