Thailand’s major parties present contrasting economic platforms and could find common ground on some incremental reforms, but deeper structural challenges remain weakly addressed.
Author Archives: Isabelle Chua
Indonesia’s ‘Haj Village’ in Mecca: A Breakthrough but Strong Management and Caution Needed
The government has launched an ambitious plan to improve the experience for Indonesian haj pilgrims. The question is whether worldly rewards might compromise the holiness and rightfulness of the mission.
Indonesia in 2026: Prabowo’s First ‘Real’ Year of Ambition and Why We Should Care
On the policy front, what kind of year lies ahead for the Prabowo administration?
Seats Without Sway: Women in Indonesia’s Parliament
Women’s presence in Indonesia’s parliament still falls short of the 30 per cent quota. They are also underrepresented in parliamentary bodies handling strategic issues and in their leadership ranks.
Implications of the Venezuela Case for Southeast Asia: Parallels and Limits
What can Southeast Asia learn from the US’ recent actions in Venezuela?
The Risk of Vietnam’s Local Leadership Carousel
Vietnam’s efforts to eradicate ‘localism’ have created side effects which might undermine proper governance.
Changing Diets Amid a Changing Climate
Much attention has been paid to switching from meat-based diets to plant-based ones. Less attention has been paid to the effects of climate change on the quality and quantity of plant foods.
Why ASEAN Must Hold the Line on Myanmar’s Election
ASEAN needs to march to the tune of its own drummer and insist that Myanmar’s ruling regime toes the line, sham elections or not.
ASEAN Business Entity: Integration at the Cost of Inclusion
The ABE initiative professes to promote regional economic integration via greater intra-ASEAN investments, but ASEAN should focus on attracting high-quality investment, enhancing industrial upgrading, and mitigating geopolitical risk.
ASEAN Power Grid: Gleaning Best Practices from Worst Cases
As Southeast Asia focuses on building the ASEAN Power Grid, there will be a higher chance of success if interconnections are designed to be modular and embedded within a broader regional integration agenda.