The beleaguered construction and murky progress of the proposed Bangkok-Nong Khai high-speed railway are emblematic of deeper problems underlying Thailand’s and China’s infrastructural ambitions.
Category Archives: Commentaries
Vietnam’s High GDP Growth Rate Masks Its Economic Difficulties
The Vietnamese economy enjoyed solid growth in 2022. But the headline GDP growth figure belies underlying weaknesses in the economy.
Indonesia’s New Penal Code: A Setback for Indonesian Democracy
The Widodo administration’s heavy-handed ramming through of the revised Criminal Code in late 2022 raises deep concerns about Indonesia’s commitment to democratic process and expression.
Indonesians Call for Climate Action but Everyone Must Pull Their Weight
There is high awareness among Indonesians about the urgency of climate change and the adoption of environmentally friendly habits but until everyone pulls their weight, including the government curbing large polluters and fixing distortionary incentives, the tide against climate change will not build enough momentum.
Vietnam’s First Provincial Labour Arbitration Council: A Solid First Step
The launch of the Dong Nai provincial labour arbitration council has been positively greeted as a step forward for Vietnamese labour relations. But it may actually end up undermining pressure for pro-labour reforms.
A Pause for the Holidays…
Fulcrum ends 2022 on a high note. Our team is taking a pause to reflect and retune as we approach the new year. The Fulcrum team wants to thank all our readers for helping us reach all-time records in viewership.
The Binding Forces that Hold Malaysia’s Team of Rivals Together
The strength of the new unity government in Malaysia lies in three aspects: strategic, legal and relational.
When the Rule-Maker Breaks the Rules
The United States often stresses the need to uphold the rules-based international order. With its recent economic actions, however, the advocate of the rules may be guilty of undermining them.
Digital Repression Deliberated: The Importance of Parliamentary Scrutiny
One effective check on the Thai military-led regime’s use of repressive tactics online has come in the form of parliamentary oversight.
Criminalising Sin? Indonesian Society Not As Conservative As Elites Imagine
Those who worry that the recent criminal code revision in Indonesia might portend a conservative Islamic tide may take heart in some survey findings showing a more tolerant, moderate, and multicultural citizenry.