Southeast Asia Globe is member-supported publication featuring in-depth journalism that promotes a more informed, inclusive and sustainable future. Members work with our team to shape our editorial direction and hold us accountable.
Be a part of the story. Subscribe today!
By Mark S. Cogan • Jul 26, 2021
Thailand's vast informal sector accounts for the majority of the kingdom's workforce. Now, amidst the pandemic that has interrupted vital industries, the lack of government support and planning for this large chunk of low-wage workers has been exposed
By Aashna Jamal • Jul 19, 2021
While Covid-19 has decimated the tourism sector for most countries, in Timor-Leste, the industry was already on its knees pre-pandemic. For a select few hotels, the introduction of mandatory quarantine has offered a lifeline and a vital source of revenue
By Govi Snell • Jul 02, 2021
One of the world's poorest countries three decades ago – Vietnam has made a quick push to middle-income status. While the expertise of outsiders was necessary to this growing prosperity, a new clampdown on foreign workers showcases the country's evolution
By Darlin Nay • Jun 11, 2021
The pandemic has devastated tourist-reliant Siem Reap. But Future Forum researcher Darlin Nay sees opportunity in crisis, believing that the downturn in visitors is an opportunity to reassess what kind of tourism model Cambodia wants to embrace
As the tourism shutdown hits the Thai economy and Covid-19 rages on across the country, many low-wage workers are leaving the capital to return to the provinces. Some see opportunity in this reverse migration flow, while others are struggling just to stay afloat
By Wanpen Pajai • Jun 08, 2021
As flights to Siem Reap airport dropped to an unprecedented zero last month, workers at the once-bustling entry point are facing reduced pay and layoffs. Like their tourism counterparts across the struggling city, many make ends meet with loans and ad hoc work
By Kiana Duncan • May 31, 2021
Until last year, Cambodia’s stock exchange was the second smallest globally, behind only Myanmar. While a mega-listing in 2020 gave the bourse a much-needed boost, the success or stagnation of this tiny market hangs in the balance as firms remain hesitant to list
By Kiana Duncan • Apr 14, 2021
Chinese tech giants like Tencent and TikTok owner ByteDance are expanding in Singapore as they face a crackdown at home and growing pressure in other key markets – but they may struggle to find talent in the city-state
By Martin Abbugao/AFP • Apr 05, 2021
The UK’s application to join the CPTPP trade bloc in February swept aside any vestiges of the notion that candidate countries must be possessed of ‘Asianness’ or Pacific geography. If admitted, their presence could influence major issues across Southeast Asia
By Daniel McKay • Apr 04, 2021
As Thailand's illicit gambling industry has become associated with virus outbreaks in recent months, discussion has started again about the potential benefits of bringing this murky and widespread industry out of the shadows and under government control
By Wanpen Pajai • Mar 09, 2021
As the international community deliberates effective sanctions on Myanmar’s military-owned enterprises, a leaked file containing company registrations was made public to little fanfare this week, connecting the military to multiple industries and sectors
By Kiana Duncan • Feb 25, 2021
The Covid-19 pandemic provides an opportunity for the Royal Thai Navy to launch reforms while other navies in its near-strategy environment are weakened by internal vulnerabilities, better positioning itself to generate future strategic and operational gains
By Hadrien T. Saperstein • Feb 18, 2021