There will be no Cambodian Spring anytime soon. This is the sobering reality to a question so tempting to ask – particularly in the shadow of what’s happening in Thailand and now in Lao PDR. So, why won’t a civil society uprising happen in Cambodia soon?

King Maha Vajiralongkorn called Thailand the "land of compromise" in unprecedented comments Sunday, during which the once-unapproachable monarch declared "love" for all Thais after months of protests calling for reform to the monarchy.The 68-year-old ruler sits at the apex of Thai power, and comments to the media are rare due to protocols dictating formalities with the royal family.Societal taboos also prohibit Thais from speaking to - or questioning - the monarch, who is

Tens of thousands of Thai pro-democracy protesters rallied across Bangkok Saturday, defying an emergency decree banning gatherings for a third consecutive day to demand the resignation of the prime minister and reform of the powerful monarchy.Police had used a water cannon against peaceful demonstrators on Friday but protestors said they were not cowed by the escalation in tactics."I'm concerned for my safety but if I don't come out, I have no future," said business studen

Thai police used a water cannon against protesters Friday night in central Bangkok, as the pro-democracy activists defied an emergency decree banning gatherings for a second night running.Around 2,000 pro-democracy demonstrators in the city's main shopping mall district had been chanting for the release of arrested activists and hurled obscenities at Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.Several hundred riot police advanced towards them in formation, calling on the protesters to go home or fa

Thousands of riot police were stationed across Hong Kong on Thursday to stamp out any large democracy rallies as the restless financial hub marked China's National Day under the shadow of a growing crackdown on dissent.The People's Republic of China celebrates its founding on 1 October with a holiday and carefully choreographed festivities.But in Hong Kong, it has become a day of grievance for those worried about authoritarian Beijing's encroachment on freedoms.Helicop

Thai lawmakers delayed a decision on constitutional reform on Thursday, sparking anger among protesters outside parliament demanding changes to the kingdom's military-scripted charter and reform of the unassailable monarchy.Lawmakers had been expected to vote on setting up a draft reform committee in response to a burgeoning pro-democracy movement that mobilised 30,000 demonstrators last week - the largest show of force in the kingdom since the 2014 coup. But the move was delaye

Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's Grand Palace on Saturday, in a huge rally calling for Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy.The kingdom has seen near-daily gatherings of youth-led groups since mid-July calling for the resignation of Prayut, the former army chief behind the 2014 coup, and a complete overhaul of his administration.Some are also demanding reforms to Thailand's ultra-wealthy and power

Relatives of missing Thai activists pleaded Thursday for a long-stalled bill criminalising political disappearances to be made into law, as calls for accountability grow louder from a burgeoning youth-led pro-democracy movement.Thailand has seen weeks of near-daily protests by students demanding an overhaul of the military-aligned government and reforms to the monarchy - long a taboo subject in the kingdom.One of the catalysts for the movement was the disappearance in June of Wanchalearm Sats

Facebook said Tuesday it would file a legal challenge against a Thai government order to take down a group where pro-democracy activists held discussions about the monarchy, a taboo subject in the country.A growing tide of youth-led protests has swept Thailand in recent weeks - buoyed by anger against what many regard as an illegitimate, military-aligned government and an overly powerful royal family.The private Facebook group, called "Royalist Marketplace", was created in April and

The 2014 coup d’état in Thailand was successful because the country’s military had immense power and enjoyed strong support. This power has been embedded in almost all aspects of Thai society for a long time giving the military the capability to design and change political structure at will.