Vietnam completes online clampdown
Legislation requiring internet companies operating in Vietnam to remove content the one-party state regards as "toxic" has come into effect, in a move critics...
Meth peril enslaves Asean young
Northern Shan State, nominally within Myanmar’s borders but where the Nay Pyi Taw authorities have little control, has become an East Asian methamphetamine hub,...
Race to legalise medical marijuana
As the world wakes up to the health benefits and commercial potential of legalised cannabis, Thailand, Malaysia and South Korea are racing to become...
Duterte yet to justify China policy
Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to Manila this week has produced more deals on economic cooperation with the Philippines but analysts are sceptical about...
Thai junta eases censorship
Thailand’s use of its authoritarian lese majeste laws appears to be changing as the kingdom looks poised to hold its first democratic election since...
2019 Thai election result: generals win
The shadowy world of the Thai military has provided intriguing signs of change this week as its generals appear poised to step back from...
Rare good news for Asean media
Malaysia has repealed the controversial anti-fake news law, which has been widely condemned for stifling free speech since its introduction by the previous government...
Back to the dark ages
Thailand is currently experiencing an uneasy peace but this might not last if Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha delays his promised general election again as...
Myanmar steps towards debt trap
Myanmar plans to reduce the cost of the Chinese-backed Kyaukpyu special economic zone and port, cap its external debt load and avoid repeating the...
Mahathir adopts palm-oil folly
When confronted with a challenge from an external party, human nature often pushes us into defensive mode. However, criticism should also force us to reflect...
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Singapore promises 2020 recovery after quarterly growth
Singapore exceeded estimates for economic growth in the third quarter with the city-state’s authorities claiming that a full recovery will be secured next year.
GDP...
Asean climate crises loom after decades of abuse
Asean’s governments continue to abuse the environment but the regional body’s shared ecological efforts to tackle the issues are pitiful.
Farmers along the Mekong have been...
Mekong nations face severe drought made worse by dams
The four lower Mekong River basin countries of Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam should expect severe to extreme drought – compounded by dams –...