Power

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

Power • STORY OF THE DAY • Aug 28, 2020 • 8 min read

Analysis Does Japanese FDI grow negative media coverage of China in ASEAN?

By Elizabeth Gooch, Katharina Grimm and Christopher Hayes • Aug 28, 2020
Analysing 175,000 news articles by Southeast Asian media outlets, researchers from the Naval Postgraduate School in the US observed a trend – perceptions of Chinese in-country activities are less positive in countries with greater Japanese investment

Power • STORY OF THE DAY • Aug 26, 2020 • 11 min read

Analysis Will you listen? Perspectives from young Thais about the country’s future

By Wanpen Pajai • Aug 26, 2020
Young Thais are voicing their hopes and dreams louder than ever in pro-democracy demonstrations, but it is still uncertain if the message can connect to people beyond their generation. With tensions at an all-time high, can deep divides be bridged?

Power • STORY OF THE DAY • Aug 25, 2020 • 3 min read

Corruption Cyprus hits back at cash-for-passports claims

By Agence France-Presse • Aug 25, 2020
The Cypriot government has hit back at fresh claims that its 'golden passport' investment scheme, one that has been controversially used by high-ranking Cambodian officials to obtain EU passports, has been exploited by criminals

Power • Aug 14, 2020 • 3 min read
Thai democracy

Thai premier appeals for unity as protests continue

Thailand's Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha said on August 13 the majority of the kingdom find its ongoing pro-democracy protests "unacceptable", as the youth-led movement grows bolder in targeting Thai power
By Agence France-Presse • Aug 14, 2020

Power • Aug 11, 2020 • 4 min read
Thailand

Thai pro-democracy rally attracts thousands as discontent swells

Protests continued in Thailand as youth leaders delivered an unprecedented challenge to the role of the country's monarchy as calls for open discussion around the crown and democracy gather pace
By Agence France-Presse • Aug 11, 2020

Power • Aug 05, 2020 • 5 min read
Thai democracy

Rangsiman Rome talks Thai democracy, lese majeste and protests

As youth-led protests heat up in Bangkok, Member of Parliament Rangsiman Rome discusses the increasingly bold rhetoric of activists who are, for the first time in Thai modern history, daring to criticise the monarchy
By Andrew Haffner • Aug 05, 2020

Power • Aug 04, 2020 • 3 min read
Thai democracy

Thailand launches another probe in Red Bull heir’s ‘hit-and-run’

Following public outcry over a culture of impunity for Thailand's rich and powerful, the kingdom's attorney general has ordered a new investigation into Red Bull heir Vorayuth Yoovidhya over the killing of a police officer in 2012
By Agence France-Presse • Aug 04, 2020

Power • Aug 04, 2020 • 4 min read
Analysis

The collapse of the state government in Sabah: Back to the drawing board

The Warisan-led state assembly in Sabah has been dissolved. If Malaysia's Perikatan Nasional coalition manages to claw its way back to power, the state might give a second wind to the embattled ruling coalition
By Kevin Zhang and Dr Lee Poh Onn • Aug 04, 2020

Power • Aug 04, 2020 • 2 min read
Thai democracy

Thais ‘cast a spell’ for democracy in Harry Potter-theme protest

Pro-democracy rallies took on a magical twist in Bangkok as protestors donned Harry Potter gear, vowing to "cast a spell" as the bourgeoning movement continues to gain traction in the kingdom
By Agence France-Presse • Aug 04, 2020

Power • Aug 03, 2020 • 6 min read
Thai democracy

Growing schism in Thailand as monarchists hit back against protests

As pro-democracy student-led protests gather momentum and press in Thailand, a smaller group of monarchists, apparently led by an entirely different band of students, are pushing back against what they see as an assault on the country's foundations
By Tara Abhasakun • Aug 03, 2020

Power • Jul 31, 2020 • 11 min read
Belt and Road

Onboard China’s Belt and Road Express: Does Laos stand to benefit?

The first piece of track on Kunming-Vientiane railway was laid in April as part of China's Belt and Road Initiative. But with the project steaming ahead, does Laos stand to actually see any benefits from the project, or is it merely in Beijing's interest?
By Alexi Demetriadi • Jul 31, 2020