Showing 91 - 100 of 126
Eyes on Xayaburi dam
News, Editorial, Published on 30/10/2019
» As the Xayaburi hydropower project in Laos began its first day of electricity generation yesterday on the Mekong River's mainstream, doubts still lingered among scientists and environmentalists about the measures proposed to mitigate the negative effects of the dam on the river's complex and large ecosystems.
Dams a threat to Mekong
News, Editorial, Published on 16/10/2019
» Almost a decade ago, Vietnam was the most vocal neighbour in opposing Laos' first dam on the Mekong River. Now, it has become a partner in the Lao government's Luang Prabang dam project -- its fifth on the mighty river. This new partnership is worrying, as is the rapid pace of overall Mekong hydropower development.
No country for dissidents
News, Editorial, Published on 14/09/2019
» Despite some restrictions on freedom of expression, Thailand was once a place where government dissent was tolerated. It was seen as a safe haven for dissidents in the region, many of whom arrived seeking asylum in a third country under UN Human Rights Commission rules. Od Sayavong, a 34-year-old Lao political activist, was one of them. But that hope was extinguished when he went missing in Bangkok on Aug 26.
Call time on beer barons
News, Editorial, Published on 24/08/2019
» No one but the ultra rich are allowed to brew beer for sale in Thailand. The law is as unjust and outrageous as that. And no lawmaker has suffered the bitter taste of inequality in the brewing industry quite like Future Forward Party MP Taopiphop Limjittrakorn, who in January 2017 was arrested for brewing and selling his own craft beer. At the time he was a young entrepreneur, looking to break into the business.
Dam disaster on the way
News, Editorial, Published on 20/07/2019
» It is now early on in the rainy season and the water volume on the Mekong River should have been high. But water levels on certain stretches of the international river, which runs from China through Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam, have reached their lowest points for 57 years.
Turn taxis around
News, Editorial, Published on 25/06/2019
» Plans by the Department of Land Transport (DLT) to legalise ride-hailing services, in particular Grab, are a major step forward in improving taxi services in the country.
Toxic inaction on farm chemicals
News, Editorial, Published on 16/06/2019
» In staunch defiance against growing calls for a ban on extremely hazardous farm chemicals, including paraquat, the Department of Agriculture has started registering farmers who still want to use the chemicals on their plantations.
Activists face chilling threat
News, Editorial, Published on 05/06/2019
» The latest barbaric assault on anti-junta activist Sirawith Seritiwat sends a chill down the spine with the prospect that, given the current trajectory of polarised Thai politics, the worst is probably yet to come.
Tourist tax could work
News, Editorial, Published on 28/05/2019
» The government's fresh initiative to charge a tax on tourists who visit Thailand is not a bad idea. But it should not be executed until the government has mapped out an effective plan to manage and allocate the potentially huge revenue generated from the levy.
Korea needs a Thai fix
News, Editorial, Published on 20/05/2019
» South Korea is a popular destination for Thai tourists, the same way that Thailand is for South Koreans. Unfortunately, the tourism relationship between the countries has been damaged by the continuing influx of Thai visitors who end up being overstayers and illegal workers in South Korea.