Social development
Rohingya refugee likely back in Myanmar
A Rohingya refugee who landed in Phnom Penh in June as part of a controversial resettlement deal with Australia is likely back in Myanmar after requesting to return home, according to the Interior Ministry. Ministry spokesman Khieu Sopheak said that the Rohingya man—who, according to the government, ...
Cambodia’s rights defenders under ‘all kinds of threats,’ advocate says
A prominent human rights advocate says Cambodia continues to operate in a repressive environment, with a government that fails to respect local and international standards and laws. Rights workers in Cambodia are under “all kinds of threats, both spiritually and in personal security,” Ny Chakrya, lead ...
Little hope for change as IDPs mull elections
International commentators are fond of saying that Myanmar’s 8 November election could bring sweeping changes to the country. But many of the displaced people living in camps in Kachin State do not see it that way. Any hope that an end of conflict might improve matters ...
ThaiHealth spending faces scrutiny
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has ordered authorities to look into the Thai Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth) to ensure its funds are being spent to improve people’s health and promote the well-being of the general public. Government spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd said on 12 October the premier’s order for comprehensive ...
Thailand's NESDB confident in stimulus
The National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB) remains upbeat that the country’s economy will still manage growth of 2.7-3.2% this year as projected. Keep reading ...
Education association hits back at Sam Rainsy
The Cambodian Higher Education Association released a statement on 11 October defending its members against claims made last week by CNRP President Sam Rainsy, who criticized the quality of Cambodia’s postsecondary education system. Keep reading ...
In Vietnamese floating villages, a precarious life
For the thousand or so ethnic Vietnamese families who have lived and fished for years in the floating villages along the Tonle Sap river in Cambodia’s Kompong Chhnang province, the insecurity of their lives here was made clear last week. Evicted from moorings in the center ...
Single gateway jitters in Thailand
With the Thai government exploring the pros and cons of initiating a single international gateway (single gateway), uncertainty is being felt in the country’s growing tech industry and e-commerce sector. The cabinet ordered relevant state agencies to report legal complications concerning the deployment of a single ...
Rebels reject peace talks in Thailand's deep South
The dominant insurgent faction in Thailand’s southern separatist conflict emerged last week to reject the Malaysian-led peace talks being held with the Thai government. However, the hard-line National Revolutionary Front or Barisan Revolusi Nasional also signalled its willingness to open substantive negotiations, provided international mediation can ...
Chinese in Shan suddenly popular
Chinese-language posters with instructions on how to vote are causing controversy in Myanmar’s Shan State. Lashio town, in northern Shan State where Myanmar borders China, is home to a large number of ethnic Chinese people. Some have lived there for generations. Like elsewhere in Myanmar, a combination of historic ...
