Best Mekong Region Podcasts (2024)

1
Trong's Wake and Vietnam's Next Course (with Mike Tatarski) 1:02:58

8h ago1:02:58

1:02:58

Tell us what you think about the pod! The passing of the Communist Party's general secretary has the makings of a watershed for modern Vietnam - yet the public domain is distinctly unruffled. To talk through the reactions and implications of the unfolding transition, we reach out to the writer and podcaster of Vietnam Weekly, Mike Tatarski. Spoiler…

1
Horses for Courses: Poll Data on Pole Positions in Indonesia's Upcoming Regional-Head Races (with Seth Soderberg) 1:00:17

2h ago1:00:17

1:00:17

Tell us what you think about the pod! In a special 1-hr interview, Reformasi Dispatch consults the Indonesian polling expert, Dr Seth Soderberg, on a new batch of survey findings for gubernatorial contests in five major provinces. With contests taking place in over 570 regions simultaneously, the 27 November elections pose a momentous juncture for …

1
Prosecuting War Crimes in Myanmar and Ukraine 29:21

1h ago29:21

29:21

A conversation with Lars Olsen about Cambodia’s hybrid tribunal and lessons for prosecuting war crimes elsewhere. War crimes tribunals have been actively touted by Ukrainian authorities and in Myanmar by the exiled National Unity Government, but what type of in-country tribunal would suit best? Or should alleged criminals be prosecuted by the Inter…

1
Ransomware or Randomware? Indonesia's Bizarre National Data Hack (with Nenden Sekar Arum) 54:12

5d ago54:12

54:12

Tell us what you think about the pod! Curious circumstances surround June's hack of a national data center (PDNS II) and Nenden of Safenet, a premier CSO on online rights, joins the pod to help de-encrypt. We discuss the safety protocols, the hackers' demands and where accountability lies. Also: Erin and Kevin examine a momentous change at the top …

1
Myanmar’s Civil War: A View from Washington 33:02

15d ago33:02

33:02

Michael Martin of CSIS discusses the progress of the conflict, and the possible impact of the U.S. presidential election. Michael Martin is currently an adjunct fellow with the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Washington, where he has also spent the past two decades as a specialist policy advisor on Myanmar alongside China, …

1
Myanmar's Myriad Crises (with Ragyeshri Sudaroli); Indonesia's Remorseful Hackers 51:10

8d ago51:10

51:10

Tell us what you think about the pod! For a comprehensive overview of the dynamics unfolding in Myanmar, Erin and Kevin consult Apac Assistance analyst Ragyeshri Sudaroli, who underscores the imperative for expanding humanitarian assistance as violence displaces three million Myanmarese and counting. On Indonesia, the pod examines the odd willingne…

1
Myopia on Myanmar: How ASEAN Could Do More (with Kasit Piromya) 1:07:27

16d ago1:07:27

1:07:27

Tell us what you think about the pod! Thai politics and contingencies across its Myanmar border are among the topics discussed in our latest podcast with Kasit Piromya, a longstanding activist with ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR) and a former foreign minister of Thailand. Khun Kasit has also served as Thailand's ambassador to over ha…

1
Dealing With Myanmar’s IDPs: A Conversation With John Murray 31:55

1M ago31:55

31:55

"Even in a forgotten war, everyone has a right to a home," says the veteran aid worker. Fr. John Murray is an Australian Catholic priest with Caritas Thailand who has worked extensively with refugees and internally displaced people (IDPs) since arriving in the northwest border regions almost 20 years ago.He says the war inside Myanmar remains forgo…

1
Particulate Matter Matters: 'Sick Building' Syndrome in Jakarta (with Piotr Jakubowski) 1:11:48

29d ago1:11:48

1:11:48

Tell us what you think about the pod! The health consequences of suspended particles in Jakarta's air -- and safeguards applicable indoors -- come under scrutiny in this episode's interview with Piotr Jakubowski of Nafas, a provider of indoor air-quality monitoring and purifying. Piotr explains the terms, trends and dynamics of air pollution -- whi…

1
Thailand and Myanmar’s Road Ahead: A Chat with Pichai Chuensuksawadi 37:19

1M ago37:19

37:19

A veteran editor reflects on five decades on the front lines of the Thai media. Pichai Chuensuksawadi spent his early years at boarding school in Australia before returning to Thailand, where he would work the next five decades as a journalist, editor, and publisher, and remains a key player on Thailand’s media front lines.At Post Publishing Public…

