Southeast Asia

Southeast Asia • STORY OF THE DAY • Aug 23, 2016 • 3 min read

Too early to deem Vietnam’s coasts safe after toxic waste spill

By Logan Connor • Aug 23, 2016
The Vietnamese government yesterday declared coastal regions affected by a toxic waste spill in April safe for swimming. But experts maintain that it is far too soon to make such a pronouncement

Southeast Asia • STORY OF THE DAY • Aug 22, 2016 • 4 min read

Southeast Asia has record-breaking performance at Rio Olympics

By Logan Connor • Aug 22, 2016
Athletes across the region brought in a combined 18 medals at the 2016 Olympic Games, which wrapped up in Rio yesterday, providing Southeast Asia its best-ever medal haul

Southeast Asia • STORY OF THE DAY • Aug 19, 2016 • 9 min read

Meet Patee Sarasin, the most outspoken man in aviation

By Jennifer Meszaros • Aug 19, 2016
Thai low-cost carrier Nok Air has been flying high since its launch in 2004, with plans for international expansion on the cards. The unconventional businessman behind the airline’s success, Patee Sarasin, talks music videos, his guitar collection and his reluctance at becoming a CEO

Southeast Asia • STORY OF THE DAY • Aug 18, 2016 • 8 min read

Interview Former Thai prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on the junta, monarchy and life in opposition

By Arnaud Dubus • Aug 18, 2016
Abhisit Vejjajiva was born in England, educated at Oxford and became one of Thailand’s youngest ever members of parliament in 1992 at the age of 27. Sixteen years later, he became prime minister. Now a highly experienced politician and the leader of the Democrat Party, he casts an eye over the political landscape in Thailand

Southeast Asia • Aug 17, 2016 • 3 min read

Singapore to join fight against Islamic State

During a speech to parliament on Monday, Singapore defence minister Ng Eng Hen said the country would send military forces to the Middle East to combat the Islamic State. The move, experts say, is both expected and justified
By Logan Connor • Aug 17, 2016

Southeast Asia • Aug 16, 2016 • 3 min read

New Malaysian political party highlights country’s civic instability

The newly formed United Malaysian People’s Party is being used by Prime Minister Najib Razak’s opponents as a vehicle by former leader Mahathir Mohamed and others to gain control of the ruling UNMO, according to experts
By Logan Connor • Aug 16, 2016

Southeast Asia • Aug 15, 2016 • 3 min read

Thailand bomb attacks likely meant to rupture tourism

Though officials are still unsure who is responsible for the recent bomb attacks in Thailand, experts already predict that the explosions will have a devastating effect on Thailand’s tourism industry
By Logan Connor • Aug 15, 2016

Southeast Asia • Aug 15, 2016 • 11 min read
Press freedom

Christiane Amanpour: “The only side I’m taking is the truth”

One of the world’s biggest names in journalism, Christiane Amanpour’s eponymous television news show has seen her duke it out with dictators and cross swords with spin doctors. The 58-year-old international correspondent discusses reporting on genocide, the 24/7 news cycle and why it’s a journalist’s duty to stand up for what’s right
By Holly Robertson • Aug 15, 2016

Southeast Asia • Aug 13, 2016 • 9 min read

Malaysian director James Wan: billion-dollar filmmaker and laksa lover

After making a name for himself with his directorial debut, Saw, Malaysia-born James Wan has overseen some of Hollywood’s biggest horror flicks in recent years, not to mention the emotional task of Furious 7. He spoke to Southeast Asia Globe about ghost stories, his favourite Malaysian dish and his splashy new superhero project
By Angela Dawson • Aug 13, 2016

Southeast Asia • Aug 12, 2016 • 10 min read
Independence

Exiled West Papuan activist Benny Wenda on the long road to peace

For more than a decade, Benny Wenda has been bringing West Papua’s independence struggle to the world after he was granted political asylum in the UK, having been jailed and tortured by Indonesian authorities. The resolute leader discusses his journey from a remote mountain village to the cobbled streets of Oxford – and his strident belief that he will one day return
By Holly Robertson • Aug 12, 2016

Southeast Asia • Aug 10, 2016 • 3 min read

New Philippine prisons won’t fix broken justice system

As President Duterte’s brutal war on drugs strains already overcrowded Philippine prisons, human rights workers say pouring money into new jails isn’t the answer
By Paul Millar • Aug 10, 2016