Showing 1 - 9 of 9
Council must be honest
News, Editorial, Published on 04/04/2025
» Was former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra so sick that authorities had no choice but to allow him to serve out his sentence at the Police General Hospital? Did the treatment accorded to him reflect the double standards in the country's justice system?
Nay Pyi Taw's goals still out of reach
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 04/02/2025
» As Myanmar's crisis enters its fifth year this week, there is still no light at the end of the tunnel.
Major takeaways from Langkawi
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 28/01/2025
» Beyond the mundane 44 paragraphs of the Chairman's Statement of the Asean Ministers' Retreat in Langkawi, there are crucial elements worth mentioning and following up on.
Trump ready with Asean policy 2.0
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 21/01/2025
» Last week's Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing for Senator Marco Rubio was very insightful, especially regarding comments related to US-Asean relations. Mr Rubio demonstrated knowledge about Asean and the need for flexibility in engaging with the countries in the region. His comments have also calmed surging concerns over a potential tariff hike under the Trump administration. Certainly, he is expected to be confirmed and replace Antony Blinken as Secretary of State.
Malaysia's Asean chair with a twist
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 24/12/2024
» Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has displayed his political astuteness by appointing former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra to his advisory team. The decision reflects his understanding of regional traits and dynamics, where former leaders and influential figures can hold sway over multifaceted regional outlooks.
Trump redux and US-Thai-Asean ties
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 12/11/2024
» Under President Donald Trump, the trajectory of US-Thai-Asean relations will be defined by three factors -- rising trade imbalances, intensifying US-China rivalry and Asean's long-term aspirations under its Community Vision 2045. Donald Trump's "America First" policies will impose many challenges.
Anticipating Malaysia's Asean chair
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 29/10/2024
» Among Asean watchers, it has become a pattern that a significant milestone follows whenever Malaysia takes on the chairmanship. In 2005, Malaysia helped establish the East Asia Summit (EAS), and in 2015, the Asean Community Vision 2025 was launched. Many policymakers and scholars agree that the next chairmanship is perfectly timed for Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, one of the region's most experienced leaders.
Reopening poses global dilemma
News, Editorial, Published on 03/10/2021
» Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha announced on June 16 that his government would reopen the country within 120 days, falling in October.
Rohingya treatment a violation of human rights
Oped, Puttanee Kangkun & John Quinley, Published on 29/07/2020
» Tomorrow marks the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, but the governments of Southeast Asia have little to celebrate. Rohingya refugees, many of whom are survivors of trafficking and crimes of atrocity, continue to arrive on the shores of Thailand and Malaysia, where their arrival is met with a cold reception. Instead of protecting trafficking survivors and refugees, Thailand and Malaysia continue to propagate shameful policies of detention and refoulement and fail to hold traffickers accountable.