· October, 2012

Stories about East Asia from October, 2012

Japan: Election Tweeting Forbidden

  31 October 2012

Even though Japanese is the second most active language in the world on Twitter, for the country's political candidates, tweeting during election campaigns is forbidden. A group of young activists is seeking to change this situation.

China: Ningbo Protests Point to Middle Class Discontent

  30 October 2012

Over the weekend, residents took to the streets in Ningbo, Zhejiang, to protest against the expansion of a paraxylene (PX) plant in their city. Sophie Beach from China Digital Times highlights the middle class discontent reflected in the protest.

Thailand: Gun Crimes on the Rise

  30 October 2012

Thailand's homicide rate has declined since 2006 but criminal cases involving guns are on the rise. Bangkok Pundit analyzes some statistics on gun crimes, homicide cases, and gun ownership in Thailand

Thailand: Hotline to Help Children

  30 October 2012

Childline Thailand Foundation is an NGO that runs a nationwide 24-hour telephone hotline to help children in Thailand. The “SaiDek 1387” hotline is also maximized to urge government compliance with the UN Convention on the Rights of a Child.

China, South Korea: Gangnam Style in Chinese Universities

  30 October 2012

South Korea PSY pop, Gangnam style has landed in China. Around 3,700 people danced the Gangnam Style together at Nanjing Hehai University and a few dozen students danced on the stage of the Peking University International Cultural Festival… But Ooops, the stage collapsed. (Via Beijing Cream)

China: Medicinal Alcohol

  30 October 2012

A netizen (Derek) has introduced the Chinese tradition of medicinal alcohol online, in particular the three-penis alcohol that apparently enhances a man's power.

Thailand: Bangkok Launches Bike Rentals

  30 October 2012

To decongest traffic and encourage people to use public mass transport system, Bangkok has recently launched a bicycle rental program. Richard Barrow attended the launch and provided ideas on how to make the program successful in Thailand.

Philippines: Online Shame Campaign Against “Epal” Politicians

  30 October 2012

With less than a few months before the 2013 national elections, various groups have launched an online shame campaign against the common practice of Filipino politicians to attach their names to government projects that are funded or assisted by their office. These politicians are labelled “epal,” a Filipino slang term meaning “attention grabber”

Indonesia: ‘Jokowi’ Phenomenon in Jakarta

  28 October 2012

Meet Jakarta’s new governor: Joko Widodo or Jokowi. His recent electoral victory surprised many people who now regard him as Indonesia’s most charismatic leader. His phenomenal political achievement and soaring popularity is seen by many analysts as a positive development for Indonesian democracy

Riots Erupt Anew in Western Myanmar

  26 October 2012

As of October 24, 2012, the government reported that 12 persons were killed, 50 were injured and 1,948 houses were destroyed in the riot clashes between Rakhine residents and Rohingyas in Kyaut Phyu, Min Pyar, Myay Pone and Myaut Oo towns of Rakhine state in western Myanmar. This was disclosed by the...

Thailand: Problems in Implementing Information Act

  26 October 2012

Saksith Saiyasombut and Siam Voices translate an article written by ThaiPublica about Thailand's experience in implementing the Official Information Act of 1997: Thai citizens were given more rights to request the disclosure of official government information…But even with such progress, it hasn’t resulted in simpler access to official information yet,...

Malaysia: Penang's Bicycle Lanes

  26 October 2012

anilnetto writes about the proposed 12.5km bicycle lane in Penang, Malaysia. The first phase of the project has already started and completion is targeted in the next two years.

China: Iron Man 3 and the Mandarin

  25 October 2012

The Walt Disney Company China, Marvel Studios and DMG Entertainment announced back in April that they were intended to co-produce “Iron Man 3″ in China. Stan from China Hearsay doubts if the mainland Chinese censor would accept the villain of the movie being “The Mandarin”.

China: Failure to End the Slaughter of Migratory Birds

  25 October 2012

The migratory bird season has come in China; yet instead of searching for food in the warm lake areas, a large number of birds are being slaughtered for human consumption. Every year, more than 150 tonnes of wild birds are caught in certain villages in Hunan province.

About our East Asia coverage

Oiwan Lam
Oiwan Lam is the North East Asia editor. Email her story ideas or volunteer to write.

Mong Palatino
Mong Palatino is the South East Asia editor. Email him story ideas or volunteer to write.