On August 7, at least seven people were killed and 23 others injured after a 14-year-old student opened fire at his home and later at Debsirin Nonthaburi School in Bang Kruai district, Nonthaburi Province. This is one of Thailand’s deadliest school shootings in recent years.
Category: Society
59th ASEAN Day: Celebrating Southeast Asia Through Cinema
As Southeast Asia increasingly becomes the centre of flashpoints between major global powers, the region is often discussed through the lens of geopolitics, economic growth, or regional diplomacy. But as we celebrate the 59th ASEAN Day—which marks the establishment of the regional bloc that unites 11 member states on August 8, 1967—we celebrate Southeast Asia through its cultural expressions. Beyond official statements and policy debates, the region’s complexities are perhaps best understood through the stories its people choose to tell. Cinema has become one of the most compelling mediums for examining how Southeast Asian societies grapple with history, identity, inequality, faith and the legacies of conflict and colonialism.
Singapore Passes Road Traffic Bill to Curb Drink-Driving with Stricter Penalties
The Parliament of Singapore enacted the Road Traffic (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill on August 4, introducing stricter drink-driving limits alongside a new criminal offence for reckless driving.
Philippines Hosts ASEAN Youth Summit to Advance Digital Resilience and Responsible AI Use
On August 5, the Philippines formally opened the ASEAN Youth Summit 2026, with the theme “Digital Resilience and Responsible Use of Technologies,” bringing together youth leaders, policymakers and development partners from across Southeast Asia to strengthen digital resilience and promote the responsible use of artificial intelligence (AI).
Indonesia Foils Malaysian Pilot’s Drug Smuggling Attempt, 70,000 Ecstasy Pills Found
On July 28, a Malaysian pilot was caught at Jakarta’s international airport in an attempt to smuggle over 70,000 ecstasy pills and a stash of methamphetamine.
Indonesia Leads ASEAN Push for Long-Term Disaster Resilience
On July 29, Indonesia called on ASEAN to shift its disaster management approach from disaster risk reduction towards long-term sustainable resilience, urging stronger international cooperation to better prepare the bloc for future crises.
Indonesia Net-Zero Summit 2026 Explores Practical Solutions for Climate Transition
On August 1, the Foreign Policy Community of Indonesia (FPCI) held the Indonesia Net-Zero Summit (INZS) 2026, the country’s largest independent climate forum, bringing together more than 10,000 participants, including policymakers, business leaders, academics, youth representatives, civil society organisations and climate practitioners. Commenced at Balai Kartini in Jakarta, this year’s summit carried the theme “It’s Time to Deliver!”, highlighting the need to translate global and national climate commitments into concrete and measurable action.
Foreign-Exclusive Running Event in Bali Lands Two Dutch Nationals on Indonesia’s Blacklist
On July 24, Indonesian immigration authorities officially blacklisted two Dutch nationals from re-entering the country following viral reports alleging their exclusive running club “Entourage Bali” to have discriminated against local citizens.
The Missing Piece of Climate Action is Delivery
For years, we’ve seen governments effort to bold their commitment for climate change through Net-zero targets, signed international agreements and pledged billions of dollars for the energy transition. Yet despite those promises, the world continues to grapple, with rising emission, and more fragile geopolitical tension. These urgencies depict that we breathe in a nature that clearly moves like a ticking time bomb and it’s unfolding behind our eyes.
“It’s Time to Deliver!”, Indonesia Net-Zero Summit 2026 to Drive Concrete Climate Action
Foreign Policy Community of Indonesia (FPCI) will commence the country’s biggest climate conference, the Indonesia Net-Zero Summit (INZS), on August 1 in the capital Jakarta.