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Wednesday, September 2, 2026
News and Views from the Global South
POLITICS: Thai Elites Install Their Man as Premier
Almost a year after his party suffered its third consecutive electoral defeat, Abhisit Vijjajiva rode to victory to become Thailand’s new prime minister, the third this year. It was not a choice of the voters, though.POLITICS: Thailand’s Poor Discover Vote Power
Prateep Ungsongtham recalls a vastly different mood a decade ago when she tested the political pulse of the urban poor living in Klong Toey, Bangkok’s largest slum.POLITICS-THAILAND: Business as Usual – Parliamentarians for Sale
A group of leading politicians head for a secret meeting with the powerful army chief as part of a plot to form a new government. But their plans go awry when they get lost in the sprawling military compound.RIGHTS-BURMA: Junta Turns Blind Eye to Rising Landmine Casualties
Thanks to the callousness of its military rulers, Burma has aacquired another unenviable statistic. It has replaced Cambodia as the country with the highest annual number of landmine victims in the region.POLITICS-THAILAND: Court Gains No Glory by Banning Ruling Party
The recent judgment by Thailand’s Constitutional Court confirmed the power it has to sack a politician or party found guilty of election malpractice, even if it smacked of the kangaroo courts of neighbouring, military-ruled Burma.POLITICS-THAILAND: King’s Poor Health Adds to Gloom
During his over 60 year reign, Thailand’s revered monarch, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, has won the hearts of his subjects for being an all-wise, all-knowing father-figure. It is to Bhumibol that Thais turn when the country is in trouble.POLITICS-THAILAND: Gov’t Falls As Court Bans Ruling Party
A legacy of Thailand’s last military regime prevailed in a superior court’s judgement Tuesday to dissolve the ruling party, which was elected at a December 2007 poll to succeed that very junta that had come to power following the country’s 18th coup.POLITICS-THAILAND: Violence Shakes Elite Myth of Thai Unity
Stories of Thai men getting into fatal fights during a night of drinking are common in the local press. But the killing of Somchai, a 37-year-old man, reveals something more ominous.POLITICS-THAILAND: Status as Regional Leader in Doubt
For years, Thais affected an air of superiority when talking about their regional neighbours on mainland South-east Asia. Such pride came from the country’s record of political stability - despite numerous coups - that attracted foreign investment.POLITICS-THAILAND: Heading For Mobocracy?
Thailand surged towards mob rule after a right-wing, anti-government protest movement threatened more mayhem after storming Bangkok’s international airport, forcing it to shut down.INDONESIA: Saying No, Thank You to IMF Loans
When the Asian financial crisis struck a decade ago, savaging South-east Asian economies, including Indonesia, Jakarta turned to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for help in getting the country back on its feet.
RELIGION-INDONESIA: ''My Roommate, the Terrorist''
For one Indonesian journalist, the acts of terror unleashed on the resort island of Bali in October 2002, that killed 202 people, were more than a major story to cover.INDONESIA: Quota Ensures More Women Candidates in 2009 Polls
After 20 years as an activist, in which she campaigned to shape social and economic policy in Indonesia, Binny Buchori is setting her sights on a new career - as a politician.
CULTURE-INDONESIA: Anti-Porn Law Reveals Growing Islamist Power
An exhibition of sculpture that opened here this month offers a stark reminder of the importance of the human form in Indonesian art.INDONESIA: Media Turns Bali Bombers Into Martyrs
In a crowded neighbourhood in this sprawling city families sat glued to their television sets late into the night of Nov. 8 watching updates on the execution of three men convicted for the 2002 nightclub bombings on the resort island of Bali, killing 202 people.RIGHTS-BURMA: Military Accused of Crimes Against Humanity
An onslaught by Burmese troops in the eastern part of the military-ruled country, running for three years now, is laying the junta open to charge of ‘crimes against humanity’.SOUTH-EAST ASIA: Obama Victory Spells Renewed US Interest
In Indonesia, many know him as ‘’Barry’’. To others U.S. president-elect Barack Obama is the ‘’Menteng Kid’’ for the primary school he attended while living in South-east Asia’s largest country.
THAILAND: Anti-Coup Movement Strikes Back
For the past five months Ataporn Kampa has endured insults hurled at him by an anti-government protest movement, that is supported by affluent, urban-based Thais who openly profess right-wing, conservative views and want the military to take over the country.BURMA: China’s Thirst for Oil Ignores Environment, Rights
The largest island off Burma’s west coast is emerging as another frontier for China’s expanding plans to extract the rich oil and gas reserves of military-ruled Burma.POLITICS-THAILAND: Anti-Coup Sentiment Gaining Popularity
With military takeovers enjoying a certain popularity, Thailand could easily be called ‘’the land of coups’’. But anti-coup sentiments, now building up, may work to thwart the country’s 19th putsch since becoming a constitutional monarchy in 1932.SOUTH-EAST ASIA: Financial Meltdown Prompts Return to Agriculture
As South-east Asia feels the heal of the global financial meltdown leaders are turning to the informal sector, particularly agriculture, as a potential provider of employment.« Previous Page — Next Page »
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