The Nation
Mega-projects to hike public debt
Rising government spending on mega-projects, which are deemed crucial to economic growth, will further increase the country’s public debt, economists said with some asking the military to be more efficient in its spending.Keep reading ...
Wichit Chaitrong
Board of Investment gives the nod to five projects worth Bt40 bn
The Board of Investment (BoI) yesterday approved five investment projects worth a total of Bt40.462 billion during a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.The highest investment proposal comes from a Chinese investor, Ju Xunning, who plans to invest Bt10.061 billion to establish a car ...
Phuwit Limviphuwat
Ridding Bangkok’s pollution for good
While Bangkok was in the throes of its latest air pollution crisis, it seemed any idea, no matter how far-fetched, was worth considering to ease discomfort and protect the public. Given the serious health risks posed by inhaling PM2.5 particles, who can blame the authorities ...
Battle lines drawn over pesticide use
A group of academics is preparing to fight for a total ban in two years on three agrochemicals deemed a threat to public health.“We won’t give up – we will continue working towards our goal,” Naresuan University vice president Associate Professor Puangrat Kajitvichyanukul said.Keep reading ...
Chularat Saengpassa
Researchers come up with over 60 innovations to help tackle air pollution
In the wake of the haze that enveloped Greater Bangkok as well as the North and Northeast, the Thailand Research Fund (TRF) has come up with over 60 innovations that can be turned into practical technology.Academics also floated several ideas such as imposing additional taxes ...
The Nation Reporter
Can Laos afford to be the ‘Battery of Asia’?
The debate over Laos’ strategy to become the “Battery of Asia” continues months after the deadly disaster at the Xe Pian-Xe Namnoy hydropower dam, even as the Lao government keeps building more dams. Despite the previous government’s decision to suspend new dam projects and academics’ ...
Pratch Rujivanarom
EXCLUSIVE: What went wrong with THE RICE BILL?
Legislation set for final reading coming week appears to have been gutted of measures to improve production and reward farmers for their hard work and wisdom.Everyone involved agrees that the rice bill – Thailand’s first legislation aimed at guiding holistic management of production – began ...
Piyaporn Wongruang
Adding value is key to moving Thailand to next
Adding value to Thai products by increasing the connectivity between the agriculture, manufacturing and tourism industries is key to achieving economic growth in 2019 and beyond, said deputy prime minister Somkid Jatusripitak during a meeting yesterday with the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC).Keep ...
Phuwit Limviphuwat
Rights advocates worry cyber bills a major threat
New cybersecurity and data protection bills are being pushed through with little oversight because of sweeping state powers, warn rights defenders and privacy experts. A core concern is the provision that would allow seizure of computers and servers without a court order. Critics say the ...
Asina Pornwasin
No quick gains seen from chairing Asean
While the Thai government has a list of up to 12 economic deliverables as it chairs Asean this year, business leaders are not sure its work this year will benefit the private sector in the near future.Keep reading ...
Phuwit Limviphuwat