The Thai authorities have finally announced they are exploring a connection between the recent Bangkok bombing and Chinese Uighur separatists. Why?
The balance of trade positions of Australian agriculture and food manufacturing have deteriorated since FTAs with New Zealand, the United States and Thailand have come into play.
Flickr/Phil Greenhalgh
Analysis of free trade agreements with New Zealand, the US and Thailand show these failed to boost Australian agriculture and food imports.
Members of the National Reform Council pose for photographs after voting to reject a draft constitution – a decision that will put elections on hold until 2017.
EPA/Narong Sangnak
The rejection of the draft constitution is not necessarily a setback for Thailand’s military junta. It may even have been a ploy to extend its rule well past the promised date for elections.
Indonesia has yet to join other South-East Asian countries in creating economic hubs in border areas.
EPA/Agus Suparto
As Southeast Asian countries countries gear up for its ASEAN Economic Community Indonesia should look into setting up special economic zones together with bordering countries.
Diving in Indonesia’s Raja Ampat Marine Park to see these clownfish will cost you more than before – but for good reason.
Boris Bialek/Flickr
Diving in many parts of Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia now costs a little more than it used to – but you might be happy to discover why.
Rumours are swirling around Bangkok about who’s behind the bombings, which make it even more unlikely democracy will be restored any time soon.
EPA/Diego Azubel
Thailand has enough of its own political enemies, both internally and externally, that will likely be considered as the investigation into a pair of bombings continues.
The scene at the Erawan shrine.
Athit Perawongmetha
A summit in Bangkok is discussing the fate of thousands of people who were stranded at sea. Australia is represented but refuses to resettle any refugees, casting doubt on its commitment to a regional solution.
Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha shows little sign of listening to growing public opposition to his military junta’s authoritarian rule.
EPA
A year ago, a military coup toppled Thailand’s elected government. The junta promised elections once a new constitution is adopted, but its authoritarian rule betrays a hostility to real democracy.
Under enormous pressure, countries in south east Asia are at last offering help to thousands of stranded migrants – but their gesture is far less meaningful than it seems.
A Thai vessel provides supplies to Rohingya migrants on an abandoned boat.
EPA/STR
Why have South-East Asian countries abandoned scores of migrants to drift in the sea?
Rohingya refugees from Myanmar travelled in this fishing boat to Sumatra, Indonesia, with officials announcing some 2000 people were rounded up or rescued after arriving in Malaysia and Indonesia over the weekend.
EPA
Australia may have ‘stopped the boats’ but the tragedy of people drowning at sea continues to our north and is getting worse. A regional solution to the refugee crisis is urgently needed.
Members of the Thai community say they are happy to have a mining industry in the country, but expect a commitment to environmental protection.
Image sourced from Shutterstock.com
Developing countries often welcome Australian mining companies into their communities, but when things go wrong, communication is key.
US Army members carry out an evacuation drill in Thailand during the Cobra Gold joint military exercises, which have gone ahead this month with a reduced American role.
EPA/Diego Azubel
The US is trying to play a careful game of not appearing to interfere in Thailand’s internal affairs.
Silencing dissent: Thai police officers secure the area after the military junta prevented former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra from holding a press conference after her impeachment.
EPA/Rungroj Yongrit
Growing edginess on both sides of Thai politics about the performance of the military government is proving to be quite justified. The National Legislative Assembly (NLA) has made clear the centrality…