• OPINION

  Thai-EU free trade deal on the horizon

  News, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 17/04/2024

  » If everything goes as planned, Thailand and the EU could sign a free trade agreement by mid-next year, in what is another example of the European Union's increasing engagement in the Indo-Pacific region.

• OPINION

  Meaningful policy on Myanmar needed

  News, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 09/01/2024

  » The fall of Laukkai in Myanmar's Kokang Self-Administered Zone to rebel forces is one of the most significant developments in the conflict in Myanmar since the coup took place in 2021. Why? It shows the State Administration Council's (SAC) inability to protect its territory from the Three Brotherhood Alliance, which launched a fierce offensive dubbed "Operation 1027" at the end of October last year, threatening the junta's hold on the northern Shan state, which borders China, and other remote areas in the region.

• OPINION

  Competitiveness affects Indonesia ties

  News, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 27/06/2023

  » Just two years ago, Thailand and Indonesia commemorated the 70th anniversary of relations, with both sides holding events to celebrate. Over the year, they mapped out various plans that would boost bilateral ties with the aim of establishing and hastening a "strategic partnership". These included strengthening political and economic relations, investment, as well as people-to-people exchanges. In particular, both countries would establish "High-Level Committees" in their law enforcement agencies, including the police and military, to counter common challenges such as narcotics, human trafficking and call centre scams. Then a month later came the Myanmar quagmire.

• OPINION

  Asean must reengage with Myanmar

  News, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 23/05/2023

  » Indonesian President Joko Widodo, or Jokowi, was frank in saying that no progress had been made over the Myanmar crisis at the latest Asean summit in Labuan Bajo during a press conference after the event. Apparently, he was disappointed that the chair's efforts did not make the desirable outcome under his watch.

• OPINION

  Indonesia's Asean chair faces challenges

  News, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 03/01/2023

  » Over the course of 25 years of democratic transformation that followed the Suharto era, whenever Indonesia served as the Asean chair, new ideas and plans seemed to mushroom.

• OPINION

  Humanitarian peril on western border

  News, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 13/12/2022

  » While the country's political machinery and personnel are now gearing up for the upcoming election, there is a humanitarian crisis in waiting on the western border. Politicians have so far turned a blind eye.

• OPINION

  UN envoy and SAC: more than tit for tat

  News, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 23/08/2022

  » When the United Nations Secretary-General's special envoy met recently with the military junta leader of a pariah state, the expectation was probably that it would start with an exchange of pleasantries and then be followed by some serious discussion. Of course, nobody would know what the two touched upon during their closed-door meeting. That was not to be.

• OPINION

  Bolstering Thailand-India ties at 75

  News, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 30/08/2022

  » Thailand and India have taken seven-and-a-half decades to transform their close historical and cultural ties into a more strategic trajectory. It is not an easy task as their leaders have been all too comfortable with their longstanding friendly and relatively trouble-free ties. However, the recent three-day high-profile visit of Indian External Affairs Secretary Dr S Jaishankar has raised the dynamics of Thailand-India relations to a new level.

• OPINION

  6 reasons to recalibrate Thai-US ties

  News, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 28/06/2022

  » After years of benign neglect, Thailand is seeing some earth-shaking developments from the US, with the Biden administration apparently suddenly realising that Thailand remains a key ally in the region that has not yet been fully utilised. At this juncture, the time is right. Both countries are planning to commemorate the 190th anniversary of their diplomatic relations next year. Across the world, the war in Ukraine has already generating long-term regional repercussions, helping to highlight the state of the Thai-US alliance.

• OPINION

  Welcome to Thailand: Ganja anyone?

  News, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 15/02/2022

  » Thank Lord Buddha! The Land of Smiles is not going to turn into the land of ganja any time soon. That means you still cannot smoke pot openly as you will be jailed. However, omelets mixed with ganja or kratom leaves or deep broth with wagyu beef are popular dishes and highly recommended for persons who need a quick stir for their emotions.

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