Showing 1 - 10 of 743
Rethinking Thailand's visa-free policy
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 31/03/2026
» Thailand is planning to cut visa-free stays from 60 days to 30 days. This long-overdue change reflects growing concern over the effectiveness of immigration surveillance. Moreover, scaling down visa-free stays underscores the seriousness of the Anutin government's efforts to combat scammers, illegal work, and other underground activities that exploit easy visa access to turn Thailand into a base for under-the-table operations.
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).
The economy depends on forests
Oped, Zhimin Wu, Published on 23/03/2026
» Money may not grow on trees, but much of our prosperity does.
Peepo's story exposes lack of child support
Oped, Karnjana Karnjanatawe, Published on 20/03/2026
» The story of a 13-year-old boy in Nakhon Si Thammarat who lived on the streets, was hit by a car, and later rebuilt his life has gone viral. Yet the life of Peepo -- as the boy is called by the media -- offers not just inspiration. His story exposes years of parental neglect and a lack of state mechanisms to help abandoned children.
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.
Lesson from India to avoid the middle-income trap
Oped, Arvind Panagariya, Published on 18/03/2026
» Among Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's most ambitious goals is to transform his country into a developed economy by Aug 15, 2047 -- the centenary of Indian independence. Given India's growth record over the past two decades, the speed and scale of its infrastructure development in recent years, and the Modi government's willingness to enact large-scale economic reforms, India is likely to become one of the few developing countries to avoid the middle-income trap.
Rising costs, empty tanks
Oped, Editorial, Published on 18/03/2026
» As war between the US–Israel alliance and Iran escalates, the caretaker government's response -- limited to a few warnings, a recommendation for state officials to work from home, and, as usual, fuel subsidies from the State Oil Fund -- appears woefully inadequate.
Echoes ignored
Oped, Postbag, Published on 13/03/2026
» Re: "With Iran war, US is alone", (World, March 6). The Deputy Director of the German Marshall Fund, Kristina Kausch, is upset that US President Donald Trump has not sought the world's approval in his quest to destroy Iran's military abilities and for the removal of its genocidal dictatorship. One which screams daily: "Death to Israel" and "Death to America". (Time Off, Bangkok Post, March 8).
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.
Women can lead push for growth
Oped, Anisha Chugh, Laura Leonelli Morey & Teresa Zapeta Mendoza, Published on 09/03/2026
» Across the Global South, painful austerity measures such as benefit caps, pay freezes and subsidy cuts have followed donor governments' recent cuts to foreign aid. The policy pivot has had an especially dramatic impact on women -- costing them jobs, services and protections -- and is causing widespread economic hardship in many developing countries.