A profoundly symbolic moment for Syria: the toppling of Assad’s statue in Homs after the rebels took control, facing little resistance. Homs is regarded as the capital of the Syrian revolution that began in 2011 & suffered one of the most brutal crackdowns

People in Syria have been tearing down statues all night; continue to celebrate the collapse of the Assad regime, it is expected that the regime will cease to exist today. Tanks (unknown who) are starting to circle around Assad's palace and regime soldiers are abandoning their

If in BKK tomorrow (Monday Dec 9) don’t miss fascinating lunchtime talk FCCThai by Sirin Phathanothai - sent in 1958 as a small child to live the house of Chinese communist party leaders and was trapped by the cultural revolution. From 1pm - all welcome. fccthai.com/events/456

💥💥 People, mostly Syrians, are rallying in Turkey to celebrate the fall of the Assad Regime. Freedom arrives to Syria.

Warning to brutal dictators everywhere (particularly in Burma) - if it can happen to Assad it can happen to you: the time is coming …

Thailand's growing migration dilemma: Myanmar's coup has driven new waves of migrants, many undocumented, & a growing backlash. What's the way forward? In BKK Dec. 18, join us for a lively discussion with experts FCCThai, 4pm-5.30pm. All welcome. fccthai.com/events/462

Thailand's impressive and ever-evolving food sector benefits from influx of female talent in top kitchens.. eat it to believe it... asia.nikkei.com/Life-Arts/Life…

Thailand’s cross-border migration dilemmas, fuelled by conflict and domestic & regional pressures - what’s going on? Come hear experts FCCThai in BKK at 4pm on Wed Dec 18 (Int Migrants Day) update on new steps to address urgent issues - all welcome fccthai.com/events/462

#KNU successfully reclaimed control of #Manerplaw, their former headquarters, yestday, marking the end of 30 yrs of occupation by the Tatmadaw. Manerplaw, a historic symbol of Karen resistance, once served as a key hub for the democracy movement following the 88 uprising in Burma

Myanmar dilemmas - what IS Thailand up to? A look behind all the maneuverings around one of the strangest regional meetings on escalating crisis.. Nikkei Asia asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Myan…

It’s a defining global issue of our times, but if in BKK on International Migrants Day, TODAY, Dec 18, drop by FCCThai 4pm-5:30pm to hear expert briefing about the state of Thailand’s growing cross border migration dilemmas.. All welcome

Rohingya: rare insights and achievable steps forward to tackle this neglected and festering crisis, LaetitiavandenAssum writes in Frontier Myanmar frontiermyanmar.net/en/bangladesh-…

It has been 4 years since Myanmar's Feb 1, 2021 coup - junta is on back foot. Can the country turn a corner in 2025? If in BKK, come hear lunchtime talk by expert Amitav Acharya (author of "Tragic Nation Burma") FCCThai tomorrow 12:15pm. All welcome fccthai.com/events/468

If in Bkk or tuning into livestream, see our expert discussion tonight marking 4 tragic years in Myanmar since Feb 1, 2021 coup - on FCCTHAI YouTube & FB Live, & FCCThai clubhouse. Could this year be a game changer? fccthai.com/events/473

Improbably lovely (& short) read about an old colonial-era cemetery in Kathmandu, by William Mellor Nikkei Asia asia.nikkei.com/Editor-s-Picks…

Background briefing tomorrow, Fri Feb 28, FCCThai, with reps of Cambodia, Vietnamese & Myanmar media: new research and insights on state of indy media in Mekong region - all welcome, non members just THB 150 entry, free coffee/tea fccthai.com/events/478

If you care about media freedom (and suppression) in the Mekong region, spend 2 hours late this afternoon FCCThai (Feb 28, 4pm) for expert briefings by leading press freedom campaigners from Cambodia, Myanmar and Vietnam. All welcome. Free coffee & tea. fccthai.com/events/478

Thousands of workers freed from scam centres in Myanmar are still trapped there in crowded and unsanitary conditions. Many already traumatized by mistreatment by scam bosses they are suffering mental stress. One woman tried to kill herself last night. Getting them out is urgent.