blackbox

Amending Thailand’s 2017 Constitution: More Tunnel than Light

A toy tank is burnt on top of a mock Thai Constitution during a rally demanding the dissolution of the military government of Thailand's Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha and amendments to the Constitution outside the Parliament building in Bangkok on 10 August, 2020. (Photo: Mladen ANTONOV/ AFP)

The appointed Senate is the biggest but not the only obstacle to amending or replacing Thailand’s 2017 Constitution.

Vietnam’s New Government Election: The Sooner the Better?

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc is seen congratulating the new Communist Party general secretary Nguyen Phu Trong in Hanoi.

There is little reason for the Community Party of Vietnam to repeat its “fast track” procedure to get a new government in place. The Party’s reputation is best served by its playing by the rules.

Thailand’s Human Rights Investigations’ Imbroglio

Thailand’s National Human Rights Commission is weaker and more focused on investigating accusers than those accused of abuses.

Pancasila and the “Missing Word”

Islamic political voices, include Vice-President Ma’ruf, force the word religion into the draft 2035 national education roadmap.

Anwar Ibrahim’s Parti Keadilan Rakyat: Losing Its Moral Compass?

Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak (R) smiling with opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim (L) as the two enjoy a cup of tea together in the parliament lobby on the sidelines of a session in Kuala Lumpur on 17 November, 2009. Anwar has recently been in talks with UMNO for a possible alliance. (Photo: STR/ AFP)

There is a logic to Anwar Ibrahim’s Parti Keadilan Rakyat working with its arch-nemesis UMNO. But it could well be that the former has lost its moral compass.

Hard to Defend Thailand’s Defence Procurement

The Royal Thai Naval vessel, a helicopter carrier, cruises along the coast of Thailand.

The Thai government is spending more, and more opaquely, on defence procurement.

Great Expectations: the Limits of Chinese Vaccine Diplomacy in Southeast Asia

An illustration picture shows a drop from a syringe with a flag of China reflected in it

China’s vaccine diplomacy in Southeast Asia may earn Beijing some goodwill, but strategic gains will be limited.

The Milk Tea Alliance Confronts China’s Weak Brew

Pro-democracy protesters holding signs relating to the "Milk Tea Alliance" and the current situation in Myanmar

Social media movements such as the Milk Tea Alliance are tapping into discontent with the regional decline of democracy and fears about the rise of China as a hegemonic power.