Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

James Clark

@nomadicnotes.bsky.social

How a Small Book Stall Has Been Relating Cambodia’s History for over 20 Years
cambodianess.com/article/how-...

How a Small Book Stall Has Been Relating Cambodia’s History for over 20 Years

SIEM REAP — If you stroll around the Old Market area in Siem Reap, you will come across a small book stall facing the Siem Reap River and managed by a ...

cambodianess.com

November 16, 2025 at 4:07 AM

James Clark

@nomadicnotes.bsky.social

Chinese trains, tourists and money are flooding Laos. Locals wonder if it makes sense
www.straitstimes.com/multimedia/g...

Chinese trains, tourists and money are flooding Laos. Laotians wonder if it makes sense

Chinese investments like the Yunnan-Vientiane rail transformed Laos but created debt, leaving locals questioning their future.

www.straitstimes.com

November 15, 2025 at 6:56 AM

James Clark

@nomadicnotes.bsky.social

Bangkok's clean streets, empty souls
www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opin...

Bangkok's clean streets, empty souls

Banthat Thong used to be a neighbourhood, not a concept. You could live here and find everything: restaurants, bookstores, hardware shops, clinics, banks -- even a place to have your shirts made. It w...

www.bangkokpost.com

November 14, 2025 at 5:33 AM

James Clark

@nomadicnotes.bsky.social

Centuries-old shipwreck exposed on Vietnam beach after storm Kalmaegi
news.tuoitre.vn/centuries-ol...

Centuries-old shipwreck exposed on Vietnam beach after storm Kalmaegi

The Hoi An World Cultural Heritage Conservation Center has submitted a report on the current condition and preliminary findings regarding a shipwreck believed to be of historical significance in Da Na...

news.tuoitre.vn

November 11, 2025 at 7:07 AM

James Clark

@nomadicnotes.bsky.social

Vietnam also needs to consider redenomination

"Indonesia plans a bill to redenominate rupiah currency"
www.businesstimes.com.sg/internationa...

Indonesia plans a bill to redenominate rupiah currency

[JAKARTA] Indonesia’s finance ministry said it is planning a new bill to redenominate the rupiah in an effort to improve economic efficiency, maintain stability and improve the currency’s credibility....

www.businesstimes.com.sg

November 9, 2025 at 9:11 AM

Reposted by James Clark

Anil Dash

@anildash.com

Ten things I took away from one remarkable, history-making moment. Turn the volume up. www.anildash.com/2025/11/05/t...

Turn the volume up. - Anil Dash

A blog about making culture. Since 1999.

www.anildash.com

November 5, 2025 at 4:30 PM

James Clark

@nomadicnotes.bsky.social

Japan's decorated trucks face 'extinction' but fans and truckies are trying to bring them back
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-10...

Why these famous Japanese trucks are at risk of 'extinction'

The dekotora, large decorated trucks covered in colour and bright lights, were once a common sight across Japan. Now they are fighting for survival.

www.abc.net.au

November 7, 2025 at 10:04 AM

Reposted by James Clark

My Modern Met

@mymodernmet.bsky.social

Renzo Piano has designed a stunning performing arts center situated between two lakes in Hanoi. trib.al/0N3FW2I

Renzo Piano’s Floating Performance Center in Hanoi Is Shaped Like a Mother of Pearl

This performance center is now under construction. What do you think of it?

trib.al

November 7, 2025 at 4:48 AM

James Clark

@nomadicnotes.bsky.social

Karen community fighting corn and coal for clean air in northern Thailand
news.mongabay.com/2025/11/kare...

Karen community fighting corn and coal for clean air in northern Thailand

MAE CHAM/OMKOI, Thailand — Rain lashed down in the northern Thai village of Nong Krating as Sawattiphon Wongkasettakon described the worsening air pollution that sweeps in through the mountains here e...

news.mongabay.com

November 6, 2025 at 11:26 AM

James Clark

@nomadicnotes.bsky.social

A country in a cup: understanding Vietnam’s coffee journey
www.eastside.asia/articles/a-c...

A country in a cup: understanding Vietnam’s coffee journey — Vietnam ✦ eastside.asia

I used to tell friends that every good thing in Vietnam was down an alley and up a flight of stairs. But my first encounter with Vietnamese coffee took place right on the sidewalk, across from a cathe...

www.eastside.asia

October 28, 2025 at 12:06 PM

Reposted by James Clark

Future Southeast Asia

@futuresoutheastasia.com

The last days of the DDR Apartments of Vinh
news.futuresoutheastasia.com/p/ddr-apartm...

October 27, 2025 at 9:02 AM

James Clark

@nomadicnotes.bsky.social

East Timor formally admitted to ASEAN in the group’s first expansion since the 1990s
www.independent.co.uk/news/kuala-l...

East Timor formally admitted to ASEAN in the group’s first expansion since the 1990s

East Timor has been formally admitted into the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in the group’s first expansion since the 1990s

www.independent.co.uk

October 26, 2025 at 3:10 AM

James Clark

@nomadicnotes.bsky.social

Introducing my latest travel website, @railvietnam.bsky.social. This guide covers every train line in Vietnam, station information, and how to buy tickets.
www.nomadicnotes.com/rail-vietnam/

October 25, 2025 at 8:11 AM

James Clark

@nomadicnotes.bsky.social

Old Phnom Penh Airport to be Transformed into A Park
kiripost.com/stories/old-...

October 21, 2025 at 12:15 AM

James Clark

@nomadicnotes.bsky.social

I have started a new website at @railvietnam.bsky.social , so follow me there for more Vietnam rail content!

This month I am getting the train from Da Nang to Hanoi to get more stock photos for this new site. Here is the rail bridge in Hue.

Train crossing an old rail bridge in Hue, Vietnam

October 20, 2025 at 11:33 AM

Reposted by James Clark

Connla Stokes

@connla-stokes.bsky.social

If you need a Sunday afternoon/ evening read...

About Kipling, imperialism, a consequential British intervention in Vietnam -- and more.

connla.substack.com/p/kipling-in...

Kipling in Saigon - and his curious afterlife in Vietnam

Once upon a time, Saigon had streets named after several Britons, including Rudyard Kipling. Naturally, I had to find out why, and the digging led me down a curious trail of imperial folly and regret

connla.substack.com

October 19, 2025 at 11:57 AM

James Clark

@nomadicnotes.bsky.social

More than a Powerful Symbol: The Importance of Lotus for Mekong Delta Women and Ecosystems
saigoneer.com/saigon-envir...

More than a Powerful Symbol: The Importance of Lotus for Mekong Delta Women and Ecosystems | Saigoneer

Women in the Mekong Delta face numerous challenges, including limited access to educational opportunities and agricultural occupations threatened by the effects of climate change. A source of hope in ...

saigoneer.com

October 15, 2025 at 9:15 AM

Reposted by James Clark

Connla Stokes

@connla-stokes.bsky.social

In the mid 60s, the revered British illustrator Gerald Scarfe took his sharp eye – and sharper pen – to Vietnam, capturing the madness (and sadness) of war with dark wit and brutal honesty. Here’s what I found out about his time in Saigon and beyond.

open.substack.com/pub/connla/p...