COMMENTARIES

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?

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

4 Dec 2025

Cambodia’s Warming Ties with Washington Reflect Continuity, Not Realignment

Taylor Coplen

Maintaining flexibility in its diplomacy towards two big powers is the clear pragmatic option for Cambodia in today’s geopolitical climate.

Cambodia Cambodia-Thailand Relations Thailand U.S.

3 Dec 2025

Indonesia’s Nahdlatul Ulama in Turmoil

Ary Hermawan

Indonesia’s largest Muslim organisation is split at its top echelons over worldly politics.

Indonesia Indonesian Politics Religion

2 Dec 2025

Gun Jompalang: The Grey Zone of Influencers and Warfare in the Thai-Cambodia Conflict

Surachanee Sriyai

A Thai influencer’s controversial actions in the conflict zone between Thailand and Cambodia highlight the inadequacy of the laws of war and military protocols in this digital age.

Cambodia Cambodia-Thailand Relations Thailand

2 Dec 2025

Indonesia’s Problematic Criminal Procedure Code Revision

Made Supriatma

Indonesia’s new Criminal Procedure Code might make it harder for justice to be done.

Indonesia Indonesian Politics

2 Dec 2025

The Human and Environmental Costs of Critical Mineral Mining

Prapimphan Chiengkul

With critical minerals mining activity expected to expand in Southeast Asia, ASEAN countries must collectively tackle the resulting transboundary pollution and impose stricter socio-environmental regulation of the sector.

Environment Mining Pollution

1 Dec 2025

ASEAN’s Regional Ambitions for the Semiconductor Industry

George Tan|Maria Monica Wihardja

A new non-binding framework for relevant ASEAN member states to ramp up their semiconductor industries and supply chains has the potential to provide some relief against a darkening geopolitical outlook.

ASEAN Economic Integration Technology Trade

28 Nov 2025

Competition among Thailand’s Three Largest Parties Deepens the Country’s Political Uncertainties

Termsak Chalermpalanupap

People’s Party, Pheu Thai, and Bhumjaithai, Thailand’s three largest parties, have been intensifying their competition in preparation for an early general election. Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and his Bhumjaithai Party have the best chance of winning political advantage and gaining more popularity.

Thai Elections Thai Politics Thailand