Showing 1 - 10 of 308
Why communities pay for mining
Oped, Christopher Rutledge, Published on 19/02/2026
» Last week, policymakers and industry executives of mining companies gathered in Cape Town for the annual African Mining Indaba. They followed a familiar script: governments would court investors, companies would promise jobs and growth, and champagne would flow as speakers tout Africa as indispensable to the global energy transition.
50-party race comes down to just this
Oped, Veera Prateepchaikul, Published on 09/02/2026
» By the time this opinion piece goes into print, the unofficial outcome of Sunday's election will already have been announced by the Election Commission. Which of the two front-running parties, Bhumjaithai and the People's Party, has emerged the winner and earned the right to form the new government will also be known.
Throw him in the pot
Oped, Postbag, Published on 08/02/2026
» Re: "A woman of the world", (Life, Nov 1, 2025).
New debate format
Oped, Postbag, Published on 23/01/2026
» Re: "Academics sound alarm ahead of poll", (BP, Jan 14). A one-on-one debate format between political parties would greatly help us decide who we want to solve basic structural problems in our economy, society and justice system -- and the media should play a key role in arranging such a debate and setting the theme.
Dark horse, deep state in upcoming polls
Oped, Nattaya Chetchotiros, Published on 15/01/2026
» The national election may be 20 days away, yet political analysts are already reading the tea leaves. Surprisingly, their predictions point in the same direction -- the next coalition could be a surprising mix of the Bhumjaithai Party (BJT), Pheu Thai and -- hold your breath -- the Democrat Party.
Anti-military tag harms PP poll hopes
Oped, Veera Prateepchaikul, Published on 12/01/2026
» War creates heroes. It also fuels a strong sense of patriotism. Hence, in the eyes of most Thais, the Thai military -- especially Lt Gen Boonsin Padklang, former commander of the 2nd Army Region -- have become heroes for risking their lives, or for the lives lost and injuries sustained, during the two rounds of bloody armed conflict with Cambodian forces in July and December.
What if you take away the slingshot?
Oped, Sally Tyler, Published on 05/01/2026
» The latest ceasefire in the border conflict between Thailand and Cambodia is welcome news and hopefully signals an end to the displacement of thousands and tragic loss of life on both sides. The release of 18 Cambodian prisoners is an indication that the parties are delving more deeply into the process to resolve the conflict.
Another wasted year in Thai politics
Oped, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 26/12/2025
» As Thailand winds down 2025 with an early election looming on Feb 8, the most consequential issue to watch in the coming year will be whether recent topsy-turvy political patterns of polls, protests, and military and judicial interventions give way to a compromise between the old guard clinging on to vested interests and the new generation clamouring for reform and change.
Ethics failures plague Senate
Oped, Editorial, Published on 27/11/2025
» A recent court ruling against Senator Thanakorn Thavornchinachote for stealing from victims of a fatal car accident in Chachoengsao is a disgrace not only for the Upper House but also for the Election Commission (EC).
No-confidence and poll date in flux
Oped, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 14/11/2025
» Amid the drumbeats of military conflict with Cambodia, Thailand's political environment is evidently unruly and unsettled. The minority government of Anutin Charnvirakul, the third prime minister from the third largest-winning party since the latest national election in May 2023, is hard-pressed to stay in office beyond the four-month "Memorandum of Agreement" between his Bhumjaithai Party (BJT) and the People's Party (PP), the largest camp in the national assembly.