Thailand, ‘the land of smiles’, is commonly regarded as a haven for LGBTQ people. But does that tell the full story?
Southeast Asia Globe looks at how Thai trangender artists are raising awareness of the issues impacting the LGBTQ community, against the backdrop of a complex legal system that doesn’t fully protect them.
As dusk falls over Phnom Penh, outreach workers from Friends International drive around the city in their night bus six nights per week, reaching out to vulnerable young Cambodians such as sex workers, telling anyone who will listen about the organisation’s employment support services.
Friends International’s Futures programme is shortening Cambodia’s skills gap by training aspiring job seekers in a broad range of skills, helping them gain long-term employment.
Indonesian President Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo was the first to not emanate from the country’s long reign of ruling political elites. But as he settles into his second term of office, his two sons have won instant nominations in local elections, undermining the democratic process. Is this a projection of Jokowi’s desire to build a political dynasty based on family blood?
From our 2013 print archive, Southeast Asia Globe takes its readers back to Myanmar’s metal music scene, where musicians struggle to stay afloat as they are drowned out by mainstream competitors who dominate funding and the limited available venues. Can metalhead bands survive in a music industry that doesn’t support them?
In the age of ‘greenwashing’, it’s hard to know exactly what impact luxury hotel resorts have on the environment. But for luxury hotelier Bill Bensley, it’s his life’s mission to ensure that his hotel has “zero impact on the land”. His latest project, Shinta Mani Wild in Cambodia, is his most ambitious yet.
