Erin Cook
@erincook.bsky.social
Following Southeast Asia and Timor-Leste, mostly elections, FP and Instagram posts. Don't complain to me that I don't cover business enough, I do not know of such things.
Read my newsletter 🤓 https://darimulut.substack.com
Read my newsletter 🤓 https://darimulut.substack.com
Pinned
🇹🇭 Bhumjaithai leaves People's Party feeling blue
Oof, I got the wrong end of the stick on that one
darimulut.substack.com
My take on the Thai election results and how it reminded me in some ways of another recent election in the region. And at the bottom, a chat with @benraue.com who, in addition to being an elections whiz, is also a podcast editor whiz. We only just spoke! darimulut.substack.com/p/bhumjaitha...
Reposted by Erin Cook
Big enough for CNA to run a whole story about it...
cnalifestyle.channelnewsasia.com/entertainmen...
cnalifestyle.channelnewsasia.com/entertainmen...
How a K-pop concert in Malaysia led to a war of words between Southeast Asian and Korean netizens
There's currently a huge online battle between Southeast Asian users and South Korean netizens, with racial comments coming from both camps. And it all started from a K-pop concert in Malaysia.
cnalifestyle.channelnewsasia.com
February 14, 2026 at 10:21 AM
Big enough for CNA to run a whole story about it...
cnalifestyle.channelnewsasia.com/entertainmen...
cnalifestyle.channelnewsasia.com/entertainmen...
I think calling a rotisserie chicken from the supermarket a 'Bachelor's handbag' was entirely confected and I won't fall for the jingoistic op
February 14, 2026 at 8:18 AM
I think calling a rotisserie chicken from the supermarket a 'Bachelor's handbag' was entirely confected and I won't fall for the jingoistic op
genuinely laughed out loud at this
Prabowo Clarifies He Does Not Encourage Hatred Toward Foreigners - https://en.tempo.co/read/2087172/prabowo-clarifies-he-does-not-encourage-hatred-toward-foreigners
Prabowo Clarifies He Does Not Encourage Hatred Toward Foreigners
Prabowo Subianto emphasizes the importance of learning from foreign strengths and achievements without promoting hostility toward foreigners.
en.tempo.co
February 14, 2026 at 7:06 AM
genuinely laughed out loud at this
I saw Sussan Ley at the 4Dead show
February 14, 2026 at 4:02 AM
I saw Sussan Ley at the 4Dead show
Phenomenal one from the Philippines, where Imelda was busted with a Picasso while celebrating her son's presidential win. Suspect Imelda was a bit more in the know than Boy George, however
www.theguardian.com/world/2022/m...
www.theguardian.com/world/2022/m...
February 14, 2026 at 3:12 AM
Phenomenal one from the Philippines, where Imelda was busted with a Picasso while celebrating her son's presidential win. Suspect Imelda was a bit more in the know than Boy George, however
www.theguardian.com/world/2022/m...
www.theguardian.com/world/2022/m...
Reposted by Erin Cook
"For Indonesia, the expectation is that Australia will act as a dependable security partner, even under Washington’s pressure, and that engagement will support Jakarta’s strategic autonomy beyond defence." www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpre...
Agency preservation drives the Indonesia–Australia security treaty
The echoes of history are evident – only this time, trust may not be as important as the context.
www.lowyinstitute.org
February 13, 2026 at 10:30 PM
"For Indonesia, the expectation is that Australia will act as a dependable security partner, even under Washington’s pressure, and that engagement will support Jakarta’s strategic autonomy beyond defence." www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpre...
This is so interesting! The rigidity of marriage as an institution in Indonesia may not be as rigid as I thought:
www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02...
www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02...
Singles ditch dating apps as marriage rates decline in Indonesia
Marriage is still a life goal in Indonesia, but the number of marriages has plummeted over the past decade.
www.abc.net.au
February 13, 2026 at 10:18 PM
This is so interesting! The rigidity of marriage as an institution in Indonesia may not be as rigid as I thought:
www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02...
www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02...
Reposted by Erin Cook
NEW PODCAST: “The 9pm S-Bend of Technology with David Gerard” (57m17s) @davidgerard.co.uk the9pmedict.com/edict/00263/
Look for “The 9pm Edict” in your podcast app.
Like it? Please tell your friends and maybe support it with money at the9pmedict.com/relocate. (Yes, a new crowdfunder.)
Look for “The 9pm Edict” in your podcast app.
Like it? Please tell your friends and maybe support it with money at the9pmedict.com/relocate. (Yes, a new crowdfunder.)
February 13, 2026 at 7:36 AM
NEW PODCAST: “The 9pm S-Bend of Technology with David Gerard” (57m17s) @davidgerard.co.uk the9pmedict.com/edict/00263/
Look for “The 9pm Edict” in your podcast app.
Like it? Please tell your friends and maybe support it with money at the9pmedict.com/relocate. (Yes, a new crowdfunder.)
Look for “The 9pm Edict” in your podcast app.
