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Philip Wen

Regional Correspondent

Philip is regional correspondent at The Straits Times, covering South-east Asia, from his base in Bangkok. He has previously worked as a foreign correspondent in China and India for The Wall Street Journal, Reuters and The Sydney Morning Herald. 

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Latest articles

Thailand is wracked by floods and quakes. But what’s holding it back is far harder to tackle

A drone view shows people walking in a flooded area in Hat Yai district, Songkhla, Thailand, November 23, 2025. REUTERS/Roylee Suriyaworakul     TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
A drone view shows people walking in a flooded area in Hat Yai district, Songkhla, Thailand, November 23, 2025. REUTERS/Roylee Suriyaworakul     TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

The real winner behind Myanmar’s junta-held elections could be China

pwmyanmar - The bustling jade market in Mandalay is widely considered as the world's largest. Mandalay is a trading hub along Myanmar's main economic corridor with China. (Pic taken Jan 12) CREDIT: PHILIP WEN
pwmyanmar - The bustling jade market in Mandalay is widely considered as the world's largest. Mandalay is a trading hub along Myanmar's main economic corridor with China. (Pic taken Jan 12) CREDIT: PHILIP WEN

‘I saw even the mountains shake’: Fear lingers in Cambodian town after Thai strikes on alleged scam sites

Empty streets in O’Smach town in Oddar Meanchey province near Cambodia’s border with Thailand.
Empty streets in O’Smach town in Oddar Meanchey province near Cambodia’s border with Thailand.

Why Cambodia gave up alleged scam kingpin Chen Zhi to China 

Alleged scam kingpin Chen Zhi was arrested in Cambodia on Jan 6 and extradited to China the following day.
Alleged scam kingpin Chen Zhi was arrested in Cambodia on Jan 6 and extradited to China the following day.

China steps out of diplomatic shadows to take credit for efforts on Cambodia-Thailand ceasefire

This handout photo taken and released by Agence Kampuchea Press (AKP) on December 29, 2025 shows China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi (C) looking as Cambodia's Deputy Prime Minister Prak Sokhonn (L), who is also the country's Foreign Minister, shakes hands with Thailand's Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow (R) during a meeting in China's Yunnan province.  (Photo by Agence Kampuchea Presse (AKP) / Agence Kampuchea Press (AKP) / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO / Agence Kampuchea Press (AKP) " - HANDOUT - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS
This handout photo taken and released by Agence Kampuchea Press (AKP) on December 29, 2025 shows China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi (C) looking as Cambodia's Deputy Prime Minister Prak Sokhonn (L), who is also the country's Foreign Minister, shakes hands with Thailand's Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow (R) during a meeting in China's Yunnan province.  (Photo by Agence Kampuchea Presse (AKP) / Agence Kampuchea Press (AKP) / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO / Agence Kampuchea Press (AKP) " - HANDOUT - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS

Cambodia, Thailand have agreed terms on new ceasefire. Will it hold?

People look at a damaged bridge after Thailand carried out air strikes in an area between Cambodia's Oddar Meanchey and Siem Reap provinces on Dec 20.
People look at a damaged bridge after Thailand carried out air strikes in an area between Cambodia's Oddar Meanchey and Siem Reap provinces on Dec 20.

Cambodia and Thailand to hold ceasefire talks on Dec 24

(From left) Vietnamese Deputy Foreign Minister Dang Hoang Giang, Laos Foreign Minister Thongsavanh Phomvihane, Singapore Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan, Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow, Timor-Leste Foreign Minister Bendito dos Santos Freitas, Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan, Philippine Foreign Secretary Theresa Lazaro,Brunei Second Foreign Minister Erywan Pehin Yusof, Cambodian Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn, Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono and ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn at the Special ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Kuala Lumpur on Dec 22.
(From left) Vietnamese Deputy Foreign Minister Dang Hoang Giang, Laos Foreign Minister Thongsavanh Phomvihane, Singapore Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan, Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow, Timor-Leste Foreign Minister Bendito dos Santos Freitas, Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan, Philippine Foreign Secretary Theresa Lazaro,Brunei Second Foreign Minister Erywan Pehin Yusof, Cambodian Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn, Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono and ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn at the Special ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Kuala Lumpur on Dec 22.

Thailand doubles down on fight against Cambodia, rebuffing Trump’s ceasefire claims

People resting at a temporary camp for displaced people set up at a former market in Banteay Meanchey province on Dec 13.
People resting at a temporary camp for displaced people set up at a former market in Banteay Meanchey province on Dec 13.

Thai-Cambodia clash may boost PM Anutin’s standing but to what extent?

pwsurin12 - General view of the evacuation centre at Surindra Rajabhat University in Surin, Thailand.
ST PHOTO: PHILIP WEN
pwsurin12 - General view of the evacuation centre at Surindra Rajabhat University in Surin, Thailand.
ST PHOTO: PHILIP WEN

Trampolines and live music: Carnival mood at Thai evacuation camp can’t mask villagers’ anxiety

A movie screening at the Chang International Circuit in Buriram on Dec 10
A movie screening at the Chang International Circuit in Buriram on Dec 10

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MDDI (P) 046/10/2025. Published by SPH Media Limited, Co. Regn. No.202120748H. Copyright © 2026 SPH Media Limited. All rights reserved.