Growth figures don't add up | Bangkok Post: opinion

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EDITORIAL Growth figures don't add up

23 May 2013 : When the National Economic and Social Development Board announced its latest economic growth figures for the first quarter of this year which showed a weaker-than-expected growth rate, many questions were asked as to whether the figures were accurate.
PostbagPerils of populism

23 May 2013 : Dom Dunn says in his May 18 letter, ''Abhisit loses crop plot'', that ''Khun Abhisit's view seems to be that populist policies do not guarantee votes and that might explain his reluctance to offer vote-winning policies, but if populist policies don't work I wonder how he explains Pheu Thai's success''.

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COMMENTARY
Let debate bare its fangs
26 Mar 2013 : As one who works in the media profession, I feel disconcerted seeing an 80-year-old "social critic" who is championing citizens' right to criticism and freedom of speech, standing at the forefront against the roaring army chief and daring to tell him that it's not right to tell people who disagree with him to go live somewhere else.
THINK BOX
We need more civility in the service
26 Mar 2013 : The phrase "civil servant" means different things for different people. Some parents dream of their children becoming civil servants because they feel the job is honourable and stable. Some look at it with disdain, associating it with corruption and back-stabbing. Some respect civil servants, many look down on them. There is no right or wrong.
EDITORIAL
Asean ignores Yangon abuse
25 Mar 2013 : There were two responses last week to the new communal violence in Myanmar. The Asean Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) said it will meet in May to strengthen existing mechanisms and introduce new ones. The non-governmental Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) condemned the Myanmar government for declaring a state of emergency in the Mandalay region and sending in the army.
Postbag
Finger of blame
25 Mar 2013 : Re "30 killed in camp blaze" (BP, March 23). You quote Interior Minister Charupong Ruangsuwan saying, "I will investigate the cause of the fire". Surely he did not say that. Surely he said, "I will investigate the cause of so many needless deaths and the fire prevention, fire-fighting and evacuation procedures at the camp". Or might that involve pointing the finger of blame for the deaths at oneself?
Thai PBS gives impetus to monarchy debate
25 Mar 2013 : Like it or not, the issue regarding the monarchy and lese majeste, which is considered "taboo" for public discussion in this country, has rocketed into the limelight along with all the fuss surrounding the controversial role of the Thai PBS television channel which decided to bring the issue out of the closet and into the open.
HUMAN RIGHTS
Myanmar needs to admit rape of minority women
25 Mar 2013 : The Myanmar central government has consistently denied its soldiers have systematically used rape as a weapon of war against ethnic minorities. But according to numerous reports, despite recent political reforms, Myanmar's army has continued to rape, torture and kill civilians of the ethnic minorities.
COMMENTARY
When national politics is a family affair
25 Mar 2013 : Two is not always better than one. Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra knows that but she has to live with it.
BREEZY MONDAY
The gods must be crazy
25 Mar 2013 : Thailand's a wonderful place to live because we're never without colourful and exotic things happening on a daily basis.
EDITORIAL
Let's hear it for the 'low-end tourist'
24 Mar 2013 : On Friday, the National News Bureau of Thailand (NNT) reported that Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra "has urged the Tourism Authority of Thailand [TAT] to attract more high-end tourists into the country". Ms Yingluck said that at present those tourists who could be classified as high-end make up only about 20% of the market, and she'd like to see that increase to 30%.
Postbag
Filling the political void
24 Mar 2013 : Voranai Vanijaka's solutions-oriented column last Sunday (''The change you must believe in'') challenges Thais to display some intelligent political leadership. Who is bold enough to transcend the corrupt feudal system and show Thailand that there is a better way? Who is smart enough to accept responsibility for a specific project and follow through to give proof to the voters of real success? For example, to show vast improvement in teachers' salaries and school test scores nationwide; to show that the economic model of supporting oneself is better than handouts from the government; to show the wisdom of Thailand being independent of the control of international bankers; to show actual reduction in poverty, teen pregnancy and drug use; or to create a corruption-free zone of government. In other words, to produce real victories for the people and not just words.