Like it? Please tell your friends and maybe support it with money at the9pmedict.com/relocate. (Yes, a new crowdfunder.)
Angus Taylor 'fantastic' gag a dead horse already 😔
February 13, 2026 at 9:13 AM
Angus Taylor 'fantastic' gag a dead horse already 😔
Angus Taylor wants more Indonesian migration. A kedai Kopi on every corner 🫡
February 13, 2026 at 7:44 AM
Angus Taylor wants more Indonesian migration. A kedai Kopi on every corner 🫡
Reposted by Erin Cook
Journalist Mech Dara, known for his investigations into Cambodia’s online scam industry, was detained by military police in Koh Kong for nearly an hour before released at about 5pm on February 11, after photographing a mass raid in the Dara Sakor area kiripost.com/stories/deta...
Detained Journalist Released After Deleting Photos of Suspected Scam Centre Raid in Dara Sakor
Investigative reporter, Mech Dara, was detained for nearly an hour for reporting on an alleged raid on a scam compound in Dara Sakor. He was later released after being forced to delete his photos, hig...
kiripost.com
February 12, 2026 at 1:56 PM
Journalist Mech Dara, known for his investigations into Cambodia’s online scam industry, was detained by military police in Koh Kong for nearly an hour before released at about 5pm on February 11, after photographing a mass raid in the Dara Sakor area kiripost.com/stories/deta...
Reposted by Erin Cook
Hundreds of troops have raided at least a dozen villages in the northern part of the township since the beginning of the month
Read more:
myanmar-now.org/en/news/1000...
Read more:
myanmar-now.org/en/news/1000...
10,000 flee as Myanmar junta forces torch villages in Natogyi Township
Hundreds of troops have raided at least a dozen villages in the northern part of the township since the beginning of the month
myanmar-now.org
February 12, 2026 at 9:19 AM
Hundreds of troops have raided at least a dozen villages in the northern part of the township since the beginning of the month
Read more:
myanmar-now.org/en/news/1000...
Read more:
myanmar-now.org/en/news/1000...
Every few days you'll pick your phone up and it's all Hitler di Garut again
February 12, 2026 at 6:56 AM
Every few days you'll pick your phone up and it's all Hitler di Garut again
Reposted by Erin Cook
Interested in expert takes on the recent, confounding Thai and Myanmar elections? Kyaw Yin Hlaing and @joelselway.bsky.social will help make sense of what's happened and what's ahead.
Monday, 23 February, 5-6:30pm ET (Zoom)
www.sunycunysoutheastasiaconsortium.org/events-1/swf...
Monday, 23 February, 5-6:30pm ET (Zoom)
www.sunycunysoutheastasiaconsortium.org/events-1/swf...
Making Sense of the Myanmar and Thai Elections: Complicated Processes, Fraught Results — Southeast Asia Consortium
ONLINE WEBINAR via Zoom Date: Monday, February 23, 2026 Time: 05:00PM - 06:30PM EST Speakers: Joel Sawat Selway (Ph.D. 2009, University of Michigan ) is a Thai-British ass...
www.sunycunysoutheastasiaconsortium.org
February 12, 2026 at 3:18 AM
Interested in expert takes on the recent, confounding Thai and Myanmar elections? Kyaw Yin Hlaing and @joelselway.bsky.social will help make sense of what's happened and what's ahead.
Monday, 23 February, 5-6:30pm ET (Zoom)
www.sunycunysoutheastasiaconsortium.org/events-1/swf...
Monday, 23 February, 5-6:30pm ET (Zoom)
www.sunycunysoutheastasiaconsortium.org/events-1/swf...
Spills just aren't as exciting as they used to be. We used to be a real country.
February 11, 2026 at 11:46 PM
Spills just aren't as exciting as they used to be. We used to be a real country.
After the Bad Bunny show, a meme including Indonesia as part of the 'worldwide Latino belt' has gone super viral and the videos are so fun. www.instagram.com/reel/DUnSbTA...
February 11, 2026 at 11:28 PM
After the Bad Bunny show, a meme including Indonesia as part of the 'worldwide Latino belt' has gone super viral and the videos are so fun. www.instagram.com/reel/DUnSbTA...
Reposted by Erin Cook
Thai language press does not seem to have much more than this summary from the Bangkok Post. There are some descriptions of the gunman and allegations that he has a history of illicit drug use (and that he may have been under the influence during the shooting.) www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/gen...
Hat Yai school gunman captured
18-year-old assailant shot after seriously wounding school director and taking hostages
www.bangkokpost.com
February 11, 2026 at 9:52 PM
Thai language press does not seem to have much more than this summary from the Bangkok Post. There are some descriptions of the gunman and allegations that he has a history of illicit drug use (and that he may have been under the influence during the shooting.) www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/gen...
Seems to have been resolved without major incident but jeeze details are scarce
www.nationthailand.com/news/general...
www.nationthailand.com/news/general...
