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Full-Text Articles in Asian Studies

Cambodia Watching Down Under, Geoffrey Gunn Jan 2023

Cambodia Watching Down Under, Geoffrey Gunn

Asian Review

With Cambodia Watching Down Under published by the Institute of Asian Studies then under the direction of Dr. Khien Theeravit at a time when the push for conflict resolution to the “Cambodia problem” reached a critical mass, three decades later this article looks back at the reception and impact of the book in a double sense. First, the question is posed as to the relevance of the book already made partly redundant by the signing of the landmark Paris Peace Agreements on Cambodia of October 23, 1991, several months after publication. Second, the article reflects upon the major thesis of …


Introduction, Thanachate Wisaijorn Jan 2023

Introduction, Thanachate Wisaijorn

Asian Review

The notion of local governance in Asia is the focus of this issue of Asian Review by The Institute of Asian Studies, Chulalongkorn University. With the increasing influence and impact of international connectivity nowadays, it is difficult to deny that political actors at a local level are not completely separated from those at the regional and international level.


From Government-Centric To People-Centered Government: A Reform Of The Administrative Services In Zhejiang Province, China (1992-2018), Orachorn Saechang Jan 2023

From Government-Centric To People-Centered Government: A Reform Of The Administrative Services In Zhejiang Province, China (1992-2018), Orachorn Saechang

Asian Review

The government plays a critical role in providing public services and serving the interests of the public. However, the traditional government-centric mentality tends to prioritize what the government can do rather than considering the needs of the public. This article aims to explore the transformation of the Chinese government from a government-centric approach to a people-centric approach and evaluates the reform efforts. Based on a content analysis of both Chinese and English literature, this study reveals that the Zhejiang government has been engaged in a continuous administrative reform process since 1992, consisting of five distinct phases, leading to a gradual …


The Development Of The Cities: The Kazakh Case, Dinara Umarova Jan 2023

The Development Of The Cities: The Kazakh Case, Dinara Umarova

Asian Review

The article is devoted to the development of Kazakh capital city Astana. The methodology of the research provides literature review on issues of urbanization and economic growth, comparative study, use of empirical and descriptive methods, and based on official statistics and statistical methods. The research confirms that status of the city and capital status of Astana ensure its competitiveness at the national level and in comparison with some leading regional Kazakh cities such as Almaty, Shymkent and Aktobe. The main indicators of the socio-economic situation in Astana are comparatively better. In particular, the capital city has relatively low rates of …


Reconsidering Social Protection For Motorcycle Taxi Drivers: Understanding Precarity In Formalized Informality, Kritsada Theerakosonphong Jan 2022

Reconsidering Social Protection For Motorcycle Taxi Drivers: Understanding Precarity In Formalized Informality, Kritsada Theerakosonphong

Asian Review

This article's central argument is that as a consequence of ride-hailing applications (apps), formalized informality has emerged among motorcycle taxi drivers (MTDs). The aim is to provide preliminary recommendations for reconsidering social protection (SP) for MTDs. Platformization and practices of precarising formality through formal-informal interaction are reviewed, as well as employment status and other different forms of employment. MTDs are unevenly matched in power relations dominated by the government and non-government officials, insecurity and uncertainty related to job precarity results. Several critical SP issues are discussed including: the distinction between formality and informality and the related inability to divide the …


Singapore’S Speak Mandarin Campaign: A Historiographical Review, Xing Fang Jan 2022

Singapore’S Speak Mandarin Campaign: A Historiographical Review, Xing Fang

Asian Review

Language policy functions as a critical instrument in Singapore’s nation building since its independence in the 1960s. This paper intends to examine some major literature in the past fifty years concerning Singapore’s well-known Speak Mandarin Campaign, in order to reveal the chronological development in scholarship. The content of the literature foregrounds paradigm shifts from viewing Mandarin as an identity marker to valuing it as linguistic capital, and from treating identity as a bounded concept to acknowledging its fluidity in the context of globalisation. The evident historical changes in the writing of the studies also reflect shifts in terms of the …


Promoting Sexual And Gender Diversity Through The Portrayal Of Sexual And Gender Minority Youths In Media, Yuki Amaki Jan 2022

Promoting Sexual And Gender Diversity Through The Portrayal Of Sexual And Gender Minority Youths In Media, Yuki Amaki

Asian Review

As one social phenomenon, television drama series depicting sexual minority youths, particularly gay male couples’ everyday lives, have become popular in Japan as well as East Asia. Consciousness and awareness of prejudice and discrimination against sexual and gender minority people may gradually be changing among young people thanks to the increased portrayal of sexual and gender minority youths in romantic TV drama series. The purpose of this research is to assess how much these TV drama series influence people to improve their awareness and knowledge of the prejudice and discrimination faced by LGBTQ+ people in society. My target population for …


