Author Archives: williamchoong
Fulcrum: Putting the Spotlight on Southeast Asia
fulcrum /ˈfʊlkrə/, /ˈfʌlkrə/ ) (physics) the point on which a lever turns or is supported. [usually singular] the most important part of an activity or a situation.
Vietnam’s Online Policing: Taking a Leaf from China’s Playbook
Typically, governments are influenced by sentiments expressed in social media to and adjust their policies accordingly. A string of episodes has demonstrated that Vietnam has taken a leaf out of China’s playbook in steering the online narrative.
Uncle Sam Will Have to Change His Tune After November for Buy-in From Southeast Asia
High stakes in the upcoming US presidential election for Southeast Asia and for American influence and goodwill in the region.
General Prayut’s Failing Premiership: Self-inflicted Wound
The sudden departure of Thailand’s newly-appointed finance minister is a sign that premiership of Prayut Chan-ocha is failing.
India’s Obsession With Thailand’s Kra Canal: Much Ado About Nothing
News that Thailand has “cancelled” its Kra canal project and replaced it with a land bridge has exercised Indian observers. But you cannot scrap a plan that has not been approved and Indian media reports say more about tensions with China along their land border than a centuries’ old Thai canal plan.
Digital Payments Can Accelerate Master Plan for ASEAN Connectivity
Digital payment systems have proliferated across Southeast Asia, thanks to various platforms provided by banks, ride-hailing apps and fintech firms. For such payments to truly take off, the region needs to work on facilitating cross-border transactions.
Non-tariff Barriers to Agri-trade in ASEAN: Taking Down Walls
A bid to boost market access for agri-food trade in ASEAN is in jeopardy. Non-tariff measures (NTMs) – policy measures other than tariffs that can potentially hinder trade – have emerged as one of the key obstacles to agri-food trade, namely fisheries and agro-based products. NTMs increase trade costs for producers, importers and exporters through information, compliance and procedural…
Philippine Remittances and Covid-19: Stayin’ Alive
In a pandemic-afflicted year when the country braced itself for smaller remittances from its overseas workers, the Philippines has seen a lower-than-expected fall in such inflows. The OFWs, as they are called, have lived up to their reputations.
Vietnam and Social Media: The Clock Is Ticking on Tiktok
A lawsuit filed against TikTok by a Vietnamese firm portends a tightening of controls on social media by the authorities.