Thais That Bind

Published on Jul 31, 2013 by Luke Hunt

Nestled on the edge of Chinatown in Australia’s largest city is a vibrant and bustling street lined with pubs advertising live rock bands and row after row of businesses that wouldn’t seem out of place of a Bangkok Street.Read more from Henry Zwartz in the Sunday Bangkok Post..

Youthful Daring at Cambodia's Poll

Published on Jul 28, 2013 by Luke Hunt

While change at the top is unlikely, Cambodians go to the polls Sunday after the opposition mounted its best campaign to date against a government branded as uncaring bullies more concerned with their personal wealth than the plight of their people, ranked among the world’s poorest.Read more from Luke Hunt in Spectrum. .

Nguyen Van Hai: Vietnamese Hunger Striker “Very Weak”

Published on Jul 24, 2013 by Luke Hunt

Nguyen Van Hai – a Vietnamese blogger and a founding member of the Free Journalists Club – is reportedly in a very weak state after his hunger strike entered its 30th day. Nguyen is serving a 12-year jail term for anti-state propaganda.His condition is winning headlines around the world as Vietnamese President Truon Tan Sang prepares for talks in Washington this week with U.S. President Barack Obama, who has previously raised the dissident’s case. Forty-six political activists have been jailed in Vietnam so far this year.Read more from Luke Hunt in The Diplomat..

Difficult Post-Election Period Beckons for Malaysia

Published on Jun 23, 2013 by Luke Hunt

After a disputed election, Malaysia’s opposition appears to be in something of a bind as to what comes next ahead of the opening of parliament on June 24.On May 5, the Barisan Nasional (BN, or National Front) coalition held onto office in Malaysia’s 13th general election, meaning that if it stays in government for the full five year term to 2018, it will—with its forerunner the Alliance Party—top six continuous decades in office.Read more from Simon Roughneen in The Diplomat..

Indonesia Finally Moves on Fuel Subsidies

Published on Jun 21, 2013 by Luke Hunt

For years the Indonesian authorities have had to weigh the economic realities of providing fuel subsidies against the needs of its people, who have shown a readiness to protest – at times viciously – when prices become too high.However, after months of haggling, petrol and diesel prices are set to rise by an average of 33 percent amid a revised budget. The government hopes cash handouts for the poor will limit protests over an inevitable surge in the inflation rate.Read more from Luke Hunt in The Diplomat..