Showing 1 - 10 of 386
Countering the fallacy of the buffer zone
Oped, Daoud Kuttab, Published on 10/04/2026
» Territorial buffers rarely, if ever, deliver the peace and security their advocates promise. After the collapse of the USSR, Ukraine was seen as a neutral cordon between Russia and Nato. Instead, it became a zone of increasingly fierce geopolitical contention, followed by open war.
The day the US became Britain at Suez
Oped, Philip J Cunningham, Published on 09/04/2026
» The world's focus is on the US-induced debacle in the Strait of Hormuz, but it's another narrow strait that sums up the current state of US power in the world: Suez.
Bridge to nowhere
Oped, Editorial, Published on 07/04/2026
» New Myanmar president Snr Gen Min Aung Hlaing will be sworn in on Friday.
Visa blowback
Oped, Postbag, Published on 26/03/2026
» Re: "MFA proposes slashing visa-free tourist period in half", (BP, March 25) & "Explainer: Thailand's new visas", (Podcast, Aug 5, 2024).
Iran war: One miscalculation after another
Oped, Gwynne Dyer, Published on 24/03/2026
» Still not four full weeks into the war, and already Donald Trump's "short-term excursion" -- decapitate the Iranian regime with a surprise attack and impose harsh terms on the defeated survivors -- has morphed into a global economic crisis and a region-wide war that could destroy the wealth of all the countries on both sides of the Gulf. At the very least.
Long stay doubts
Oped, Postbag, Published on 24/03/2026
» Re: "30-day visa-free stay 'sufficient', says minister", (BP, March 21) & "Thailand reviewing visa-free stays as local complaints pile up" & "Phuket up in arms on long‑stay visa", (BP, March 18).
When being neutral is no safeguard
Oped, Philip J Cunningham, Published on 18/03/2026
» 'Don't worry about it, we are neutral!" was Thailand's flippant response to the Islamist terrorist attack on America in 2001 when hijacked jets carrying innocent passengers and filled to the brim with aviation fuel smashed into the Twin Towers and the Pentagon on Sept 11.
Phuket stands at a tourism crossroads
Oped, Ajaree Tavornmas, Published on 12/03/2026
» Phuket has long stood as one of Asia's most celebrated destinations. Framed by the Andaman Sea, its turquoise waters, rich cultural fabric and globally recognised hospitality have attracted millions of visitors for decades. Tourism accounts for approximately 95% of the province's economy, generating more than 500 billion baht annually from over 14 million Thai and international travellers. With around 1,500 registered hotels and more than 100,000 rooms, the island is undeniably a cornerstone of Thailand's tourism industry.
Testing times could prove govt mettle
Oped, Veera Prateepchaikul, Published on 09/03/2026
» A honeymoon period seems out of the question for the new administration led by the Bhumjaithai Party, which may come into office in late April or May, depending on how quickly the processes of electing the House Speaker and his two deputies, and the election of the prime minister in parliament, take place.
Time for region to double down on green energy
Oped, Lidy Nacpil, Published on 06/03/2026
» The escalating instability in the Middle East has sent shockwaves through global energy markets, forcing Southeast Asian nations into a precarious position. While the region has made significant pledges to transition toward renewables, the threat of interrupted gas supplies and surging LNG prices is creating a dangerous incentive to prioritise immediate energy security over long-term climate goals.