Showing 1 - 7 of 7
Eras Tour a wake-up call
News, Editorial, Published on 11/03/2024
» In the brouhaha surrounding Taylor Swift's exclusive concert deal with Singapore, the Thai government -- instead of trying to emulate our nice neighbour's shrewd stratagem in paying artists not to play in neighbouring nations -- should focus on the fundamental problem that Thailand, despite being a preferred tourist destination, is not a priority choice for acclaimed concerts.
SE Asia dabbles with change
News, Editorial, Published on 28/08/2022
» It may only be the end of August, but this year has seen some major announcements in Southeast Asia that signal a major shift is taking place in the deeply-conservative region. But do the changes affect reality on a deeper level, or merely cement the status quo?
US snub a wake-up call
Oped, Editorial, Published on 04/09/2021
» The bypassing of Thailand by US vice president Kamala Harris during her recent visit to Southeast Asia prompted some critics to wonder aloud whether Thailand has lost some of its international clout.
Asean speaks out on coup
News, Editorial, Published on 26/04/2021
» The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) has reached another important milestone after the bloc's leaders reached a consensus on Saturday to end the crisis and violence in Myanmar.
Activists need protection
News, Editorial, Published on 14/05/2019
» Thailand's already battered human rights record has fallen another notch following reports of the mysterious disappearance of three activists accused of lese majeste while in exile in Vietnam.
Duties of Asean chair
News, Editorial, Published on 13/11/2018
» Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha will be abroad for much of the next week at the annual Asean summit taking place in Singapore. The main meeting is scheduled for Thursday, but there will also be the usual flurry of official meetings with major partners, as well as unscheduled but vital one-on-one discussions on the sidelines. Then, on Saturday and Sunday, most of the Asean leaders plus many others will meet at the Apec Summit at Port Moresby.
Asean agrees on extradition
News, Editorial, Published on 01/05/2018
» A seemingly forgotten legal necessity for Asean was announced at last weekend's annual summit in Singapore. The chairman for 2018, Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, said that the long-delayed Asean extradition treaty was nearing completion. The announcement, made almost in passing at the busy heads-of-government meetings came as a welcome surprise. But it is crucial that the 10-nation group get the treaty right, and not fold to countries who want it to enforce political crimes.