Region
Southeast Asia

Without Money For A Funeral, an Indonesian Father Buried His Stillborn Baby in a Freezer Box
By Aisyah Llewellyn
The viral news story provided a stark illustration of the gap between the rhetoric of Indonesian politicians and the realities faced by many ordinary people.

Thailand’s Prime Ministerial Vote Set for July 13
By Sebastian Strangio
Nearly two months on from the general election in May, it is still unclear whether the victorious Move Forward Party will be able to form the country's next government.

Philippines’ New Tourism Ad Draws Flak
By Mong Palatino
The advertisement, a showcase of the country's new "Love the Philippines" slogan, contained stock photos from other countries.

North Kalay Police Chief Han Thar Oo on Policing Under Myanmar’s National Unity Government
By Rajeev Bhattacharyya
“Myanmar is suffering. We appeal to the world not to forget us.”

Why Aren’t Thailand’s Banks More Profitable?
By James Guild
Compared to their counterparts in Indonesia and the Philippines, the country's financial institutions have seen only modest growth.

Malaysia Sets Important State Polls for August 12
By Sebastian Strangio
The six state polls, especially those in Selangor and Negeri Sembilan, shape as a crucial political test for Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's Pakatan Harapan coalition.

We Know Microfinance Harms Cambodia’s Poor. What Can Be Done About It?
By David Hutt
Much ink has been spilled identifying the many problems with the sector, but much less so about possible ways forward.

Cambodia Bars Members of Meta’s Oversight Board From Entering the Country
By Sebastian Strangio
The announcement followed Meta's decision to suspend Prime Minister Hun Sen's Facebook account for breaches of its policies on violence and incitement.

George Black on the Toxic Afterlife of the US War in Vietnam
By Sebastian Strangio
The veteran writer talks about the "small group of thoughtful, committed citizens” that helped publicize the horrific legacies of the war – and foster reconciliation between two former enemies.

How Indonesia’s Green Energy Push Will Impact the Country’s Coal-mining Communities
By Media Wahyudi Askar
Jakarta needs to ensure that the dozens of villages reliant on the coal mining economy are not left behind by its renewable energy transition.

Thai Parliament Picks Veteran Politician as Speaker Ahead of PM Vote
By Sebastian Strangio
Wan Muhamad Noor Matha was the compromise candidate after the two largest opposition parties failed to agree who should occupy the important post.

Vietnam Nixes ‘Barbie’ Release Over South China Sea Map
By Sebastian Strangio
The upcoming film is the latest to fall afoul of the country's censors for depicting a map containing China's "nine-dash line" maritime claim.