Archives

The benefits of contract farming

Contract farming has a bad reputation, often being associated with the proletarianisation of vulnerable small holders. But this isn't always the case and contract farming can make a valuable contribution to agricultural diversification.

ASEAN’s missed opportunities

It may be ASEAN's own inward focus and inbred parochialism that prevents it sitting at trade, political, and economic forums with influence and stature. This may also prevent ASEAN entering into an era of diverse economic prosperity

No good buttered tea, no good work

Mixed together from yak butter, salt and boiled tea brew, buttered tea is said to be an important supplement to the Tibetan diet. Tibetans don’t care too much about the quality of tea, but care more about the quality of the butter.

Counterpunch: Pol Pot wasn’t so bad

The notorious Holocaust denier, Israel Shamir, has been making the rounds among Cambodia watchers this week. This time, he's praising Pol Pot!

Sectarian strife in western Myanmar

In June 2012 we were confronted with violence pitting Buddhist Rakhine against Muslim Rohingya. Today, how should we understand this situation?

Marks of a good Malaysian leader

Tun Dr Ismail has been dead for 40 years but his legacy of inclusion and moderation, and honest and honourable leadership, is unforgettable and can yet inspire new generations of Malaysians from both sides of the political divide.

Women voters: courted – yes, respected – no?

Women are a focal point in Malaysian politics today, with some recent discussion of their ability as voters to decide election outcomes. But this has not translated into their increased representation at a political level.

я╗┐Myanmar reshuffle: the reform agenda

President Thein Sein reshuffled his cabinet on 27 August 2012, for the first time since the installation of his government on 30 March 2011.

Flashback to the coup

Written six years ago today, in the wake of the anti-Thaksin coup, this article reflects on the contribution Thailand's pro-democracy movement made to the undermining of democracy.

Thai cigarette cards

The National Library of Australia's significant Thai cigarette card collection has been digitized and the images are now freely available.