Logan Connor

EMAIL wloganconnor@gmail.com

Articles by Logan Connor

Apr 07, 2017 • 2 min read

Standoff on Cambodia-Laos border intensifies

It is perhaps business as usual for the two countries, who have before sent soldiers to the border areas over territorial disputes
By Logan Connor - Apr 07, 2017

Mar 28, 2017 • 2 min read

Cambodian telco launches $5m fund for local tech startups

The Smart Axiata Digital Innovation Fund will provide guidance and business development – as well as investments ranging from $25,000 to $500,000 – to Cambodian startups in the digital service sector  
By Logan Connor - Mar 28, 2017

Mar 27, 2017 • 2 min read

Police reportedly enter North Korean embassy in Malaysia

The international murder case entered a new chapter on Sunday when Malaysian police are said to have entered the North Korean embassy in Kuala Lumpur, where suspects allegedly involved in the murder of Kim Jong-nam are said to be staying  
By Logan Connor - Mar 27, 2017

Mar 24, 2017 • 2 min read
Flying high

The first female commercial pilot trained in Laos

Phinanong Leusasinh discusses her lifelong dream of flying, the difficulties she has faced in a male-dominated industry and what it takes to become a certified pilot
By Logan Connor - Mar 24, 2017

Mar 21, 2017 • 2 min read

Cambodia stops export of breast milk to US

US-based Ambrosia Labs was paying Cambodian women 64 cents for 30ml of breast milk that was then being sold in the US for $4
By Logan Connor - Mar 21, 2017

Mar 21, 2017 • 2 min read
Investment

Myanmar could see foreign investment plummet by 30%

While foreign direct investment has exploded in Myanmar in recent years, a lack of oil and gas investments seems to be hamstringing the emerging economy
By Logan Connor - Mar 21, 2017

Mar 20, 2017 • 5 min read

Does Asean deserve its own Nobel Peace Prize?

Why Asean is the world’s most successful experiment in regional cooperation, according to Kishore Mahbubani, dean of the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at the National University of Singapore and co-author of The ASEAN Miracle: A Catalyst for Peace
By Logan Connor - Mar 20, 2017

Mar 01, 2017 • 5 min read

Who are Cambodia’s new deputy opposition leaders?

A closer look at Mu Sochua, Eng Chhay Eang and Pol Ham, the three opposition politicians who have been named joint vice-presidents of the Cambodia National Rescue Party
By Logan Connor - Mar 01, 2017

Feb 01, 2017 • 4 min read

Cambodia's opposition on the run as Hun Sen threatens property seizure

With the opposition party stripped of its designation as an official minority party and Prime Minister Hun Sen threatening to seize the property of opposition leader Sam Rainsy, the country’s “culture of dialogue” between the two parties has come to a bitter end
By Logan Connor - Feb 01, 2017

Jan 31, 2017 • 3 min read
Drug war

Duterte halts ‘war on drugs’ to clean up police unit

The drug war is on hold as the Philippine police force seeks to rid itself of corrupt “scalawags” – but the president has vowed to continue his deadly campaign through 2022
By Logan Connor - Jan 31, 2017

Jan 30, 2017 • 4 min read

Rice Creative pushes design to new heights in Vietnam

As head of strategy for Ho Chi Minh City branding and design heavyweight Rice Creative, Vu Quan Nguyen is helping turn the city into a regional design hub
By Logan Connor - Jan 30, 2017

Dec 21, 2016 • 9 min read
Vietnam

A screaming madness

A group of Ho Chi Minh City rockers has built a community based around rage and rebellion
By Logan Connor - Dec 21, 2016

Dec 14, 2016 • 2 min read

Jazz festival brings smooth tunes to Phnom Penh

The 2016 Audi International Jazz Festival Phnom Penh, a four-day musical event that kicked off on Monday, continues tonight with a mix of Cambodian artists performing jazz numbers at the International School of Phnom Penh
By Logan Connor - Dec 14, 2016

Dec 06, 2016 • 4 min read

The end of cheap labour in Southeast Asia?

