Showing 1 - 10 of 105
Fuel panic spreads
Oped, Editorial, Published on 25/03/2026
» It is normal for people to go into panic mode during a crisis. Governments need to reassure them with reliable, enforceable plans to prevent hoarding of essential goods and fuel.
Impacts of Iran war on Southeast Asia
Oped, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 20/03/2026
» For the most part, Southeast Asia as a region has taken a neutral stance toward the joint attack between the United States and Israel against the Islamic Republic of Iran. Even the Philippines and Thailand, two formal US treaty allies, have distanced themselves, calling for restraint and de-escalation.
Crisis inaction
Oped, Postbag, Published on 20/03/2026
» Re: "Rising costs, empty tanks", (Editorial, March 18).
Challenging Asean digital sovereignty
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 16/09/2025
» Members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) are busy finalising a draft of a Digital Economic Framework Agreement (Defa) -- this digital framework is hoped to boost regional bloc intra-trade, attract foreign investment, and transform the grouping into a global digital hub. As the current chair, Malaysia is eager to see the world's first such agreement concluded under its leadership.
From FDI to homegrown growth
Oped, Peerasit Kamnuansilpa, Published on 11/09/2025
» For decades, Thailand has leaned heavily on foreign direct investment (FDI) as the engine of growth. That strategy once delivered jobs and exports, but today it yields diminishing returns. Inflows are volatile, competitiveness is slipping, and dependence on external capital leaves the economy vulnerable to global shocks. Thailand must change course.
Why is North Korea courting Russian tourists?
Oped, Saahil Menon, Published on 13/08/2025
» Hoping to replenish state coffers with much-needed foreign exchange reserves and offset the sharp post-Covid decline in Chinese tour groups, the Hermit Kingdom has set its sights on inquisitive holiday-makers from an ideologically aligned Russia.
Are you a 'doomscroller' or 'hopescroller'?
Oped, Jennifer Mercieca, Published on 10/07/2025
» My students tell me that they don't sleep. They stay up all night endlessly scrolling their social media feeds. Their attention has been captured, but not by anything in particular, not really, they say. Like a lot of us, my students are chronic doomscrollers.
Southeast Asia facing hidden extremist threat
Oped, Muhammad Makmun Rasyid, Published on 07/07/2025
» In May, Indonesia's counter-terrorism unit arrested an 18-year-old man in Gowa, South Sulawesi, on charges of spreading Islamic State (IS) propaganda and inciting bomb attacks on social media. Identified only as MAS, the suspect represents a deeply troubling development in Southeast Asia's struggle against terrorism: the rise of youth radicalisation driven entirely by online exposure.
Wrong approach
Oped, Postbag, Published on 04/07/2025
» Re: "Porosity can reduce city flood effects", (Opinion, July 2). Nuntachart Ratanaburi, a researcher with the TDRI proposes that increased porosity should be incorporated in Bangkok by using porous cement, asphalt, and "green" strategies to reduce flooding. This idealistic strategy is simply wrong.
Bombs don't work
Oped, Postbag, Published on 24/06/2025
» Re: "Trump's MAGA fans upset over possible Iran strike", (World, June 22).