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ASEAN Beat
‘One Vision, One Identity, One Community.’ That’s the ASEAN motto. But what’s the reality? Our bloggers based around this diverse and strategically key region give you an insider’s perspective on politics, security and society in South-east Asia.
With PM’s Dismissal, Thailand’s ‘Network Monarchy’ Strikes Back
By Sebastian Strangio
The Constitutional Court's unseating of Srettha Thavisin has once again plunged the country into political uncertainty.
Banning Reformist Parties Won’t Stop Move for Change in Thailand
By Voranai Vanijaka
Things may get worse after Thailand’s Move Forward Party dissolution, but they vow to fight on.
Thai Court Removes PM Srettha From Office Over Ethics Violation
By Jintamas Saksornchai
The Constitutional Court ruling has plunged the country into political limbo, a week after it disbanded Thailand's largest opposition party.
Would You Pay Someone To Write Your University Thesis?
By Aisyah Llewellyn
In Indonesia, the use of "joki," or writers-for-hire, is a long-standing – and mostly normalized – practice among university students.
UN Increases Food Provisions to Rohingya Refugee Camps in Bangladesh
By Sebastian Strangio
The announcement by the World Food Programme is welcome news, but underscores the apparent intractability of the Rohingya refugee crisis.
Reexamining Gender-Based Violence in the Aceh Conflict
By Firhandika Ade Santury
The pervasive mistreatment of women during the separatist conflict has yet to be fully recognized by the Indonesian government.
Laos Issues Ultimatum to Golden Triangle Scam Operators
By Sebastian Strangio
The authorities have given fraud operators until August 25 to vacate the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone in Bokeo province.
New Vietnam Communist Party Chief to Visit China Next Week, Report Says
By Sebastian Strangio
Like his late predecessor, To Lam will begin his tenure as general secretary of the CPV by traveling north to Beijing.
Myanmar Rebel Leader Sai Leun Dies in China, Aged 76
By Sebastian Strangio
The leader's death completes the generational leadership transition within the three armed groups formed after the collapse of the Communist Party of Burma in 1989.
An Aggressive China Is Pushing the Philippines and Vietnam Closer Than Ever
By Vincent Kyle Parada
The Philippines and Vietnam have had a complicated relationship over the South China Sea, but they are finding value in strategic alignment.
How Dense Are Thailand’s Reactionaries?
By David Hutt
In quashing one political threat, the country's conservative establishment may have created an even bigger one.
Disbanded Thai Opposition Party Rebrands as ‘People’s Party’
By Sebastian Strangio
The party's name appears to be a reference to the 1932 revolution, which ended the country's system of absolute monarchy.