As the International Labour Organisation kicked off its 16th annual Asia and the Pacific Regional Meeting today, Maurizio Bussi, director of the ILO country office for Thailand, Cambodia and Laos, spoke to Southeast Asia Globe about the challenge of turning the region’s economic growth into social progress
By Logan Connor - Dec 06, 2016

Nov 25, 2016 • 3 min read

Indonesia readies itself for more Ahok protests

Protestors are planning to gather today in Jakarta in the hope of forcing the city’s Christian governor, Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, out of office for comments he made allegedly insulting the Qur’an Jakarta Governor Basuki Tjahaja ‘Ahok’ Purnama (C) talks to journalists shortly after investigation by the police in Jakarta,…
By Logan Connor - Nov 25, 2016

Nov 24, 2016 • 3 min read

Q&A: Cambodian rock star Jimmy Kiss

Ahead of his performance at the International Jazz Festival Phnom Penh, Cambodian musician Jimmy Kiss sat down with Southeast Asia Globe to discuss his first foray into jazz and drawing inspiration from the Cambodian countryside
By Logan Connor - Nov 24, 2016

Nov 18, 2016 • 3 min read

Malaysia prepares for Bersih protests

The Bersih 5.0 rally, set to kick off in Kuala Lumpur tomorrow, could lead to clashes between Malaysia’s ‘red shirts’ and ‘yellow shirts’
By Logan Connor - Nov 18, 2016

Nov 09, 2016 • 3 min read

What could happen in Southeast Asia after the US election?

Voters across the US are casting their ballots for their 45th president, choosing between Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton and Republican Donald Trump. The effects will be felt the world over, and Southeast Asia could see an immediate impact  
By Logan Connor - Nov 09, 2016

Nov 03, 2016 • 9 min read

Living large: how Southeast Asia became a leading luxury travel destination

High-end travel is becoming one of the most profitable slices of Southeast Asia’s booming tourism industry, with the sector predicted to outpace Europe’s over the next decade. Yet as Logan Connor discovers, an increasing amount of these well-heeled travellers are eschewing the luxury bubble for more ‘authentic’ experiences
By Logan Connor - Nov 03, 2016

Oct 21, 2016 • 4 min read

With new budget, can Najib save his reputation?

Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, who is facing pressure over the state of the economy and international criticism over corruption allegations, appears to be using social welfare programmes in the government’s 2017 budget as a means to improve his tarnished reputation. However, the measures might be too little, too late
By Logan Connor - Oct 21, 2016

Oct 18, 2016 • 5 min read

With regent taking place of King, Thailand’s future looks uncertain

Following the death of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, leadership of Thailand’s monarchy has automatically passed to Privy Council president Prem Tinsulanonda. As regent, the controversial figure will have a decisive stake in the country’s politics
By Logan Connor - Oct 18, 2016

Oct 14, 2016 • 5 min read

Who is Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn? Sizing up Thailand’s heir apparent

Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, the only son and heir apparent of Thailand’s recently deceased King Bhumibol Adulyadej, is expected to assume the throne. However, his attention-grabbing behaviour and controversial political alliances have many worried
By Logan Connor - Oct 14, 2016

Sep 28, 2016 • 3 min read

Duterte aims to bolster ties during first visit to Vietnam

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte arrived in Hanoi today for his first official visit to Vietnam, as relations between the two countries strengthen amid regional tensions over the South China Sea
By Logan Connor - Sep 28, 2016

Sep 28, 2016 • 8 min read

Chaos theory: what the US election outcome could mean for Southeast Asia

US presidential hopefuls Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump have presented foreign policy platforms that swing from interventionist to isolationist. And voters’ final choice could have far-reaching consequences for Southeast Asia, a region with much at stake in US politics
By Logan Connor - Sep 28, 2016

Sep 27, 2016 • 2 min read
Safety

Vietnam considers late-night alcohol ban

Looking to shed its mantle as the second biggest consumer of alcohol in Southeast Asia, Vietnam is considering a bill that would outlaw late-night sales of beer and liquor
By Logan Connor - Sep 27, 2016

Sep 15, 2016 • 3 min read

Myanmar loses sanctions but keeps US influence

Washington will lift trade sanctions against Myanmar that have been in place for nearly 30 years. Some sanctions will remain, however, and the US is likely to retain a keen interest in Myanmar politics
By Logan Connor - Sep 15, 2016

Sep 14, 2016 • 3 min read

Burning forests is forbidden, rules Indonesian Islamic council

Indonesia’s top Islamic clerical body has issued a religious decree denouncing the burning of forests, a significant factor in the haze problem that plagues neighbouring Singapore and Malaysia every year
By Logan Connor - Sep 14, 2016

