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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.
British Environmental Journalist Blocked From Re-entering Cambodia
By Sebastian Strangio
The government's decision to void the visa of Gerry Flynn, 33, reflects the increasingly straitened circumstances of the Cambodian media.
Philippines Declares Food Security Emergency to Bring Down Rice Prices
By Sebastian Strangio
Despite slashing a tariff on imported rice last year, retail prices of the staple remain stubbornly high.
Myanmar’s Military Junta Extends State of Emergency For Seventh Time
By Sebastian Strangio
The six-month extension is intended to buy time for the military's long-promised election, but conditions in the country are not propitious.
Philippine President Links Budget Petition to ‘Destabilization’ Plot
By Mong Palatino
Concerns about corruption in budget allocations have been drawn into the intensifying political war between the Marcos and Duterte clans.
Thailand Versus the Scam Boom: A Look Into the Fight
By Tita Sanglee
Does Bangkok really have the power to bring the region's online scamming gangs to their knees?
Boat Carrying More Than 70 Rohingya Lands in Indonesia’s Aceh Region
By Sebastian Strangio
Last year saw a record number of Rohingya refugees set off by sea from the camps in southeastern Bangladesh.
Sugarcane’s ‘Black Snow’ Is Worsening Bangkok’s Air Pollution Crisis
By Chomkate Ngamkaiwan
So far, the Thai government's efforts to improve its air quality have failed to address the systemic causes of the problem.
Five Thai Hostages Released in Israel-Hamas Prisoner Exchange
By Sebastian Strangio
Thirty-one Thai agricultural workers were abducted by Hamas fighters on October 7, 2023.
After 18 Years at Guantanamo, Is It Too Late for Indonesian Detainee Hambali?
By Aisyah Llewellyn
President Donald Trump has ordered the expansion of the prison camp as a detention facility for illegal immigrants.
Amid Hope and Despair, Myanmar’s Civil War Enters Its Fifth Year
By Luke Hunt
As the conflict drags on, politicians and “irritating voices” emerge from the liberated rear.
A Turning Point in Vietnam’s Politics
By Alexander L. Vuving
Will Communist Party chief To Lam succeed in leading his nation into a "new era" of economic ascendance?
Thai High-Speed Rail Project Set For Completion in 2030, Government Says
By Sebastian Strangio
The planned high-speed line, which will connect Bangkok to China via Laos, has seen sluggish progress since construction began in 2017.
Philippine Sex Education Bill Is ‘Woke and Abhorrent,’ President Says
By Ben Sturt
The proposed Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Act has come under fire from President Marcos, despite the country’s alarming teenage pregnancy rates.
Philippine Troops to Train With US Missile System Next Month, Army Says
By Sebastian Strangio
The Typhon intermediate-range missile system has been present in the country since joint military drills in April 2024.
Thailand’s Prime Minister Paetongtarn to Visit China Next Week
By Sebastian Strangio
The Thai leader says that the discussions with Xi Jinping will focus on online scamming operations, tourism, and air pollution.
Vietnam’s Bureaucratic ‘Revolution’: Rationales and Challenges
By Duong Thi Thuy Pham and Mai Truong
Communist Party chief To Lam's unprecedented institutional streamlining is designed to bolster Vietnam's competitiveness – but it could come at a cost.
China Detains Suspected ‘Major’ Trafficking Suspect With Thai Assistance
By Sebastian Strangio
The suspect was wanted in connection with the high-profile kidnapping of the Chinese actor Wang Xing earlier this month.
Obituary: François Ponchaud, French Missionary Who Alerted the World to the Khmer Rouge
By David Whitehouse
Ponchaud's 1977 book "Cambodge, année zero" was one of the first detailed accounts of the horrors that unfolded after the communist takeover.
Churches, Protests, and Policymaking in the Philippines
By Mong Palatino
Recent interventions by Catholic organizations are set to shape the course of this year's mid-term elections.
Bridging Divides: Malaysia’s Middle Power Diplomacy in ASEAN’s Future
By Khoo Ying Hooi
In a world increasingly defined by great power rivalries, Malaysia’s position as a middle power within ASEAN has never been more critical.
What’s Next for India-Indonesia Ties?
By Rishi Gupta
Indonesian President Prabowo was the chief guest at India’s 75th Republic Day – a testament to growing strategic ties.
What BRICS Membership Means For Indonesia’s Foreign Policy
By Agastya Wardhana and Radityo Dharmaputra
President Prabowo Subianto's about-turn on membership of the economic grouping is about status rather than material gains.
Hundreds of Same-Sex Couples Wed as Thailand’s Marriage Equality Bill Comes Into Effect
By Sebastian Strangio
Pop-up marriage booths were set up in Bangkok and other Thai cities to handle the eager backlog of couples.
Cambodian PM Says Government Not Behind Lim Kimya’s Assassination
By Luke Hunt
Hun Manet urges calm as investigations into the killing continue in Thailand.