As the crisis in Myanmar continues to escalate, with the military junta cracking down on pro-democracy protesters, ASEAN’s unity is being tested. Indonesia, as the bloc’s largest economy and a champion of democracy in Southeast Asia, is facing growing pressure to take a more assertive role in responding to the situation. However, deepening fissures within … Read more
Experts have called for a new approach to be taken in resolving the political crisis in Myanmar, citing the ineffectiveness of the ASEAN Five-Point Consensus. The Consensus was agreed upon by all 10 ASEAN leaders in April 2021 as a peace plan for Myanmar, but the military regime has not honoured its part of the … Read more
People for Peat (PFP), a grassroots advocacy group that focuses on the protection of peatland ecosystems, recently celebrated the end of a four-year journey in Southeast Asia. Led by a team of dedicated activists, PFP worked tirelessly to raise awareness of the importance of peatlands to the region’s biodiversity, economy, and indigenous communities. Over the … Read more
Thailand’s ambitious high-speed rail project, built by China, is poised to transform the country’s transportation landscape. The project has been in the works for years but has faced numerous delays and controversies, including concerns over financing and technological compatibility. Despite these setbacks, the project is still on track and promises to bring significant economic benefits … Read more
The Central Bank of the Philippines, also known as Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), has been raising interest rates since last year to fight rising inflation. However, with inflation showing signs of slowing down, the BSP may be considering pausing their rate hikes to give the economy some breathing room. This potential change in policy … Read more
David Tan, a toy maker in the Philippines, is inundated with requests from grieving pet owners asking him to create stuffed replicas of their deceased animals. Tan and his team use photographs of the pets to create life-like stuffed toys using synthetic fur, which is airbrushed to reproduce the creatures’ colors and physical characteristics. The … Read more
As our world becomes increasingly interconnected and reliant on technology, the threat of cybercrime continues to loom large. One particularly troubling trend is the rise of international cybercrimes targeting Asian citizens. These attacks can take many forms, from phishing schemes and identity theft to ransomware and data breaches. Unfortunately, these crimes often go unreported or … Read more
As the world continues to keep a close eye on the ongoing crisis in Myanmar, Indonesia has emerged as a key player in efforts to address the situation. As the largest Muslim-majority nation in the world and a regional power in Southeast Asia, Indonesia has been vocal in calling for an end to the violence … Read more
As Thailand gears up for its general election on March 24, many are watching with interest to see how the results might affect Myanmar’s relationship with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Given the recent turmoil in Myanmar, including the ongoing Rohingya crisis and concerns over the country’s democratic progress, Thailand’s election could potentially … Read more
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) needs to strengthen its position in global value chains to ensure sustainable economic growth and development for its member countries. With the emergence of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and the changing global trade landscape, it is imperative for ASEAN to act swiftly to harness the full potential of … Read more