Authors: Hubert Escaith, WTO, Satoshi Inomata, JETRO, and Sébastien Miroudot, OECD

As production activities became increasingly fragmented and relocated across borders, a number of observers started to use the expression ‘global value chain’ (GVC). The term is often used without knowing what a value chain really is or looks like. What is clear is that GVCs as they are usually described do not reflect the international production networks that we see around the world today. Read more…

Author: Greg Raymond, ANU

With Southeast Asian nations facing a deteriorating external security environment and increasing Chinese maritime assertiveness, many commentators have predicted a widespread naval expansion in the region. Yet to date these predictions have fallen short. Instead, there has been a stagnation in Southeast Asian naval development. This can, with some irony, be explained by examining the region’s armies. Read more…

Author: Rajni Gamage, RSIS

BIMSTEC, the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation comprising Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand, celebrates its 20th anniversary in June 2017. It is well positioned to engage in maritime security cooperation to face the challenges of a changing strategic and economic landscape. Read more…

Author: Buavanh Vilavong, ANU

Laos is among the fastest growing economies in Southeast Asia, with growth rates averaging 7 per cent since 2000. But the Lao economy has trended downwards in recent years. Amid global economic uncertainty, it remains to be seen how Laos will manage its macroeconomic policies and export diversification strategy. Read more…

Author: Pavin Chachavalpongpun, Kyoto University

2016 is forever bookmarked as the year in which Thailand lost its guiding light. King Bhumibol Adulyadej passed away on 13 October having been on the throne for 70 years. While the whole nation plunged into a restricted mode of mourning, the king’s departure has already raised anxiety levels over what the next reign will look like. Read more…

Author: Patrick Jory, UQ

Following a recent ASEAN Defence Ministers meeting in Vientiane, Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan remarked that the Laos government had responded to requests from the military regime to crack down on critics of Thailand’s monarchy residing across the border. Read more…

Author: Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Chulalongkorn University

The passing of King Bhumibol Adulyadej brings Thailand as we know it to a close. Over a seven-decade reign, the late monarch presided over Thailand’s climb from a village backwater to a modern nation. Read more…