After many years of stasis, Myanmar has finally opened its doors – and the world is waiting on its welcome mat.
We all know the ancient Roman city of Pompeii was destroyed when nearby Mount Vesuvius erupted and buried the place under about 5 metres of hot ash.
Ever since we learnt of your planned visit to our country, we were waiting for that historic occasion with great enthusiasm and expectation.
I knew that I would be working under one of the worst censorship regimes in the world when I accepted a position with The Myanmar Times in June 2001.
Corruption is a serious issue in many countries in Southeast Asia, not least in Myanmar.
Myanmar is undergoing phenomenal sociopolitical changes. We all hope these will lead progressively towards greater democratic governance.
A number of years ago, I had an interesting conversation with a Myanmar monk who serves as a good example of the young and savvy face of Buddhism in the country today.
United States President Barack Obama’s visit to Myanmar highlights how much has changed in the relationship between the world’s lone superpower and a country that has been one of the world’s most inwardly focused.
Behind Myanmar's positive developments lurks a danger: the sensitivity and potential reaction of China, Myanmar’s neighbour to the north, to increased US involvement.
Jakarta’s contest finally ended when a rank outsider, Joko Widodo, was elected boss of Indonesia’s sprawling capital. If only the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration could find someone like him.
