Category: Featured

Featured articles from FORSEA contributors.


King Vajiralongkorn change in the use of lèse-majesté law

A Softer Approach From Thailand’s Sophisticated Monarch

From the judges and the police, to the army and officials in the ICT, they all serve as defenders of the monarchy, thus making the Computer Crime Act as effective as the lèse-majesté law in purging dissent from Thai society.

/ June 6, 2020

FORSEA condemns the abduction of Thai dissident in Cambodia

We wish to condemn the state abduction of Wanchalearm and urge the international community to further seek truth behind this heinous act.

/ June 5, 2020

Myanmar and Vietnam: Rights Abused

The human rights situation in Myanmar and Vietnam has worsened. The authorities continue to curb basic freedoms, particularly among political activists and journalists.

/ June 3, 2020

Mesrob Vartavarian on America’s Cold Wars in Southeast Asia

In many respects, if we want to understand Southeast Asia's current state, we need to understand its past Cold Wars. Then we will see the United States was ultimately far more successful in pursuing its Cold War objectives in Southeast Asia than is generally thought.

/ May 31, 2020

Maung Zarni Addresses Online Forum as the Republic of Korea Celebrates the 40th Anniversary of its May 18 Democratisation Movement

S. Korea appears a rare success story, resulting in the establishment of UNESCO-recognised May 18 Democratisation Movement and Human Rights World Heritage Museum in Gwanju.

/ May 27, 2020

Interview: Paul Chambers on Democracy in Thailand

As Thailand commemorates the 10th anniversary of the deadly crackdowns against a red-shirted pro-democracy group, Chambers discusses problems with Thai democracy, the Thai army, social and political movements, and finally Thailand with King Vajiralongkorn at the helm.

/ May 23, 2020

The Trouble of the Palm Oil Business in Southeast Asia

With name-calling and scapegoating over the polluted haze, governments of Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore engage in a rhetorical exercise. In reality, all parties are skating around the real issues.

/ May 21, 2020

Plan to Drop Charges Against Najib Stepson Stokes Outrage in Malaysia

The controversy over Riza comes amidst great political uncertainty in Malaysia, with anybody’s guess how long the current prime minister Muhyiddin will remain in power.

/ May 20, 2020
Thai King robs his people

Why Thais are Losing Faith in the Monarchy

In his article in the The Washington Post, Pavin Chachavalpongpun, FORSEA’s director of multimedia, explains how the eroding power of Thailand's monarchy is growing ever more evident.

/ May 16, 2020
Forest burning indonesia

Indonesia: The Fires Next Time

It’s surprising that while demand hits have caused factory closures, falling coal consumption and less auto traffic, leading to blue skies the world over, the palm oil industry continues its environmentally damaging practices unabatedly.

/ May 14, 2020