Longer-form commentary and opinion pieces across all geographic sections
After former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra returned to face prison following 15 years of self-exile and managed to spend the last four months in hospital, many people are wondering if his sister Yingluck is set to follow suit. Thaksin, the patriarch of the ruling Pheu Thai Party, has not spent a single day in prison
Franking speaking, Timor Leste’s membership in Asean is becoming increasingly problematic. This is mainly due to the extensive comments by the country’s leaders on the role of Asean and the situation in Myanmar. Dili has been trying to join Asean since it gained independence in 2000 although, at this stage, there has not been any
Japan and ASEAN firmed up their already close relationship at their meetings in Tokyo over the weekend. After five decades, Japan has proved to be a reliable partner of ASEAN in all areas. The new joint vision statement and action plans will ensure that their relations will proceed in the right direction in the years
In a groundbreaking first, millions of Social Security Fund (SSF) members are poised to elect representatives to the powerful board that manages Thailand’s biggest fund and their benefits. SSF members currently number about 24 million. Of these, about half are eligible to vote in the first-ever Social Security Board (SSB) election. However, they must first
Move Forward Party MPs Wuttipong Thonglour and Chaiyamparwaan Manpianjit were expelled from the party after it was decided by the party’s disciplinary board that they had sexually harassed party volunteers. Way before the final decision was made, however, no apology could be heard from the two embattled politicians. What is much more obvious is how
Given the huge difference between penalties for abuse of methamphetamine and for selling the drug, the government’s plan to classify people convicted of possessing more than five methamphetamine tablets as drug traders is a big deal. “We have set this cap based on academic findings by relevant authorities,” Public Health Ministry acting permanent secretary Dr
The Royal Thai Navy’s dream of acquiring its first submarine in over seven decades has been shattered once again. Defense Minister Sutin Klungsang announced last Friday that the Thai government would suspend its purchase of a Chinese-built S26T diesel-electric attack submarine and accept the Navy’s proposal to spend the money on a frigate from China
The Pheu Thai-led coalition government faces mounting pressure to abandon its populist policy of handing out 10,000 baht to all citizens aged 16 years and above under its digital wallet scheme. A few weeks ago, 99 academics had issued a signed statement opposing the scheme that would cost as much as 560 billion baht, even
Thailand’s vision for a green economy fails to tackle the country’s environmental problems at their root, say many environmentalists, who accuse the government of prioritizing big business at the expense of our common habitat. “I fear that the [sustainable economy] model adopted by the government will only benefit major industry operators, who are in fact
Hundreds of protesters have been demonstrating in front of Government House since October 3, calling on the new administration to address 10 demands to improve the lives of marginalized groups in Thailand. “If our lives were not so difficult, we would not be here,” said Thavorn Thanasing, 70. “We are prey to hordes of mosquitoes,
As Thai authorities try to uncover the motive behind a 14-year-old suspect’s shooting spree at the Siam Paragon shopping mall in Bangkok on October 3rd, some media outlets have discovered that the suspect had a game addiction and mental health issues. Oftentimes, video games have been blamed for mass shootings, as many of them depict
Less than two months after taking power, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin appears to be overshadowed by the Shinawatra family, judging from the people around him. A high proportion of his official and unofficial advisers, government appointees, and Cabinet colleagues are Shinawatra loyalists, friends, political allies, in-laws, or even family members. Over the past month, PM