1
Political Thai-nosaurs: Aversion to Move Forward in Thailand's Establishment (with Titipol Phakdeewanich) 46:14

1M ago46:14

46:14

Tell us what you think about the pod! The Reformasi Dispatch podcast delves into turbulence in Thai politics with the director of the Regional Centre for Human Rights Studies at Isan's Ubon Ratchathani University. Amid charges against Thaksin, a move to dissolve Move Forward and hunger strikes by political prisoners, Titipon estimates what might li…

1
An End to Myanmar’s Civil War? A Conversation With Paul Greening 34:58

2M ago34:58

34:58

Greening says anti-regime forces could capture the Irrawaddy Basin and eventually declare victory over the junta. Paul Greening has worked as a political analyst and a specialist consultant with civil society organizations covering Myanmar since the military ousted an elected government in early 2021, pushing the country into a bitter civil war.He …

1
Trafficked and Desperate: A Conversation With Judah Tana 31:12

2M ago31:12

31:12

Horror tales from inside Myanmar’s cyber-scam cities. Judah Tana has spent the last two decades in humanitarian work along the Thailand-Myanmar border, where criminal syndicates have revolutionized human trafficking and 21st-century slavery into an industry with worldwide turnover in the trillions of dollars.Myanmar, along with Cambodia and Laos, h…

1
Apocalypse ca-Now-al: Cambodia's Mekong Canal Plan 31:22

2M ago31:22

31:22

Tell us what you think about the pod! Imminent excavation to divert part of the Mekong through Cambodia has alarmed Vietnam. Is this a Chinese‑supported stratagem to use water a geo-political leverage? Also, Erin and Kevin discuss high-stakes political wrangling over shipping containers detained at Jakarta's Tanjung Priok port, and the rolling out …

1
Old Law, New Law (Outlaw In-Law) 32:42

2M ago32:42

32:42

Tell us what you think about the pod! Indonesia's parliament has returned to session and a flurry of bills reveals plenty about the designs of the allied outgoing and incoming presidents. Among them, a 4th bill on a key judicial entity. Also: Erin and Kevin discuss Singapore's change of government and the tragic passing of a Thai hunger striker. Re…

1
Anticipating Indonesia's AI Revolution (with Angus Mackintosh) 53:32

3M ago53:32

53:32

Tell us what you think about the pod! Reformasi Dispatch conferred with Angus Mackintosh, an independent research analyst from SmartKarma and CrossAsean, on how innovation is unfolding in Indonesia. Despite low research levels and an uncertain investment climate, artificial intelligence (AI) can close skill gaps and thereby help unlock Indonesia's …

1
Benefit(s) of the Doubt(s): Anticipating a New Administration (with Prof Dewi Fortuna Anwar) 1:09:00

3M ago1:09:00

1:09:00

Tell us what you think about the pod! Prospects for foreign policy, domestic politics and democratization feature in our talk with the distinguished analyst and former advisor to President Habibie and Vice President Boediono, Professor Dewi Fortuna Anwar of the National Research and Innovation Agency (Brin). She extends the 'benefit of the doubt' -…

1
World in Crisis: A Conversation with Andy Pendleton 30:40

3M ago30:40

30:40

With the world's relief efforts focusing on Gaza and Ukraine, Africa is missing out. American Andy Pendleton has spent his entire adult life providing relief for civilians in war-torn countries from Southeast Asia to Africa and in his own words he has witnessed the “full spectrum of war and fighting, death and misery, pain and politics."Most of his…

1
Democratic Hopes, Institutional Woes - Indonesia's High Stakes Election (with Dr Dan Slater) 1:02:41

3M ago1:02:41

1:02:41

Tell us what you think about the pod! To assess the post-election process and anticipate what lies ahead, The head of Michigan University's Center for Emerging Democracies joins Reformasi Dispatch to discuss his new article in the Journal of Democracy. Are expectations of "continuity" valid? Is the electorate prepared for how President‑Elect Prabow…

