• OPINION

  Myanmar's media development has stalled

  News, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 12/12/2017

  » The atmosphere surrounding the development of liberal media in Myanmar, which began in earnest and has been carefully nurtured since 2012, is in a serious state of amnesia. This sentiment is widely felt and shared throughout the media community in the country.

• OPINION

  Thailand wise to act as EU-Asean conduit

  News, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 19/12/2017

  » The first paragraph of the Council of the European Union conclusion on Thailand, released last Monday after the EU foreign ministerial meeting, provided an insight into the state of EU-Thai relations. It says:

• OPINION

  N Korea: An enemy at Asean's gate?

  News, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 26/12/2017

  » Southeast Asia is no longer immune from North Korean nuclear destructive force. As tensions heighten by the day, the US, Japan, South Korea and China, in their thoughtful ways, are bringing the looming nuclear threat to the eardrums of all Asean leaders. A frequently asked question: Are they serious?

• OPINION

  Lessons from Thai votes on Jerusalem

  News, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 02/01/2018

  » Thailand made a historic decision on 21 Dec to join 127 other United Nations member states in rejecting the US decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital. In the past, when push came to shove in a major diplomatic decision, Bangkok would normally duck the issue by practising "fence-sitting" to protect its perceived national interests.

• OPINION

  Mekong countries eye bold new future

  News, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 09/01/2018

  » When lead characters in a Chinese kung fu movie drink wine from the same cup, they are considered sworn brothers. They will fight and die together. Will all six riparian countries of the Lancang, or Mekong (Lan-Mei), share the same spirit of camaraderie as they all live on this magnificent river? There may be ominous signs during the Second Summit of the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC) on Jan 10-11 in Phnom Penh.

• OPINION

  Making Thai passports more powerful

  News, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 16/01/2018

  » For a country that welcomed more than 33 million visitors from well over 150 countries last year, it is shocking to find out that Thai passport holders can go to just 73 countries without visas. That is pathetic and unacceptable and well below Singapore and Malaysia whose citizens can visit 176 and 166 countries visa-free respectively.

• OPINION

  Trump can do more for Asean allies

  News, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 24/01/2018

  » When President Donald Trump decided to attend the East Asia Summit (EAS) last November, the Asean chair, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, was elated. However, roughly 56 hours after his arrival and after his participation in a series of meetings in Manila, the chair shuddered as the No.1 guest decided to leave early without attending the grouping's most exclusive leaders-only strategic forum, the 12th EAS.

• OPINION

  Locating Thailand in the Indo-Pacific region

  News, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 30/01/2018

  » Bluntly put, there are two reasons that propel Thailand to the front of the Asean queue in endorsing the US-led Indo-Pacific region concept. First of all, Thailand does not want the Indo-Pacific to concentrate on consultations between the US, India, Japan and Australia grouping -- known as the Quadrilateral or Quad. Bangkok perceives it as an emerging broader Indo-Pacific community. Secondly, the region's stability and prosperity will depend more on inclusive security cooperation both on land and at sea.

• OPINION

  Cobra Gold 2018: No more cheap talk, just action

  News, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 06/02/2018

  » The Cobra Gold multilateral military exercise is a barometer of how strong the Thai-US security commitment is despite several hiccups in recent years. Thailand's strategic role and value cannot be underestimated, especially at this pivotal juncture with the fluid security landscape of the region. After nearly a decade of inertia, the Thai and US administrations are gradually fine-tuning their wave-lengths and meeting mutual security needs.

• OPINION

  Singapore's Asean tests: twists and turns

  News, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 13/02/2018

  » Judging from the well-crafted statement on the Asean foreign ministers' retreat in the Lion City last week, Singapore as the current chair of the regional grouping has its work cut out for it.

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