Showing 1 - 10 of 27
Curb S112 abuse
Oped, Postbag, Published on 05/09/2025
» Re: "Thaksin acquittal sparks debate", (BP, Aug 31). To prevent abuse of our lese majeste law, S112, we should follow law Professor Olarn Thinbangtieo of Burapha University's suggestion that all lese majeste complaints be vetted by a body of prosecutors, judges, academics, and civil society representatives, operating like a prosecutor's screening panel but with broader representation, before proceeding to court.
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.
Respectful intention?
Oped, Postbag, Published on 27/06/2025
» Re: "Clip scandal grows by day", (Editorial, June 23). The Thai government is hanging by a thread after a leaked call shredded the credibility of 38-year-old Paetongtarn Shinawatra. The respectful term "uncle" is not inappropriate for the elder Hun Sen, the 72-year-old, longest-serving former PM and father of the current leader of Cambodia.
Bridge-building for ethnic concerns
Oped, Vitit Muntarbhorn, Published on 08/05/2025
» Recent months have witnessed intense negotiations in Thailand's parliament concerning the proposed new law on the protection and promotion of the livelihood of ethnic groups. Can the various gaps be truly bridged?
Raise the bar
Oped, Postbag, Published on 28/01/2025
» Re: "Trump's cabinet picks come under US Senate spotlight", (World, Jan 14) & "US Senate confirms former Fox News co-host as Pentagon chief", (World, Jan 25).
Shift from elections to governance
Oped, Adam Nelson & Kristen Sample, Published on 01/10/2024
» With half of the global population having already voted or preparing to do so in 2024, the "year of elections" has had a profound impact on democracies worldwide. Now, as the year enters its final quarter, it is becoming increasingly apparent that 2025 will be an equally transformative "year of governance".
End to Senate secrecy
Oped, Editorial, Published on 18/07/2024
» A call by new Senator Nantana Nantavaropas for live broadcasts of the upper chamber's panel meetings is noteworthy and warrants support. It is a solid measure to ensure transparency, while giving the public access to monitor lawmakers' performance.
SEA eyes next 20 years of US-China ties
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 21/05/2024
» What will Southeast Asia be like over the next two decades? Given the unpredictable geopolitical situation, the region will certainly maintain its strategic autonomy in ways that mitigate the ripple effects of the emerging new international order. The multipolar world will be a new ballgame that Southeast Asia has to grapple with. Interestingly, the region's countries also realise that the competition between the US and China is not likely to subside given the tit-for-tat measures they have been conducting with each other. Under such circumstances, what role or leadership can Southeast Asia provide under the Asean roof to ensure that the region will not be marginalised or weaponised? To be precise, how can Asean avoid becoming a pawn in the US-China whirlpool?
Towards strategic Thai-French ties
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 14/05/2024
» In April 2022, Thailand learned that French President Emmanuel Macron was keen to engage with the Asia-Pacific region in person. As the host of the 32nd Asia-Pacific Economic Leaders' Meeting (Apec) in October of that year, former deputy prime minister and foreign minister Don Pramudwinai quickly issued an invitation to the president to attend as a guest. The rest, as they say, is history.
Pass clean air bill now
Oped, Editorial, Published on 12/01/2024
» After years of putting up with worsening PM2.5 pollution, Thailand will finally have its own clean air legislation by the end of the year.