1
Step (Son) Change: Widodo Clan Preps for the Prabowo Era 34:12

3M ago34:12

34:12

Tell us what you think about the pod! Medan Mayor Bobby Nasution is seeking to run for governor of Indonesia's fourth-largest province and his father-in-law Joko Widodo appears keen to help -- Reformasi Dispatch examines why. Also: With Lawrence Wong designated as Singapore's next prime minister, the city-state is embarking on a new era - but it mi…

1
Rating the Media: A Conversation With David Armstrong 31:10

4M ago31:10

31:10

The veteran editor speaks about the media's changing role and declining influence in both Australia and Southeast Asia. The media industry has changed enormously since David Armstrong began his career as a junior reporter for The Australian newspaper in Sydney in 1969, and not for the better. Superficiality and a “gotcha” mentality by too many jour…

1
Bamboo-zled? Prabowo & Xi in Beijing 41:12

4M ago41:12

41:12

Tell us what you think about the pod! Amid electoral disputes unfolding in the Constitutional Court, President-Elect Prabowo Subianto abruptly appeared in Beijing, hosted by Xi Jinping. Kevin and Erin Cook break down the significance and note that Prabowo sought to convey balance by also visiting Tokyo and Kuala Lumpur. Also: how the new Jakarta La…

1
Editing Cambodian News: A Conversation With Alan Parkhouse 31:56

4M ago31:56

31:56

The veteran editor on winning awards, breaking news, and managing journalists. Australian journalist Alan Parkhouse holds the rare distinction of having served as editor of both The Phnom Penh Post and its rival, the Khmer Times, at a time when journalistic freedoms in Cambodia were much greater than they are today.During his long career, Parkhouse…

1
Goal Kicked by Golkar - A Peek at the Prabowo-Era Party Arena 31:18

4M ago31:18

31:18

Tell us what you think about the pod! Indonesia's national election vote‑count concluded relatively smoothly, with the Widodo family's PSI falling well short of inclusion in parliament while the Soeharto-era ruling party Golkar expanded its vote share at PDI‑Perjuangan's expense. Jeff and Kevin break down the implications and outlook. Also: an all-…

1
Indonesia's Vote Count: Applying Pressure Can Inflate PSI (in 'pounds per square inch'?) 48:49

4M ago48:49

48:49

Tell us what you think about the pod! Reformasi Dispatch takes a closer look at the vote-count process unfolding, with help from a foremost civil-society figure, Khoirunnisa ('Ninis') Nur Agustyati of Perludem. We discuss the technical drawbacks affecting the online 'SiRekap' display of the Election Commission (KPU) and whether commissioners acted …

1
Cabbages and Condoms: A Conversation With Mechai Viravaidya 27:45

4M ago27:45

27:45

How to save thousands of lives by preventing STDs. Mechai Viravaidya has spent the last 50 years at the helm of family planning in Thailand, and has been credited with saving countless lives through his safe sex campaigns, which rose to the fore when the HIV/AIDS virus took hold in 1981.From his flagship restaurant Cabbages and Condoms in Bangkok, …

1
Knee-capped by SiRekap: Concerns Mounting about Party Counting (with Erin Cook) 41:44

5M ago41:44

41:44

Tell us what you think about the pod! Indonesia's election authorities took down the 'SiRekap' online display of the vote count -- just after an improbable leap in the count for PSI, the party of the president's younger son. Erin Cook of Dari Mulut ke Mulut steps in as co-host with Kevin to discuss the legislative‑election tallying, whether Jakarta…

1
Sartorial Litigants? Widodo Beyond 2024 27:13

5M ago27:13

27:13

Tell us what you think about the pod! A recent presidential fashion statement -- a bright yellow necktie -- triggered anticipation that he may harbor designs on a takeover of Golkar, the Soeharto-era ruling party that will likely remain second-largest in the next parliament. Insider sources cited by Tempo magazine corroborated this indication of th…

1
Watching Human Rights in Southeast Asia 29:00

5M ago29:00

29:00

A conversation with Phil Robertson of Human Rights Watch ahead of the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit. In his role as Deputy Director for Asia at New York-based Human Rights Watch (HRW), Phil Robertson has spearheaded investigations into human rights violations across Southeast Asia for the past 15 years, calling out and upsetting governments of all…

