Let us all remember, on this holiday in honour of constitutional rule, that the fight remains far from over. It is that time of year again to ponder the state of our nation in regard to the rights of its citizens. Today is both International Human Rights Day and, locally, Constitution Day. This double 10th is extremely significant in Thai political history.

OFF THE BENCH: Thai rice a fair swap for Korean soap

The Korean cultural invasion throughout the region has reached a new height with the current airing of the soap opera, “Dae Jang-geum” (“Jewel in the Palace”). It is based on the tale of Dae Jang-geum, a member of the Korean royal palace’s cooking staff in the 16th century, who rose against all odds to become the first female Korean physician.

Malaysia showcases civil society

Malaysian Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar’s body language said it all. He was expecting a bigger audience, apart from the 80 Asean participants, to show up when he arrived at the University of Technology Mara in Shah Alam on Wednesday. He was giving the keynote address for a three-day conference on Asean and civil society.

Human rights worth more than words alone

Today may be International Human Rights Day, but merely parroting the slogan that human rights is universal and innate may do more harm than good in Thailand.