Spectrum BP: Thailand's Troubled South

Published on Aug 16, 2012 by Luke Hunt

The recent surge of violence in the South has spurred the government to once again review its strategy of how to deal with violence in the strife-torn area.After a meeting between Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and 17 ministries and more than 60 agencies last week what emerged was a new southern command structure headed by Deputy PM Yutthasak Sasiprapa.But critics said the restructure is merely window dressing to give the appearance of civilian authority over an area traditionally controlled under the military.Read more in Spectrum in The Bangkok Post..

Cambodian Ambassador Recalled

Published on Aug 14, 2012 by Luke Hunt

FAR EAST CORRESPONDENT — The fighting within the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) over its relationship with China and the disputed islands in the seas that divide them has struck another sour chord with the Cambodian Ambassador to Manila Hos Sereythonh being sent home. This came after he accused The Philippines and Vietnam of playing “dirty politics” in their push to establish a united ASEAN stand among its 10 members for dealing with China on the issue. Beijing wants disputes involving the Spratly and Paracel islands dealt with on a bilateral basis. Read more in The Diplomat. .

Vietnam’s War on The Net

Published on Aug 14, 2012 by Luke Hunt

FAR EAST CORRESPONDENT — Despite growing ties with the U.S., a recent self-immolation in Hanoi was emblematic of the country’s deteriorating human rights situation and attacks on free speech. On July 30 Dang Thi Kim Lieng set herself on fire outside the Bac Lieu People’s Committee building in southern Vietnam. She died of her injuries en route to hospital. Lieng, who was 64, was protesting the detention of her daughter Ta Phong Tan, who was arrested September 30 last year and was due to go to trial August 7. At the time of publication, the hearing has been postponed indefinitely. Read more in The Diplomat. .

Internet in Vietnam

Published on Aug 14, 2012 by Luke Hunt

FAR EAST CORRESPONDENT — Hillary Clinton, America’s secretary of state, was for the most part shown a very warm welcome in Vietnam last month. Not everything she had to say however brought smiles to the faces of her hosts. In Hanoi for just a day, she reiterated her concern about the human-rights record in general and about “restrictions on free expression online in particular”. Read more in The Economist. .

Miniskirts Blamed For Rape …

Published on Aug 6, 2012 by Luke Hunt

FAR EAST CORRESPONDENT — Young women who wear miniskirts, especially in Phnom Penh,  are responsible for causing rapes and traffic accidents, according to some Cambodians. Miniskirts have become so common in Phnom Penh that even university students are wearing them, although they sometimes use shirts to cover their thighs when driving motorcycles. “Wearing miniskirts is not good because it’s not a Khmer custom,” said 19-year-old Sopheavy. Read more in the Cambodia Herald.   .