{"id":9621,"date":"2023-03-14T09:26:47","date_gmt":"2023-03-13T23:26:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/?p=9621"},"modified":"2023-08-07T10:00:23","modified_gmt":"2023-08-07T00:00:23","slug":"southeast-asia-snapshot-46","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/southeast-asia-snapshot-46\/","title":{"rendered":"Southeast Asia snapshot #46"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/tag\/sovinda-po\/\">SOVINDA PO<\/a>  |    <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The Philippines joins the RCEP&nbsp;<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>The Philippine Senate <a href=\"https:\/\/www.straitstimes.com\/asia\/se-asia\/inflation-hit-philippines-joins-world-largest-free-trade-pact-rcep\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">ratified<\/a> the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) trade agreement on 21 February 2023, making it the <a href=\"https:\/\/english.news.cn\/20230222\/2e35c3fdae544619ab013a32352866ea\/c.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">last country in ASEAN<\/a> to participate in the world\u2019s largest free trade agreement.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>During the process, 20 senators <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"http:\/\/global.chinadaily.com.cn\/a\/202302\/22\/WS63f56acaa31057c47ebb019a.html\" target=\"_blank\">voted in favour<\/a>, <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.wionews.com\/world\/philippines-senate-ratifies-entry-to-rcep-worlds-largest-trade-pact-564481\" target=\"_blank\">one abstained<\/a>, <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thestar.com.my\/aseanplus\/aseanplus-news\/2023\/02\/22\/inflation-hit-philippines-joins-worlds-largest-free-trade-pact-rcep\" target=\"_blank\">two didn\u2019t cast<\/a> their votes, and <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/newsinfo.inquirer.net\/1733077\/rcep-gets-senate-ratification\" target=\"_blank\">one senator voted against<\/a> the decision. By joining the trade agreement, the Philippines <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.manilatimes.net\/2023\/02\/22\/news\/senate-ratifies-rcep\/1879674\" target=\"_blank\">would<\/a> have access to cheaper production costs, more competitive&nbsp; trade, support the existing free trade agreements, and improve physical infrastructure such as roads. The agreement will also drive the country\u2019s <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.globaltimes.cn\/page\/202302\/1285984.shtml\" target=\"_blank\">integration of industrial chains and will be an important tool<\/a> for economic recovery in the Asia-Pacific.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Philippines Senate President believed that the agreement <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/asia.nikkei.com\/Economy\/Trade\/Philippines-ratifies-RCEP-trade-deal-after-shift-by-Marcos\" target=\"_blank\">promised<\/a> the Philippines more <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gmanetwork.com\/news\/money\/economy\/861589\/philippine-senate-concurs-with-rcep-ratification\/story\/\" target=\"_blank\">jobs and cheaper<\/a> commodities. The National Economic and Development Authority of the Philippines also&nbsp; believes&nbsp; that participation in the RCEP <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mangalorean.com\/philippine-senate-ratifies-rcep-trade-agreement\/\" target=\"_blank\">can boost<\/a> the country\u2019s growth and investment, putting it on par with other RCEP-participating countries and the world\u2019s largest economies. However, some also warned about the impact on <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/asianews.network\/philippines-decision-on-rcep-goes-to-senate-plenary\/\" target=\"_blank\">farmers and entrepreneurs<\/a> who can be affected by joining the RCEP, while others who supported the agreement also <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/mb.com.ph\/2023\/02\/22\/economic-team-lauds-rcep-ratification\/\" target=\"_blank\">opted for the post-pandemic economic recovery<\/a> as the current priority for the Philippines.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The ratification of the RCEP of the Philippines <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.channelnewsasia.com\/business\/philippines-ratifies-rcep-trade-pact-minister-3294106\" target=\"_blank\">concluded<\/a> all ASEAN members\u2019 participation in the agreement.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The current situation on the Thai Election Campaign<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.japantimes.co.jp\/news\/2023\/02\/22\/asia-pacific\/politics-diplomacy-asia-pacific\/thai-pm-election-plans\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">dissolution of the Thai Parliament<\/a> by Prime Minister Prayuth, in late February, resulted in an election that will be <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nationthailand.com\/thailand\/politics\/40025081\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">held in May 2023<\/a>. Although many <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nationthailand.com\/thailand\/politics\/40025142\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">existing<\/a> parties were in favour of the election, two parties emerged as the most prominent \u2013 the Pheu Thai Party and the United Thai Nation Party \u2013 both of whom have begun making <a href=\"https:\/\/borsen.dk\/nyheder\/prointernational\/politics\/article3282605.ece?b_source=pro-international&amp;b_medium=row_0&amp;b_campaign=news_7\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">promises<\/a> to the Thai voters.