South East Asia

| THAILAND – MYANMAR

A ruling against the builder of a condominium that collapsed in the Mandalay earthquake put the spotlight back on the 2025 earthquake that also killed several Myanmar workers on the other side of the border in Thailand. An investigation shows that thousands of migrant workers continue to work for low wages on Thai construction sites without adequate protections.

by Santosh Digal

Since 2008, Gilda Fortunata G. Altez – founder of Voice in the Storm Counselling Advocacy – has handled more than 3,000 cases, including couples’ and individual sessions. Having lived with an abusive husband, she now offers psychological counselling “with God’s guidance” to those experiencing relationship crises. “Having been abused myself allows me to empathise with many wives.”

| 03/07/2026
| PHILIPPINES
by Steve Suwannarat

Steve Suwannarat

 

The labour agreement, which will come into effect next year, represents a significant opportunity for the small Asian nation’s development. The goal is to avoid dependence on Indonesia or Australia, especially when it comes to resource development. Wong describes the agreement as “mutually beneficial” and “a platform for closer coordination”.

| 03/07/2026
| SINGAPORE – EAST TIMOR
by Mathias Hariyadi

Nicholas F. Goselin of Associated Mission Aviation was on one of the essential shuttle flights serving the most isolated communities. He was fatally shot after landing; the seven Papuans on board were unharmed. The West Papuan National Liberation Army has claimed responsibility for the attack.

| 03/07/2026
| INDONESIA
by Mathias Hariyadi

In a document issued in Yogyakarta, the Association of Catholic Higher Education Institutions has called for collaboration during a period of change and new challenges for the country. “Political leaders must commit to promoting transparent and accountable governance.”

| 02/07/2026
| INDONESIA

The figures released today by ACLED confirm the military junta's failure to restore stability after the 2021 coup. While Beijing wants to restart construction on the Myitsone Dam, the regime continues to reject ASEAN’s request for a meeting with Aung San Suu Kyi.

| 01/07/2026
| MYANMAR
by Mathias Hariyadi

Former Education Minister Nadiem Makarim has been sentenced to ten years for corruption. Meanwhile, five people have died during military training imposed on new rural cooperative managers. The way the government is managing the economy is increasingly criticised, especially regarding the opaqueness surrounding the Danantara sovereign wealth fund, which is expanding its reach.

| 30/06/2026
| INDONESIA
Editor's choices
 
Today, Washington and Beijing clash over tariffs, Taiwan, and technology. Yet Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and other leading figures of the American Revolution also found inspiration in the thoughts of Confucius and the meritocratic system of ...
| 04/07/2026
| CHINA – UNITED STATES
 
by Silvia Torriti
According to official licence statistics, as many as 30,000 are aged between 70 and 79. This reflects not only the ageing population but also the financial difficulties faced by those who lost their jobs during the Covid pandemic. And with pensions insufficient ...
| 02/07/2026
| RED LANTERNS
 
Leo XIV's appeal not to break unity has fallen on deaf ears. This morning in Écône, four consecrations were made without a mandate, which is tantamount to a schismatic act. The Society of Saint Pius X also has a district in Asia, based ...
| 01/07/2026
| VATICAN – ASIA
 
The government led by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has approved a bill to address the declining membership of the Imperial Household, allowing the adoption of male descendants from ancient dynastic branches and letting princesses to retain their titles ...
| 30/06/2026
| JAPAN
 
by Sumon Corraya
Just as football fans in Bangladesh display the symbols of the World Cup teams, rows of white flags and processions of motorcyclists proclaiming the Islamic profession of faith are appearing on the streets. The organisers describe it as a “simple ...
| 29/06/2026
| BANGLADESH
 
After eight years, the trial against the Sisters has ended. In 2018, far-fetched child trafficking charges were laid against them, sparking worldwide media coverage. The High Court's verdict declared them not guilty. For Bishop Mascarenhas, “after ...
| 18/06/2026
| INDIA
 
by Alessandra De Poli
In online scam centres across South-East Asia, thousands of young people are reduced to digital slaves in one of the forms of violation of human dignity also highlighted in the encyclical ‘Magnifica Humanitas’. On the border between Thailand ...
| 17/06/2026
| SOUTH EAST ASIA
 
by Arundathie Abeysinghe
The new sustainability rules are causing difficulties for many local exporters. The European Union is the largest market for the textile industry. From September, companies will have to comply with requirements across the entire supply chain: firms are ...
| 16/06/2026
| SRI LAKA - EU
“L’Asia: ecco il nostro comune compito per il terzo millennio!” - Giovanni Paolo II, da “Alzatevi, andiamo”