There are growing calls in Phuket, Thailand’s tourism powerhouse, to become more autonomous from the central authorities in Bangkok. While such an idea has not gained traction outside Phuket, the province might need to think deeper about what autonomy entails, and in what form.
Author Archives: blackbox
Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine: Southeast Asian Responses and Why the Conflict Matters to the Region
ASEAN’s official response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine was relatively mild, reflecting the lowest common denominator of the varied positions taken by ASEAN member states. But the grouping needs to be mindful of the dangerous precedents set by Russia’s actions.
Reforming the Philippine Electoral Commission
Less than two months before the presidential elections, the Commission of Elections (COMELEC), the Philippines’ independent electoral authority, has been mired in controversy itself. It is high time to reform one of the oldest election commissions in the region.
The Russia-Ukraine War: Parallels and Lessons for Vietnam
Vietnam’s nuanced approach to the Russia-Ukraine war and its refusal to single out Russia’s invasion suggest introspection in Hanoi over its foreign and defence policy calculations.
Win Over Renewable Naysayers in Indonesia
Indonesia has the potential to be a vital renewable energy exporter in the region. But it has to first get its ducks in a row on the technical, financial and regulatory fronts.
Tourism in Southeast Asia: Building Forward Better
Countries need to mutually recognize each other’s vaccination certificates, harmonize rules on travel procedures, and safeguard public health to manage the pandemic. This will enable the countries to capture new source markets, thus compensating for the revenue loss due to the decrease in Chinese tourists.
The Intractable Challenges Facing Energy Trade in Southeast Asia
A cross-border power grid offers Southeast Asian countries the potential of greater energy security, affordability and sustainability. But thus far, the lack of urgency in sharing energy to achieve long-term security across the region is palpable.
Cambodia’s Education System: Looking Back to Move Forward
Cambodia has set ambitious goals to become an upper middle income country by 2030. To achieve this, it needs to rethink its education system to upgrade the skills of its workforce so the country can become a knowledge-intensive society.
School Closures and Child Labour: The Pandemic’s Social Cost
The disruption of face-to-face education and internet inaccessibility may cause children to drop out of school permanently. Children who leave school and start working face greater difficulty resuming their education in the future.
Johor Polls: Old Boys Singin’ the Same Old Tunes
Like evergreen hits, the feuding parties in Johor’s state elections are rehashing old formulations in the form of multi-racial coalitions with Malay-nationalist entities at the helm.