Longer-form commentary and opinion pieces across all geographic sections
Three months after Chadchart Sittipunt took over as governor, his Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is still struggling to solve the complicated problems surrounding the BTS Green Line and its extensions. Even the slightest change to services or fares on the Green Line will impact millions of commuters in Greater Bangkok. “We will have to consult
New political parties are being launched to extend the rule of the so-called “3Ps” – generals Prayut, Prawit and “Pock” – after the next election, say political analysts. Ruamthai Sarngchart (United Thai Nation), Thailand Together and Thoet Thai have been formed as apparent vehicles for a political comeback by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, Deputy Premier
For years ASEAN has benefited from its ambiguous relations with Taiwan, while enjoying formal ties with mainland China. But the ongoing tensions in the Taiwan Strait might create a new normal that could affect the status quo of the regional geo-political landscape, Thai scholars said at a recent seminar. Beijing apparently wanted to encircle Taiwan to
The Mountain B pub blaze that killed 18 people and injured dozens shows Thailand has failed to learn lessons from its history of deadly infernos. Although safety rules and building-control laws are in place, operators and authorities still have a casual attitude towards compliance. The result is that avoidable disasters continue to happen on a
The draft bill to amend the electoral law – which saw a last-minute change in the calculation method for party-list MPs – now seems to be doomed. The joint Parliament meeting for the bill’s third reading collapsed last Wednesday (August 3) after failing to reach a quorum, as many senators and MPs from the two
Concern over COVID-19 “rebound” infections is soaring globally after US President Joe Biden tweeted on Sunday (July 31) that he had “tested positive again” – just days after recovering. In rebound cases, patients suffer symptoms or test positive soon after completing a course of antivirals and testing negative. Such cases were initially thought to be
Questions over whether Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha can legally remain in office after August 24 have resurfaced as the date approaches. On that date, Gen Prayut will have been in the post for eight years, the legal limit set by the Constitution. What the Constitution says Unlike all previous editions, the current Thai charter stipulates
The military junta’s latest action has further worsened the prospect of a peace process in Myanmar. The ASEAN joint statement issued on Tuesday said it all: ASEAN denounces and is strongly disappointed by the execution of the four activists, namely Phyo Zeya Thaw, Kyaw Min Yu, Hla Myo Aung and Aung Thura Zaw. The executions
Europe faced an energy crisis even before drama emerged about the Nord Stream 1 pipeline reopening from Russia to Germany. While natural gas started flowing again Thursday after the major pipeline shut down for 10 days of maintenance, Europe will still struggle to keep homes warm and industry humming this winter. That is because Russia
The plunging value of the baht appears ominous and raises worrying questions about its impact on the Thai economy. On Friday (July 15), the baht fell to 36.73 to the US dollar, its lowest in 15 years and eight months, according to Kasikorn Research Center. Between July 11-15, foreign investors sold Thai shares worth 1.1 billion baht. Net buys have totalled 122 billion baht since
This week’s censure debate — the fourth and final under the current House of Representatives’ four-year term — is unlikely to bring down the government of Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha. However, the prime minister and 10 other targeted Cabinet members are expected to suffer their worst damage as the opposition prepares an all-out attack ahead of
The first Bangkok governor and council elections since the 2014 coup restored some control over city rule to its residents earlier this year. However, the capital is still missing its third level of elected officials – councilors for each of its 50 districts. Now, the Bangkok Metropolitan Council (BMC) is pushing for district council elections