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Pheu Thai Party, the main opposition party led by Cholnan Srikaew, is targeting and attracting farmers with their promise to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2023-02-26\/thai-election-campaign-intensifies-with-parties-promising-perks\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">triple<\/a> the farmers\u2019 income through new technology and creating <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bangkokpost.com\/thailand\/politics\/2515081\/pheu-thai-woos-northern-farmers-with-triple-income-pledge\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">more<\/a> market opportunities in agriculture. With their \u201cThink Big, Can Do for Every Thai\u201d policy, the party also promised to implement debt relief measures for farmers while also pledging to improve the nation\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.newsnpr.org\/2023\/02\/26\/thailand-major-parties-step-up-election-campaigns\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">health<\/a> care program. Furthermore, the party <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thaipbsworld.com\/paetongtarn-to-be-pheu-thai-partys-candidate-for-pm\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">nominated<\/a> Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the youngest daughter of the former ousted&nbsp; Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, as the party\u2019s candidate for their leader. Interestingly, Thaksin Shinawatra <a href=\"https:\/\/thainewsroom.com\/2023\/02\/25\/thaksin-in-hk-to-monitor-pheu-thai-campaign-in-chiang-mai\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">arrived<\/a> in Hong Kong to keep a closer eye on the election campaign.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The current Prime Minister, Prayuth Chan-Ocha, is a <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/sports.yahoo.com\/thai-election-campaign-intensifies-parties-053553153.html?guccounter=1&amp;guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&amp;guce_referrer_sig=AQAAACJCRpvDCBMbJpQu-TzIsQ32dPvVnkHEbB9SWOsePfOydMZLS4A6_j6tkh77Sup4OBAgTAb1LjWfJaTjLhaERZBH6_TQcX2X30TnqgNlY0FNOS3Cw-G2HhFVq1QDdECmIv9AKuefMMUvRElU817XHkuupYSy9zUJ09KBfsCadYWf\" target=\"_blank\">member<\/a> the United Thai Nation (UTN) Party and will remain the party\u2019s top nominee for leader. Prayuth promised to create a fund to shore up crop prices if he won the vote while also pledging to further develop, modernise, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.khmertimeskh.com\/501244676\/prayut-expected-to-unveil-partys-campaign-slogan\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">digitalise<\/a> the public services for Thais. Newly established businesses and industries will be <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bangkokpost.com\/thailand\/politics\/2512855\/prayuts-eyebrows-say-it-all-for-poll-campaign-slogan-sleuths\" target=\"_blank\">supported<\/a> by the government with the aim of earning more revenue to fund the public welfare system, while the party also <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bangkokpost.com\/thailand\/politics\/2515006\/pm-launches-party-campaign-slogan-in-isan\" target=\"_blank\">promised<\/a> further infrastructure development.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>During an election campaign, the UTN party\u2019s deputy leader <a href=\"https:\/\/asianews.network\/prayuts-party-at-risk-of-dissolution-over-speech-mentioning-rama-ix\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">mentioned<\/a> a quote from King Rama IX, stating that the Thai people should elect good people to run the government. Mention of the monarchy is prohibited by the Election Commission\u2019s (EC) rules. The deputy leader realised his mistake and noted that the party could face dissolution if a complaint was issued to the EC even though the possibility of dissolution remains a question. Others urged for a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thejakartapost.com\/world\/2023\/02\/28\/thai-power-broker-calls-for-peace-among-warring-forces-as-election-nears.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">peaceful<\/a> and liberal election without any interference from the elites. Some even encouraged Thaksin not to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bangkokpost.com\/thailand\/politics\/2514789\/now-heres-irony-for-you\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">pursue<\/a> the idea of a homecoming during the election campaign as it could disrupt the <a href=\"https:\/\/thediplomat.com\/2023\/02\/prayut-closes-the-gap-in-preferred-choice-for-thailands-next-pm\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">rising<\/a> Pheu Thai Party and give the UTN more leverage to gain more votes.