Politics

A farmer works in a rice paddy in Thailand's central Khon Kaen province. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Commodities

India's rice export ban brings chaos to Thai market

Surging demand sparks speculative hoarding, undercuts export opportunity

17 August 2023
Move Forward leader Pita Limjaroenrat in parliament on July 19, when his renomination for prime minister was blocked. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Thai election

Thailand court rejects petition on Pita's renomination for PM

Parliament set to hold next prime ministerial vote on Aug. 22

16 August 2023
Indonesian President Joko Widodo, wearing traditional attire from the Tanimbar Archipelago, delivers his state of the nation speech to parliament in Jakarta on Aug. 16.
Economy

Jokowi urges next leader to maintain commodity policies

Indonesia also unveils $216bn draft budget for 2024, up 8%

16 August 2023
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim waves to the press in Kuala Lumpur on Aug. 12: The election reaffirmed that Malaysians want better governance.
Opinion

Anwar must listen to Malaysia's voters

After election rebuke, prime minister must attend to structural issues

16 August 2023
Indonesia hosted the East Asia Summit foreign ministers' meeting in July. ASEAN chairs host meetings with countries outside the bloc, which would make Myanmar's year awkward.
Myanmar Crisis

Myanmar military regime to withdraw from chairing ASEAN in 2026

Prolonged crisis prompts decision to skip country's turn, sources say

16 August 2023
Chinese exports to ASEAN dropped by 21% in July from a year ago.
Caixin

Container shipping rates fall on weaker China-ASEAN trade

Shanghai to Singapore 20-foot container spot price down 30% from March

16 August 2023
Move Forward supporters distributed leaflets critical of Pheu Thai leader Cholnan Srikaew on Aug. 7. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Thai election

Pheu Thai struggles to exclude military as political vacuum hits 3 months

Pending court ruling no guarantee to break Thailand's deadlock over next PM

15 August 2023
Opposition supporters at a campaign rally in July. Many observers point to rising nationalism and religiosity among ethnic Malays for a rightward shift in the country's politics. (Photo by Norman Goh)
Politics

Conservative opposition's rise in Malaysia pressures Anwar

State election results deal heavy blow to governing coalition

14 August 2023
The Bangkok skyline on July 3: The economic costs of shoddy politics are incalculable for Thailand, a country that was once Southeast Asia's star performer. 
Opinion

Business is out of patience with Thailand's political mess

Economy will continue to perform below potential without major reforms

14 August 2023
From left: Former Jakarta Gov. Anies Baswedan, Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto and Central Java Gov. Ganjar Pranowo (Source photos by Kentaro Iwamoto and Reuters)
Indonesia election

Jokowi's ex-rival gains ground in Indonesia presidential race

Six months ahead of election, Subianto courts young voters to lead the race

14 August 2023
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets with folk artists after addressing the nation during Independence Day celebrations at the historic Red Fort in Delhi in 2022.
Your Week in Asia

India, Indonesia, Singapore leaders to speak; Kishida-Yoon-Biden summit

Your weekly lineup of Asia's biggest business and political events

13 August 2023
 Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, center, calls on all sides to "cool off" after an intense competition state elections. (Photo by Norman Goh)
Politics

Anwar coalition holds on to power in three states in Malaysia polls

Opposition gains seats in all six elections in warning sign to ruling parties

13 August 2023
Soldiers of the Karen National Union (KNU) stand guard during a 70th anniversary event in 2019.
Myanmar Crisis

Myanmar's oldest resistance force KNU signals a new era

Leaders meet press, challenge military regime and promise transformation

12 August 2023
Singapore's President Halimah Yacob (left) and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the Istana Presidential Palace in 2017.
Politics

Singapore set for presidential election next month

Former senior minister Tharman among four hopefuls vying for ceremonial post

11 August 2023
Hun Manet, son of Cambodia Prime Minister Hun Sen, at a polling station after voting in Phnom Penh on July 23. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi) 
Cambodia's new leadership

Children of elite set for top spots in Cambodian government

With upcoming change of leader, key posts remain within influential networks

11 August 2023
Motorcyclists pass by campaign flags ahead of the state election in Selangor, Malaysia on Aug. 9.
Politics

Malaysia holds key state elections: 5 things to know

About 10 million voters will cast ballots on Saturday in six states

11 August 2023
Tourists at the Wat Phra Kaew temple complex in Bangkok on Aug. 7. The Tourism Authority of Thailand fears budget delays could affect its tourism promotion plan. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Thai election

Thailand's prolonged political deadlock weighs on economy

Businesses fear government spending, FDI will be hit by transition delay

10 August 2023
Myanmar pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi attends an investment forum in Naypyitaw in January 2019. Though her prison sentence was recently reduced, the 78-year-old still faces over 25 years of incarceration.
The Nikkei View

Suu Kyi pardon does not legitimize Myanmar military rule

ASEAN unity is needed to implement measures to end chaos

9 August 2023
A China Coast Guard aims a water cannon at Philippine Coast Guard vessels near Second Thomas Shoal on Aug. 5. (Philippine Coast Guard via Reuters)
Indo-Pacific

U.S. vows to defend Philippine boats in South China Sea

Global outcry grows after Beijing water-cannons Manila's resupply vessel

9 August 2023
Singapore's United Overseas Bank is clamping down on business with Myanmar, a move one Yangon-based foreign financial sector expert said could have a "huge" impact. (Source photos by AP and Reuters) 
Myanmar Crisis

Key Singapore bank UOB moves to cut off Myanmar

Clampdown seen as response to U.S. pressure, reputational risks

9 August 2023
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who is also chairman of the ruling Pakatan Harapan alliance, speaks to around 5,000 supporters at a rally in Selangor on Aug. 6. (Photo by Norman Goh)
Politics

Malaysia's industrial heartland holds key to election battle

PM Anwar, opposition court young in Selangor ahead of Saturday state-level vote

8 August 2023
Pheu Thai leader Cholnan Srikaew, second from right, and Bhumjaithai leader Anutin Charnvirakul, center, pose for photos at a press conference in Bangkok on Aug. 7. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Thai election

Thailand's Pheu Thai forms new coalition with third-largest party

New grouping says no to lese-majeste reform and Move Forward

7 August 2023
Hun Manet waves to supporters on the last day of the election campaign on July 21 in Phnom Penh. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Politics

Hun Manet appointed by king as Cambodia's next PM

King Norodom Sihamoni releases decree detailing ascension of Hun Sen's son

7 August 2023
 The Indonesian International Motor Show in 2018: The country's main trade group will hold the Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show starting Aug. 10
Your Week in Asia

Indonesia auto show, Cambodia PM transition, Taiwan's Lai visits U.S.

Your weekly lineup of Asia's biggest business and political events

6 August 2023
Move Forward leader Pita Limjaroenrat attends a parliament session on July 19. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Thai election

Thailand PM vote postponed as court reviews Pita petition

Formation of government further delayed until after Aug. 16

3 August 2023