Showing 1 - 10 of 11
Green rush
Asia focus, Erich Parpart, Published on 20/01/2020
» Attitudes toward marijuana are starting to change in Southeast Asia. In some countries there is increasing social acceptance, growing research interest, easing of regulations and even modest legalisation, with Thailand leading the way.
Manila urges closer tie-up against China
News, Erich Parpart, Published on 04/11/2019
» The Secretary of the Philippines' Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO), Martin Andanar, urged Asean to increase its cooperation against China's growing assertiveness in the South China Sea and ramp up counter-terrorism efforts against the Islamic State (IS) group within the region.
Denial spells irrelevance for Asean
Asia focus, Erich Parpart, Published on 24/06/2019
» One big reason why members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) get along so splendidly is that they avoid talking about uncomfortable subjects, such as stunted democratic development or human rights abuses.
Facing down China
Asia focus, Erich Parpart, Published on 01/04/2019
» Repression at home, assertiveness in disputed territory on its doorstep, and expansion of soft power, economic and technological influence worldwide have all become hallmarks of confident China in the 21st century.
Duterte can run but he can't hide
Asia focus, Erich Parpart, Published on 25/03/2019
» Last week the Philippines became the second country in the world to withdraw from the International Criminal Court (ICC) after Burundi, which left in 2017. Many observers, myself included, see this as an attempt to evade an investigation into President Rodrigo Duterte's deadly war on drugs, but it is not going to work.
Media freedom in the dock
Asia focus, Erich Parpart, Published on 18/02/2019
» The decision by Philippine authorities to arrest journalist Maria Ressa and the move by Thailand’s broadcast regulator to suspend the broadcaster Voice TV are the latest examples of how press freedom in Southeast Asia is deteriorating.
Hope for refugee children
Asia focus, Erich Parpart, Published on 28/01/2019
» The cause of children's rights got a lift last week when immigration police in Thailand announced that they would stop holding migrant and refugee children in the country's crowded immigration detention facilities.
Loved to death
Asia focus, Erich Parpart, Published on 22/10/2018
» In March, Thai authorities ordered the temporary closure of Maya Bay on Phi Phi Leh Island for the first time since 1999 to halt the environmental damage caused by too many tourists. A month later the Philippine island of Boracay, one of the world's most famous beach destinations, was closed for the same reason.
Saving our overburdened beaches
Asia focus, Erich Parpart, Published on 22/10/2018
» One of my favourite New Year memories is from Boracay in the Philippines, where the entire sky was lit up in red from fireworks set off from boats offshore.
Poll positions
Asia focus, Erich Parpart, Published on 16/07/2018
» The Asean political calendar is a busy one over the next 12 months, with much riding on the outcome in at least three countries.