David Armstrong has been a journalist, in Australia and Asia, for more than 50 years. He has been a Pearls & Irritations contributor for more than 10 years and writes a regular column on Asian media.

David’s university years shaped his future career. He has a BA from UNSW and his study of Asian history sparked a lifelong interest - and a dream of working in Asia. In 1969, he was editor of Tharunka, the student newspaper, which led to a career in journalism.

He started with The Australian, then a fledgling newspaper with the legendary progressive editor Adrian Deamer at the helm. Twenty years later, David became the first journalist to start his career on The Australian and later go on to be its editor.

Highlights of his career include: editor of The Bulletin (now sadly defunct); deputy editor of Sydney’s Daily Telegraph; editor of the Canberra Times; editor and editor-in-chief of Hong Kong’s South China Morning Post; editor-in-chief of The Australian; president (managing director) of the Bangkok Post company; chair of the Phnom Penh Post company; and chair of the Ucanews company.

He was also a director of the Deb Bailey Foundation for motor neuron disease research. The centre was formed following the death of his wife, Deb, at the age of 48, and was instrumental in setting up Macquarie University’s motor neuron disease research centre.

David lives in Bangkok and is part-owner of a boutique hotel and restaurant in rural Thailand.