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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.
Thai, Cambodian Police Rescue 215 Trafficked Scam Workers
By Sebastian Strangio
The raid in the Cambodian border town of Poipet follows Bangkok's crackdown on scamming operations along the Thailand-Myanmar border.
Thailand Rescues 7,000 but Faces Stiff Resistance in Scamming Crackdown
By Luke Hunt
Fraud syndicates have reportedly moved deeper into Myanmar in response to crackdowns.
Vietnam’s National Assembly Approves $8B Rail Link to China
By Sebastian Strangio
The project is expected to reinforce the already strong economic linkages between northern Vietnam and southern China.
Thai Opposition Leader Defends Support for Lese-Majeste Law Change
By Sebastian Strangio
The country's anti-corruption agency is investigating 44 ex-MPs from the dissolved Move Forward Party over their support for changes to the law.
Philippines Accuses Chinese Navy of ‘Aggressive’ Actions Over Disputed Shoal
By Sebastian Strangio
Tensions over Scarborough Shoal have increased markedly since the middle of last year, when Beijing and Manila reached an "understanding" over another disputed shoal.
Singaporean Court Convicts Opposition Leader of Lying to Parliamentary Committee
By Sebastian Strangio
The verdict against Pritam Singh, the leader of the Workers' Party, could taint the party's image ahead of the upcoming general election.
Philippine Police General Files Complaint Against Ex-President for Threatening ‘Joke’
By Sebastian Strangio
At a political rally last week, Rodrigo Duterte joked about killing 15 senators with a bomb in order to free up positions for his own party's candidates.
How Hizb ut-Tahrir Is Exploiting the Gaza War to Revive Its Global Islamist Agenda
By Muhammad Makmun Rasyid
In Indonesia and elsewhere, anger at Israel's brutal attacks on Gaza has provided grist for the extremist mill.
Thai Court Opens Hearing Into Petition to Free Detained Uyghurs
By Sebastian Strangio
The petition concerns the fate of 43 Uyghur Muslims from China's Xinjiang region, who have languished in an immigration prison since 2014.
Argentinian Court Issues Arrest Warrants for Myanmar Officials Over Rohingya Atrocities
By Sebastian Strangio
Included among the 25 names was junta chief Min Aung Hlaing and former State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi, whom he overthrew in a coup in 2021.
Election Campaign Begins in the Philippines with Marcos-Duterte War of Words
By Mong Palatino
The conflict between the two prominent political clans has continued into the first week of campaigning for May's mid-term polls.
Malaysia Will Amend Law on Public Protests, Prime Minister Says
By Sebastian Strangio
Anwar Ibrahim also said that ongoing investigations against protest organizers would be dropped and that “no further action will be taken.”