Laos Debt Raising Eyebrows

Published on Dec 15, 2012 by Luke Hunt

FAR EAST CORRESPONDENT — Laos’ reputation as an economic backwater and relic of the Cold War has been well earned. This year, however, the Lao government has sought to break free from the traditional communist stereotypes.  Engaging the private sector and Chinese state-owned enterprises (SOEs), Vientiane sought to emulate a well-established model by focusing on big ticket infrastructure projects. Applause and concern has followed in equal doses. Read more in The Diplomat. .

Mam Sonando Denied Bail

Published on Dec 14, 2012 by Luke Hunt

FAR EAST CORRESPONDENT — The Court of Appeal rejected the bail request of jailed Beehive Radio director Mam Sonando at a brief hearing in the capital today, saying that thanks to his dual citizenship, the septuagenarian was a flight risk and, furthermore, posed a threat to public order. Read more from Khouth Sophak Chakry and Stuart White in the Phnom Penh Post.   .

Laos Expels NGO Chief

Published on Dec 10, 2012 by Luke Hunt

FAR EAST CORRESPONDENT — Laos has expelled the director of the Swiss non-governmental organisation Helvetas, accusing her of criticising the government in a letter to donors in which she criticised the one-party regime for stifling public debate and making work for aid groups difficult. Anne-Sophie Gindroz, the NGO’s country director, was given on Friday 48 hours’ notice by the authorities to leave. Read more from Swissinfo. .

How China and the US see ASEAN

Published on Dec 7, 2012 by Luke Hunt

FAR EAST CORRESPONDENT — After the dust has settled from contentious days of uneven diplomacy in Phnom Penh at the annual summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the differences between the United States and China. Read more from Dan Boylan in Asia Sentinel. .

Protests Sweep ASEAN

Published on Dec 7, 2012 by Luke Hunt

FAR EAST CORRESPONDENT — U.S. President Barack Obama’s historic visit to Burma and the 21st Summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Phnom Penh dominated news coverage in the region during the past month — and rightly so. Obama’s Burma trip put a global spotlight on the reforms being implemented by the civilian government in that country, while the ASEAN Summit exposed the continuing failure of the regional grouping to address the maritime disputes between China and several ASEAN member countries over the South China Sea. Read more from Mong Palatino in The Diplomat. .