Touchez … and perhaps presciently, latest cover features certain US presidential candidate with headline “TIME TO GO…”

To address one question running wild in Myanmar’s mega-hyped rumor mill.. this meeting apparently really happened, today, in Naypyidaw … China politely segues into the presidential palace, could this be a goodbye handshake, or is it friendly advice on the electoral process ?

And the winner is….. (shadow shogun) Thaksin.

Ahead of Thai parliament’s vote today for new PM to replace PM Srettha, after shock disqualification by court, see Nikkei Asia for sharp scene-setter on increasingly bizarre & bewildering world of Thai politics by Francesca Regalado asia.nikkei.com/Politics/Turbu…

Is Thailand constitutional court out of control? Eliminating the party that legitimately won most votes in election and disqualifying sitting PM sets a chilling teo-week record. More victims to come. suthichai in Nikkei Asia asia.nikkei.com/Opinion/Thai-P…

Interesting timing for US to step up engagement with NUG.. follows China foreign minister visit to Naypyidaw to glad-hand #MyannarJunta amid rise of China facing northern resistance groups. And against backdrop of discreet US meetings with SAC figures. Today China FM in Thailand

So who IS Ung Ing, or Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Thailand's youngest ever PM, daughter of disgraced former PM Thaksin, political neophyte & mother of two infant children? Excellent bio by Francesca Regalado, see Nikkei Asia asia.nikkei.com/Politics/Turbu…

So, what does China really want from - and in - Myanmar? 1) Border stability, and 2) Infrastructure connectivity, but Beijing's increasingly opaque & two-tracked approach blurs the lines. Sharp piece by Stimson Center's Dr Yun Sun for Nikkei Asia asia.nikkei.com/Opinion/What-d…

Of all disturbing aspects of Thai political behavior in recent weeks, clip of party leader (& ex-dep PM) Prawit hitting woman reporter shows ingrained misogyny & antediluvian attitudes lurking in ruling coalition.What’s new PM going to do about it? #TikTok tiktok.com/t/ZS2Fesr1S/

Surprise surprise…

This man leads a party in Thailand’s ruling coalition - so, what is the new PM, a young woman herself, going to do about his “outrageous & disgusting” & misogynistic behavior?

Has anyone told China’s FM Wang Yi that it’s far too late to “prevent” conflict in Myanmar?!!

A (male) political leader hitting a young (woman) reporter twice across her head is a “breach of (Thai) parliamentary code of ethics”? How about a criminal case of bodily assault?

Excellent piece on an utterly surreal political outcome

Whatever comes next in Myanmar's gathering revolution, daily life in many areas has fundamentally (& irreversably) changed. Revealing dive into lesser-known Tanintharyi region near Thai border by Lorcan Lovett. Great pix by Valeria Mongelli Nikkei Asia asia.nikkei.com/Life-Arts/Life…

Vegan Tokyo: another intriguing dimension of contemporary Japanese cuisine (and chefs) is evolving in Japan's capital, and elsewhere. Delicious gastro-dive by Alice French Alice French... plant-based ramen, anyone? asia.nikkei.com/Life-Arts/Life…

Rare spotlight on the remarkable journey of Myanmar’s PDFs, People’s Defence Forces Zachary Abuza, Radio Free Asia rfa.org/english/commen…

ADV motorbiking may not be for everyone but this exhilarating account of touring Asia by Ian Neubauer appeals even to armchair bikers, Nikkei Asia asia.nikkei.com/Life-Arts/Life…

Fascinating contrast between Mae Sot, on Thai-Myanmar border, and Manipur and Mizoram on Indian-Myanmar border, by Makepeace Sitlhou Makepeace Sitlhou; read Nikkei Asia asia.nikkei.com/Editor-s-Picks…

Frieze Seoul, cool Korea - previewing the country's latest international art fest Nikkei Asia asia.nikkei.com/Life-Arts/Arts…