Longer-form commentary and opinion pieces across all geographic sections
Dana (giving) is recognized as a virtue in Thai culture, meaning almost all citizens are familiar with the idea of charity and donations. But this month a debate on what the state – rather than charity – should provide has gone viral across Thailand. The hot topic was sparked after rock star Artiwara “Toon Bodyslam”
After the sharp economic contraction triggered by the pandemic in 2020, hopes were high that Thailand’s economy would stage a recovery in 2021. The COVID-19 outbreak in early 2020 had led to a 6.1 percent economic contraction, affecting large numbers of people and businesses. Thailand’s success in containing the spread of the first wave kindled
Looking back over the past year, Thailand’s overall relations with all the great powers have been cordial and have moved in the right direction, except, that is, with the US. Thailand, the “old and great” friend of the US has been deliberately neglected by Washington, as if both have become enemies. Since the Biden administration
An emergency fund can be a lifeline when we are faced with a worst-case scenario. It can be very helpful for unexpected life events, such as loss of employment or income, illness, and accident. As the pandemic rolls on and is further complicated by the new Omicron variant, it’s more important than ever to have
Thailand’s residential market will gradually improve next year due to more balanced supply and demand and the easing of housing loan regulations, but the full recovery to pre-pandemic levels will not happen until 2023, experts say. “We’ve seen positive signs at the end of this year and we expect to see a recovery in the
Trading in digital assets in Thailand saw high growth in 2021, on par with global markets, as large numbers of investors have entered the market. The low-interest rates offered by banks may be one of the key factors behind the popularity of cryptocurrencies. The Bank of Thailand (BOT) and central banks around the world have
Vietnam has come a long way since it began its “Doi Moi” (renewal) 35 years ago. Now, fresh from serving as a two-year non-permanent member of United Nations Security Council, the country has gained more confidence and would like very much to expand its regional and international role. It also comes at the time when
More than five years since its governor was appointed after a coup, Bangkok is now looking forward to its first gubernatorial election in almost nine years. Although no date has been set for the citywide election, Bangkok voters are being primed by media reports and opinion surveys on aspiring candidates. Meanwhile, pressure is mounting on
The new “traffic light” coalition government in Germany will have to perform a major Houdini act, should it decide to take a radical departure from its predecessor’s foreign policy, especially towards this region. For the past 16 years, Southeast Asia has enjoyed one of the best relationships with Europe’s most powerful country. Germany does not
Despite being considered one of the world’s most tolerant societies, Thailand is unlikely to bless same-sex marriages any time soon. Efforts to legalize the status of same-sex couples in Thailand have been dealt harsh blows recently. The Constitutional Court’s ruling last month supported the Civil and Commercial Code’s edict that only marriage between a man and
The opposition party and pressure group that were resurrected from the disbanded Future Forward Party are setting their sights on different political targets — in a two-pronged move to win the hearts and minds of Thai voters. While the Move Forward Party is eyeing national elections and the Bangkok gubernatorial polls, the Progressive Movement is
The recent discovery of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus has made global stock markets highly volatile — sharply down in late November and rebounding in early December. Thai stocks have followed the global trend. “The Thai stock market’s rebound on December 7 points to an easing of investor concerns about Omicron, as the latest report suggests
