Cambodian politics Hun Sen’s art of giving
January saw Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Sen mark 35 years in power. Columnist David Hutt examines one crucial tactic of governance that has sustained his more-than three decade rule – the art of giving
15 hours ago • 13-minute read
03 February 2020
THIS WEEK IN SOUTHEAST ASIA
Spanning the region.
This week we open by returning to a Top Read from 2017 looking at Singapore’s struggling retail sector, while on Tuesday columnist David Hutt marks Hun Sen’s 35 years in power by analysing the gift-giving state he has cultivated over three decades. On Wednesday we let our hair down as we head to the Jai Thep music festival in Chiang Mai, interviewing Thai pop star Notep on meditation and environmentalism. On Thursday we meet the team behind Cambodia’s first child protection unit, who are working to crackdown on abuse of minors in the Kingdom, while we round off the week with a profile on Pham Thanh, a North Vietnamese artist who made a name for himself producing communist propaganda during the Vietnam War. Read last week’s editorial
ALSO THIS WEEK
THIS WEDNESDAY
In the festive spirit
The Globe heads to Jai Thep festival in Chiang Mai, where we look at the region’s festival scene and interview Thai pop star Notep on meditation and environmentalism.
THIS THURSDAY
Abuse of trust
In 2013, Cambodia established its first child protection unit (CPU) to clamp down on crimes against minors. The Globe heads inside the CPU to meet the team behind the initiative.
THIS FRIDAY
The art of war
During the Vietnam War, Pham Thanh was one of several North Vietnamese artists who became renowned for their propaganda art. Here we hear Thanh’s story.
Into the future
Read More
Power
Political reporting and analysis on the big questions facing the region.
Cambodia has once again ranked the lowest in Southeast Asia on Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index.
Money
Business insights and innovation, from industry to entrepreneurs.
Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s upcoming Jan. 17 visit to Myanmar, his first yet, seems to herald a renewed friendship between the two nations. Xi is expected to push forward ambitious Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) plans in the country, which include a special economic zone on the Indian Ocean. The BRI is a big story in Southeast Asia, so read more with our coverage below.
Life
Putting people at the heart of the story.
In the wake of the U.S. killing of Iranian general Qassem Soleimani in Iraq, Phillippine President Rodrigo Duterte has alerted his military to a potential rescue of Filipino workers in both west Asian countries. Though more than 1 million Filipino workers reside in the Persian Gulf states, the island nation counts thousands of its citizens in the conflict area. We’re taking a look at the ties in both work and conflict between the Middle East and Southeast Asia.
Earth
How environmental change is shaping Southeast Asia.
Southeast Asians are turning against single-use plastic bags. In line with a new regulation signed by the Jakarta governor in late-2019, Indonesia’s sprawling capital city will ban the bag by the middle of this year. Thailand has also done the same, with that country’s ministry of environment reporting that Thais already cut back 2 billion bags last year. Check out our coverage of the fight against plastics pollution to learn more about what’s being done for a cleaner tomorrow.









