Skip to main content

Burma as key player in ASEAN


Veteran Thai journalist Kavi Chongkittavorn says with the latest visits from powerful foreign diplomats to Burma, the isolated country could become a key player in the ASEAN region.

                               (Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi after a visit from the British foreign secretary recently. AFP Photo)

For decades, Burma has shielded itself from foreign interferences but occasionally deals with the regional bloc ASEAN as a member.  With its upcoming chairmanship of ASEAN, Burma has been showing some signs of opening up. Could it be for real?

For more opinion on the Burmese issue, read Chongkittavorn's column at The Nation (Thailand) newspaper.


Comments

Popular posts from this blog

The Filipino Diaspora Abroad: One Foot in Motherland

I was privileged to give a reaction during the book launch of DIASPORA JOURNEY: PHILIPPINE MIGRATION AND DIASPORA NARRATIVES last October 30. The authors are Filipinos from various parts of the world. A majority of them have lived most of their lives in the US. In light of the recent elections in the US where migration was one of the most pressing issues, and unfortunately the rightwing campaign of the Republicans has demonised certain migrant groups as criminals and opportunists, I am publishing the reaction I gave during the launch.   Magandang hapon po, good afternoon to all of you! To Ambassador J. Eduardo Malaya, Consuls Jari, Nomer, Kay, friends at the embassy and the Filipino community, and the authors who are here – AVE RODRIGUEZ-BAXA, MYRLA DANAO, RUBY LANGEVELD-CUMBA, MALU PADILLA, JEFFREY MORALES, MAYA, AND CARLO BUTALID. It is my honor and pleasure to briefly react to this book, DIASPORA JOURNEY: PHILIPPINE MIGRATION AND DIASPORA NARRATIVES. When we propose a man...

Oh Osaka!

Osaka is a vibrant metropolis that pulsates with a unique blend of ancient tradition and modern dynamism. Often regarded as the culinary capital of Japan, this city is a gastronomic paradise, renowned for its delicious street food delights like takoyaki (octopus balls) and okonomiyaki (savory pancakes). Beyond its culinary prowess, Osaka's skyline is a testament to its futuristic ambitions, with dazzling skyscrapers standing tall against the backdrop of historical landmarks such as Osaka Castle, a remnant of Japan’s feudal past. Osaka's neighborhoods each tell their own story, from the bustling shopping streets of Shinsaibashi and the neon-lit entertainment district of Dotonbori, to the tranquil, cherry blossom-lined pathways of Osaka Castle Park. The city thrives on its unwavering energy, embodied in its residents, known for their warmth and distinctive Kansai dialect, which adds a colorful charm to everyday interactions. Culturally rich, it is home to an array of museums, the...

First Dutch Recipe Book of Well-loved Filipino Dishes

  AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS:  If someone asks about Dutch cuisine, the standard answer would be mashed potatoes with sausage topped with gravy or deep-fried fish fillet called ‘kibbeling’. And that ends there. It is the perceived ‘nothingness’ of the Dutch gastronomy that has paved way to the immense popularity of Indonesian, Indian, Chinese, Suriname, Japanese, and Thai food in the Netherlands. Every city has restaurants and takeaways that offer ‘orientalist’ food. But what is missing in the Netherlands is recognition of the Filipino food. The Dutch don’t have any idea about the Filipino dish unless they have been to the Philippines or married to a Filipino.   The two Filipino restaurants, both located in The Hague, mostly have Filipino patrons (and their Dutch partners or friends). There is no Filipino equivalent yet to sushi , satay , pho , roti or pad Thai – popular dishes that are easily identifiable to an Asian country.  So when Dutch couple and missi...