The Diplomat  |  Author

David Hutt

David Hutt

David Hutt is a journalist and commentator. He is a research fellow at the Central European Institute of Asian Studies (CEIAS), a columnist at The Diplomat, and a correspondent for Asia Times.

David Hutt is a journalist and commentator. He is a research fellow at the Central European Institute of Asian Studies (CEIAS), a columnist at The Diplomat, and a correspondent for Asia Times.

David Hutt has been Southeast Asia columnist at The Diplomat since 2016, writing weekly about Southeast Asian politics. He was formerly based in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. He was president of the Overseas Press Club of Cambodia between 2018 and 2019. He can be followed on Twitter @davidhuttjourno.

Posts by David Hutt
Page 4 of 21
April 24, 2023

Lèse-majesté Abolition Push Is Gaining Ground in Thailand

By David Hutt
In the May election, a significant number of Thais are expected to vote for a party that has spoken about the need to reform – or even abolish – the lèse-majesté law.
April 14, 2023

Defections, Rather Than Sanctions, Are What Is Needed For Myanmar

By David Hutt
The current Western approach may be pushing tycoons and senior officials into the military's arms. Better to entice them in the other direction.

April 12, 2023

Why Did Cambodia Finally Decide to Make the SEA Games Free?

By David Hutt
The timing of the decision suggests that it followed attempts by old guard politicians to squeeze as much profit out of the Games as possible.

March 31, 2023

In Cambodia, You Are Instructed To Love Your Abuser

By David Hutt
Prime Minister Hun Sen wants his people to adore him for not treating them as badly as he could have. 

March 27, 2023

Who Is Vietnam’s Gorbachev?

By David Hutt
For some supporters of the Communist Party of Vietnam, the last party secretary of the Soviet Union offers a cautionary tale.
March 10, 2023

Myanmar’s NUG Rebel Government Needs Money

By David Hutt
Western financial aid to the opposition movement could help unify the anti-junta resistance, and even tip the balance in its favor.

March 03, 2023

On Myanmar, the World Needs to Save ASEAN From Itself

By David Hutt
Having failed to push forward a resolution to Myanmar's conflict, the Southeast Asian bloc needs a face-saving way of admitting defeat.
February 20, 2023

Was Hun Sen’s Closure of Voice of Democracy Premeditated?

By David Hutt
It was conspicuous that one of Cambodia's last independent outlets was closed while King Norodom Sihamoni was away.

February 09, 2023

Vietnam’s Anti-Corruption Drive Can Never Go Far Enough

By David Hutt
In centralizing power to fight graft, Nguyen Phu Trong has created a system in which corruption has an even greater chance of flourishing once he’s gone.

February 07, 2023

What’s a Decent Outcome For Cambodia’s Opposition At the Upcoming Election?

By David Hutt
For a party living under the constant fear of crackdown or dissolution, it might be wise to downplay its chances at the July poll.

January 31, 2023

The Myth of Doi Moi in Vietnam

By David Hutt
The country's people have flourished not because of the Communist Party of Vietnam, but in spite of it.
January 31, 2023

There Is No Such Thing as ASEAN Neutrality

By David Hutt
Despite its claims to the contrary, the Southeast Asian bloc is intervening in Myanmar's crisis – just not effectively.

Page 4 of 21