Latest posts by Mong Palatino from February, 2012
Thailand: Facebook Blamed for Teen Pregnancies
Netizens in Thailand react to the report of the National Economic and Social Development Board that popular social networking site Facebook is partly to blame for the unwanted teen pregnancies in the country. Thailand has one of the highest rates of teen pregnancies in the world.
Singapore: Reactions to the Proposed 2012 Budget
Netizens react to the proposed 2012 budget of the Singapore government, which includes a commitment to lower the country’s dependence on foreign workforce, greater assistance to the elderly, the disabled and the lower-income families, and boosting the capacity of public transport and public hospitals.
Indonesia: Should Government Censor ‘Rude’ Tweets?
Reacting to the report that Indonesia's Information Ministry plans to target ‘rude anonymous’ tweets, Unspun reminds authorities to focus on more important things like fixing the digital divide in the country
Cambodia: Network Against Sexual Exploitation and Trafficking
Established in 2005, Chab Dai (“joining hands” in Khmer) seeks to end trafficking and sexual exploitation in Cambodia through coalition building, community prevention, advocacy and research.
East Timor: Oil and Politics
Silas Everett writes about the impact of rising oil revenues on the politics of East Timor
Southeast Asia’s Three-Wheeled Vehicles
Tuktuk, Beca, Kuliglig, Trishaw, Pedicab, Becak, Tricycle. These are the famous three-wheeled vehicles in the Southeast Asian region. They can be seen in the streets of urban centers but governments are trying to ban these ubiquitous pedicabs and motorized rickshaws in major throughfares.
Malaysia: Petition Against Sarawak Dams
An online petition urges the Malaysian government to review its plan to build twelve “highly destructive” hydroelectric dams in Sarawak that will displace tens of thousands of people and flood large tracts of tropical rainforest.
Cambodia: Information About Land Evictions
Stories Without Borders provides links to pertinent news articles, videos, and other documents about the land evictions in Cambodia. Over 250,000 Cambodians have been displaced by illegal land evictions in both urban and rural areas.
Vietnam: Land Rights Violations
Adam Bray writes about the struggle of Vietnamese villagers for their land rights. He accuses the government of secretly demolishing homes and forcibly evicting religious and ethnic minorities in the rural provinces of Quang Ngai, Kon Tum, and Quang Nam.
Singapore Budget 2012
Leong Sze Hian analyzes the Singapore budget presentation for the year 2012. He concludes: “Need to cut rhetoric, and do something, anything, if the government wants to regain some credibility.”
Thailand: “Reform the World’s Harshest Lèse Majesté Law”
Several groups, scholars, and activists in Thailand are demanding the amendment of Article 112 of the country’s Criminal Code or the lese majeste law, which forbids anyone from insulting the King and members of the Royal Family. The issue has sparked debates on whether it's time to reform this controversial law.
Myanmar: Banknotes of Burma
Min Sun Min writes about the modern history of Myanmar by documenting the banknotes issued for Burma.
Thailand: “The Purple People Toilet”
Richard Barrow uploads a photo of the ‘Purple People Toilet’ in Thailand. It's a toilet for those who belong to the “Third Sex” or in Thailand they are often called “Lady Boys”
Southeast Asia: Restoring Historic Towns
Dr. Apiwat Ratanawaraha writes about several projects in Southeast Asia that seek to restore historic towns and promote cultural tourism. Some of the ongoing projects are located in Singapore’s Boat Quay, Malaysia’s Georgetown, and Thailand’s Chiang Mai
Southeast Asia: Climate Change and Smallholder Farmers
The World Agroforestry Centre has released a study on the climate change adaptation options for small farmers in Southeast Asia.
Saudi Journalist Detained in Malaysia for ‘Offensive’ Tweet
Saudi journalist Hamza Kashgari was stopped at Malaysia's airport after Saudi Arabia ordered his arrest. The journalist is accused of sending a twitter message that ‘insulted’ Prophet Mohammad
Reporter Found Dead in West Papua
Reporters Without Borders condemns the killing of a journalist in West Papua and the attack on local reporters in Indonesia.
Myanmar: Human Rights Violations Persist Despite Reforms
After a six-day mission to Myanmar, U.N. Human Rights Rapporteur Tomas Ojea Quintana releases his report about the continuing human rights problems in the country despite the reforms implemented by the government
East Timor Presidential Candidates
Centru Jornalista Investigativu Timor Leste uploads the list of presidential candidates in East Timor who have registered with the Court.
Thailand: Scholars Press for Lese Majeste Law Reform
An open letter signed by 224 international scholars, writers, and activists was sent to Thailand Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra expressing grave concern over the use of Lese Majeste Law to stifle dissent in the country.
Vietnam's “Bad Education Stories” of 2011
VietNamNet Bridge posts an article about the “bad stories in the education sector in 2011.” Some of the bad stories include cases of corporal punishment, school bullying, and low performance of schools.