The Same Old Story : The Collapse Of The Semi-Democracy Regime In 1930s Japan And 2006 Thailand, Chai Skulchokchai Jan 2022

The Same Old Story : The Collapse Of The Semi-Democracy Regime In 1930s Japan And 2006 Thailand, Chai Skulchokchai

Asian Review

Both Thailand and Japan have experienced turbulent democratic processes. In addition, both countries are considered as semi-democratic according to Dahl’s framework. It is undeniable that both countries have failed in democratization itself, at one stage, despite being almost 100 years apart, and Lipset’s prerequisite having been met. There were three main factors that led to such occurrences, these being too many  offices, which have considerable authority over the electoral force, politicians who side with the non-democratic side for their gain, and the belief that there existed a better alternative form of government. These have been accompanied by six circumstantial similarities …


Introduction, Jirayudh Sinthuphan Jan 2022

Introduction, Jirayudh Sinthuphan

Asian Review

No abstract provided.


Discussion On The Application Of Dispute Settlement Mechanism Of The 1982 United Nations Convention On The Law Of The Sea To The Thai - Myanmar Maritime Dispute, Yodsapon Nitiruchirot Jan 2022

Discussion On The Application Of Dispute Settlement Mechanism Of The 1982 United Nations Convention On The Law Of The Sea To The Thai - Myanmar Maritime Dispute, Yodsapon Nitiruchirot

Asian Review

This qualitative research study aims to examine theThai-Myanmar maritimedispute,applying the dispute settlement mechanism of the 1982 United Nations Convention on theLaw of the Sea (UNCLOS). The research methodology includes documentary research and in-depth interview. After analyzing data collected,itis found that the dispute settlement mechanismof the UNCLOS comprises voluntary and compulsory procedures. As both Thailand and Myanmarare parties to the UNCLOS and their dispute involves an area in the Andaman Sea, thoseprocedures may be applied. Thecompulsory procedure may be applied with some issues, but notthe territorial dispute and the boundary delimitation dispute. Therefore, there are few benefits togain from the procedure. …


China’S Role In The Arctic: Observing And Being Observedisbn 9780367278694. Published May 12, 2020 By Routledge. Author: Nong Hong. 232 Pages., Magayo Alves Jan 2022

China’S Role In The Arctic: Observing And Being Observedisbn 9780367278694. Published May 12, 2020 By Routledge. Author: Nong Hong. 232 Pages., Magayo Alves

Asian Review

As indicated by its title, the author of the book – Dr. Nong Hong – focuses her efforts on un-derstanding the current ways in which China sees and operates the Arctic, hence reflecting on how it seeks to develop its policies for the region and how its actions are seen by other actors. In summary, the book’s eight chapters could be grouped into three main points: China’s involvement in international organizations, its relations with Arctic stakeholders, and more specifically its actions across the Arctic territory, signifying the extent of its engagement with shipping activities and scientific development. Arguably, the main …


Introduction, Jirayudh Sinthuphan Jan 2022

Introduction, Jirayudh Sinthuphan

Asian Review

Asia is a problematic concept. What is Asia, other than a way of setting apart a group of non-Western cultures from the West? It is, historically, culturally, and politically, a diverse region that is artificially constructed through a rather generalized perspective. As a result, we often miss some important details in the development of a national state in Asia that has contributed to Asia’s diverse forms of sociopolitical existences and challenges. Articles appearing in this issue of the Asian Review bring to light some of these missing details and provide readers with clearer insights to Asia’s diversity.


Information Communication Technologies In Thailand: The Influence Of Social Structure And The Autonomy Of Use, Jakkapong Sukphan, Prapaporn Kitdamrongtam Jan 2022

Information Communication Technologies In Thailand: The Influence Of Social Structure And The Autonomy Of Use, Jakkapong Sukphan, Prapaporn Kitdamrongtam

Asian Review

There has never been digital equality as we face social inequality. This paper aims to examine the uses of information communication technologies (ICTs) and the social structure of the digital divide in Thailand to compare the findings with those reported in more developed countries. Multiple correspondence analysis is conducted to form the scales of internet use and autonomy of use. Linear regressions were used to test the scales' effects on the social structure of ICT use in Thailand.  The findings indicate that Internet use can be categorized into the intensity of internet use and commercial and leisure use. The intensity …


Reinventing Public Healthcare In India, Milind Kokje Jan 2022

Reinventing Public Healthcare In India, Milind Kokje

Asian Review

The outbreak of COVID-19 exposed the gaps and shortcomings in the Indian public healthcare System. The Indian healthcare system is a glaring example of two extremes of positive and negative. The Constitution of India does not guarantee health as a fundamental right, though the Indian judiciary, through its several judgements, has interpreted the concerned articles to expand their scope to include the right to health. India’s achievements in developing healthcare infrastructure, having more health personnel in service etc. are still much less than the requirement and below global benchmarks. It has launched the world’s largest health insurance scheme. Still, the …


Introduction: Human Rights As A Development Right, Kalinga Seneviratne Jul 2021

Introduction: Human Rights As A Development Right, Kalinga Seneviratne

Asian Review

No abstract provided.


