Jim Waldron

"...He specifically alleged interference in the Senate selection process claiming that 'political appointees' were being placed in oversight bodies..." Chuan’s warning about political interference in the Senate and oversight bodies deserves attention, but it also raises an inconsistency. The current Senate structure is no accident - it was explicitly designed under the Prayut-era constitution to allow a majority of appointed (largely military-linked) senators to influence law-making and government formation! So, Chuan's concerns about “political appointees” influencing oversight bodies are less an aberration than an actual feature of the system itself. If Thailand really wants to restore neutrality and public trust, then it needs to (yet again) reconsider it's constitutional design and the role of appointed bodies. Without addressing these issues, warnings about interference risk in the lead up to the election sound selective - and any reforms risk remaining cosmetic rather than meaningful. For those of us in Thailand when Yingluck was ousted, it’s also worth recalling that the "appointed" Senate, and its influence over oversight bodies, was not incidental, but was institutionalised after the coup - with Section 44 setting the rules, and the 2017 Constitution further entrenching it!

There's a lot of very strong claims here, but still very little independently verified evidence being presented to the public. Iran has previously demonstrated that in a conflict, it could impose real costs on US forces through missiles, drones, naval harassment in the Strait of Hormuz, and proxy groups across the region. Any conflict would likely not be one-sided or “clean”! The bigger question that no one seems to be asking is whether Americans are willing to accept casualties and economic disruption (energy prices, shipping, regional instability) based largely on intelligence assertions made by Trump himself. Similar US posturing in the past about weapons programmes later proved exaggerated or wrong. There appears to be no indication from Iran that it wants a full-scale war, but it clearly has the capacity to make one painful. That seems to be lost in the headlines about Trump's threats and carrier deployments!

There are two issues highlighted in this article. Firstly, Thailand is already carrying a heavy burden that it was never meant to carry on its own, and for so long. Hosting over 50,000 displaced people in Tak province alone, while international funding drops to zero, is an enormous task for any country. Without international funding, the only options left for border hospitals are restructuring services, coordinating referrals, hiring Myanmar doctors, and trying to maintain care standards with limited resources. The second issue is that Thailand’s health system was designed for its own people, not to indefinitely absorb regional humanitarian crises caused by conflict elsewhere. Expecting Thailand to be solely responsible for border healthcare without sufficient aid funding is more a failing of the international community than a reflection of Thailand’s capacity to cope with the rising demand. There is only so much one country can do when global support simply walks away!

"...The incident underscores the dangers faced by migrants attempting perilous sea crossings..." Being run down by a coast guard vessel?

“Nothing to see here, people" - just thousands of document mentions, missing files, survivors asking questions, Congress still investigating, and a former president urging everyone to "move on". Totally normal. Please disperse in an orderly fashion!

Russia’s latest strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure underline a simple reality: this is still an unjustified invasion, now increasingly directed at civilians. Hitting heating and power facilities in sub-zero temperatures isn’t military necessity it’s deliberate pressure on ordinary people. What’s especially telling is that this escalation comes while “talks” are supposedly on the table. Launching the heaviest attacks of the year on civilian infrastructure hardly signals good faith. Meanwhile, the global response also looks pathetic. Beyond bold statements, and punitive tariffs and trade sanctions, the international community clearly shows that it has few tools that actually stop missiles in real time. Sanctions may hurt long-term, but they clearly haven’t deterred Russia from targeting civilians!

"... Currently, the statue is held at Cottrill’s Ohio foundry due to a payment dispute..." How appropriate!

There’s nothing disputed about China’s shift toward AI-driven manufacturing. It’s a response to its shrinking labour force, rising wages, and the need to maintain output. Thailand faces similar issues, so automation certainly looks attractive. However, Thailand’s economic structure is very different. The bulk of its income still comes from tourism, services, agriculture, and low-margin manufacturing. These are sectors where AI offers only limited productivity gains compared to smart ports, car plants, or electronics factories. Also, the elephant in the room for Thailand is energy! AI-intensive manufacturing, robotics and data centres require large volumes of stable, low-cost electricity. But, Thailand already faces high power prices and long-term supply challenges. Without a clear plan for grid capacity, generation and pricing, “intelligent production” remains more a dream than reality. Also, if Chinese investment merely imports machines and technicians, Thailand risks dependence rather than upgrading. As Dr Narongchai said "AI should not be feared", and it may well be part of the answer to Thailand's worsening problems of ageing workforce and declining birth rate. But, unless Thailand can resolve its energy capacity issues, AI simply won't reach the potential needed for it to be the driver of high-tech manufacturing.

