Archive: Jun 2020



STORY OF THE DAY • Jun 30, 2020 • 7 min read

Wildlife trade Why are there roving gibbons and hornbills in Phnom Penh?

By Andrew Haffner • Jun 30, 2020
Today, you'd be lucky to spot a gibbon in the Cambodian jungle, but in the capital, a trip to Toul Tumpoung should do the trick. These primates, along with a flock of hornbills, are often seen walking the power lines of this Phnom Penh suburb, for a rather peculiar reason

STORY OF THE DAY • Jun 29, 2020 • 3 min read

Editorial The roving gibbons of Phnom Penh and Duterte’s legacy

By Alastair McCready • Jun 29, 2020
This week we look into why there are roving gibbons and hornbills in the Cambodian capital Phnom Penh. The answer, somewhat unsurprisingly, has to do with elite privilege and nepotism. We also mark four years since Philippines president Rodrigo Duterte's inauguration by asking why the divisive strongman is so reviled by his detractors, yet so loved by his supporters.

Jun 29, 2020 • 11 min read
Covid-19

In Siem Reap, locals take to two wheels to escape virus monotony

As the trails of Temple Town are freed from hoards of tourists, out-of-work and exercise-starved locals are reclaiming Siem Reap's once-crowded tarmac and taking to two wheels to escape the virus monotony
By Brian Badzmierowski • Jun 29, 2020

Jun 26, 2020 • 5 min read
Editorial

We need to talk about Japan: Tokyo’s damaging role in Southeast Asia

While China is often criticised for the negative influence it wields over Southeast Asian affairs, Japan's role in backing authoritarian regimes and promoting rights abuses in the region remains far less publicised, but arguably no less pernicious
By Alastair McCready • Jun 26, 2020

Jun 26, 2020 • 10 min read
Land rights

David vs Goliath: Indonesian communities push back against palm oil firm

In Sumatra, communities have reported for years the encroachment upon their land by multi-national agribusiness group Wilmar to develop palm oil plantations. But Nagari Institute director Zulkifli is helping those at the Indonesian grassroots push back
By Zachary Frye • Jun 26, 2020

Jun 25, 2020 • 6 min read
The Quarantine Chronicles

Entry one: Down and Out in Sydney and Phnom Penh

Globe reporter Alexi is stuck in quarantine for two-weeks in the outskirts of Phnom Penh after his flight returned a positive case of Covid-19. In his first diary entry from isolation, he talks swabs, Russian Boulevard and Avicii
By Alexi Demetriadi • Jun 25, 2020

Jun 25, 2020 • 11 min read
The View From Southeast Asia

Solidarity among people: Black Lives Matter and Southeast Asia

Black Lives Matter has thrust the issue of race into the mainstream narrative across the world, and Southeast Asia is no different. From Myanmar to Papua, groups in the region have expressed solidarity and discussed their own experiences with ethnicity and identity
By Macy-Châu Diễm Trần • Jun 25, 2020

Jun 24, 2020 • 10 min read
Tales of the Pandemic

Travel during the pandemic: Chicago/Sydney > Seoul > Phnom Penh

Globe staff members Andrew and Alexi made the trip back to Phnom Penh this week, in an aviation industry far different than before. Socially distanced boarding, face masks and dreaded swab tests, they recount the process of returning to Cambodia
By Alexi Demetriadi and Andrew Haffner • Jun 24, 2020

Jun 24, 2020 • 4 min read
Covid-19

Macaque attack: Humans try to take back Thai city from monkeys

Residents barricaded indoors, rival gang fights and no-go zones for humans. Welcome to Lopburi, an ancient Thai city overrun by monkeys super-charged on junk food, whose population is growing out of control
By Stéphane Delfour and Pitcha Dangprasith/AFP • Jun 24, 2020

Jun 24, 2020 • 9 min read

Get your act together: Cyber security and nuclear energy in Southeast Asia

Southeast Asia continues to explore the potential for nuclear energy to meet its power needs, but with cyber attacks a growing threat globally, some fear Asean isn't prepared to deal with the hostile actors who may seek to bring these systems down
By Jonathan Lim • Jun 24, 2020