Languages
Wednesday, September 16, 2026
News and Views from the Global South
MEDIA-THAILAND: Thaksin’s Departure Spells Press Freedom
With Thaksin Shinawatra stepping down as Thailand's leader, the country's media are rediscovering traits that had earned them a reputation for in the region - criticising and exposing those in power.THAILAND: Thaksin Down, Not Out
As Thais write another chapter to their unfolding political drama, one fact remains increasingly obvious: the main protagonist, Thaksin Shinawatra, is not about to leave the stage.THAILAND: Thaksin Down, Not Out
As Thais write another chapter to their unfolding political drama, one fact remains increasingly obvious: the main protagonist, Thaksin Shinawatra, is not about to leave the stage.THAILAND: Thaksin Swamped by ‘No Vote’ Ballots
A young Thai woman and a retired medical doctor were among a legion of Bangkok's voters who closed ranks to amplify the defining feature of Sunday's snap parliamentary polls - the power of the 'no vote'.THAILAND: Elections to Test Elections
When Thais go to the polls on Sunday, they will be doing more than endorse candidates in a snap parliamentary election. Their ballots will attest how much faith this country has in a key pillar of its young democracy - the electoral exercise itself.BURMA: Ethnic Groups Flee Drought and Army
In much of Asia a dry season could mean a break from monsoon rains and intermittent floods but for the Karen ethnic community, settled along Burma's eastern borders, it means a season of death, destruction and flight.BURMA: Ethnic Groups Flee Drought and Army
In much of Asia a dry season could mean a break from monsoon rains and intermittent floods but for the Karen ethnic community, settled along Burma's eastern borders, it means a season of death, destruction and flight.THAILAND: ‘Disappeared’ Rights Lawyer Haunts Gov’t
The search for her husband's remains brings a Thai Muslim woman to the banks of a river that flows past this small town some 100 km west of Bangkok.ECONOMY-THAILAND: Court Ruling Hits Privatisation Plans
Fresh from a landmark court victory that stopped the privatisation of the country's state-owned power utility, Saree Ongsamwong is setting her sights on stalling privatisation of other state enterprises that the government wants traded on the Thai stock exchange.HEALTH-ASIA: Dengue Goes Rural
From being a tormentor of people living in tropical, humid cities across Asia, the lethal dengue-carrying mosquito is spreading its wings into rural areas. That, warns public health experts, could result in dengue fever adding to the list of diseases sapping poor village communities.POLITICS-THAILAND: Anti-PM Protests Pick Up
A popular local expression that reveals Thailand's laid-back and non-confrontational character - mai pen rai(it is okay) - has been turned on its head over these past weeks as an opposition campaign to get Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to resign, picks up.HEALTH-BURMA: Bird Flu Breaks Junta’s Insularity
After years of oppression and secretive rule, Burma's generals appear to have come up against resistance from an unlikely opponent-avian flu virus.MEDIA-THAILAND: Libel Case Backfires on PM’s Firm
"This is a victory for freedom of speech and freedom of the press," said the plucky young woman as she stepped out of a criminal court Wednesday after winning a legal battle that may well mark the end of profit without public accountability in this country.DEVELOPMENT: Shorter Lives Trouble Poorest Countries
At a time when people in the developed world are enjoying longer lives, citizens of the world's poorest countries (LDCs) are still expecting to live comparatively short lives.POLITICS-THAILAND: Thaksin May Reap From Pro-poor Policies
Chinda Pintakan's graduation from the bottom of Thailand's social pecking order, as a poor rural farmer, to a step higher, as a waitress in a restaurant, has brought with it material benefits that have given her hope to believe that more is possible.BURMA: Swiss Mediators Booted Out
By shutting the door to a Swiss organisation that specialises in conflict resolution, Burma's military generals have shot down any hope there was for international help to move that oppressed country towards a free, open society.CAMBODIA: Curb Corruption Now Say Donors
He may have received a vote of confidence from the international donor community, but recent changes in parliament will make it difficult for Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen to harp on the usual excuses to avoid cracking down on widespread corruption.THAILAND: Anti-Thaksin Anger Vented on Singapore
Singaporeans living in Thailand or visiting as tourists may have reason to feel nervous at the manner in which the affluent city-state is portrayed in the increasingly bitter political debate that has engulfed Bangkok.CAMBODIA: Women Take Brunt of Poverty
Paid sex may not be on the minds of the representatives from international donor organisations when they gather in Cambodia, this week, to discuss aid to that poverty-stricken country.THAILAND: One-man Crusade Dogs Thaksin
It was an hour before midnight but there was hardly a hint of sleep on Sondhi Limthongkul's face. Dressed in his trademark white T-shirt and pants and yellow scarf knotted around his neck, the 58-year-old Thai paced behind a huge stage like a prize fighter who had drawn first blood.THAILAND: Thaksin Fights Back With Real People Power
Is democracy only about elections or is it much more? That question has come into relief as the countdown begins for a snap parliamentary poll that Thailand faces early April.« Previous Page — Next Page »
The Week with IPS
NEXT STOP - SDGs
Tracking global progress towards a sustainable world
Tracking global progress towards a sustainable world