Thailand being called the “sick man of Asia” is a fair call in my opinion. The problem for me, isn’t just about weak GDP, it's far deeper and its cultural! As has been reported in other recent Asean Now news items, Thailand's birth rates are lower than it's neighbours. It's population is aging, and the workforce is shrinking. Unlike Vietnam or the Philippines, Thailand also has a cultural resistance to immigration that only adds to its problems. It also appears to have a weak education system that focuses more on conformity than creativity and innovation. As a result, the country tends to rely on tourism and low-value manufacturing thereby exposing itself to global volatility, stagnant wages, and a long-term inability to develop. Symptomatic of this are it's regular coups and weak coalitions. While these may make the elites feel comfortable, they also block necessary reforms. Ultimately, it comes down to Thailand's cultural baggage - it's focus on respect for authority, and it's obsession with appearances, hierarchy, and patronage. It's neighbors are "surging ahead" because they embrace change while Thailand clings to tradition and slides into irrelevance.

Impressive (if you believe the hype), but the actual impact is questionable. As I see it, Canva is essentially a presentation and graphic design tool, not an educational platform. While it may help teachers produce nicer-looking worksheets and slides, there is no evidence that access to design software alone improves learning outcomes, critical thinking, or subject mastery. Digital presentation should not be confused with digital education! More importantly, this partnership only targets private schools, which already enjoy better resources, smaller class sizes, and stronger English-language exposure. So, any actual benefits from this inevitably widens Thailand’s long-standing education gap, where public schools, especially those in rural areas, struggle with basics like staffing, infrastructure, and internet connectivity. Frankly, if developing a “sustainable learning ecosystem" is the stated goal, then enhancing this for the already-privileged private sector seems a hunt easy of going about it! There is also a risk of vendor dependency - training teachers around a single commercial platform locks schools into one system, rather than building transferable digital skills that apply across multiple tools and environments, which further divides the private and public sectors. The fact is that Thailand’s education challenges are structural: curriculum rigidity, exam obsession, uneven teacher training, and chronic underfunding of public schools. Unfortunately, Canva simply does not address any of these. While it might improve appearances, whether it improves education or simply makes inequality look more professional, remains questionable.

China’s latest executions of Bai family members show how seriously it is taking the fight against Myanmar-based scam syndicates. These gangs trafficked thousands, ran violent compounds, and cost victims billions. By backing insurgent offensives in 2023 and extraditing mafia leaders, China dismantled parts of these networks. It’s a clear deterrent message to these criminal gangs, but the use of the death penalty will remain controversial. What’s undeniable is that scammers are a regional problem, not just China’s. ASEAN countries need stronger cooperation to tackle them.

Might I suggest that it is worth treating this story with some caution. The examples cited involve small to mid-sized construction firms, with debts measured in millions of rubles, not billions. These aren't “industry giants” that demonstrate systemic economic collapse. Much of the analysis also relies on Ukrainian intelligence assessments and selective media reports, which are not neutral economic data. The fact is that no comprehensive figures are provided on Russia’s overall construction output, employment levels, or state-backed refinancing all of which must be considered when assessing sector-wide distress. Sanctions have undoubtedly increased costs and interest rates in Russia, particularly after the central bank tightened policy. However, claims of an economy “reeling” or “on the brink” require far more evidence than isolated bankruptcies and secondary and bias sources. It's probably fair to say that pressures exist, but the article appears to use limited data to make dramatic conclusions that are not clearly supported by verifiable, economy-wide indicators.

My take on this is: • The US says it’s cutting tariffs on India by a modest amount. • Trump claims Modi agreed to stop buying Russian oil. • India has not confirmed that claim. • India has already reduced Russian oil imports, but hasn’t ended them. • Modi praised the tariff cut but said nothing about oil. I don't see this having too much impact on India–China relations directly. India still trades with China, buys weapons from Russia, and cuts deals with the US when it suits. That’s how India has always operated. Hardly a strategic partnership!

