Showing 1 - 10 of 46
Myanmar poll to test region
News, Editorial, Published on 27/12/2025
» Tomorrow, eligible voters in Myanmar will return to the polls in a general election organised by the State Security and Peace Commission (SSPC), the military-appointed body overseeing the process.
Make use of MRC talks
Oped, Editorial, Published on 14/11/2025
» Thailand is set to host a meeting of the Mekong River Commission (MRC) in Chiang Rai from Nov 25-27. The choice of location couldn't be more appropriate -- for over a decade, local civic groups have been using the northern province as a base for their campaigns against major infrastructure projects, which they believe could harm the region's rivers.
Banned bets
Oped, Postbag, Published on 24/10/2025
» Re: "Anutin bans poker, sports gambling nationwide", (BP, Oct 23). So, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has banned gambling again. The prohibition specifically aims at poker and other similar sports-themed card games. The Ministry of Tourism and Sport earlier classified poker only as a sport? Well, it's not, is it -- it's a card game that is invariably played for money, unlike many others, such as bridge, which are not.
'Rare earth' and the risk of Mekong havoc
News, Paskorn Jumlomgrach, Published on 13/09/2025
» Satellite imagery cited by the Shan Human Rights Foundation (SHRF) in a recent statement, together with findings from the US-based think tank Stimson Center released in July, confirms the alarming reality: a massive concentration of rare earth mining sites is emerging across Southeast Asia, particularly in Myanmar and Laos.
MRC to the rescue
News, Editorial, Published on 12/07/2025
» A planned trip by the Mekong River Commission (MRC), a regional body tasked with overseeing the use of the Mekong River, to evaluate the transboundary water pollution in northern Thailand has given local villagers cause for optimism regarding this crisis.
Time for Thaksin to face the music
Oped, Veera Prateepchaikul, Published on 02/06/2025
» After lying low and staying out of sight -- presumably to lick the wounds inflicted by the Medical Council of Thailand (MCT)'s ground-shaking ruling on May 8 regarding his controversial stay at the 14th floor of the Police General Hospital -- former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra re-entered the public foray on May 27 with a vengeance.
Toxic rivers need help
Oped, Editorial, Published on 23/05/2025
» The government's reaction to heavy metal contamination in transboundary rivers in Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai provinces has left local villagers in despair. Almost three months after heavy metal contamination was recently detected in such rivers, our officials and ministers are still just at the stage of warning people not to consume water and fish from the Kok River in the North.
Time to tackle toxic spill
News, Editorial, Published on 15/04/2025
» As the problem of scammer gangs in Myawaddy, Myanmar, tapers off, another serious transboundary problem emerged with the Pollution Control Department, under the Environmental Ministry, issuing a ban on April 4 against the use of water in the Kok River, which runs from Myanmar into Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai provinces.
Congo conflict is double trouble for global tin market
News, Andy Home, Published on 22/03/2025
» Alphamin Resources' decision to suspend operations at the Bisie tin mine in the Democratic Republic of Congo underscores the fragility of tin's global supply chain.
Scammers face losing their protection
Oped, Paskorn Jumlongrach, Published on 30/01/2025
» With mounting pressure from Bangkok and Beijing, it is becoming more difficult for Karen Border Guard Force (BGF) chief Maj Gen Saw Chit Thu to protect the grey business empire along the Moei river in Myawaddy and also to lead the force.