Showing 1 - 10 of 117
Trump's 'America First' in overdrive
News, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 23/01/2026
» President Donald Trump's extraterritorial capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife on cocaine-trafficking and terrorism-related charges earlier this month and repeated demand to take over Greenland at the World Economic Forum this week are part and parcel of a belligerent and transformative "America First" paradigm that dates back at least four decades.
Thailand to review stiff fines in new booze law
News, Post Reporters, Published on 11/11/2025
» A Thai government committee overseeing alcohol policy will meet on Thursday to review new rules that impose harsh fines for drinking during times when sales are prohibited, government spokesman Siripong Angkasakulkiat said on Tuesday.
People's Party questions tax breaks in US pact
News, Chairith Yonpiam, Published on 29/10/2025
» The People's Party (PP) has questioned whether Thailand has offered excessive tax concessions to the United States to secure its recently announced strategic partnership, drawing comparisons with similar agreements signed by Vietnam and Malaysia.
Eased alcohol rules 'could strain healthcare'
News, Apinya Wipatayotin, Published on 28/10/2025
» The Centre for Alcohol Studies (CAS) has voiced concerns that the government's proposals to lift zoning restrictions on alcohol sales and extend the opening hours of nightlife venues nationwide to 4am could strain the country's public health system.
Thailand's cannabis dreams go up in smoke
News, Prasit Tangprasert, Chakkrapan Natanri, Piyarach Chongcharoen, Published on 27/06/2025
» In the fertile plains of Nakhon Ratchasima, Somkiat Nitiketkosol tends to his cannabis farm, Suan Fah Yim, with a heavy heart. For years, small- and medium-sized cannabis growers like him have weathered fierce competition, plunging prices and shifting government policies.
Weed policy shift gets thumbs-down
News, Chairith Yonpiam, Published on 17/06/2025
» Three years after Thailand became the first country in Asia to decriminalise cannabis, health and civil society experts are raising concerns over public health and inadequate regulations which accompanied the move.
Why OECD membership matters
News, Werapong Prapha, Published on 12/05/2025
» In a highly fragmented world, Thailand's accession to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation Development (OECD) is more than just a diplomatic gesture -- it marks a transformative opportunity to accelerate structural reform and attract high-quality investment. Today, the 38 OECD member countries account for over 60% of global GDP and 75% of world trade, with over half of global energy consumption -- underscoring the bloc's strategic importance.
Charm alone is not enough
News, Editorial, Published on 05/05/2025
» Thailand's tourism industry, long regarded as one of the kingdom's economic crown jewels, is showing signs of severe fatigue.
A perilous era of absolute advantage
News, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 25/04/2025
» If a date had to be pinpointed, the post-Second World War international system came to an unmistakable end on April 2 -- the so-called "Liberation Day" -- when US President Donald Trump announced comprehensive "reciprocal" tariffs to a bewildered global audience. The blatantly protectionist move was equivalent to the United States' abrogation and abandonment of the rules-based international order that it ironically and instrumentally constructed and upheld over nearly eight decades. What comes now is a dangerous era of absolute advantage in global trade, investment, and finance, bent on unilateralism over multilateralism, competition over cooperation, nationalism over interdependence, and the singular quest to dominate and reshape the global pecking order under the rubric of making America "great again".
Chance to lead
News, Postbag, Published on 02/01/2025
» Re: " 'Game of Thrones', the Thai edition", (Opinion, Dec 28) & "Proactive politics", (PostBag, Dec 28).