AK Rockefeller Activism

Activism

I am a politician who used to be a soldier

I am a politician who used to be a soldier

The head of Thailand’s military government declared Monday he is “interested” in participating in politics, in a new indication he may seek to remain in office after elections scheduled for early n ...

A Tall Order: Free and Fair Elections

A Tall Order: Free and Fair Elections

While people talk about political parties and the usual predictions of who will be the prime minister, there’s very little open debate about the role and responsibilities of the Election Commission of Thailand. ...

Engaged Anthropology Stuart Kirsch

Engaged Anthropology: Politics Beyond the Text

Our good friend, Stuart Kirsch, has a new book just published that is an absolute must read. This latest book, recently released by the University of California Press, deals with the nature of anthropology and its in ...

Malaysia: Lawan Berita Palsu Dengan Fakta, Bukan Akta

Malaysia: Lawan Berita Palsu Dengan Fakta, Bukan Akta

Malaysia’s government has introduced a sweeping “anti-fake news” bill that critics say could stifle criticism of Prime Minister Najib Razak and his supremacist political party before a national ele ...

Misery Waiting at the Bottom

Misery Waiting at the Bottom

Public agencies and government systems have grown increasingly rigid, often swollen with bureaucracy and stifling with corruption. The poor and marginalised communities continue to live in a pitiful existence – ...

The Curse of a Fine City

The Curse of a Fine City

I have returned to the bustling city, which was once my home. Despite my exhaustion, my eyes feast on the familiar sights of Kuala Lumpur, those lingering memories. Time has been merciless upon this city – a na ...

Decay of Public Health

Decay of Public Health

Thai public hospitals offer much hope to the masses, especially to the poor. Yet for the past three years, there has been a decline in quality services, the increase of bureaucracy and the fear of a future without ba ...

Without a home

Without a home

Homelessness is not a new social ‘problem’ in Thailand. The poor are often subjected to societal condemnation and discrimination. Being poor and homeless places one in a vulnerable state – one th ...

The Complexities of Thai Education System in Patani

Ibrahim Keela, a 25-year-old youth activist and student, shares his thoughts with AK Rockefeller about the institutional challenges on education and livelihood. He hails from Yala, a province in south Thailand. Th ...

No One Cares In This Nightmare

No One Cares In This Nightmare

People believe that hardship is part of living the dream, especially when you’re the unfortunate soul who’s living at the bottom of the social pyramid, and as long as it doesn’t affect those living ...

Anthropologist Stuart Kirsch discusses the questionable science of the mining industry

Source: CBC Radio Cultural Anthropologist Stuart Kirsch spent decades working with native peoples living along the ok Tedi River, in Papua New Guinea, trying to oppose the social and environmental threats posed by an ...

#BebasMedia - Whoever Controls the Media, Controls the Mind

#BebasMedia – Whoever Controls the Media, Controls the Mind

Grafik Rebel Untuk Protes & Aktivisme (Grupa) views the recent decision by the Malaysian Communications And Multimedia Commission to block news portal The Malaysian Insider as another blatant attempt by the despe ...

Patani Humanitarian Day: Protect Civilians in South Thailand

Patani Humanitarian Day: Protect Civilians in South Thailand

More than a hundred student (mainly from The Federation Of Patani Student and Youth) gathered and campaigned in conjunction with Patani Humanitarian Day, which is held every February 3. The event was held at Lan S ...

The Australian Dream

In days gone by, I would have celebrated Australia Day like most other people. Oblivious to the scale of the horrors inflicted upon the indigenous people of this Great Southern Land, I would have consumed my Vegemite ...

In Nothingness We Are Equal, Then We are Not

In Nothingness We Are Equal, Then We are Not

Narrowing the concerns. Wage. Debts. Housing. Family. Life. Bangkok has seen it’s fair share of hardship, during times of democracy, martial law, and in times of uncertainty under the military elites. These are ...

Young Malaysians on a Mission: #TangkapNajib

Tough times for an unpopular Malaysian prime minister, Najib Razak, and for ordinary citizens. The country is deeply engulfed in scandals, primarily regarding Najib’s pet project, a state-investment fund, 1Mala ...

Patani Students, Youths Arrested in Thai Army Crackdown

Martial law. The rule of the military in the south provinces of Thailand (ThaiSouth) has been around for about a decade, due to insurgency between warring Patani factions and the security forces. That said, the junta ...

#KitaLawan – Young Malaysians Demand Social Justice and Change

Original photos by: @Nany_JHaron Young people, the movers of change. On a blistering hot and humid day, they gathered in the heart of Kuala Lumpur. Demonstrators unfurling black flags and banners to display their opp ...

Raise the flag for West Papua

Despite cruel restrictions, every December 1st West Papuans gather to celebrate the day they were granted independence from the Dutch and risk their lives raising the Morning Star flag in remembrance. ...

The State of Thai Democracy

Follow Zashnain on Twitter @bedlamfury and read his blog at zashnain.com Over the past four years, my outreach activities, with the repertoire of contention, have been shaped and monitored by community leaders and yo ...