Politics

Politics • STORY OF THE DAY • Oct 14, 2020 • 6 min read

Analysis The age of government (dis)information in Thailand

By Mark S. Cogan • Oct 14, 2020
When social media giant Twitter blocked nearly 1,000 accounts last week linked to the Royal Thai Army for spreading disinformation, few familiar with how the government of Prayut Chan-o-Cha operates would have been surprised

Politics • STORY OF THE DAY • Oct 06, 2020 • 2 min read

Censorship Singapore PM’s defamation suit against blogger begins

By Agence France-Presse • Oct 06, 2020
Singapore leader Lee Hsien Loong criticised "malicious and baseless" claims linking him to a corruption scandal, as he testified on at the start of his defamation suit against a blogger

Politics • STORY OF THE DAY • Oct 02, 2020 • 6 min read

Analysis The art of political jiu-jitsu and Thailand’s student revolution

By Mark S. Cogan • Oct 02, 2020
As the youth-led social movement gathers speed in Thailand, professor Mark S. Cogan reflects on the successes and failures of other protests to outline what essential tools of non-violent political action demonstrators have at their disposal

Politics • Sep 28, 2020 • 8 min read
Analysis

Dong Tam death sentences dim hopes for land rights reform in Vietnam

The Dong Tam case once offered a glimmer of hope for those advocating for land rights reform in Vietnam. But with the conviction and sentencing to death of two men this month, the Communist Party has reaffirmed its grip on land and power
By Jake Black • Sep 28, 2020

Politics • Sep 24, 2020 • 2 min read
Cambodian democracy

Cambodian opposition activists sentenced for treason

Seven Cambodian activists have been convicted of treason this week over comments posted online supporting an exiled opposition figure, their lawyer said on September 24, deepening the Kingdom's crackdown on dissent
By Agence France-Presse • Sep 24, 2020

Politics • Sep 22, 2020 • 5 min read
Opinion

For Thai protesters, even the dying embers of a regime can be dangerous

While the Thai government and monarchy are rocking as demonstrations grow in size and symbolism, protestors only need to look to countries like Ukraine and Belarus to see the dangers of a regime backed into the corner
By Mark S. Cogan • Sep 22, 2020

Politics • Sep 21, 2020 • 5 min read
Myanmar elections

Ousted and outspoken: The lady taking on The Lady in Myanmar

Booted from Aung San Suu Kyi's "chaotic and autocratic" party, female MP Thet Thet Khine is now taking on Myanmar's national heroine in the upcoming election, claiming the country needs to work with, not against, a military accused of genocide
By Richard Sargent/AFP • Sep 21, 2020

Politics • Sep 21, 2020 • 8 min read
Analysis

A night of surprises, as Thai taboos pushed further than ever before

In a year of bold protests in Thailand, this weekend's demonstrations once again caused a stir. A plaque challenging the monarchy was placed and a 10-point reform document delivered to authorities as protestors continued to push boundaries
By Tara Abhasakun and Wanpen Pajai • Sep 21, 2020

Politics • Sep 18, 2020 • 7 min read
Analysis

From Thaksin to Thammasat: How the 2006 coup led us here

On September 19 2006, the government of Thaksin Shinawatra was ousted in a military coup. While 14 years have passed since that day, a large demonstration set to be held at Thammasat University this weekend marking the date shows the significance of this event is not lost on current protestors
By Tara Abhasakun and Wanpen Pajai • Sep 18, 2020

Politics • Sep 11, 2020 • 7 min read
Art and politics

Art reflecting life: The boundary-pushing work of Thai artist Baphoboy

Through smiles and sexualised ultra-violent imagery depicting authority figures, the controversial and striking work of young Thai artist Baphoboy holds a mirror up to the kingdom's elite with the aim of drawing a wider audience to politics
By Wanpen Pajai • Sep 11, 2020

Politics • Sep 10, 2020 • 8 min read
Myanmar politics

For Rohingya politicians, Myanmar’s election lies increasingly out of reach

The upcoming parliamentary contest is seen as a crucial milestone in the democratisation of ultra-diverse Myanmar. But the country’s lingering embrace of ethnic-based levels of citizenship stands to make the ballot yet another barrier to those suffering state repression
By Andrew Haffner • Sep 10, 2020