Showing 1 - 10 of 198
Why Rohingya refugees are fleeing Bangladesh
Oped, Sayedullah, Kamal and Alom Shah, Published on 09/05/2020
» On Feb 11, a small wooden boat trying to make its way from Bangladesh to Malaysia capsized, and dozens of Rohingya refugees drowned. On April 15, a boat carrying 500 Rohingya was forced to return to Bangladesh after failing to enter Malaysia. Over 70 Rohingya starved to death or died from heat, their bodies thrown overboard.
Don't let the pandemic turn into pandemonium
News, Sandro Calvani and Apichai Sunchindah, Published on 04/08/2020
» In the 17th-century epic poem Paradise Lost, the English poet, John Milton, recounts the biblical story of the temptation by Satan to abuse the fruits of the creation, leading to the fall of Adam and Eve and their punishment of being expelled from the Garden of Eden. In describing such a dramatic change of the human condition, Milton coined the term "pandemonium". It literally means abode of all demons (or hell), from the Greek word pan-, "all", and daimon, "demon(s)". In fact, in that story the cause of the devastating crisis is demoniac bad advice given and accepted by the then two human beings. After the recent experience of one of the worst global calamities of our time, due to Covid-19, many governments are trying to contain humankind's risks of losing the paradise of the modern world order and the promised quality of life in the third millennium.
RCEP shores up trade, value chains
Oped, Pavida Pananond and Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 20/11/2020
» Although it is far from the best outcome in trade liberalisation, the finalisation of the 15-member Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) among economies of Northeast Asia and Southeast Asia, along with Australia and New Zealand, has highlighted and even salvaged Asean's adverse pandemic year.
A more balanced narrative of Thailand's pandemic
Oped, Natapanu Nopakun and Yajai Bunnag, Published on 20/11/2020
» Thailand's success in tackling the Covid-19 pandemic, with effective control of local transmission, has gained global recognition. With such achievements, though challenges remain, the country has quite a few stories to share with the world.
Towards a gender-equal world: a mission for all
Oped, Josep Borrell and Jutta Urpilainen, Published on 28/11/2020
» In early 2020, Awa had just turned 15 years old when she heard that her marriage was being arranged. Escaping it seemed difficult, but Awa found the courage to defy her father's decision. Her small village in Mali had a committee for the prevention of early marriage, and she took her case to them. This body of respected people presented Awa's father with all the arguments against early marriage, and managed to convince him. It is to help the cause of young girls like Awa that the European Union supports this committee and many other projects in this area around the world.
Local politics amid US-Thai relations
Oped, Brad Glosserman and Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 11/12/2020
» Among Southeast Asia's governments, Thailand's may regret the most Donald Trump's departure from the White House. The government of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has benefited from the Trump administration's de-emphasis of human rights and democracy in favour of geostrategic interests. A shift in emphasis under President-elect Joe Biden's administration is likely to ensnare the Thailand-United States treaty alliance in Thai domestic politics.
Let's have bureaucrats empower people
News, Peerasit Kamnuansilpa and Sirisak Laochankham, Published on 07/04/2018
» The outcry about the Khon Kaen deputy governor's letter last month to launch a programme to "stop citizens from being stupid" has largely been placated, following public apologies. But this incident reflects the flaws in the long-standing attitude of the bureaucracy in Thailand towards citizens. Right from the very start, the Thai bureaucracy was designed to control the destiny of the populace, not empower them.
English literacy just the tip of the iceberg
News, Daniel Maxwell and Peerasit Kamnuansilpa, Published on 21/04/2018
» An ambitious initiative being planned by the Thai Ministry of Education to place thousands of young foreign teachers in rural schools across Thailand has the potential to dramatically improve English-language abilities. However, quality control is likely to prove problematic, as is culture shock. In addition, students in rural communities face myriad educational challenges far beyond foreign language proficiency, which restrict equality of opportunity.
What does the future hold for an at-the-crossroads Asean?
Nehginpao Kipgen and Soumya Chaturvedi, Published on 26/05/2018
» Asean as a regional organisation marked its 50th anniversary last year. Year-round events were organised to celebrate the functioning of an organisation that was predicted to wither away or collapse by political analysts at the time of its formation.
Using technology to fill the gap in welfare delivery
News, Boonwara Sumano and Suttipong Kanakakorn, Published on 13/06/2018
» The threat of digitally disruptive technologies has caused many people to grow concerned as they fret about disappearing jobs due to greater automation and advanced technology replacing humans on factory floors, in offices and elsewhere. But such technology can also work wonders to improve the country's welfare delivery system. Better yet, it can be designed to help prevent fraud and corruption.