Indonesia

The red-light district that everyone loves

Jakarta’s Kalijodo red-light district has been shut down, cleaned up and transformed into a vibrant public space. But the reimagining of the area didn’t come without a human cost
By Gabrielle Lipton • May 17, 2017

Thailand

Selling ‘dictatorship as democracy’

Thailand’s rulers are doing everything in their power to stop the people from choosing who controls their country, writes exiled journalist Andrew MacGregor Marshall
By Andrew MacGregor Marshall • May 17, 2017

Thailand backs down on threat to shut down Facebook

The Thai telecoms regulator says it has no plans to block access to the social media giant after initially threatening to shut it down today if it didn’t block content deemed insulting to the monarchy A person uses a computer displaying the Thai Facebook login page in Bangkok, Thailand, 09 May 2017. Photo: EPA/Diego Azubel
By Euan Black • May 16, 2017

Aboriginal art

Aboriginal art made in Cambodia

In Australia's far north, indigenous Australian artists are weaving a new pattern of trade with the help of disabled Cambodian artisans
By Mark Roy • May 16, 2017

New documentary sheds light on link between gems and war in Myanmar

A film by NGO Global Witness exploring the ties between Myanmar’s military and the country’s murky gem trade will be screened for the first time in Yangon this week A still from the upcoming documentary Jade and the Generals. Photo: YouTube/Global Witness
By Euan Black • May 15, 2017

Prudential Cambodia sets sights on long-term growth

SPONSORED: A young population and low levels of market penetration mean Cambodia is an exciting place for life insurers to do business – and Prudential is leading the charge, according to David Nutman, the company’s new CEO Prudential Cambodia CEO David Nutman at the launch of Prudential Relationship Index, a regional survey of more than 5000 people. Photo supplied
By Southeast Asia Globe Editorial • May 15, 2017

Malaysia blocks import of 330 endangered tortoises from Madagascar

Authorities have seized $276,721 worth of exotic tortoises at Kuala Lumpur International Airport in the latest high-profile animal trafficking incident to hit the Southeast Asian nation Royal Malaysian Customs Department (RMC) officers display a seized Ploughshare tortoise during a press conference at Custom Cargo Complex, near Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) in Sepang, Malaysia, 15 May 2017. Five Ploughshare and 325 Indian Star tortoises were seized at KLIA airport after smugglers attempted to import them from Madgascar. Photo: EPA/Ahmad Yusni Scene
By Euan Black • May 15, 2017

Private firms fill the healthcare void amid rapid growth in Southeast Asia

In the region’s poorest countries, the private sector, from state-of-the-art hospitals to bare bones paramedic outfits, is stepping in as an alternative to woeful public emergency services
By Holly Robertson • May 15, 2017