Showing 3,211 - 3,220 of 3,226
A little taste of freedom
News, Editorial, Published on 20/07/2015
» Two tiny steps last week showed that the hopes for freedom of expression will not be easily extinguished. Each took place in a courtroom. In Bangkok, the Administrative Court allowed Peace TV back on air, and agreed to study the claim by the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) that it has the right to censor the content of media broadcasts. In Phuket, prosecutors failed to show up for two of the three days of the navy's defamation lawsuit against local journalists. Apparently they share the public's distaste for this trial.
Release move just one step
News, Editorial, Published on 21/07/2015
» The military regime has ordered the release from prison of former terrorist leader, Sama-ae Thanam. Other releases may follow. Now 63, Sama-ae has vowed to help reconciliation efforts and establish peace across the deep South. Once the leader of the military wing of the so-called Patani United Liberation Front (Pulo), he was captured in Malaysia in 1988, extradited and later jailed on terrorism charges in 1997. Authorities not only believe he is no longer a threat but could help peace efforts in the restive southern provinces.
Water crisis far from over
News, Editorial, Published on 23/07/2015
» Mother Nature has finally responded to our pleas by bringing us much-needed rain. For the past several days, there have been showers in many parts of the country, bringing to life the parched farmland and giving hope to many farmers who have been praying for rainfall to save their dying rice crops. It is a blessing for the farmers, who were relegated to secondary importance by policy-makers who denied them access to water to irrigate their crops.
Digital bill problematic
News, Editorial, Published on 24/07/2015
» After cabinet approval this week, the proposed Digital Economy and Society Development Bill will soon be forwarded to the National Legislative Assembly for deliberations. Here are the key questions it needs to ask.
Crackdown shows enforcement woes
News, Editorial, Published on 26/07/2015
» Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha late last week invoked his special powers under Section 44 to suppress illegal street racing — a move that would have been unnecessary if police had done their job of enforcing the laws.
Wise move over Krabi
News, Editorial, Published on 27/07/2015
» Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha deserves credit for retreating from his tenacious stance over the Krabi power plant. It took two unpleasant weeks of rhetoric and protest, but in the end the people who are directly involved in the issue must have a place at the table. This is only a minor step forward. Yet it shows that the government may be willing to listen — although it might not move the Krabi issue closer to a proper resolution.
Stop the city sinking
News, Editorial, Published on 25/07/2015
» The report should have been alarming. It should have shaken all authorities to the core and sent them into a frantic mode searching for a possible solution.
A battle only half won
News, Editorial, Published on 28/07/2015
» Whether the United States' views on Thailand and human trafficking remain the same or improve, the government must continue its battle against this despicable scourge.
Government targets water waste
News, Editorial, Published on 30/07/2015
» The cabinet on Tuesday approved a set of short-term water conservation measures to be applicable at all governmental units and state enterprises effective from Oct 1 which marks the beginning of the 2016 fiscal year. These measures are long overdue.
The moral high ground
News, Editorial, Published on 29/07/2015
» The decision of the spiritual leader of the country's Muslims to speak out on the barbaric killing of a monk in Pattani last weekend is most welcome. The Office of the Chularatchamontri, also known as the Sheikhul Islam, correctly described the bomb attack on an alms ceremony as unmerciful. A monk and a policeman were killed by the bomb. Two soldiers, a monk and three local residents were wounded. The attack was unprovoked and deserves strong condemnation from all quarters.