While this is getting off topic, I don't know what more details you need beyond what I've previously shared. While North Vietnam ultimately unified the country (and no one belittles the sacrifice of their combatants), the fact remains that Thai forces never lost a major tactical engagement they were involved in during their deployment. In response to your request for 'a couple of battles,' here are verified instances of Thai military triumph in Vietnam: Battle of Phuoc Tho (Dec 20–21, 1967): The Queen’s Cobras were outnumbered but successfully repelled a massive night assault by a reinforced battalion of the Viet Cong 274th Regiment. Thai forces killed 68 enemy fighters while suffering only 6 casualties. Black Panther Division Proficiency: General William Westmoreland explicitly praised Thai troops for their jungle warfare skills. Local reports and newspapers like the New York Times frequently cited an enemy-to-Thai kill ratio as high as 10-to-1, famously headlined as: 'In 150 Fights, 100 [Thais] Are Dead, 1000 Viet Cong Are Killed'. Operation Toan Thang (1968–1969): Thai forces were critical in clearing enemy strongholds near Saigon. They were so effective that U.S. troops reportedly considered it 'good luck' to have a Thai soldier on their mission. Defense of U.S. Air Bases: Thai security forces successfully defended Udorn and Korat air bases from numerous infiltration attempts, including a significant 1968 sapper attack. The Secret War in Laos: Over 4,000 Thai irregulars (Tahan Sua Pran) were pivotal in the Battle for Skyline Ridge, holding the 'front porch of hell' against elite North Vietnamese divisions. Hope this helps - if you're still in doubt, a quick search of the web should provide you with ample evidence regarding the prowess of Thai soldiers in Vietnam.

The PAT director says they are an 'economic driver,' but they just admitted last week that Laem Chabang Phase 3 is likely delayed until 2030 due to reclamation blunders. Meanwhile, the High Speed Rail link (that the PAT plans depend on) won't even be finished until 2031 at the earliest. PAT may well be building a world-class ports network, but the critical rail infrastructure to China and the rest of Asia is still a long way from completion, and is derailed by legal contracts. Meanwhile, Singapore’s Tuas Port is already moving millions of containers while Thailand is still debating soil density in Chon Buri!

The DOJ’s release of the Epstein files is certainly a headline grabber, but I think it’s important to separate the noise from the facts. Trump is quick to claim the documents “absolve” him, yet he says he hasn’t read them himself, only that “important people” told him so. That alone should raise eyebrows. The DOJ statement says that many of the allegations were “unfounded and false,” and there’s no concrete evidence tying Trump to Epstein’s crimes. But let’s not confuse lack of evidence with a verdict of innocence. Investigations often fail to prove guilt for a variety of reasons, such as unreliable testimony, or simply the difficulty of building a watertight case. Then, there is also victims being afraid to come forward for fear of further trauma! Trump’s past association with Epstein is undeniable! He called him a “terrific guy” back in 2002, and while people can change their tune, that quote must continue to haunt him. The fact that his name appears repeatedly in the files (even if not substantiated) keeps speculation alive. As the saying goes, “no smoke without fire”. Whether that smoke is real or just political fog remains to be seen. Trump’s framing of this as a “radical left witch hunt” is a continuation of his classic political blame game. Meanwhile, for everyone else (and especially the victims), the bigger issue had to be transparency. Simply just saying “the files prove I’m innocent” does not make it so. This requires accountability, which is something these documents are yet to provide.