The Spiritual Basis Of The Struggle For Alternative Societies, Chandra Muzaffar Jul 2021

The Spiritual Basis Of The Struggle For Alternative Societies, Chandra Muzaffar

Asian Review

There has never been a situation where humankind as a whole is faced with a multitude of challenges all at the same time in different spheres of life. This is partly because we are all being drawn — whatever our cultures and ideologies — into the same pattern of modernization which is supposed to signify progress. There are, in fact, two processes at work in this transformation of the entire globe into a certain pattern of existence. At the deeper level, there is a definite notion of the individual, the community, nature, and technology, which is embodied in that worldview …


Migrant Workers Rights From A Human Rights Perspective, Padma Rani Jul 2021

Migrant Workers Rights From A Human Rights Perspective, Padma Rani

Asian Review

Migrant workers constitute 59% of the migrant population. Migrants contribute to growth and development in their place of destination, while the place of origin benefits from their remittances and the skills acquired. Migration is here to stay, it has multiple benefits, and it is a fundamental human right to work and move in freedom. The two main approaches to deal with migration-the migration management and the human rights approach. The human rights approach is based on international human rights law. Under international human rights law, all migrants are entitled to respect, protection, and full enjoyment of their human rights, regardless …


The Covid-19 Pandemic And Human Rights Limitation: The Role Of Trust And Communication In Vietnam, Van Thanh Vu Jul 2021

The Covid-19 Pandemic And Human Rights Limitation: The Role Of Trust And Communication In Vietnam, Van Thanh Vu

Asian Review

The COVID-19 pandemic is an unprecedented health crisis in modern history, causing disruption and chaos to the usual way of life, and requiring radical measures. This study investigates how willingly Vietnamese people cooperate with their government’s anti-pandemic measures, which limit their right to assembly, privacy and freedom of movement during the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings show that the region of residence of the respondents influences their cooperation with government’s measures. It has also been found that the more the respondents have trust in the government as an important agency in pandemic management, the more they cooperate with the government’s measures.


Engaged Buddhist Community As A Human Right Response: A Case Of Buddhist Participatory Communication, Palphol Rodloytuk Jul 2021

Engaged Buddhist Community As A Human Right Response: A Case Of Buddhist Participatory Communication, Palphol Rodloytuk

Asian Review

Religions have played very important roles in resolving conflicts and problems for mankind in addition to providing the paths to happiness and salvations based on their uniquely defined traditions and frameworks. In the past several decades, where world problems have become more complex, including peace and conflict resolution, requiring more complex international standards and frameworks, the declaration of human rights was announced, promulgated, and implemented into governance and development policies adopted by many countries worldwide, in order to facilitate the ways that problems, conflicts, and various causes of suffering could be solved, with clear international standards and guidelines. Religions, Buddhism …


Authoritarianism And People-Centric Development In Asian Context, Jayasri Priyalal Maggonage Jul 2021

Authoritarianism And People-Centric Development In Asian Context, Jayasri Priyalal Maggonage

Asian Review

What are the successes and failures of the Asian authoritarian political systems, and how they have evolved over the centuries? Thus, Chinese history became a chapter of human civilization. The famous saying reminds us that; those who cannot cope with changes will never initiate changes. What are those changes, and how did the rulers, emperors, and party leaders in China adjust to the change is worth exploring academically from a historical point of view, The salient features of the code of conduct the rulers adopted presumably gave the numerous emperors a sense of direction to apply autocratic rule yet maintained …


The Indic Perspective Of The Pro-Democracy Agitation (2020) In Thailand, Pulind Samant Jan 2021

The Indic Perspective Of The Pro-Democracy Agitation (2020) In Thailand, Pulind Samant

Asian Review

The pro-democracy agitation in Thailand, which attacked the institution of Thai monarchy, the strongest pillar of the Thai society, can be interpreted in India as an attack on the Thai branch of the common Indic civilisational roots, exemplified by the royal title Rama. There is a long history of attack on the institution of monarchy in the Southeast Asian neighbourhood of Thailand, from Laos to Indonesia, where a pattern of downfall of royalty followed by gradual weakening of the state can be observed. Thailand can be considered, within the region, as being culturally closest to India, apart from being a …


The Thais In Exile: Repression, Exile And Emergence Of The Guerilla In The North East Of Thailand (1960-1965), Alexandre Barthel Jan 2021

The Thais In Exile: Repression, Exile And Emergence Of The Guerilla In The North East Of Thailand (1960-1965), Alexandre Barthel

Asian Review

While Thailand’s fate during the Cold War may seem more enviable than that of most of its Southeast Asian neighbors, the country nonetheless experienced greater unrest as the United States were sinking into the War in Vietnam. And the North-East, the poorest region of the kingdom, was among the most affected by the violence which broke out between the Thai armed forces and the Communist Party. In this part of Thailand, the development of the communist forces was possible largely due to the proximity of Laos.The dynamic between the Vietnamese Revolution and the foreign reaction then began to reach the …


Introduction, Jirayudh Sinthuphan Jan 2021

Introduction, Jirayudh Sinthuphan

Asian Review

No abstract provided.