1
Helter-Smelter: The Crippling Cost of Regulatory Lassitude (with Katherine Hasan) 53:31

5M ago53:31

53:31

Tell us what you think about the pod! Nickel smelter air pollution, and the cost on the economy and public health, is the focus of substantive research in a new 100-page report from Crea and Celios. Crea analyst Katherine Hassan discusses the findings, methodology, and implications -- including the possibility of much of Eastern Indonesia eventuall…

1
It's Widodo Wot Won It (with Seth Soderborg and Wahyu Dyatmika) 51:30

5M ago51:30

51:30

Tell us what you think about the pod! Pollster Seth Soderborg joins for our post election wrap up as Indonesians overwhelmingly cast ballots in the first round for Prabowo Subianto who syphoned support from Joko Widodo's fellow party member, Ganjar Pranowo. Now Ganjar's party, the Indonesia Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) must decide whether t…

1
War Crimes and the Meaning of Genocide 36:15

5M ago36:15

36:15

A conversation with war crimes lawyer Michael Karnavas. Michael Karnavas is an American-trained lawyer licensed in Massachusetts and Alaska with 40 years of experience focused largely on war crimes and charges of genocide at tribunals in Cambodia, Rwanda, and the former Yugoslavia.He has worked as a criminal defense lawyer, in state and federal cou…

1
Indonesia: At a Crossroads No Longer 25:48

6M ago25:48

25:48

Tell us what you think about the pod! The Prabowo-Gibran ticket has succeeded in portraying the 14 February national election as, in effect, a referendum on Widodo-ism -- with themselves on the overwhelmingly popular side promising "continuity". But will it instead, unbeknownst to many, actually prove to be a referendum on democracy? Jeff and Kevin…

1
A New Special Episode with Andreas Harsono on Buy Me A Coffee 0:39

6M ago0:39

0:39

Tell us what you think about the pod! If you enjoy Reformasi Dispatch, you might enjoy our special episode. In this special episode, we talk to Andreas Harsono, a veteran reporter and rights advocate writing for the NGO Human Rights Watch. Get the episode on Buy Me A Coffee https://www.buymeacoffee.com/reformasi/e/219468…

1
Squarely in the Turnout Zone: 1st Round Majority May Hinge on Whose Supporters Show (with Dr Seth Soderberg) 1:10:18

6M ago1:10:18

1:10:18

Tell us what you think about the pod! In the final days of campaigning, Prabowo has benefited from joint appearances with the popular president, but prospects for a one-round win are nonetheless questionable. The professional public-opinion research analyst Seth Soderberg joins the pod to delve into the dynamics and assess probabilities. Also: Jeff…

1
Down the Straightaway: Weighing Whether to Weigh In 28:20

6M ago28:20

28:20

Tell us what you think about the pod! As the presidential campaign enters the home stretch, President Widodo may weigh whether to overtly endorse Prabowo, which would indelibly tie him to Prabowo's fortunes. Joint public appearances have been sustaining Prabowo's momentum, but prospects for a first-round majority are not yet fully assured. Also: Je…

1
Indonesia's Valentines Election: Cupid(ity) at Play? (with Hadar Gumay) 1:12:53

6M ago1:12:53

1:12:53

Tell us what you think about the pod! NetGrit founder Hadar Gumay explains the mechanics of the 14 February election process - from the voter list to the official count, and all the balloting procedures and monitoring systems in between. Given his experience, this is tantamount to having the workings of a car engine explained by Henry Ford. He cite…

1
A Special Reformasi Dispatch Episode On Buymeacoffee.com 0:59

6M ago0:59

0:59

Tell us what you think about the pod! As we gear up for an election year we are turning to our donors but this time we are giving back! As a token of our gratitude for your US$20 donation we are making available exclusive content, starting with a special podcast episode recapping the fourth presidential debate. Kevin and Jeff offer up analysis of w…

1
Whither the Jokowi-Bowo Nexus? Assessing the Durability of Indonesia's Unlikely but Formidable Political Alliance (with Professor Ian Wilson) 53:51

6M ago53:51

53:51

Tell us what you think about the pod! Should Gerindra Chair Prabowo Subianto be thankful that President Widodo has provided vital backing? Or should the president be grateful that Prabowo has provided a lifeline? How these two regard one another may shape Indonesia's political outlook for some time. For 'Perth-spective,' we turn to Murdoch Universi…