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Thai election is expected to be held in early May 2023 and all eyes are on the polls and the progress of the election for the results ahead.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Vietnam\u2019s Parliament elected its new President&nbsp;<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Following the abrupt resignation of the Vietnamese President in January, the Vietnam National Assembly <a href=\"https:\/\/thewest.com.au\/politics\/mps-choose-vo-van-thuong-as-new-vietnam-president-c-9918728\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">elected<\/a> Vo Van Thuong as the country\u2019s new president, on 2 March 2023.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With <a href=\"https:\/\/wkzo.com\/2023\/03\/01\/vietnam-parliament-elects-vo-van-thuong-as-new-state-president\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">98.38 per cent of the vote<\/a>, Vietnam\u2019s legislature found its <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/english.news.cn\/asiapacific\/20230302\/2e62d1ab17264bdb894fe3ba65dd4153\/c.html\" target=\"_blank\">new President<\/a> \u2013 Vo Van Thuong \u2013 who is regarded as the <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.aa.com.tr\/en\/asia-pacific\/vietnam-elects-vo-van-thuong-as-new-president\/2835063\" target=\"_blank\">youngest<\/a> member of the country\u2019s Politburo and the <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2023\/03\/02\/asia\/vietnam-new-president-vo-van-thuong-intl-hnk\/index.html\" target=\"_blank\">closest<\/a> person to the country\u2019s most powerful party member &#8211; Secretary General Nguyen Phu Trong. Moreover, he is also well-known for his <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/thediplomat.com\/2023\/02\/vietnams-national-assembly-set-to-confirm-new-president\/\" target=\"_blank\">corruption crackdown<\/a> leading to many officials being investigated and forced to quit<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/thediplomat.com\/2023\/03\/vietnams-parliament-selects-vo-van-thuong-as-new-president\/\" target=\"_blank\">\u2014including<\/a> the former President and his two deputy prime ministers. He also currently holds a <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/e.vnexpress.net\/news\/news\/vo-van-thuong-elected-vietnam-s-president-4576467.html\" target=\"_blank\">position<\/a> in the Central Committee and is one of the most <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/asia-pacific\/vietnam-communist-party-nominates-vo-van-thuong-new-president-sources-2023-03-01\/\" target=\"_blank\">trusted<\/a> allies of the Secretary General.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Thuong <a href=\"https:\/\/www.canberratimes.com.au\/story\/8106626\/mps-choose-vo-van-thuong-as-new-vietnam-president\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">pledged<\/a> to be loyal to the people, the constitution, and his country. Many believed that the selection of Thuong is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.aljazeera.com\/news\/2023\/3\/1\/new-president-of-vietnam-nominated-by-communist-party-report\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">an effort<\/a> to choose a new <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scmp.com\/news\/asia\/southeast-asia\/article\/3211967\/vietnam-communist-party-nominates-vo-van-thuong-new-president-sources\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">leader and to keep<\/a> the party united after the previous President\u2019s resignation. Others believe there will be no <a href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/asia-pacific\/vietnam-parliament-elects-vo-van-thuong-new-state-president-2023-03-02\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">major changes<\/a> in Vietnam\u2019s approach to foreign policy but the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.aljazeera.com\/news\/2023\/3\/2\/vietnam-parliament-elects-new-president-vo-van-thuong\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">fight against corruption<\/a> would most likely continue under Thuong.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The selection <a href=\"https:\/\/selangorjournal.my\/2023\/03\/vietnam-parliament-elects-vo-van-thuong-as-new-state-president\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">signaled stability<\/a> in Vietnamese politics even though it is not quite clear how the political situation in Vietnam will evolve after his selection.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Cambodia&#8217;s opposition leader sentenced to 27 years under house arrest<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Cambodia\u2019s leading opposition leader \u2013 Kem Sokha \u2013 was <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/cambodia-opposition-leader-sentenced-to-27-years-for-treason\/a-64871144\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">sentenced<\/a> to 27 years of <a href=\"https:\/\/english.kyodonews.net\/news\/2023\/03\/6adb67d9a82b-cambodian-opposition-leader-faces-27-yrs-in-prison-for-treason.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">house arrest<\/a> by the Phnom Penh Municipal Court on 3 March 2023.