Stories about East Asia from May, 2014
“I Can Feel Total Censorship in the Air”: Internet Freedom Evaporates in Thailand
"Freedom of expression is Thailand is at stake...Simply criticising the Council could land one before a military court."
Censors On, China Still Doesn't Want Anyone Talking About Tiananmen Square
Estimates of the death toll from June 4, 1989 range from a few hundred to the thousands. The Chinese government has prohibited all forms of discussion online or offline since.
What's the Beef? Strike Call at Japanese Fast Food Chain Sukiya
Are workers at Sukiya, the Japanese fast food chain famous for its $3 gyūdon beef rice bowl, really going on strike?
China Puts Squeeze on WeChat and Other Messaging Apps
China cracks down on instant messaging platforms including the WeChat messaging application ahead of the 25th anniversary of pro-democracy protests in Tiananmen.
What Happens When a Muslim, Jew, Christian, Atheist and Agnostic Travel the World Together?
Victor, Josselin, Samuel, Ilan and Ismael all belong to different religions (or none at all). Together, they created the InterFaith Tour.
China's Censors Become Busier Before Tiananmen Anniversary
Index on censorship magazine details China's yearly Tiananmen anniversary crackdown: slower internet, blocked search terms, more military personnel in public and the arrest of high profile individuals. Author Francine Stone from...
A Prison Break Story with Chinese Character
Two peasants from Hunan pretended to be UN peacekeeping officers in order to rescue their friend from jail. It is a failed attempt but full of dark humor. Off Beat...
Another Singer Arrested in China for Praising Tibetan Identity and Culture
Following Tibetan singer Gepe's arrest in China, here's a roundup of similar arrests along with some of their music videos from YouTube.
Podcast: History of the Internet in China
Sinaca Podcast discusses how the Internet has grown and changed China with three guests who have experienced the worst and the best of the Chinese Internet: Duncan Clark from BDA...
Thai Coup Selfies: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly
There is reason to be less worried as long as we see Thai coup selfies on our timelines. Coup selfies provided the latest information about the political situation in Thailand.
Macau: 3,000 Surround Legislative Council To Stop the “Bill of Greeds”
More information see GV's previous report.
Should the Family and Friends of Terrorists in China Be Punished Too?
Some Chinese are calling for the use of “lianzuo”, a form of collective punishment, for acts of terrorism in the wake of the latest attack that left 39 people dead.
PHOTOS: 20,000 People Protest in Macau Against ‘Bill of Greed and Privilege’
A bill would give the head of government in Macau, a special administrative region of China, criminal immunity while in power and continued monthly compensation after leaving office.
10 Things You Need to Know About the Coup and Crisis in Thailand
What provoked the army to launch a coup in Thailand? Are Thais supportive of the coup? Will elections solve the crisis? What is the situation of the media? #ThaiCoup
VIRAL VIDEO: ‘But We're Speaking Japanese’
A video skit of a Japanese waitress serving a group of foreign-looking customers who speak Japanese has gone viral. The clip has resonated among many Japanese-speaking expats who occasionally experience how...
Hong Kong Public Libraries Ignore Biggest Minorities’ Need
As government funded libraries in Hong Kong fail to serve domestic workers’ need, they have to set up mobile libraries during public holidays across the city. Tom Grundy has the...
Political Cartoon – Tombs in Beijing Tiananmen Square
Political cartoonist @badiucao's latest work is to commemorate the 25 anniversary of June 4 Incident – “If we are to set up tombs for victims of June 4, let the...
PHOTOS: Hundreds Join Anti-Coup Protests in Thailand
Hundreds joined the 'Stop the Coup' gathering to challenge the military rule in Thailand. Anti-coup sentiments are also growing online.
Australia's Deal to Resettle Refugees in Cambodia Faces Opposition
The likely deal between Australia and Cambodia to resettle asylum seekers has met with lots of criticism.
The First Five Hours of Thailand’s 12th Coup
For the 12th time in the past century, the Royal Thai Army has launched another coup in Thailand in a bid to end violence and political conflict in the country.
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