February 11, 2026 at 9:39 PM
Seems to have been resolved without major incident but jeeze details are scarce
www.nationthailand.com/news/general...
www.nationthailand.com/news/general...
Reposted by Erin Cook
New piece in Himal Southasian: I examine how Bangladesh’s election shapes the politics of Rohingya repatriation and why “return” has become more performance than solution.
Across parties, the camps are treated as a governance problem rather than a human one.
Read: www.himalmag.com/politics/ban...
Across parties, the camps are treated as a governance problem rather than a human one.
Read: www.himalmag.com/politics/ban...
The Rohingya are perennial pawns in Bangladesh’s politics
The Jamaat has described the Arakan Army’s brief cross‑border presence and cultural engagement with local tribes as grave violations of Bangladesh’s sovereignty
www.himalmag.com
February 11, 2026 at 12:34 PM
New piece in Himal Southasian: I examine how Bangladesh’s election shapes the politics of Rohingya repatriation and why “return” has become more performance than solution.
Across parties, the camps are treated as a governance problem rather than a human one.
Read: www.himalmag.com/politics/ban...
Across parties, the camps are treated as a governance problem rather than a human one.
Read: www.himalmag.com/politics/ban...
Students and teachers are being held hostage at a school in Songkhla, southern Thailand
www.reuters.com/world/asia-p...
www.reuters.com/world/asia-p...
Gunman holds students and teachers hostage at Thai school, local administration says
A gunman was holding an unknown number of student and teachers hostage in a school in southern Thailand's Songkhla on Wednesday, the provincial administration said on social media.
www.reuters.com
February 11, 2026 at 11:34 AM
Students and teachers are being held hostage at a school in Songkhla, southern Thailand
www.reuters.com/world/asia-p...
www.reuters.com/world/asia-p...
Reposted by Erin Cook
"Indonesia stood out this year, with local titles competing directly with Korean dramas at the top of the premium VOD rankings. This is a meaningful shift that reflects improving content quality, stronger distribution and rising audience confidence in local storytelling."
variety.com/2026/tv/news...
variety.com/2026/tv/news...
Southeast Asia Streaming Surges With 19% Growth, Indonesian Content Rivals K-Dramas, Report Finds
Premium VOD subscriptions across Southeast Asia jumped 19% to 61 million in 2025, a Media Partners Asia report has found.
variety.com
February 11, 2026 at 8:06 AM
"Indonesia stood out this year, with local titles competing directly with Korean dramas at the top of the premium VOD rankings. This is a meaningful shift that reflects improving content quality, stronger distribution and rising audience confidence in local storytelling."
variety.com/2026/tv/news...
variety.com/2026/tv/news...
There's nothing more embarrassing than witnessing extremely earnest posts about 'trying to build a following' or 'help me reach my first 10,000 followers'. Something about the naked ambition for such a useless, empty thing makes me SPEW GET OUT OF HERE
February 11, 2026 at 8:01 AM
There's nothing more embarrassing than witnessing extremely earnest posts about 'trying to build a following' or 'help me reach my first 10,000 followers'. Something about the naked ambition for such a useless, empty thing makes me SPEW GET OUT OF HERE
Lmfao this might be the weirdest one to fact check out of an election
Hoaks! Gibran dan AHY setuju DPR dibubarkan - https://www.antaranews.com/berita/5409642/hoaks-gibran-dan-ahy-setuju-dpr-dibubarkan
Hoaks! Gibran dan AHY setuju DPR dibubarkan
Jakarta (ANTARA/JACX) – Sebuah unggahan di Facebook menyebarkan klaim bahwa Wakil Presiden Gibran Rakabuming Raka dan Menteri Koordinator Bidang ...
www.antaranews.com
February 11, 2026 at 6:57 AM
Lmfao this might be the weirdest one to fact check out of an election
Reposted by Erin Cook
A total of five civilians were killed and at least 13 others were injured by airstrikes carried out by the Burma Air Force on Chatkan village of Pauk Township, Magway Region, on Tuesday. Read more: english.dvb.no/five-civilia...
Five civilians killed by airstrikes in Magway Region; Regime ‘not fully’ in control of Mandalay’s Mogok town - DVB
Five civilians killed by airstrikes in Magway Region A total of five civilians were killed and at least 13 others were injured by airstrikes carried out by the Burma Air Force on Chatkan village of Pa...
english.dvb.no
February 11, 2026 at 6:41 AM
A total of five civilians were killed and at least 13 others were injured by airstrikes carried out by the Burma Air Force on Chatkan village of Pauk Township, Magway Region, on Tuesday. Read more: english.dvb.no/five-civilia...
Doesn't matter how many stories you read on this, it's freshly harrowing each time.
Thousands of people from Indonesia, China and Africa are waiting for help to return home, but the process has been slow and many are increasingly desperate.
They escaped appalling conditions in scam factories. Now, they are living on the streets in Cambodia
theconversation.com
February 11, 2026 at 5:40 AM
Doesn't matter how many stories you read on this, it's freshly harrowing each time.