Longer-form commentary and opinion pieces across all geographic sections
It was 80 years ago. On a cold day of 20 January 1942, a group of fifteen representatives of Third Reich authorities and high functionaries of the SS convened for a meeting in Wannsee, near Berlin, under the leadership of Reinhard Heydrich, head of the Security Police, Security Service (SD) and the Reich Security Main
Two recent oil spills off Rayong province are just the latest in a long line of similar disasters in Thai seas. Records reveal that more than 200 oil spills have occurred over the past five decades, with little apparently being done to tighten regulations, restore the environment or compensate locals for the damage to their livelihoods. Now,
Thursday’s siege in Songkhla’s Chana district, which ended in the deaths of three suspected insurgents and the capture of a fourth, could be seen, by some, as an achievement at a certain level, but authorities, especially the police and the military, must do more to avoid unnecessary loss of life and to understand the context
In this second year of the Myanmar coup, activities by all parties are expected to accelerate. The stakes are high for all stakeholders as Myanmar’s military digs in. Nine prominent panelists at a Jakarta Post, Thai PBS and Asia News Network webinar provided insights into how 2022 may unfold for the country. Will the People’s
While Gen Min Aung Hlaing’s coup against a civilian government one year ago has failed to achieve national unity and peace as promised, the unprecedented uprising of Myanmar’s people is still far from achieving victory. “To be honest, if we are still talking about the coup one year later, [that means] it has failed,” Debbie
Predictions of defeat for the ruling Palang Pracharath Party were being made several days before last Sunday’s Constituency 9 by-election in Bangkok, but few analysts expected such a devastating loss. Palang Pracharath’s candidate Saranrat Jenjaka attracted just 7,906 votes – less than a quarter of the 34,907 votes received by her husband Sira when he
Judgement Day is nigh for Thailand as the Singapore-based arbitral tribunal prepares to issue its January 31 verdict on the government’s battle with an international mining company. The stakes are high as Australia-based Kingsgate Consolidated Limited is demanding US$750million (about 25 billion baht) in compensation from the government, after its subsidiary Akara Resources’ Chatree gold
The Thai government has claimed that the restoration of diplomatic relations with Saudi Arabia after 30 years will bring great benefits to the economy. Several sectors, such as tourism, labour, energy and medical services, are likely to be the big gainers. Observers, however, are cautious about jumping on this bandwagon of optimism. Three decades ago
Unresolved cases relating to the murders of Saudi Arabian diplomats, a businessman who went missing, and the theft of a precious blue diamond from a Saudi palace – there was a lot that derailed Thailand-Saudi Arabia diplomatic relations. After over three decades, the clouds of distrust have dispersed. Something has suddenly changed in the Saudi
After more than three decades of frozen Thai-Saudi ties, this week’s “historic” visit by Thailand’s Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to Saudi Arabia has had the effect of normalising one of the most important bilateral ties with the Middle East. Appointments of mutual ambassadors are soon to be announced. From now on, the ties between the
Thailand’s youngsters can breathe sighs of relief after the grueling one-day university entrance examination was canceled, but their future education chances still depend on two national exams. So, the risk of missing these exams if they get infected with COVID-19 is sparking a loud outcry, especially from students who have been revising hard for months.
Sarng Anacot Thai Party, the new political party launched last week by former economic ministers in the current government, lacks the magnetic pull to win the hearts of people, say analysts, who believe it will be tough for the party to win big in the next general election. Sarng Anacot Thai, which translates as “Building
