BBC SE Asia Correspondent
Bangkok
Joined December 2008
- Tweets11.8K
- Following1.2K
- Followers78.7K
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Jonathan Head retweeted
Did not see #Malaysia being the one to champion #Myanmar's reintegration into ASEAN. A few months ago, interlocutors from 🇲🇾 Ministry of Foreign Affairs told me KL was the "only" ASEAN state holding the line against that outcome, so this is a big reversal. reuters.com/world/asia-pacif…
Jonathan Head retweeted
Min Aung Hlaing, accused of genocide and war crimes, gets the red carpet treatment in another SE Asian capital. After the coup his troops shot protesters, including children, in the head and publicised it. They’ve since bombed and killed 1000s, per the UN. reuters.com/world/asia-pacif…
Jonathan Head retweeted
ASEAN has built numerous institutions to handle regional emergencies, but it cannot coordinate them well enough to respond when a crisis hits, according to a new @LowyInstitute report by @hmarston4.
lowyinstitute.org/newsroom/w…
Jonathan Head retweeted
The problem isn't whether the money is clean or not. The problem is handing out cash like that reinforces a paternalistic lord-of-the-manor style of rule that is prevalent in Thai politics. That and the more universal attitude that money fixes everything.
PM defends cash handouts to flood victims 💵
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul addressed criticism over handing 1,000 baht banknotes to residents in Bangkok’s Sai Mai district on Tuesday night (Sept. 29). Speaking at the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation on Wednesday, he explained that relief supplies had run out, so he decided to distribute the cash he had on him to help affected residents immediately.
The moment was captured during a Facebook live stream by the page "Survive – Sai Mai Tong Rod" (Sai Mai Must Survive).
Jonathan Head retweeted
Congrats Ian Timberlake on your photos from Indonesia’s occupation of East Timor in 1999 @FCCThai
Remembering journalist friends no longer with us: Sander Thoenes, Agus Muliawan, Torgeir Norling, John Martinkus - and many others.
@pakhead @Reaproy
fccthai.com/facilities/galle…
Jonathan Head retweeted
Beautiful memorial to Chutima "Oi" Sidasathian by the @FCCThai, remembering her amazing reporting for #Phuketwan on the #Rohingya boat people crisis and her tireless efforts for media freedom, and freedom of expression in #Thailand. May she rest in peace. fccthai.com/news/chutima-oi-…
Jonathan Head retweeted
Amid the prolonged harsh crackdown & civil war, the mass murderer #MinAungHlaing visited Thailand.
“A criminal was allowed to walk on Thailand's red carpet.”
Listen @thinzashunleiyi on @bbcworldservice w/ @pakhead & @BBCMarikoOi
🔊 youtube.com/watch?v=v31isziX…
Jonathan Head retweeted
Coming to the @FCCThai on 8/27: looking forward, while examining the past in East Timor -- featuring the Timor Leste Ambassador, an amazing film about the last days of #Indonesia's occupation, & discussion and photos from former AFP journo Ian Timberlake & film director Carmela Baranowska. Don't miss it, starts at 6:30 pm - details here 👇👇
fccthai.com/event/timor-lest…
Jonathan Head retweeted
Thailand has the unfortunate reputation of openly and willingly facilitating transnational repression. According to Freedom House, the worst country in the world for it.
It's a deep, entirely self-inflicted shame that seriously undermines Thailand's claim of non-alignment.
Rights groups urge Thailand not to deport Chinese journalist to China reut.rs/3T3BySG reut.rs/3T3BySG
Jonathan Head retweeted
Join us tonight! Three journalists with firsthand experience reporting from Iran and the wider region discuss what it takes to cover one of the world’s most consequential and complex stories:
fccthai.com/event/reporting-…
Jonathan Head retweeted
🇹🇭 Why is Thailand changing visa rules for visitors?
✔️ tourism accounts for 15% of GDP
✔️ visitors number⤵️
🇹🇭タイ政府が🇯🇵などを対象に導入していたビザ免除措置の滞在期間を短縮。
観光産業がGDPの15％を占めるのになぜ🤔💭
🙏🏻@pakhead
youtu.be/Lf6bC5ePXRU?si=kYxZ…
Jonathan Head retweeted
Thailand's divisive ex-PM is out of jail, but is the Thaksin era over? bbc.in/4wlH02d
Jonathan Head retweeted
An amazing lineup of journalists & academics will help @FCCThai & @unescobangkok celebrate World Press Freedom Day on May 2 at 7 pm, holding a penetrating discussion about the role of AI & newsrooms across Southeast Asia & the world, & how media is changing as a result. Free & open to the public! Don't miss it! fccthai.com/events/500
#Bangkok #Thailand #WhatsHappeninginThailand
Jonathan Head retweeted
🇵🇭 Marcos vs Duterte with @pakhead @RegineCabato
We look at political dynasties & endemic corruption👇🏻
フィリピン🇵🇭2大政治一族の連携→対立💥
ICC拘束、弾劾訴追、反汚職デモ🪧
フィリピンの政治中枢に何が起きているのか？
マルコス🆚ドゥテルテを解析👇🏻
youtu.be/q94aebpOLro?si=xoSY…
Jonathan Head retweeted
Thailand heads to the polls on 8 Feb in a defining election & referendum. Who will govern next and will the 2017 military-era constitution be rewritten? Join leading analists, key players and what the results mean for Thailand’s future tomorrow at 7pm. fccthai.com/event/thailands-…
Jonathan Head retweeted
Coming to the @FCCThai this Thursday, 22 January -- relive the nadir of New York City's existence, the 1975 financial crisis -- which is a fascinating historical counterpoint to the resurgence of hope under newly elected @NYCMayor @ZohranKMamdani. The film Drop Dead City will be shown, followed by Q&A with director Michael Rohatyn! Don't miss it! fccthai.com/event/drop-dead-…
Jonathan Head retweeted
It's interesting to see China getting involved to mediate in the Thai-Cambodia border clashes now after being largely absent from it, partially because of US President Trump's attempts, but also Thailand's traditional resistance to internationalize the conflict. Let's see...
FM @SihasakPh had a telephone conversation with H.E. Mr. Wang Yi, FM of China, reaffirming strong bilateral ties, esp. during 50th anniv. of diplomatic relations this year. They also exchanged views on the Thailand - Cambodia border situation in a frank and constructive manner, and agreed to maintain close dialogue on the issue and work together to safeguard peace and stability in the region. (18 Dec 2025)
Jonathan Head retweeted
This is the man sanctioned Prince Group chairman Chen Zhi calls "big brother," but the name on this passport isn't his real name.
It's Hu Xiaowei.
I was first given that name by a source in 2022. So this, my latest w/@OCCRP is 3.5 years in the making.
[link in the comments]
Jonathan Head retweeted
🧵I kinda feel there's been underappreciation of @knuhq's efforts at transparency regarding their handling of things after capturing DKBA's Minletpan scam center.
Despite minimal resources, they've been providing reports, inviting media, & working with Thai + other authorities:
Jonathan Head retweeted
Incredible reporting from @EmilyFishbein11 and @jaumannaw for @YaleE360 on the lesser discussed impacts of rare earth mining in #Myanmar - important link between deforestation/mining and deadly landslides.
e360.yale.edu/features/myanm…