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Since 2017, he has been accused of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scmp.com\/news\/asia\/southeast-asia\/article\/3212246\/cambodia-opposition-leader-kem-sokha-sentenced-27-years-treason\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">secretly cooperating<\/a> with the United States to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.straitstimes.com\/asia\/se-asia\/cambodian-court-due-to-give-verdict-in-opposition-leader-s-treason-trial\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">oust<\/a> the current Prime Minister Hun Sen who has ruled Cambodia for almost four decades. Despite his <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hrw.org\/news\/2023\/03\/03\/cambodia-opposition-leader-convicted-bogus-charges\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">denial of all the charges against him<\/a>, the verdict bans the opposition leader from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.aljazeera.com\/news\/2023\/3\/3\/cambodia-opposition-leader-kem-sokha-sentenced-to-27-years\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">voting and running<\/a> as a political figure in the upcoming election that will be <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-asia-64832748\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">held in July<\/a>. Mr. Kem Sokha has <a href=\"https:\/\/abcnews.go.com\/International\/wireStory\/cambodian-opposition-leader-gets-27-years-treason-charge-97600600\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">one month to appeal<\/a> his jail sentence.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The US Ambassador to Cambodia called the trial and sentence <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/en.royanews.tv\/news\/40266\/2023-03-03\" target=\"_blank\">unjust<\/a> while human rights groups <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/2023\/mar\/03\/us-condemns-fabricated-case-as-cambodian-opposition-leader-is-jailed-for-27-years-treason-kem-sokha\" target=\"_blank\">condemned the verdict<\/a> viewing it as an <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.japantimes.co.jp\/news\/2023\/03\/03\/asia-pacific\/kem-sokha-cambodia-jailed\/\" target=\"_blank\">attempt<\/a> from the ruling party to weaken the opposition and squash any hopes of having a genuine general election in July. The Cambodia Center for Human Rights believed the country\u2019s judiciary<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.voanews.com\/a\/cambodian-opposition-leader-sentenced-to-27-years-\/6988063.html\" target=\"_blank\"> is under the state\u2019s<\/a> control while Mr. Sokha\u2019s lawyer saw this as an <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/asia-pacific\/cambodian-opposition-figure-kem-sokha-sentenced-27-years-treason-2023-03-03\/\" target=\"_blank\">injustice<\/a>. Although some viewed this move as a victory for <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/punchng.com\/cambodia-opposition-leader-jailed-27-years-for-treason-2\/\" target=\"_blank\">authoritarian politics and weakened<\/a> democracy, many supporters did not accept the result, while others <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.khmertimeskh.com\/501251133\/cambodia-makes-its-own-way-in-kem-sokha-case\/\" target=\"_blank\">strongly supported<\/a> the verdict regardless.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The jail sentence has removed a major player from competing in the upcoming Cambodian general election and the focus is now on whether the election can be considered to be free and fair.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"author label\"><strong>AUTHOR<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em><strong>Sovinda<\/strong> <strong>Po<\/strong>&nbsp;is a Research Assistant at the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\">Griffith Asia Institute<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>SOVINDA PO | The Philippines joins the RCEP&nbsp;&nbsp; The Philippine Senate ratified the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) trade agreement on 21 February 2023, making it the last country in ASEAN to participate in the world\u2019s largest free trade agreement.&nbsp; During the process, 20 senators voted in favour, one abstained, two didn\u2019t cast their votes,<a href=\"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/southeast-asia-snapshot-46\/\">Continue reading <span class=\"sr-only\">&#8220;Southeast Asia snapshot #46&#8221;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":8755,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[247,1731,1413,1055,1056],"tags":[280,379,1008,1517,1079,1762,430,444],"class_list":["post-9621","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-indonesia-and-southeast-asia","category-sdg16","category-south-east-asia-snapshot","category-economies-and-development","category-politics","tag-cambodia","tag-philippines","tag-south-east-asia","tag-south-east-asia-snapshot","tag-sovinda-po","tag-thai-election","tag-thailand","tag-vietnam"],"acf":[],"modified_by":"Kelsey O'Brien","yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v21.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Southeast Asia snapshot #46 | Griffith Asia Insights<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"SOVINDA PO | The Philippines joins the RCEP&nbsp;&nbsp; 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