Showing 1 - 10 of 92
Living in Thailand's age of impunity
News, Kong Rithdee, Published on 17/01/2026
» There's no place like Thailand. Joyscrolling TikTok and Reels reveals dozens of clips made by international visitors lamenting having to leave our lovely country and return to dreary Europe or joyless America. "Nobody talks about how hard it is to go from this" -- insert a cut of a wonderful beach in Krabi -- "to this"--cut to a drab, damp suburban street somewhere in the West. Add a crying-face emoji. "I want to move here!" the traveller announces. True, everybody loves Thailand.
Safety failures cost lives
Oped, Editorial, Published on 16/01/2026
» First and foremost, this newspaper extends its condolences to the families of the victims of two deadly crane collapses -- one on Wednesday at a railway construction site in Nakhon Ratchasima province, and another yesterday on a section of Rama II Highway in Samut Sakhon. We join the public in praying for those injured and receiving treatment in hospital, hoping for their full recovery.
‘Mai pen rai’ paradox: from kindness to toxic silence
Juranan Soranet, Published on 07/01/2026
» "Mai pen rai" (It’s okay/never mind) is perhaps the most classic Thai phrase, symbolising kindness, compromise and a go-with-the-flow attitude. It is the hallmark of Thai charm. However, in a modern world driven by consumer rights and accountability, the harmless phrase is becoming a double-edged sword. We are witnessing the rise of "Toxic kreng jai" — an excessive form of considerateness where we suppress our own rights just to avoid being labelled "demanding".
SAO dodges blame
News, Editorial, Published on 29/12/2025
» The State Audit Office (SAO)'s latest statement on the collapse of its 30-storey headquarters is deeply disappointing. It dwells on technical detail while sidestepping the most fundamental question of all: who must be held responsible?
Inhaler fuss 'a lesson'
Oped, Editorial, Published on 03/11/2025
» A public debate has erupted following the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) announcement that laboratory tests found microbial contamination in certain lots of the popular Hong Thai herbal inhaler, one of Thailand's best-known household products, famed among both locals and foreign visitors.
Dispel steel bar doubts
Oped, Editorial, Published on 27/10/2025
» The decision by the Thai Industrial Standards Institute (TISI) to release 40,000 deformed steel bars, confiscated in the wake of the State Audit Office (SAO) collapse, has stirred controversy. The move came only shortly after the new government took shape, raising questions over timing and transparency.
SAO award whitewash
News, Editorial, Published on 23/08/2025
» The annual Integrity and Transparency Assessment (ITA) -- known as the ITA awards by the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) -- has raised millions of eyebrows this year.
Farmers fret at tariff deal
Oped, Editorial, Published on 15/08/2025
» Local farmers are gradually voicing their fears about the economy after learning that the Thai government may remove non-tariff barriers and reduce the tariff for imported goods from the United States.
Small is beautiful
Oped, Postbag, Published on 16/07/2025
» Re: "Empowering middle-income states", (Opinion, April 28).
No stone unprobed
Oped, Editorial, Published on 04/07/2025
» The results of a probe into the collapse of the State Audit Office (SAO) building in Bangkok after a quake in Myanmar came to light this week, pointing fingers at the structure's design and technical construction without questioning any irregularities in the auditing process that may have compromised its safety.