1
AsiaLIFE and Publishing Hip Magazines in Vietnam 29:31

7M ago29:31

29:31

Jonny Edbrooke speaks about his various media ventures and the importance of being nice in Southeast Asia. Jonny Edbrooke studied book making and worked for a printing company in Britain before moving to Hong Kong via Bangkok in 1985, when he began carving out a career in publishing as a designer of high-end magazines.In Hong Kong, he worked for Ma…

1
Four on '24: Anticipating the Year Head in Indonesian Politics (with guests) 38:16

7M ago38:16

38:16

Tell us what you think about the pod! Four friends of the pod chime in on how they see 2024 unfolding: human rights analyst Andreas Harsono, renewables expert Fabby Tumiwa, environmental scientist Katherine Hassan and Eurasia Group Southeast Asia Director Peter Mumford. At the start of the new year, they outline the opportunities and stakes in thei…

1
On Alert: A Civil Society View of Election Administration Trends in Indonesia (with Khoirunissa Agustyadi) 55:21

7M ago55:21

55:21

Tell us what you think about the pod! How resilient are the independent democratic institutions in Indonesia's current election process? A chief monitor of electoral agencies, Khoirunissa of the pro-democracy NGO Perludem, examines campaign finance issues, enforcement of rules on gender equality and preparations for conducting candidate debates. Sh…

1
Human Rights and Protecting Cambodia’s Rainforests 33:02

7M ago33:02

33:02

Luke Hunt interviews Suwanna Gauntlett from the environmental group Wildlife Alliance. Suwanna Gauntlett arrived in Cambodia in 2000 and through Wildlife Alliance has sought to protect the rainforests in the pristine Cardamom National Park, where she has trained rangers for the Special Forestry Task Forces and the Royale Gendarmerie Khmer.Lately, h…

1
Prickly Debate, Cushy Polls 36:30

8M ago36:30

36:30

Tell us what you think about the pod! Human rights and the rule-of-law received rare scrutiny in a well-conducted first debate. Awkward moments occurred for Prabowo Subianto, but new polling shows him very well cushioned. Also discussed: a bill to end Jakarta governor elections, with bewilderingly broad support; and ministers narrowly avert (for no…

1
Making Art and Finding an Edge in Cambodia 35:31

8M ago35:31

35:31

Luke Hunt interviews German filmmaker Nico Mesterharm about arts funding in Southeast Asia and his latest documentary. Nico Mesterharm has spent more than 15 years as director of Meta House in Phnom Penh, producing films, plays, and books, while offering a stage for aspiring local and international artists who have rebuilt Cambodia’s arts scene wit…

1
World Music and Good Sports in Southeast Asia 30:39

8M ago30:39

30:39

Luke Hunt talks with Chris and Anya Minko about volleyball, wars, and Bachelors from Prague Chris Minko and his daughter Anya have carved out prominent lives in Thailand and Cambodia through music, sport, and education that came with the backing of Australian World War II hero Sir Edward “Weary” Dunlop and Thai philanthropist Mechai Viravaidya.Chri…

1
Charting a New Coarse: Indonesia's Turn (with Ben Bland) 48:21

8M ago48:21

48:21

Tell us what you think about the pod! Gibran Rakabuming's VP nomination triggered a poll swing. Author and Chatham House Asia-Pacific Director Ben Bland joins the pod to lend perspective. Also: Ganjar's remarks on reformasi and President Widodo's fireside chat with Joe Biden. Get our special episode on the 4th Presidential Debate on: https://www.bu…

1
One Dutchman and 350,000 Cambodian Refugees 31:52

8M ago31:52

31:52

A conversation with Hans van Zoggel. Hans van Zoggel taught English in his early 20s when he first met Cambodian refugees in The Netherlands. He was barely out of college and jobs were hard to come by but he left home for the Thai border camps where he succeeded in putting his students in touch with their relatives.He was also struck by their pligh…

1
Poetry of Transnational Immigration: Phan Nhiên Hạo’s Reading 1:05:23

9M ago1:05:23

1:05:23

In this episode of Crossroads, Dr Kanjana Thepboriruk speaks with Phan Nhiên Hạo about his experience as an immigrant from Vietnam translating into his poetic works and existing between two cultures and languages. Hao Phan (Phan Nhiên Hạo) is the Curator of the Southeast Asia library collection at Northern Illinois University and a published poet. …

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Mekong Region Podcasts

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