The news of sinking foreign ships that steal fishes in Indonesian territorial waters lately has become more widespread.  Almost all mass media preach about this government action.  This action is not new in Indonesia, it’s just that the news has just been noticed by the media, and it is considered unusual therefore it gets attention from the public.

In this era of globalization where relations between countries become something important, especially Indonesia’s relationship with countries in ASEAN the strict action of a country to foreigners will of course affect the good relations of both countries.  If we look through the case of the sinking of this foreign ships, then the Indonesian government’s actions that bombing the foreign ships without negotiate with its home country can be inferred to affect the good relations of both countries. read more

The afternoon was overcast and a moment later it was raining heavily. In the not-so-extensive library room, a group of audiences had sat sweet and relaxed, waiting for Anthony Chen’s Ilo-Ilo to be screened. This 100 minute movie, apart from the numerous awards it earns, is worth talking about. The film itself is set in 1997, which we know at that time countries in the Asian region experienced a terrible economic crisis. The economy is paralyzed, unemployment everywhere, and Ilo-Ilo recording all of it through the simple relations of the employer and the maid, binding his characters in socio-economic relationships which then changing meaning over time, into a strong psychological relationship. read more

Think of yourself as a teenager, enthusiastic about the world. You have ambitious goals, which will help you achieve your dreams. You want to be a teacher, a lawyer, a doctor, or maybe an engineer. You see your body as a freshly bloomed flower, and enjoy immersing yourself in a romantic love story. However, life sometimes overturns all expectations. You are asked (or rather “forced”) to marry in order to improve the fate of the family. You are forced to marry in order to avoid sin. You are forced to marry by custom. You live your life as a mother, even though you’re still a child. You marry to obey your parents, and now you must obey a husband you do not recognize. Your dreams of becoming a lawyer, teacher, or doctor instantly waver. read more

In the first and second week of September, the Standard Index of Air Pollution in Pekanbaru Riau stayed in the status of “very unhealthy” and “dangerous”. The Governor in act of Riau must announce the condition of Air Pollution Emergency. The post-decision of the status does not provide a significant meaning for the prevention of this smoke disaster. Until now, the thick haze still fluctuates in covering Pekanbaru and other cities in Sumatera Island and Kalimantan. Conversely, pressure on the Governor in act is stronger to evacuate 6.7 million citizens of Riau, even bringing back the desire for independence for a group of people who lost trust to the Central Government. Along with this haze calamity as well, the increasing demand for HTI and oil palm plantations getting higher, to be responsible, revoked its license and withdraw from Riau. Finally, only heavy rains which can calm down the anger of the people who become more flare up because of the haze. read more

Aekachai Ounsup Mike as the speaker opened the discussion that afternoon with the question “what you guys think when you hear about Thailand” then the participants also revealed their respective answers, ranging from Thai cuisine, film, language and also transgender. Mike justified these things, then Mike also explained that Thailand does many more than that. There are still many other things that are more interesting, such as the culture, how the daily life of the Thai people, and places of interest in Thailand. read more