Showing 1 - 10 of 60
The essence of Thailand in one phrase
Oped, Published on 05/06/2025
» The glossy brochures tell you it's "The Land of Smiles" or maybe it's just "amazing". Slightly more sophisticated takes suggest the essence of Thailand can be found in its unique expressions of showing consideration to others in the context of a hierarchy.
Tower collapse puts builder in spotlight
Oped, Published on 02/04/2025
» Even before the dust settled in Bangkok after the March 28 quake, China Railway's 10th Bureau was deleting posts and photos about its key role in constructing the infamous collapsed building.
Feb 28 was the day diplomacy died
News, Published on 03/03/2025
» What do we make of the Oval Office meltdown that led to Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky being politically ambushed and then rushed out of the White House? How do we best interpret Donald Trump's rude, bullying behaviour, reinforced by his trusty sidekick Vice President JD Vance?
Tolerance makes Bangkok a world city
Oped, Published on 24/01/2025
» Bangkok is a city of the world, but is it a world city?
How China and Japan's values 'differ'
Oped, Published on 05/12/2024
» Malaysia's former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad famously saluted "Asian values" citing "diffidence" as one of the characteristics that ostensibly made Asians different, though he did so in an arrogant, attention-grabbing kind of way. More successful was his "Look East Policy", (which, from the geographic confines of Malaysia is actually the Philippines) and there was no mistaking that it was Japan that Mr Mahathir had in mind, with China hovering somewhere out of focus in the background.
Like bamboo swaying in the wind
News, Published on 18/11/2024
» When a powerful country comes courting, a smaller country is wise not to reject the courtship out of hand, even if it isn't fully swayed or convinced. The lesser of the two powers may appear to be an eager, willing and ready partner, but there may well be a measure of ambiguity behind the ready acquiescence and responsive smile.
Bitter fruits of US poll will be felt for years to come
Oped, Published on 12/11/2020
» The aftermath of a US presidential election is, in normal times, a moment to muse about possible new policy directions of the candidate who prevailed at the polling booth.
Fake faces peddling false news as US poll looms
Oped, Published on 03/11/2020
» It's hard to know what to believe these days, as weaponised tweets and deliberate disinformation spread around the world like wildfire, leaping from the internet to traditional press outlets, sowing confusion in the public commons.
Against all odds, young demonstrators persevere
News, Published on 20/10/2020
» Youthful demonstrators across Thailand loosely linked by smartphones and smart-aleck attitudes have found a way to gather, taunt and disperse with subterfuge and speed.
The unbearable bleakness of government TV news
Oped, Philip J Cunningham, Published on 17/10/2020
» The outpouring of popular dissent on Wednesday proved to be a flash in the pan; by dawn the next morning, the sit-in at Government House had been disbanded, rank and file protesters were sent packing and the protest leaders were put under arrest.