COMMENTARIES

26 Apr 2021

Freeing Trade in the Greater Mekong Subregion

Sithanonxay Suvannaphakdy

Implementing WTO trade facilitation commitments will be key.

22 Apr 2021

In Dominating the Provinces, Bangkok Leaves Nothing to Chance

Michael J. Montesano

Whether as a source of royal blessings or through the power of its rent-seekers, Bangkok’s hold over provincial Thailand endures.

Myanmar Thai Monarchy Thai Politics Thailand

22 Apr 2021

Of Partisan Reshuffles and Stalled Reforms: Thailand’s Police in 2021

Paul Chambers

The relationship between the palace and the police is deepening. Meanwhile, long awaited police reforms are in the balance.

Thai Military Thai Monarchy Thai Politics Thailand

20 Apr 2021

When “Tony” Goes Clubbing: The Power of Clubhouse in Thailand

Punchada Sirivunnabood

Clubhouse, a new audio-based social media app, has gained much popularity in Thailand, despite official warnings to users who denigrate the reputation of the government and the monarchy. A pertinent question is whether the Thai government will use the app to reach out to its opponents.

Human Rights Thai Monarchy Thai Politics Thailand

20 Apr 2021

Upstream Dams Threaten the Economy and the Security of the Mekong Region

Murray Hiebert

The future of the Mekong is under threat from upstream dams. For the river to remain healthy and survive, China and its Southeast Asian neighbours need to find ways to share the Mekong’s water, fish and silt. This will ensure that the Mekong does not become a flashpoint like what the South China Sea has become.

Cambodia China Laos Mekong River Thailand Vietnam

19 Apr 2021

The New, and Not, of Terrorist Attacks in Indonesia

Ahmad Najib Burhani

New perpetrators and tactics, and persistent ideological battles, make fighting terrorism harder.

Indonesia Religion Religious Intolerance terrorism

19 Apr 2021

Vietnam’s Car Market and AFTA: Kicking it Up a Gear

Ivan V. Small

Vietnam is one of ASEAN’s most promising car markets. To tap the growing potential in-country and across ASEAN, however, Hanoi will need to leverage on — and slalom around — a raft of regional free trade agreements.

Asean Trade Vietnam Vietnamese Economy

16 Apr 2021

Learning from “Social Punishment:” Neutrality in Myanmar is No Longer Tenable

Courtney T. Wittekind

Business leaders, foreign and local, have a big choice to make as Myanmar’s crisis deepens.

Myanmar Myanmar Economy Myanmar Politics

16 Apr 2021

Anwar Ibrahim and Zahid Hamidi – Forbidden Phone Friends?

Francis E. Hutchinson|Kevin Zhang

An audio clip of a conversation between Anwar Ibrahim and Zahid Hamidi has given Malaysians a ringside seat into the shady backroom dealing between two of the nation’s prominent politicians. Genuine or not, the political interests of the two men have increasingly converged.

Malaysia Malaysian Politics UMNO