Showing 1 - 10 of 12
Can 'Land Bridge' ignite growth?
Oped, Dai Kadomae, Published on 18/06/2025
» Thailand has long struggled to escape the middle-income trap. Despite its strategic location at the heart of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), the country continues to trail regional peers in GDP growth, capital market performance, and infrastructure competitiveness.
Will Myanmar's military plan succeed?
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 10/06/2025
» Following the recent devastating earthquake, Myanmar's military junta leaders are facing increasing pressure at home and abroad. Despite this, they are moving forward with their five-step plan, while still implementing the Asean peace plan. The most crucial part of their plan is to hold a general election between late December 2025 and early January 2026. Senior General Min Aung Hlaing has already promised this to leaders from India, China, Russia, Belarus and Asean countries.
Is the 'middle-income trap' real?
Oped, Keun Lee, Published on 31/12/2024
» The term "middle-income trap" refers to the tendency of fast-growing developing economies to lose momentum well before they achieve high-income status. First introduced by World Bank economist Indermit Gill and the Brookings Institution's Homi Kharas in 2007, the concept has since become the subject of intense debate among economists.
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.
Going private in poorer countries
Oped, Titir Bhattacharya & Tanika Chakraborty, Published on 19/06/2024
» In recent years, governments in low- and middle-income countries have been experimenting with ways to alleviate the financial burden of high out-of-pocket costs for health care, which account for 40% of households' catastrophic health spending. To ensure universal access, they are gradually shifting away from public provision of health care to publicly funded insurance that covers treatment at private facilities.
Pakistan again lands itself in political strife
Oped, John J Metzler, Published on 17/02/2024
» Pakistan is politically on the brink again in the aftermath of fractious but inconclusive national parliamentary elections, which ended with a question mark hanging over this land of 241 million people like a political Damocles sword. Two former prime ministers, both bitter rivals and equally mired in alleged corruption, are vying for the top spot.
Thailand's path to inclusive growth
Oped, Peerasit Kamnuansilpa & Suradech Taweesaengsakulthai, Published on 07/02/2024
» Thailand's decision to implement a 10,000-baht Digital Wallet Scheme (DWS) marks a significant step in its ambition to bolster economic competitiveness and growth.
South Korea's gender politics getting ugly
Oped, Gwynne Dyer, Published on 10/03/2022
» Gender is not the only issue in this week's election in South Korea, but it's the hot-button topic. It's not clear if there was ever a successful sexual revolution in the country, but the counter-revolution is definitely doing well. The 'F-word' (feminism) is being used a lot by both major parties, and not in a good way.
Delay the Olympics
Oped, Postbag, Published on 05/01/2022
» Re: "Controversy greets countdown", (Sports, Jan 4). The National Hockey League (NHL) announced before recent Christmas that its pulling out all of its players from participating in the upcoming Winter Olympics in Beijing in early February of this year.
BTS bid must bring benefit
Oped, Editorial, Published on 23/11/2020
» Transparency and public interest must be a priority when the government decides whether or not it will extend Bangkok Mass Transit System’s (BTSC) concession for the skytrain’s Green Line. Last week, the cabinet withheld its approval to extend BTSC’s concession for 30 more years, as proposed by Interior Minister, Anupong Paojinda, following strong opposition from the Transport Ministry.