Future Forward: Thanathorn on local elections, welfare and party longevity (Thailand Unsettled #7)

Renewed rivalry between pluralists and Islamists coexists with catch-all patronage politics.

Some Indonesian politicians are taking on the industries which dominate politics in their regions. But can working in the system change much?

Considering whether five years of Jokowi–Prabowo competition is dividing Indonesian society.

Road building is good for the economy overall but does little to solve the congestion that plagues Indonesia’s major provinces.

Fears of intolerant Islamic movements have intensified identity politics in Christian communities in the east.

The episode Thailand’s 2019 election swept in the pro-democracy Future Forward Party into parliament, whose vocal anti-junta platform won it 80 seats after only a year in existence and a few months of campaigning. Here, party leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit offers a glimpse into the future of Future Forward, laying out his intentions to revolutionise local elections...

Scholars and activists discuss the region's persistent struggles with democracy at a recent ANU conference.

After a coup, a new constitution and a controversial election, Thailand’s political future remains as uncertain as ever. Join leading Thai political scientist Professor Thitinan Pongsudhirak, The Australian National University (ANU) Thai consitutional law expert Sarah Bishop and Director of Lowy Institute’s Southeast Asia Project Ben Bland for a discussion on what happens next in...

Kanokrat Lertchoosakul on Pheu Thai's drop in seats, Future Forward's electoral breakthrough and the Democrat decline

At the heart of the controversies over Thailand's 2019 election sits the Election Commission.

Contemporary Indian fiction shows a different awareness regarding the politics of spirituality.

In our guest series on South Asia, a look at how the BJP tries to detoxify its Hindu nationalist image with calculated appeals to select Muslim groups.

In India's Sundarbans, climate change is fundamentally transforming the everyday lives of women living in remote chars, or river islands.

New Mandala will be home to a South Asia guest section in the lead up to India's general elections.

A lasting, cleaner India depends on undermining the enduring belief that removal of tainted things is the responsibility of people who are born to the task.

Vannessa Hearman on a Dutch exhibition on Bali that "packs a punch".

On the unstable historical foundations of Singapore's (supposed) two-hundredth birthday.

A proposal to build oil drilling rigs 100 metres from an archaeological site near Si Thep Historical Park jeopardises what may be Thailand's oldest and biggest ancient city.

Perspectives on the Past's LGBTQ+ history month continues with a reflection on queer theory's portability.

To kick off LBGTQ+ history month, Emily Donald looks at lesbian history and women’s sexuality in Thailand.

Social media has amplified, rather than created, an existing culture of disinformation.

On the prospects for a durable authoritarian politics after the 'Bhumibol Consensus'.

Dutertismo still hasn’t fundamentally changed how political power is sought and won.

History and electoral reality suggest that the 2019 elections will deliver another “wasted coup”.

The majoritarian first-past-the-post system has had its day. It’s time to think about bold options for reform.