We decided we would just face whatever consequences here rather than exposing ourselves to that situation.

Matthew Smith

Rohingya families were burnt out of their homes, their people watched loved ones get massacred, there was systemic rape, so just a few months later to demand that this population work with the authorities and particularly with respect to issues of identity, it's not on the cards.

A few times in Ayutthaya, while visiting the historical city ruins district with my wife, we saw tourists fail to comply with the rules of etiquette.

The boat should arrive in Malaysian waters in the next week, assuming it doesn't come under distress or make landfall in Thailand, this is a tremendously dangerous journey.

Things are getting worse not better. by Matthew Smith

Things are getting worse not better.

Oil is very much distracted by macro events today, gauging the sentiment in broader markets and taking its lead from that.

Investors are extremely unimpressed with their sudden conscription into national service, and you can see that in their share prices.

Part of the reason people are getting on boats is because of abus... by Matthew Smith

Part of the reason people are getting on boats is because of abuses like this.

The biggest risk for them is more than likely going to be credit costs, and will they be able to properly assess the risks? it's not clear, if they grow too aggressively, potentially the answer would be no.

On the contrary, this appears to be a move that's inconsistent with Thailand's human rights obligations.