Blowing its Top

Published on Aug 12, 2013 by Luke Hunt

FAR EAST CORRESPONDENT — On Saturday, the heavily volcanic archipelago of Indonesia saw an eruption on the island of Palue in the nation’s eastern province of East Nusa Tenggara. After rumbling since last October, Mount Rokatenda finally erupted early on Saturday morning, forcing the evacuation of 3,000 people and killing six locals who were still sleeping in their village of Rokirole by Ponge beach. Read more from Jonathan DeHart at The Diplomat. .

Thai Rice and Those Rumours

Published on Aug 11, 2013 by Luke Hunt

FAR EAST CORRESPONDENT — It has  not been a happy second anniversary for the government of Yingluck Shinawatra. Thousands of diehard opponents of her elder brother Thaksin Shinawatra, himself a former prime minister, took to the streets of Bangkok on August 7th to protest against a bill that could grant Mr Thaksin an amnesty for past offences and open up the possibility of his return from exile. Probably Ms Yingluck is used by now to these kinds of protests, along with the usual rumours of coups. More worrying, perhaps, is widespread and growing dismay over her government’s economic performance, supposedly its strong suit. Read more from The Economist. .

Does Thai Amnesty Bill Herald Thaksin’s Return?

Published on Aug 10, 2013 by Luke Hunt

FAR EAST CORRESPONDENT — Bangkok is on edge this week as parliament debates a proposed bill that would provide amnesty for political offenders involved in bouts of unrest that have occurred in the country since the ouster of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra on September 19, 2006. The proppsed bill is intended to promote political reconciliation following Thaksin’s ouster in 2006. Headlines have splashed across the front pages of local newspapers this week surrounding escalating tensions and rumors of a potential clash. On Wednesday some 2,000 opposition Democratic supporters convened outside the gates of the parliament building to protest the proposed legislation. A police cordon surrounded the building, which protesters did not attempt to breach despite earlier threats. Read more....

Armed Units Deployed in Phnom Penh

Published on Aug 9, 2013 by Luke Hunt

FAR EAST CORRESPONDENT — Approximately 100 members from each unit of the armed forces, military police and National Police have been deployed to Phnom Penh to “ensure political stability and security” until the new government is formed, a military police official said. Read more from Vong Sokheng, Cheang Sokha and Abby Seiff in The Phnom Penh Post. .

The Great Southeast Asian Land Grab

Published on Aug 8, 2013 by Luke Hunt

FAR EAST CORRESPONDENT — Conflict over land tenure in Southeast Asia’s rural areas has emerged as a key issue for the region. To achieve goals such as economic development and poverty reduction in rural areas, governments in the region have pursued policies to attract investment from large corporate entities both domestically and internationally, to undertake projects on “vacant” and “unused” land that promise to bolster the economy and create jobs. Read more from John Cherry in The Diplomat. .