Just for the record: Thailand contributed significant ground forces (12,000–40,000 personnel) to the Vietnam War between 1967 and 1971 to fight communism alongside the U.S. and South Vietnam. Known as the "Queen's Cobras" and later the "Black Panthers," these volunteer soldiers served with distinction, incurring 351 deaths and 1,358 wounded while also participating in covert operations in Laos. For those interested see: Chinwanno, A. (1985) The involvement of Thailand in the Vietnam War (1954-1975). PhD Thesis. Chulalongkorn University. Larsen, S.R. and Collins, J.L. (1975) Allied Participation in Vietnam. Washington, D.C.: Department of the Army. Available at: United States Army Center of Military History (Accessed: 2 February 2026). Ruth, R.A. (2011) In Buddha's Company: Thai Soldiers in the Vietnam War. Honolulu: University of Hawaiʻi Press. Ruth, R.A. (2017) 'Why Thailand Takes Pride in the Vietnam War', The New York Times, 7 November [online]. Available at: NYTimes.com (Accessed: 2 February 2026). United States General Accounting Office (1972) United States Assistance to the Government of Thailand for Deployment of Thai Forces to Vietnam. Washington, D.C.: GAO Report B-133258. War Veterans Organization of Thailand (n.d.) History of the Thai Veterans. Available at: WVO Official Site (Accessed: 2 February 2026). Wikipedia contributors (2024) 'Thailand in the Vietnam War', Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Available at: Wikipedia (Accessed: 2 February 2026).

There's an all to familiar smell about this. Strip away the jets and billionaires and this starts to resemble the Profumo affair all over again, sex, power, intelligence services, and the surreptitious collection of influence. Christine Keeler wasn’t important because of who she was, but because of who she was associated with, ministers, diplomats, and foreign interests. Similarly, Epstein appears to be less of a lone degenerate, and more like a modern, globalised version of the scandal that rocked British politics in the early 1960's, access, indulgence, and kompromat! History tells us these operations rarely exist for pleasure alone, especially when intelligence agencies get involved. It’s not just about sex, it’s about influence and manipulation! So whether it’s Westminster in 1963, or Washington and Moscow in 2026, the game never really seems to change: power, scandal, and denial but with different players. And just as Profumo’s downfall was dressed up as a mere indiscretion, some of today's players are desperately trying to brush the damning headlines aside with the same tired refrain: ‘"move along please, there's nothing to see here". The only difference is the extent of the questions being asked. And, (this time) the whole world is demanding answers!

Jesus Ochoa and Raymundo Gutierrez? The word "quisling" comes to mind!

While Thailand's education may indeed be far from perfect, this story is about removing documented barriers that kept thousands of children out of school altogether. The reality is: • Thailand is a signatory to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, which highlights access to education without discrimination, including nationality or legal status. This policy simply enforces that obligation. • Stateless and undocumented children have been subjected to administrative exclusion, not academic failure. • Schools are now instructed to enrol these students using a formal registration code, bringing them into the system rather than leaving them invisible. • There is no evidence that inclusive enrolment lowers education standards. Quality and access are separate issues, you cannot improve outcomes for children who are excluded entirely! • Educating migrant and stateless children is cheaper and socially safer than leaving them uneducated. As Hawaiian said above, an educated population is more productive. This, in turn, leads to lower long-term welfare and crime costs, and better integration with the rest of the Thai community. As critics above have already identified, this policy won’t magically fix classrooms or teaching quality on its own, but it will remove an institutional failure in Thailand that excluded children for reasons unrelated to learning. Simply calling that pointless is bias, not analysis!

This came from a CNN report. While it may be accurate to say Russia has suffered extremely heavy losses, headlines implying 1.2 million deaths or presenting the figure as a fact are simply misleading. It appears that Russia’s Ministry of Defence has not released verified casualty figures since September 2022. At that time it reported just under 6,000 Russian combat deaths. So, the real debate should not be whether Russian casualties are severe, but how uncertain the upper estimates remain due to the absence of factual official data!

This warning gets recycled every election. Everyone knows that vote-buying has always been a feature of Thai politics. Simply restating penalties has never changed behaviour in a system where enforcement is selective and offering bribes is seen as normal, and even expected. This latest rerun, is hardly likely to have much practical effect.

Surprisingly, people must have short memories. Seems they're forgetting the outcry about Chinese hoards swamping tourist and cultural sites, queue-jumping, smoking, screaming, eating, spitting and littering everywhere (all at the same time), not to mention the toilet habits!

I wonder if Thai AirAsia flight FD646 went smoothly. Not only was he being deported, but this Russian "bare" would probably also have had a sore head!

“Vote for us or they’ll come”. Well… it did work for Trump!