Sep 12, 2016 • 3 min read

Cambodian parties square off following conviction of Kem Sokha

As Cambodia’s acting opposition president hints at “mass demonstrations” following his conviction in a controversial prostitution trial, both sides of the political divide weigh their next steps
By Logan Connor - Sep 12, 2016

Sep 09, 2016 • 3 min read

Thailand and Malaysia plan wall along border to combat trafficking

A meeting today between Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak and Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha was expected to focus on security and investment, including discussion of a proposed wall that would stem trafficking between the two countries
By Logan Connor - Sep 09, 2016

Sep 08, 2016 • 3 min read
Drug war

Indonesian official calls for Philippines-style ‘war on drugs’

The head of Indonesia’s National Narcotics Agency has called for a violent crackdown on drug traffickers, adding that the agency is planning to hire more staff and purchase weapons in the country’s fight against its drug trade
By Logan Connor - Sep 08, 2016

Aug 31, 2016 • 3 min read

Myanmar’s Panglong conference a shaky start to peace

Today marked the beginning of the five-day 21st Century Panglong Conference between Myanmar armed ethnic rebels and the government. But reports of violence in border regions have left some sceptical of the government’s ability to produce a lasting peace
By Logan Connor - Aug 31, 2016

Aug 29, 2016 • 3 min read

Philippine prison breakout points to “lawlessness” of country’s south

Islamic extremists freed 23 inmates from a prison on the southern island of Mindanao this weekend. According to analysts, the country’s south has a history of corruption in its jails that could encourage extremists to become even more violent and aggressive
By Logan Connor - Aug 29, 2016

Aug 24, 2016 • 2 min read

One killed, 30 wounded in latest wave of bombings in Thailand

The latest attack in Thailand’s restive south has left one dead and 30 injured. According to a counterterrorism analyst, such bombings will become more commonplace as insurgents push back against an increasingly autocratic government
By Logan Connor - Aug 24, 2016

Aug 19, 2016 • 7 min read
Vietnam

From pop star to protest singer

Vietnamese pop singer Mai Khoi was recently barred from running for an independent seat in the communist state’s National Assembly. Now, “Vietnam’s Lady Gaga” is leveraging her star power in an effort to bring change to her country 
By Logan Connor - Aug 19, 2016

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

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

Aug 16, 2016 • 12 min read
Technology

Vietnam’s restless game developers

Ho Chi Minh City mobile game developers are seeing their apps downloaded around the globe. We visit three game studios to find out what it takes to create the next big hit
By Logan Connor - Aug 16, 2016

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

Aug 08, 2016 • 4 min read

New Thai constitution offers convoluted path to peace

While Thailand has voted ‘yes’ to a military-backed constitution that was pegged as a peaceful solution to a decade of turmoil, the new Thai constitution is unlikely to be the political salve that the country needs
By Logan Connor - Aug 08, 2016

Aug 07, 2016 • 7 min read

Eddie Thai wants to put Vietnam on the startup map

As a young Vietnamese-American, Eddie Thai dreamed of rediscovering his ancestral roots. Now a partner with the Silicon Valley venture capital firm 500 Startups, the Harvard-educated businessman is coaching a new generation of Vietnamese entrepreneurs
By Logan Connor - Aug 07, 2016

Aug 03, 2016 • 3 min read

Uber to face stiff competition as ride-sharing service targets Southeast Asia

Taxi drivers stand beside their vehicles during a mass stike in Jakarta, Indonesia, 22 March 2016. More than a thousand taxi and other public transportation drivers in Jakarta held a mass strike against transportation-based online mobile applications including car-booking applications Uber and GrabTaxi. Photo: EPA/Bagus Indahono Global ride-sharing app Uber is setting its sights on Southeast Asia. However, the region’s established companies will likely put up a strong fight
By Logan Connor - Aug 03, 2016

Jul 27, 2016 • 4 min read

New measures give Malaysian PM unprecedented security powers

The measures under the National Security council act are set to come into effect on Monday. Photo: EPA/Fazry Ismail The National Security Council act will give Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak sweeping security powers within designated “security areas” in the country. Presented as an antidote to Islamic extremism, there are concerns it will be used to silence Najib’s critics amid the 1MDB scandal
By Logan Connor - Jul 27, 2016

Jul 26, 2016 • 3 min read

Duterte announces ceasefire with communist rebels

Ahead of scheduled peace talks next month, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has declared a ceasefire between the government and communist rebels who have waged a bloody insurgency for nearly five decades
By Logan Connor - Jul 26, 2016

Jul 16, 2016 • 5 min read

After the South China Sea ruling, what’s next?