Revisiting Ramayana Through Oppositional Telling Of Anand Neelakantan’S Asura: Tale Of The Vanquished (2012), Natawan Wongchalard Jan 2021

Revisiting Ramayana Through Oppositional Telling Of Anand Neelakantan’S Asura: Tale Of The Vanquished (2012), Natawan Wongchalard

Asian Review

The Ramayana is a well-known epic in India. It is also widely recognized in many other regions around the world. The myriad forms of presentation of this epic allow for a collective audience’s imagination to thrive and rise. Oppositional tellings of the original storyline make the epic even more intriguing as it caters to the ‘other voices’, who have alternative opinions of Rama and who happen to perceive the epic from differing ideological positions that are in contrast to the original version. Through the Ramayana’s oppositional telling, this article is an attempt to represent the identity of Asura (the Deva’s …


Introduction, Jirayudh Sinthuphan Jul 2020

Introduction, Jirayudh Sinthuphan

Asian Review

No abstract provided.


A Study Of Disaster Management Competency And Indicators In Thailand’S Local Admanistration, Kanrawee Wichaipa Jul 2020

A Study Of Disaster Management Competency And Indicators In Thailand’S Local Admanistration, Kanrawee Wichaipa

Asian Review

This qualitative research study aims to investigate functional and hazard specific competencies of Thai local administrative officers in disaster prevention and mitigation. The data was collected through document research, in-depth interviews and group discussions from representatives from a central policy making agency and with staff from disaster prevention and mitigation agencies in six local administrative organizations around Thailand. The data was collected in six localities and analyzed by means of content analysis. The results showed that there are three functional competencies, namely 1) understanding of laws, regulations and authority; 2) proactive analysis and evaluation of the situation; and 3) networking …


Bureaucratic Reform In Indonesia: Best And Bad Practice Perspective, Muhammad Iqbal Jul 2020

Bureaucratic Reform In Indonesia: Best And Bad Practice Perspective, Muhammad Iqbal

Asian Review

This study is an overview of the process of bureaucratic reform in Indonesia along with examples of best and bad practices in policy implementation. The implementation of policy is essential to the future of Indonesian bureaucracy and governance. The success of bureaucratic reform depends very much on commitment and leadership at both the national and regional levels of government. Without dedication and civic leadership, any implementation of bureaucratic reform is likely to fail as has happened in Indonesia. This research is a descriptive qualitative research. The type of data used in this study is secondary data obtained from existing literature, …


Conflict Management In China: The Case Of Muslim Uyghurs In Xinjiang Province, Siriporn Dabphet Jul 2020

Conflict Management In China: The Case Of Muslim Uyghurs In Xinjiang Province, Siriporn Dabphet

Asian Review

This research aims to examine the role of the Chinese government in managing conflicts in the case of Muslim Uyghurs in Xinjiang since 1949. A qualitative method has been used to reveal the causes of conflicts, China’s ethnic policies and conflict resolutions in the view of the Chinese government, ethnic people and the West. The findings indicate that ethnic minority policy is the main factor that has intensified conflict. China’s conflict management methods are forcing or competing to win over minorities, compromising in order to lessen conflict and collaborating to find a solution. China’s ethnic policies depend on the internal …


Introduction, Jirayudh Sinthuphan Jan 2020

Introduction, Jirayudh Sinthuphan

Asian Review

No abstract provided.


New Chinese Mobility And Religious Enchantment: Case Study In Chiang Mai Province, Lan Xiaoxia Jan 2020

New Chinese Mobility And Religious Enchantment: Case Study In Chiang Mai Province, Lan Xiaoxia

Asian Review

This study examines the religious experiences of new Chinese immigrants in Thailand. In particular, the study explores changes in values and religions during their migration. The new Chinese mobility has been increasing dramatically in Thailand today. Approximately one hundred thousand Chinese migrants have flown to Bangkok and Thai large cities for mainly trans-national businesses, economic ventures and trading activities. Apart from these phenomena, it is interesting that in cultural and religious spheres, not only have Chinese churches been increasing, but also many new Chinese migrants have joined Chinese churches and Christian communities by converting to be Christian members. This article …