This week, Southeast Asia's politics witnessed the dissolution of Thailand's most popular party (again), and strides in Indonesia's regional‑head elections to thwart the administration's rivals -- in which case, ballots in November may literally feature empty boxes for voters' only alternative to a nominee of a hegemonic alliance. Also: Erin and Kevin discuss Sheikh Hasina's downfall in Dhaka, as well as a breakthrough Indonesian health reform and latest developments on the Nusantara capital project.

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Indonesia's president-elect set a distinctive tone by making visits to France, Serbia, Turkey and Russia. Kevin and Erin examine some takeaways (more on the Kremlin call in the next pod.) Meanwhile, President Widodo breaks in the Nusantara Palace and hosts influencers. Also: the Asean foreign ministers' retreat in Laos and a grotesque verdict for a grotesque crime in Surabaya.

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Read Erin's newsletter Dari Mulut Ke Mulut here: https://darimulut.beehiiv.com/

The passing of the Communist Party's general secretary has the makings of a watershed for modern Vietnam - yet the public domain is distinctly unruffled. To talk through the reactions and implications of the unfolding transition, we reach out to the writer and podcaster of Vietnam Weekly, Mike Tatarski. Spoiler: unknowns abound. And in Indonesia: Erin and Kevin consider a bevy of Prabowo-oriented appointments, the military's yen for business and the pitfalls of zoomorphic forms in palace architecture.

For a free trial of Reformasi newsletter, go to reformasi.info

Read Erin's newsletter Dari Mulut Ke Mulut here: https://darimulut.beehiiv.com/

To read about Vietnam Weekly, go here: https://vietnamweekly.substack.com/