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
🇹🇭 Allegations of dodgy polls won't stop the blue wave
Malaysia's new monster corruption scandal, a third impeachment complaint for Duterte
darimulut.substack.com
The Thai election is definitely still the biggest story, but there's a video in here from Bloomberg on Malaysian corruption that is unbelievable. Great reporting!
darimulut.substack.com/p/allegation...
darimulut.substack.com/p/allegation...
Getting bullied in the hyper-international group chat again
February 19, 2026 at 12:56 AM
Getting bullied in the hyper-international group chat again
when I was Women's Officer at the student union in the late 2000s I was pleased unis began to require modules on informed consent/relationships. Now I'm mid-30s and doing uni online, I am absolutely raging about it. I don't want to have sex with any of you people, just give me the reading list.
February 18, 2026 at 11:47 PM
when I was Women's Officer at the student union in the late 2000s I was pleased unis began to require modules on informed consent/relationships. Now I'm mid-30s and doing uni online, I am absolutely raging about it. I don't want to have sex with any of you people, just give me the reading list.
I love talking about Indonesia for other outsiders. Hmm how to explain that residents in Solo have been showing up at former president Jokowi's gate, initially as fans or asking for assistance, and now it's become a gag and Maps calls it 'the wailing wall of Solo' and someone called it 'yeruSolo'
February 18, 2026 at 11:18 PM
I love talking about Indonesia for other outsiders. Hmm how to explain that residents in Solo have been showing up at former president Jokowi's gate, initially as fans or asking for assistance, and now it's become a gag and Maps calls it 'the wailing wall of Solo' and someone called it 'yeruSolo'
Reposted by Erin Cook
Lao vocal state critic Bao Mo Khean missing after facing escalating death threats, days before Laos’ national elections. He's not been seen since 13th Feb & its suspected that he's been subject to enforced disappearance by the gov't
#ຖ້າການເມືອງລາວດີ
#SurfaceKhaen
Read more from Manushya Foundation:
#ຖ້າການເມືອງລາວດີ
#SurfaceKhaen
Read more from Manushya Foundation:
‼️ 𝗛𝗨𝗠𝗔𝗡 𝗥𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧𝗦 𝗔𝗟𝗘𝗥𝗧 ‼️ Lao vocal state critic Mr. Khaen missing after facing escalating death threats, days before Laos’ national elections
The recent disappearance of Mr. Khean (widely known as Bao Mo Khean) has raised alarms in Laos. Evidence suggests he was under intense pressure and threats from authorities and anonymous individuals p...
www.manushyafoundation.org
February 18, 2026 at 10:15 PM
Lao vocal state critic Bao Mo Khean missing after facing escalating death threats, days before Laos’ national elections. He's not been seen since 13th Feb & its suspected that he's been subject to enforced disappearance by the gov't
#ຖ້າການເມືອງລາວດີ
#SurfaceKhaen
Read more from Manushya Foundation:
#ຖ້າການເມືອງລາວດີ
#SurfaceKhaen
Read more from Manushya Foundation:
Reposted by Erin Cook
The audience for this is obviously in DC but I'm kind of mystified by what the message to Thais is supposed to be. "It's our birthday so we painted your train. No you can't have a visa"
The US celebrating 250 years since uhhh they overthrew monarch rule and gave power to (some of) the people
www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/gen...
www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/gen...
US launches Skytrain wrap
The US Embassy in Bangkok marked the 250th anniversary of American independence by launching a "Freedom 250" BTS Skytrain wrap on Tuesday.
www.bangkokpost.com
February 18, 2026 at 10:08 PM
The audience for this is obviously in DC but I'm kind of mystified by what the message to Thais is supposed to be. "It's our birthday so we painted your train. No you can't have a visa"
Reposted by Erin Cook
Despite recent wins, I argue @lowyinstitute.bsky.social Labor's Southeast Asia strategy risks imbalance if #Australia's economic footprint can't keep pace with its security/defence partnerships. Thank you @danielflitton.bsky.social for the opportunity to share! www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpre...
