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The government's axeing of two science and math projects, despite a total cost for both of only 700 million baht, raises doubts about how serious it is about improving science and technology education.
Enter the Year of the Tiger. But the start of the year does not augur well for the coalition government and Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.
Enter the Year of the Tiger. But the start of the year does not augur well for the coalition government and Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.
The first anniversary of Myanmar's military coup is approaching. Since Feb 1 last year, the country's socio-political landscape has changed dramatically. Brutal fighting has reached many parts of the country and the economy lies in tatters, while the UN warns that half the population may soon slip below the poverty line.
The government's axeing of two science and math projects, despite a total cost for both of only 700 million baht, raises doubts about how serious it is about improving science and technology education.
Fake news -- either in the form of misinformation or disinformation -- has contributed to social and political conflicts, and according to a recent report on by researchers under USAID, it has shaped public opinion in some Asian countries. While critics call on tech companies and governments to solve the problem, increasing digital literacy among the public is the best solution to fake news.
Last Sunday there was a tongue-in-cheek letter in the Post suggesting the first name of the British traditional dish, bangers and mash, is derived from the Thai capital. Despite its frivolous nature the letter was actually quite timely, for a recent report indicates younger British people are surprisingly unfamiliar with bangers and mash and many other traditional dishes.
Another protest by a major civic network has reiterated how the Prayut government has failed to resolve land and forest conflicts.
Two years into the worst pandemic in a century, it is tempting to think that the world is stuck in a time warp, unable to shake off a virus that has so far killed more than 5.5 million people and wrecked countless livelihoods. But the truth is that in the 15 months since the Covid-19 Vaccine Global Access (Covax) facility first gained the support of the international community, much has changed.
The government has grown ever larger over the past decade. The fact would be hailed as positive news if the affairs of governance were a private enterprise.
Among the major powers that are moving forward with an eye on the post-pandemic era, when Covid-19 will eventually become an endemic with flu-like manageability, Japan is second to none. The visit last week by its minister of economy, trade, and industry (METI), Koichi Hagiuda, made front-page news in Bangkok, following similarly notable media coverage in Jakarta and Singapore. But while it has played a critical role in Asean's economic development and regional security, Japan's Indo-Pacific geostrategic environment has become adverse with more downside risks.
With cities facing disastrous climate stresses and shocks in the coming years, one would think they would be rushing to implement mitigation and adaptation strategies. Yet most urban residents are only dimly aware of the risks, because their cities' mayors, managers, and councils are not collecting or analysing the right kinds of information.
