Showing 1 - 8 of 8
Timor-Leste finally joins the Asean fold
News, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 14/10/2025
» Timor-Leste will be made a full member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) on Oct 26. President José Ramos-Horta of Timor-Leste often joked that joining Asean was more difficult than going to heaven. Not anymore.
Thai-EU free trade deal on the horizon
News, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 17/04/2024
» If everything goes as planned, Thailand and the EU could sign a free trade agreement by mid-next year, in what is another example of the European Union's increasing engagement in the Indo-Pacific region.
Thailand again bids for UNHRC seat
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 12/03/2024
» The human rights condition in Thailand is paradoxical. A liberal mindset does not regard the country as a democracy. Instead, it sees it as one lacking in freedom of expression and constantly violating the rights of its own citizens.
Myanmar's crisis and emerging traps
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 01/02/2022
» Today is the first anniversary of the Feb 1 seizure of power by the Tatmadaw in Nay Pyi Taw. Over the past 12 months, the overall situation in Myanmar has gone into a downward spiral and all the progress and positive developments made since 2011, when the country proudly opened up, have gone into the dustbin.
Russia's gamble in post-coup Myanmar
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 30/03/2021
» Moscow is becoming the most prominent supporter of the military junta in Nay Pyi Taw. While the international community strongly condemned the junta's two months of atrocities against peaceful protestors, last week Russia was bold to say that it wanted to increase military cooperation with Myanmar.
Mekong nations tighten anti-drug blitz
News, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 03/12/2019
» The Mekong region is no longer a mysterious place, as it has now become the world's main hub of illicit drugs across multiple frontiers. Last month, anti-drug officials from riparian countries -- Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, China -- and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNDODC) met in a series of meetings in Bangkok to forge a new political agreement and plan that would strengthen their cooperation to address the deteriorating drug situation.
Cobra Gold drills depoliticise Thai-US ties
News, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 27/02/2018
» The 37th Cobra Gold annual multilateral military exercise ended last week with one major outcome -- the depoliticising of Thai-US relations which have been held captive since the May 2014 coup.
Singapore's Asean tests: twists and turns
News, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 13/02/2018
» Judging from the well-crafted statement on the Asean foreign ministers' retreat in the Lion City last week, Singapore as the current chair of the regional grouping has its work cut out for it.