To succeed in Southeast Asia, Australia must balance security and trade
Australia ranks second in defence networks but ninth in economic capability – and the region has noticed.
www.lowyinstitute.org
February 18, 2026 at 2:28 PM
Despite recent wins, I argue @lowyinstitute.bsky.social Labor's Southeast Asia strategy risks imbalance if #Australia's economic footprint can't keep pace with its security/defence partnerships. Thank you @danielflitton.bsky.social for the opportunity to share! www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpre...
Reposted by Erin Cook
Vatican says it will not participate in Gaza board of peace
Vatican says it will not participate in Gaza board of peace
It notes that several points remain perplexing and require further explanation.
dlvr.it
February 18, 2026 at 9:52 AM
Vatican says it will not participate in Gaza board of peace
I have never in my whoooole Canberra life heard of something like this happening. What a stupid bloody outrage. There is a third image with Netanyahu depicted as a Nazi which I think Dissent should've posted. But still!! Stinks!
February 18, 2026 at 9:51 AM
I have never in my whoooole Canberra life heard of something like this happening. What a stupid bloody outrage. There is a third image with Netanyahu depicted as a Nazi which I think Dissent should've posted. But still!! Stinks!
'The US needs to return to the region'
February 18, 2026 at 9:44 AM
'The US needs to return to the region'
Prabowo has arrived in the US. He's had a darned tricky time trying to sell why Indonesia would participate in the Board of Peace, and he still needs to sort out this tariffs mess. The trip is overdue - was meant to be there earlier, but that fell through for reasons unknown
Presiden Prabowo Tiba di Washington DC, Siap Hadiri Pertemuan Perdana Board of Peace - https://visual.republika.co.id/berita/tan8yq375/presiden-prabowo-tiba-di-washington-dc-siap-hadiri-pertemuan-perdana-board-of-peace
Presiden Prabowo Tiba di Washington DC, Siap Hadiri Pertemuan Perdana Board of Peace |Republika Online
Presiden Prabowo juga dijadwalkan bertemu dengan Donald Trump
republika.co.id
February 18, 2026 at 8:13 AM
Prabowo has arrived in the US. He's had a darned tricky time trying to sell why Indonesia would participate in the Board of Peace, and he still needs to sort out this tariffs mess. The trip is overdue - was meant to be there earlier, but that fell through for reasons unknown
Oh she meant 'announce a bid for 2028' not like a wink wink to the DDS
February 18, 2026 at 6:17 AM
Oh she meant 'announce a bid for 2028' not like a wink wink to the DDS
I can't prove it but some sort of perverse incentive has happened, it is the only thing that can account for how many people own rescued greyhounds and whippets in inner Canberra
February 18, 2026 at 6:14 AM
I can't prove it but some sort of perverse incentive has happened, it is the only thing that can account for how many people own rescued greyhounds and whippets in inner Canberra
Some confusion on Pinoy social media why a 'liberal' party would suggest a Muslim immigration ban. Putting myself to work 🫡
February 18, 2026 at 5:00 AM
Some confusion on Pinoy social media why a 'liberal' party would suggest a Muslim immigration ban. Putting myself to work 🫡
Told ya! Antara photogs are so good
www.instagram.com/p/DU3IEo7CZ5...
www.instagram.com/p/DU3IEo7CZ5...
February 18, 2026 at 12:47 AM
Told ya! Antara photogs are so good
www.instagram.com/p/DU3IEo7CZ5...
www.instagram.com/p/DU3IEo7CZ5...
Tomorrow it is!
en.tempo.co/read/2087686...
en.tempo.co/read/2087686...
February 18, 2026 at 12:19 AM
Tomorrow it is!
en.tempo.co/read/2087686...
en.tempo.co/read/2087686...
Lunar New Year (Imlek) celebrations have coincided with the start of Ramadan and tell you what, Indonesia nails it
February 17, 2026 at 11:14 AM
Lunar New Year (Imlek) celebrations have coincided with the start of Ramadan and tell you what, Indonesia nails it
How Indonesia's Islamic authorities determine when Ramadan begins is so so fascinating to me. This is a very handy explainer from Tempo and, assuming this year is the same is every other, Antara will have a really cool post on Instagram in the morning.
