Power

Political reporting and analysis on the big questions facing the region.

Power • STORY OF THE DAY • Jan 04, 2021 • 8 min read

History The Raffles cult: How colonial narratives live on in Singapore’s psyche

By Faris Joraimi • Jan 04, 2021
Almost six decades since the end of British colonial rule, the 'founder of modern Singapore' Sir Stamford Raffles continues to stubbornly occupy a place in the city-state's national psyche through statues and civic commemoration

Power • STORY OF THE DAY • Jan 01, 2021 • 8 min read

Analysis Assessing the damage done to US-Thai relations under Trump

By Mark S. Cogan • Jan 01, 2021
While some commentators assess that US-Thai relations have improved under outgoing president Donald Trump, Professor Mark S. Cogan argues that his legacy with the kingdom is in fact one defined by four years of missed opportunities and political missteps

Power • STORY OF THE DAY • Dec 18, 2020 • 7 min read

Thai democracy In Thailand, provincial elections set to bring back local democracy

By Wanpen Pajai • Dec 18, 2020
This weekend will see Thais go to the polls at provincial elections for the first time since in at least six years. A time of enormous political tension in the kingdom, many are viewing the vote as a bellwether for the health of Thailand's democracy

Power • Dec 10, 2020 • 7 min read
Opinion

Cambodia scrapping Human Rights Day is a worrying sign of the times

This year is the first time since 1993 that International Human Rights Day will not be a public holiday in Cambodia, with its symbolic shunning a sign of the wider deterioration of human rights and democracy in the Kingdom says CCHR executive director Chak Sopheap
By Chak Sopheap • Dec 10, 2020

Power • Dec 09, 2020 • 3 min read
Covid-19

Indonesia holds nationwide poll despite virus warnings

Indonesia held nationwide elections with more than 100 million voters expected to have cast a ballot, despite warnings it could spark a Covid-19 disaster
By Agnes Anya/AFP • Dec 09, 2020

Power • Dec 02, 2020 • 7 min read
Analysis

Time for a moratorium on non-lethal weapons in the hands of Thai police

In mid-November, Thai police employed heavy-handed tactics as they deployed chemical-laced water cannons, tear gas canisters and the suspected use of rubber bullets – a counterproductive move that Mark S. Cogan argues will only lead to an escalation of violence
By Mark S. Cogan • Dec 02, 2020

Power • Nov 30, 2020 • 4 min read
Thai democracy

Thai protesters target royal guards unit in latest rally

Hundreds of Thai pro-democracy protesters marched on a barracks of the royal guards unit on November 29, hoisting inflatable rubber ducks high above their heads in a whimsical show of force calling for curbs to the power of the monarchy
By Agence France-Presse • Nov 30, 2020

Power • Nov 26, 2020 • 2 min read
Cambodian democracy

Cambodia begins mass trial of 120 opposition figures

A mass trial against more than 100 Cambodian opposition members and activists has started, with the accused standing charged with conspiracy to commit treason related to self-exiled opposition figurehead Sam Rainsy's failed plan return to the country in 2019
By Agence France-Presse • Nov 26, 2020

Power • Nov 25, 2020 • 9 min read
Thai democracy

Seeking answers, missing Thai dissident’s sister begins search in Phnom Penh

Almost six months since her brother was snatched off the streets of Phnom Penh, the sister of missing Thai dissident Wanchalearm Satsaksit has arrived in the Cambodian capital seeking answers on her brother's whereabouts
By Andrew Haffner and Alastair McCready • Nov 25, 2020

Power • Nov 24, 2020 • 4 min read
Thai democracy

Tensions mount in Thai protests as Bangkok braces for major rally

As the Thai capital braces for the next major rally on November 25, and tensions rising around pro-democracy protests, we take a look at the forces in play and what might come next in a country with a long history of political unrest
By Sophie Deviller/AFP • Nov 24, 2020