Opinion pieces and commentary on Thailand's current affairs, in English, from Thai PBS World contributors.
Whoever wins the US presidential election on November 5, Thailand is prepared to engage with the new president. As a treaty ally and the first Asian country to recognize the US over two centuries ago, Thailand’s relationship with America has stood the test of time.
It’s not the first time, and it certainly won’t be the last, that a Buddhist monk (bhikkhu) is involved in a controversy.
The iCon Group scandal has captivated the public, with celebrity involvement drawing even more attention. But behind the glitz and big names lies a deeper story—one about hope, greed, and the harsh realities that drive ordinary people to desperation.
Thailand is uniquely positioned to play a crucial role in resolving the Myanmar crisis, a fact recognized by both domestic and international policymakers and experts.
What is your favorite place to connect with nature? Picture yourself in the heart of a vast and ancient jungle, surrounded by towering huge trees holding untold past secrets. The air is thick with nature’s beauty, and the sounds of wildlife create a melody of life. A faraway roar sends shivers down your spine and is a reminder of the regal presence of the tiger, known as the ‘king of the jungle.
Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra wants his planned return to Thailand to be seen as a family affair. But few are fooled by his latest political act. All of a sudden Thaksin has become a key player in the weeks-long political haggling over the formation of a post-election coalition. His announcement that he will finally
A green mint-chocolate drink has taken on a distinctly political flavor in Thailand as bitter division threatens to engulf the country again. “If Pheu Thai joins hands with [outgoing coalition leader] Palang Pracharath, then Mint Choc will never be the same,” a Thalu Wang protester shouted at Pheu Thai headquarters on Sunday. News that Pheu
Rumour mills fired up shortly after Paetongtarn Shinawatra announced that her father Thaksin will end his self-imposed exile and return to Thailand on August 10. Today (Wednesday) is Thaksin’s 74th birthday and he is said to be in Hong Kong, where he will host a birthday party. It is believed that some senior politicians will
Over 7,000 fake news stories were reported in Thailand last year, according to the country’s Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (DES). The statistics indicate that most fake news involved misleading information about Thai government policy and healthcare. As fake news has been growing Thailand, due to the increasing use of technology, people are now
For decades, movies very effectively influence thinking, imposing sometimes controversial values, defying religious concepts, occasionally blurring the lines between rights and wrongs and confusing the world as to who heroes and villains are. That will continue to be the case, but the virtual monopoly in the industry is facing a huge threat, which is being
The secret meeting last week between Thai Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai and the jailed Daw Aung San Suu Kyi in Naypyidaw came about thanks to long, tedious and quiet diplomatic efforts that enabled the first high-level meeting with one of the key stakeholders in the current conflict in Myanmar. Don became the first high-ranking official
The latest NATO summit in Lithuania seemed to please the Western alliance and Ukraine, its key beneficiary. If nothing else, they have come up with a strong plan to help Ukraine fight Russia. The big defence package includes a new multi-year assistance programme to facilitate the transition of the Ukrainian armed forces from Soviet-era to