Indonesia to Hold Isbat Session This Afternoon to Determine Ramadan - https://en.tempo.co/read/2087631/indonesia-to-hold-isbat-session-this-afternoon-to-determine-ramadan
Indonesia to Hold Isbat Session This Afternoon to Determine Ramadan
The Indonesian government holds an isbat session to determine the beginning of Ramadan 1447 H tonight.
en.tempo.co
February 17, 2026 at 10:13 AM
How Indonesia's Islamic authorities determine when Ramadan begins is so so fascinating to me. This is a very handy explainer from Tempo and, assuming this year is the same is every other, Antara will have a really cool post on Instagram in the morning.
Reposted by Erin Cook
“We were like cattle. If you have many visible whip marks on your body, you won’t be sold for a higher price because they’ll know you aren’t an earner.” @zekuzelalem.bsky.social hears from African survivors of Southeast Asian scam centres: www.theglobeandmail.com/world/articl...
Africans are being confined and beaten in scam camps in Myanmar
Migrants toil for long hours on social-media platforms, targeting people with crypto and romance scams
www.theglobeandmail.com
February 17, 2026 at 8:36 AM
“We were like cattle. If you have many visible whip marks on your body, you won’t be sold for a higher price because they’ll know you aren’t an earner.” @zekuzelalem.bsky.social hears from African survivors of Southeast Asian scam centres: www.theglobeandmail.com/world/articl...
Excellent set up,I'm sure this will be valuable
February 17, 2026 at 9:08 AM
Excellent set up,I'm sure this will be valuable
Reposted by Erin Cook
While there's still controversy over election irregularities, the Bhumjaithai margin of victory was big enough that it's highly unlikely to be overturned. I take a look here at why Bhumjaithai won: asialink.unimelb.edu.au/diplomacy/in...
Why Bhumjaithai won
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul enjoyed the power of incumbency in Thailand’s elections. And Mathis Lohatepanont argues he used that advantage wisely—combining appeals to populism, nationalism and ...
asialink.unimelb.edu.au
February 17, 2026 at 8:16 AM
While there's still controversy over election irregularities, the Bhumjaithai margin of victory was big enough that it's highly unlikely to be overturned. I take a look here at why Bhumjaithai won: asialink.unimelb.edu.au/diplomacy/in...
Ted O'Brien for shadow foreign affairs. I only heard of him for the first time a few weeks ago but his Wikipedia says time spent in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan which seems a bit more than Michaelia Cash? Idk probably not worth thinking about too hard either way
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
Angus Taylor unveils Coalition frontbench with Tim Wilson as shadow treasurer and Nationals returned
Liberal leader also promotes Jacinta Nampijinpa Price and Andrew Hastie to shadow cabinet
www.theguardian.com
February 17, 2026 at 6:03 AM
Ted O'Brien for shadow foreign affairs. I only heard of him for the first time a few weeks ago but his Wikipedia says time spent in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan which seems a bit more than Michaelia Cash? Idk probably not worth thinking about too hard either way
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
tomorrow's the day, act accordingly 🙏
February 17, 2026 at 2:41 AM
tomorrow's the day, act accordingly 🙏
The Thai election is definitely still the biggest story, but there's a video in here from Bloomberg on Malaysian corruption that is unbelievable. Great reporting!
darimulut.substack.com/p/allegation...
darimulut.substack.com/p/allegation...
🇹🇭 Allegations of dodgy polls won't stop the blue wave
Malaysia's new monster corruption scandal, a third impeachment complaint for Duterte
darimulut.substack.com
February 17, 2026 at 12:10 AM
The Thai election is definitely still the biggest story, but there's a video in here from Bloomberg on Malaysian corruption that is unbelievable. Great reporting!
darimulut.substack.com/p/allegation...
darimulut.substack.com/p/allegation...
Reposted by Erin Cook
With preordained elections, ASEAN constrained and China backing the junta, Myanmar’s crisis shows no sign of resolution, writes Lex Rieffel.
Myanmar without a path to recovery
With preordained elections, ASEAN constrained and China backing the junta, Myanmar’s crisis shows no sign of resolution, writes Lex Rieffel.
eastasiaforum.org
February 16, 2026 at 11:23 PM
With preordained elections, ASEAN constrained and China backing the junta, Myanmar’s crisis shows no sign of resolution, writes Lex Rieffel.