Myanmar’s new political geography

This recently recorded video introduces a new project about Myanmar's changing political geography.

People’s Movement for a Just Society

The People’s Movement for a Just Society is working to bring justice for marginalized groups in Thailand, including land rights for small-scale farmers, citizenship for stateless persons and fair compensation for relocated communities.

The positive face of state-society relations

The past two decades have seen governments in Asia improving the well-being of populations, transforming the nature of state-society relations. Contributions are sought for a panel discussing this issue at the 2013 EuroSEAS Conference.

Andrew Selth’s Burma bibiliography

New Mandala readers who pay close attention to Burma matters will appreciate the electronic version of Dr Andrew Selth's new bibliography.

Naughty numbers: power in Southeast Asia

Numbers have played an important role in Southeast Asia. Numbers have political utility, especially when presented in manner that creates a dichotomous division.

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.

Singapore’s national conversation

How Singapore's “national conversation” will pan out is anybody’s guess. Will the final recommendations in its report lead to any significant changes in the substance of governance, political institutions and the political process?

The power of spirits

Exploring the ritual relationships between the social and supernatural domains can help us understand the way in which power is drawn into the day-to-day worlds of livelihood, aspiration, and ambition.

Interview with director of Enemies of the People

Following the special edition DVD release of Enemies of the People, I caught up with the film’s British co-producer and director Rob Lemkin, to discuss his views on the film and its contribution to history, dialogue, and reconciliation in Cambodia.