An international tribunal in The Hague ruled this week that China’s territorial claims in the South China Sea are unfounded. We spoke to Carl Thayer, defence analyst at the University of New South Wales, for an insight into Beijing’s next move
By Logan Connor - Jul 16, 2016

Jul 13, 2016 • 3 min read

New report shows horrors faced by Vietnam’s political prisoners

Vietnam's security forces are accused in a new report of badly mistreating political prisoners. Photo: EPA/Luong Thai Linh Political prisoners in Vietnam are regularly beaten, tortured and kept in solitary confinement, according to Amnesty International
By Logan Connor - Jul 13, 2016

Jul 13, 2016 • 8 min read
Craft Beer

Southeast Asia’s beer revolution

In Cambodia and further afield in Southeast Asia, craft breweries and brewpubs are now catering to a more discerning caste of beer drinkers
By Logan Connor - Jul 13, 2016

Jul 08, 2016 • 9 min read
Professional Gaming

Leagues of legends

Video gaming is becoming a global phenomenon, generating multimillion-dollar sponsorship deals and celebrity investments. Now Southeast Asia is trying to cash in
By Logan Connor - Jul 08, 2016

May 25, 2016 • 4 min read
Cambodia

Drought and inaction hit rice industry hard

The effects of Cambodia’s recent drought will serve to exacerbate existing structural weaknesses in the rice sector, say experts
By Logan Connor and Paul Millar - May 25, 2016

May 25, 2016 • 8 min read

Obama's Vietnam visit highlights 'mutual respect'

As US President Barack Obama winds up his visit to Vietnam, we examine how the reluctant bedfellows are now partnering on trade and uniting in the face of Chinese aggression
By Logan Connor - May 25, 2016

May 19, 2016 • 10 min read
healthcare abroad

Region’s medical tourism boom fuelled by Southeast Asians

Every year, Indonesians leave their country in droves to access basic medical services they can’t find in their own country. According to media reports, the Indonesian government estimates that its citizens spend roughly $11.5 billion a year on healthcare abroad – much of it in Malaysia.
By Logan Connor - May 19, 2016

Apr 26, 2016 • 6 min read

How to use your Tweet to best effect

Along with increased rates of internet access, the region is tweeting more than ever. Leading experts explain what it takes for businesses to make the best use of a tweet
By Logan Connor - Apr 26, 2016

Mar 24, 2016 • 4 min read

How can Southeast Asia address LGBTI issues?

We talked to Randy Berry, the US State Department’s first special envoy for the human rights of LGBTI persons, who just wrapped up a visit to several countries in Southeast Asia
By Logan Connor - Mar 24, 2016

Nov 13, 2015 • 7 min read
Plastic pollution

Can Southeast Asia stop dumping waste in our oceans?

New research shows that plastic waste in our oceans is far worse than previously thought, and Southeast Asian nations are among the worst offenders
By Logan Connor - Nov 13, 2015

Jun 21, 2015 • 4 min read

Interview: Rahung Nasution

Self-made chef Rahung Nasution was born in Sumatra, Indonesia, but left home at 14 in search of adventure. He is now considered one of Indonesia’s most outspoken chefs and is renowned for his passion for traditional dishes untouched by outside influences. Next month he will be appearing at the first Ubud Food Festival, which takes place from June 5–7
By Logan Connor - Jun 21, 2015

Jun 17, 2015 • 6 min read
Vietnam's Trap DJs

No country for old men: trap music in Ho Chi Minh City

Named after drug dens in the United States’ dirty south, trap music is one of the region’s more unlikely musical imports. But the youth of Ho Chi Minh City are hoisting on high-tops, slipping on snapbacks and embracing the genre
By Logan Connor - Jun 17, 2015

Feb 06, 2015 • 3 min read

Fighting gender-based violence with technology

Asia Foundation of Cambodia launches VXW Award to recognise three young Cambodian women’s efforts to promote gender equality in the Kingdom
By Logan Connor - Feb 06, 2015

Feb 02, 2015 • 2 min read

Cambodia's got talent

Cambodians snatched first and third places in the short-film competition at this year’s Tropfest Southeast Asia
By Logan Connor - Feb 02, 2015