COMMENTARIES

10 Dec 2025

ASEAN’S Evolving Climate Governance Framework

Sharon Seah|Melinda Martinus|Qiu Jiahui

ASEAN’s climate governance architecture has evolved to match the urgency to align regional ambition with Paris Agreement goals, with growing recognition that regional coordination is vital in accelerating the green transition and attracting international climate finance.

Carbon tax Climate Change Finance Governance

9 Dec 2025

Sovereignty and Military’s Image Drive Thailand’s Hardline Response to Cambodia

Pongkwan Sawasdipakdi

Territorial sovereignty and the military’s image as guardian of the nation limit the kingdom’s attempts at conciliation in its current dispute with Cambodia.

Cambodia Cambodia-Thailand Relations Thailand

8 Dec 2025

COP30: Highlighting the Importance of the Agri-food and Forestry Sectors in Southeast Asia

Elyssa Kaur Ludher|Paul Teng

ASEAN member states can work together to strengthen their national agri-food sectors, building on the outcomes of the 30th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

Agriculture ASEAN

8 Dec 2025

The Philippines and Germany Enter a New Era of Defence Cooperation

Frances Mangosing

Defence and security ties between Manila and Berlin are strengthening amid rising threats in both Europe and the Indo-Pacific driven partly by the growing alignment between Beijing and Moscow.

Defence Military Philippines

5 Dec 2025

A Double Blow to Thaksin Signals the End of His Political Dynasty

Termsak Chalermpalanupap

Luck and influence may have run out for the man who lobbed himself, his family, and his associates into the Thai premiership for a quarter of a century.

Thai Politics Thailand

5 Dec 2025

Indonesia’s Tycoons Pressed into National Service, Once Again

Siwage Dharma Negara|Leo Suryadinata

Like some of his predecessors, President Prabowo has co-opted Indonesia’s tycoons to contribute to a new bond fund. To what end?

Finance Indonesia Indonesian Economy Indonesian Politics

5 Dec 2025

Money in the Air: The Mirage of the Get-Rich-Quick Online Culture in Thailand

Surachanee Sriyai

Thai netizens are fuelling a get-rich-quick online culture but the lavish lifestyles they flaunt are often illusory and mask the heavy costs of maintaining visibility to satisfy platform algorithms.

Thai Economy Thailand