12 Feb 2025 Is the Growth of Thailand’s Medical Tourism Industry Sustainable? Archanun Kohpaiboon There are mounting concerns that foreign medical tourism in Thailand could exacerbate a brain drain from the public healthcare sector. The overall picture is more nuanced. Health Thailand Tourism
12 Feb 2025 Will Malaysia’s New Social Media Licence Shield Users or Curb Freedom? Nuurrianti Jalli Malaysia’s new hands-on approach to regulating social media aims to enhance online safety, but licensing requirements, heavy punishments, and vague terms raise concerns about government overreach. Civil Society Malaysia Social Media
11 Feb 2025 Rethinking Thailand’s Local Elections: Beyond the Shadow of National Parties and Political Big Houses Michael J. Montesano|Tita Sanglee The logic of decentralisation is overlooked if one views provincial administration organisation (PAO) elections through the lenses of rivalries among national parties and the emphasis on ban yai. Thai Elections Thai Politics Thailand
11 Feb 2025 Trump’s Aid Cuts Could Devastate Myanmar More Than Anyone Expects Su Mon Thazin Aung The Trump Administration’s decision to terminate foreign aid has crippling effects on the humanitarian landscape in Myanmar. Foreign Aid Myanmar US
10 Feb 2025 After the Honeymoon, Where Will President Prabowo Take Indonesia? A Governance Perspective Yanuar Nugroho How have Indonesia’s new president and his administration fared in its critical first 100 days? Indonesia Indonesian Politics
10 Feb 2025 Philippines Offshore Gambling Operators (POGOs): Off-putting Teresita Ang See The high-profile case involving Alice Guo has uncovered a raft of issues related to offshore gambling operators in the Philippines. Philippine Philippine Economy Philippine Politics
7 Feb 2025 The Impact and Complexity of Saudi Funding on the Dissemination of Wahhabism and Salafism in Indonesia A'an Suryana While the Indonesian government still needs to be vigilant about Saudi funding to promote Wahhabism and Salafism, the reforms under the Saudi Crown Prince Muhamad bin Salman towards a more moderate brand of Islam have also opened up opportunities to attract more Saudi investment into Indonesia and to boost Indonesia’s exports to Saudi Arabia. Indonesia Islam Saudi Arabia
7 Feb 2025 Indonesia’s New National Mosque: Big Shoes to Fill A'an Suryana Indonesia’s national mosque in Jakarta has a storied past and stands as a beacon of tolerance and understanding. Can the new national mosque to be, still under construction in Nusantara, be an adequate replacement? Indonesia Islam Religion
7 Feb 2025 Chinese EVs in Southeast Asia: More Sustainable Approach Needed Shi Youwei Chinese electric vehicle (EV) firms have made inroads into the Southeast Asian market. But they cannot take their current position for granted. China China-Southeast Asia relations EV Cars Southeast Asia
6 Feb 2025 Indonesia’s Free School Lunches: Not So Free Maria Monica Wihardja|Arianto Patunru President Prabowo’s universal free school lunch programme is well-intentioned, but it would be more effective if done in coordination with other complementary programmes. Indonesia Indonesian Economy Indonesian Politics
