tier-1



STORY OF THE DAY • Mar 29, 2021 • 11 min read

Arts and culture Huddled together: Keeping Thailand’s independent cinema alive

By Wanpen Pajai • Mar 29, 2021
With major cineplexes increasingly dominating Thailand's cinema landscape in recent decades, the kingdom's independent film scene was already struggling pre-Covid. Now, amidst the pandemic, efforts are being made to keep Thailand's rich cinematic heritage alive

STORY OF THE DAY • Mar 29, 2021 • 3 min read

Health Mr Muscles: Malaysian bodybuilder still going strong at 72

By M. Jegathesan/AFP • Mar 29, 2021
Despite his advancing years, Malaysian champion bodybuilder Arokiasamy still pumps iron every day, and believes staying healthy with a vigorous routine is the best defence against the coronavirus

Mar 26, 2021 • 9 min read
Land rights

Island of Gold: Is Koh Meas the latest mega-development of Phnom Penh?

This week it emerged that Koh Meas, 'Gold Island', could be the latest patch of undeveloped land within a stone’s throw of Phnom Penh to be consumed into the urban sprawl, as the Khun Sea Import/Export Company was granted a 50-year lease for the area
By Andrew Haffner • Mar 26, 2021

Mar 26, 2021 • 2 min read
Myanmar coup

Firebomb attack at Suu Kyi’s party headquarters in Myanmar

A fire from a hurled Molotov cocktail broke out early Friday March 26 at the National League for Democracy headquarters in Yangon, as protests across the country continue against the military.
By Agence France-Presse • Mar 26, 2021

Mar 25, 2021 • 7 min read
Opinion

The way forward for vaccine development in Southeast Asia

Vaccine development and procurement in Southeast Asia is no easy task, and though the region has worked to develop its indigenous sectors to inoculate against more traditional diseases, the Covid-19 pandemic has exposed the immoral practice of vaccine nationalism
By Nur Izzaty Badrol Hisham • Mar 25, 2021

Mar 25, 2021 • 2 min read
History

[Photos] The Saigon Zoo’s enduring serenity in the 1970s

Over the years, Saigon has changed as drastically, and yet, the Saigon Zoo remains relatively the same. Its lush, tree-filled grounds have been a haven for carefree visitors for over a half-century, as exemplified by these photos taken in 1970
By Saigoneer • Mar 25, 2021

Mar 24, 2021 • 4 min read
Myanmar coup

Myanmar frees 600 protesters detained at anti-coup rallies

Following weeks of violent crackdowns and arbitrary arrests of anti-coup protesters in Myanmar, 600 coup detainees were freed from prison on Wednesday March 24.
By Agence France-Presse • Mar 24, 2021

Mar 24, 2021 • 10 min read
Thai democracy

Facing tear gas, Thailand’s child protestors find safety in protection team

As Thailand's increasingly confrontational police use water cannons, tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse protestors, a group of volunteers from a cross-section of child protection NGOs are working to protect the most vulnerable activists in the crowd: minors
By Ryan Anders • Mar 24, 2021

Mar 23, 2021 • 5 min read
Myanmar coup

Myanmar military brass hit with new US, EU sanctions over coup

The EU and US added new sanctions on top police and military commanders within Myanmar's armed forces on March 22 for their role in the February 1 coup. Meanwhile, pro-democracy demonstrators went back to the streets in defiance of a violent crackdown on protest.
By Agence France-Presse • Mar 23, 2021

Mar 22, 2021 • 10 min read
Ethnic minorities

Vietnam’s Hmong women finding empowerment through hemp

With rights abuses and environmental degradation rife in the fast-fashion industry, recent years have seen Vietnam's traditional crafts enjoy a resurgence in demand, empowering women from minority cultures to become stakeholders in their communities
By Ashley Lampard • Mar 22, 2021