Brunei Bans Santa

Published on Dec 27, 2015 by Luke Hunt

Relations between the Islamic and Christian worlds have seen their fair share of tensions and even conflict, particularly in the Middle East where both faiths were initially fostered. That animosity is also being fostered in the tiniest corners of Earth where religion is often fashioned for political gain.Read more from Luke Hunt in The Diplomat..

Cambodian Art Rises from the Ashes of War

Published on Oct 10, 2015 by Luke Hunt

For centuries, Cambodian art was defined by one-dimensional paintings of Angkor Wat, the imposing 12th century temple, or idyllic scenes of village life.It was a stock and trade venerated by the Royal Palace until its virtual annihilation under the murderous rule of the Khmer Rouge and the following three decades of war.Read more from Luke Hunt in The Diplomat..

Vietnam Waives Visas, for Some

Published on Jul 3, 2015 by Luke Hunt

Vietnam’s decision to axe visa restrictions on five European countries is expected to be extended in a bid to shore up its tourism industry, which has been punished by a military standoff with China and a sharp deterioration in the Russian economy.Read more from Luke Hunt in The Diplomat..

Kelly Slater Buys Thai Stick

Published on Apr 12, 2015 by Luke Hunt

Film rights to Thai Stick, a scholarly work on the illicit marijuana trade between Southeast Asia and the West coast of the United States in the 1960s and 70s, have been recently acquired by perhaps the greatest ever competitive surfer, American Kelly Slater. Media stereotyping has often linked surfing with the smoking of weed and while Slater does not smoke marijuana he certainly supports the de-criminalization of the product in the U.S. and doubts whether it should even classified as a drug.“It’s a plant and it’s beyond ridiculous that people have somehow decided making it illegal was the right thing. The end result is generally users going to jail who cause society no harm,” he recently toldsurfing publication Swellnet.“I don’t....

Adios, Cantina. Viva Hurley!

Published on Mar 28, 2015 by Luke Hunt

One of Phnom Penh’s most legendary venues closes tonight. Cantina, the restaurant-cum-watering-hole and brainchild of Hurley Scroggins III, will shut its creaky, iron gate on the riverside late tonight for the last time – probably after midnight – and end a memorable and historic chapter in the life of this fair city.Read more from Michael Hayes in The Phnom Penh Post..