[Asia Round-up] Polls not likely to solve Thai crisis

(Photo: Xinhua/NEWSis)

Cajoling wild jumbos
The Island, Sri Lanka

The last few months have seen several protests against the government’s failure to prevent wild elephant attacks on far-flung villages. Affected people demand electric fences. But they won’t help so long as villages sit on elephant migration paths and forests continue to shrink, depriving animals of food and water. The government has to step in to solve the human-elephant conflict which left 236 wild jumbos and 62 people dead last year.

(Photo: Xinhua/NEWSis)

Polls not likely to solve Thai crisis
The Straits Times, Singapore

Thailand is slated for early elections after Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra dissolved Parliament in response to massive street protests. The protesters rejected the idea of fresh elections because the ruling party would certainly win. They called instead for a “people’s council” to be set up to reform the country’s political structure. When the election begins, there’s worry that the anti- and pro-government clashes could slip into anarchy and violence.

(Photo: Xinhua/NEWSis)

Iran’s petrochemical industry enters new era
Teheran Times, Iran

As Iran’s economy is experiencing stagflation, there is a crucial need for a precise analysis of the petrochemical industry and its role. Two key factors need to be addressed. National Iranian Petrochemical Company has to estimate the optimal prices for export products. It would also be logical to adopt an integrated approach to privatizing the industry. The private companies must be given the opportunity to participate in the petrochemical industry.

(Photo: AP/NEWSis)

Woes of migrant labour
The Hindu, India

The widespread exploitation of migrant labourers in Qatar undermines the prestige to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup. The deplorable treatment of contract labourers engaged in World Cup-related construction projects has been brought to light. Amnesty International has documented serial violations of Qatar’s labour laws by private contractors. The reports serve as a reminder that it cannot take migrant labour for granted.