ABOUT
Asia Centre is a research institute that aims to create social impact in the region. It was first established in Bangkok, Thailand in 2015 and in 2018 a second Centre was established in Johor Bahru, Malaysia. In 2021, Asia Centre was granted the UN ECOSOC Special Consultative Status. The Centre undertakes evidence-based research, convenes events and amplifies its work through media and social media engagement.


MEETING SPACE
Asia Centre manages a boutique meeting space for rent in central Bangkok, Thailand that is suitable for workshops and trainings. Well connected by public transport, it is 1 minute away from the Phayathai BTS and Airport Link.
Annual conference

9th International Conference – Shrinking Civic Space in Asia: Stories of Resistance and Pushback
Asia Centre’s 9th Annual International Conference aims to take stock of the challenges faced by civil society actors. It will review their actions to date to resist and push back on shrinking civic space as well as identify innovative approaches to defend and enhance democracy in Asia.
UPCOMING EVENTS

Protecting Civic Space: Pushing Back Against Post-Pandemic Authoritarian Governance
The emergency measures imposed by governments across ASEAN during the COVID-19 pandemic have negatively impacted human rights and democracy in the region, leading to the shrinking of civic spaces and

9th International Conference – Shrinking Civic Space in Asia: Stories of Resistance and Pushback
Asia Centre’s 9th Annual International Conference aims to take stock of the challenges faced by civil society actors. It will review their actions to date to resist and push back on shrinking civic space as well as identify innovative approaches to defend and enhance democracy in Asia.

Asia Centre Presents the Preliminary Results of Cambodia’s Media Landscape Assessment
On 27 October 2023, Asia Centre convened the second meeting of the multi-stakeholder advisory board to present the preliminary findings of its study for the “Assessment of Media Development in

IFSEA End-of-Project Partners’ Meeting Prepares for New Challenges, Strategises for Phase II
At the Internet Freedoms for Southeast Asia (IFSEA) End-of-Project Partners’ Meeting held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, there was broad consensus among the more than 20 participants that more still need

Asia Centre Signs MoU with Universiti Malaysia Sarawak
On 20 October 2023, Asia Centre and Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen their existing cooperation and explore opportunities for future collaboration in media

Asia Centre & International IDEA: Forecasting Democratic Futures in the Asia-Pacific for 2024
Asia Centre and The International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) co-convened the Democracy in Asia and the Pacific 2024 Outlook Forum in Bangkok, Thailand on 19-20 October

Covid-19 and the erosion of civic space in Asia: An urgent call for democratic vigilance
Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, many regimes in Asia were already reluctant to promote civic space, fearing that it might empower democratic forces. The onset of the pandemic brought about a troubling shift in behaviour. Under the guise of preventing virus spread, governments justified curtailing these freedoms, disregarding international standards that stipulate restrictions must have legitimate grounds and must not result in breaches of international law.

COVID-19 applications infringed Southeast Asians’ right to privacy during and after the pandemic
In the attempts to keep the COVID-19 pandemic under control, Southeast Asia governments introduced contact-tracing applications to help manage people’s movement and decrease the risk of infection. Their enforcement however was met with criticism and concerns over state surveillance and infringement on the right to privacy.
Contact Us
Phone: +662 129 3773
Email: info@asiacentre.org
We Are Here
ASIA CENTRE
128/183 Phayathai Plaza Building, 17st Fl. Phaya Thai Rd,
Thung Phaya Thai Sub-dictrict, Ratchathewi District,
Bangkok 10400 Thailand
Transport
BTS Phaya Thai Exit 1
Airport Rail Link Phaya Thai