An East Asian economic powerhouse (Monday, 25 August 2008) Posted by: linsi (Hits: 18) ...
By Cielito Habito
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 21:18:00 08/24/2008...
IT IS NOW widely acknowledged that the focal point of the world economy has shifted to the Asia-Pacific region. For most of the 20th century, it was North America, while prior to that, Europe dominated the scene. All eyes are now on Asia as current global economic trends, including rising oil and food prices, are being shaped largely by developments in this part of the world..The 10 countries making up the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) have also become a formidable economic bloc...
Family of murdered tourist call for Thailand travel boycott (Tuesday, 26 August 2008) Posted by: photo_journ (Hits: 7) The family of a man murdered in the popular Northern Thailand tourist destination of Chiang Mai have reacted angrily to Monday’s provincial court ruling that means his killer will serve less than three years in jail and called on Americans to boycott Thailand as a tourist destination.
Taiwan’s security concerns ahead (Monday, 25 August 2008) Posted by: linsi (Hits: 7) .....WHILE the world media are actively engrossed in the events surrounding Georgia or the Olympics, many in Taiwan are concerned with national defense... “owing to the real and grave threat posed by mainland China’s rapid military build-up, Taiwan needs to maintain reliable national defense ability and keep its 23 million people from living in fear of being attacked.”
shinminoo (Wednesday, 27 August 2008) Posted by: Burma Democratic Concern (Hits: 2) Thailand Prime Minister is Nurturing the Military Dictatorship in Burma
Burma Democratic Concern (BDC) today strongly condemns the Thailand Prime Minister Samak Sumdaravaj comments on Aung San Suu Kyi by saying that “the western countries not to pin their efforts to bring democracy to Burma on the release of detained opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi,” and keep on saying that “Ibrahim Gambari would have more success engaging the military regime if Ms Suu Kyi was left off the agenda”.
Mr Sundaravej went on saying that “Instead of focusing on Aung San Suu Kyi the international community should focus on the constitution and elections as a means of bringing democracy to Burma”.
His irresponsible comment is not only insulting on Aung San Suu Kyi but also insulting on Burmese people. The constitution he refers to is a sham one drawn 14 years long by regime’s hand pick delegation in order to legitimate military rule in Burma and adopted unilaterally.
Mr Samak should also know that people of Burma do not accept 2010 election. Burmese democratic forces also stressed their stand very clearly that there will be no more elections without implementing and recognizing the 1990 election results.
Mr Samart should bear in mind that elections were held in 1990 and the will of the Burmese has been expressed and UNGA had recognised the notion already. United Nations General Assembly has since 1991 on its successive resolution calling on Burma to implement 1990 elections result and hand over power.
“We are very sad to learn that Thai PM is nurturing the military dictatorship in Burma in order to exploit its natural resources”, said Myo Thein, Director of Burma Democratic Concern (BDC).
“I wonder Mr Samak got ears and eyes to see and hear the realities of suffering of Burmese people”, said Myo Thein. “His irresponsible comments seem to say that he cares only the people with GUNS, not with NON-VIOLENT”.
Burma Democratic Concern (BDC) calls for Mr Samak Sumdaravaj to stop nurturing the military dictatorship in Burma.
Pakistani receives life sentence for murdering Thai: Australian gets four years for killing American (Tuesday, 26 August 2008) Posted by: photo_journ (Hits: 3) Just two days after the Chiang Mai Provincial Court handed down a four year sentence to 61-year-old Australian William Thomas Douglas for the March 2008 murder of American tourist Gary Bruce Poretsky, Thailand’s Court of Appeal was reaffirming a life sentence for a Pakistani man convicted for murdering a Thai woman in 2006.
Thai police try to end stand-off (Wednesday, 27 August 2008) Posted by: Jacques (Hits: 5)
Thai riot police have surrounded the prime minister's compound to try to evict anti-government protesters who took over the building on Tuesday.
Amazing Laos surprises yourself (Monday, 25 August 2008) Posted by: activetravellaos (Hits: 5)
Thought of as the most enigmatic of the three French Indochina states, Laos is definitely the sleepiest. At least for the moment. After years of isolation, Laos is now slowly opening its doors to the world - mainly a result of the Friendship Bridge over the Mekong River linking Vientiane with Thailand. these days you have to actually look both ways before crossing the road in Vientiane and the main road in Lung Prabang is lined with western restaurants. Having said that, tourism (and life!) is remarkably low key even on the tourist axis of Vientiane, Vang Vien and Luang Prabang. Off the axis life is much the same as it has been for years.
Vientiene, the capital, is emerging from hundreds of years of slumber and the centre now even boasts a number of restaurants and bars. The hotels aren't much with the exception of the Villa Manoli - a beautiful old villa in a sumptuous garden. It even has a small swimming pool - all for about $20 a night.
After a day's wandering around the magnificent temples, there is nothing better than strolling up the river bank to the stilted restaurants and enjoying a great Mekong sunset over a cold Bia Lao and a spicy pork Laap (minced meat salad) or sizzling Mekong catfish.
Vang Vieng has become something of a backpacker centre in recent years. Positioning has probably been the key to its popularity as it is half way between Luang Prabang and Vientiane and is therefore used to breakup an otherwise long day on the road. It is also prettily situated on the Nam Song river, the focus of the town. There are a few riverside places (bars would be too flash a name) to buy a beer and watch people float by - either in inner tubes or canoes. There is also a small market and a few stalls off the river selling handicrafts and some travel agents who can organise day trips up the river or to local caves.
Luang Prabang is the jewel in Laos' crown and has been a UNESCO heritage site since 1995. It has recently seen a sudden influx of tourists resulting in an explosion of restaurants and handicraft shops along the main drag. Five star hotels have also started appearing along the fringes of town. Despite this, there are so many temples to see they are never crowded. In addition, the back streets are usually deserted and if you are lucky enough to happen upon a temple festival you are more than likely to be one of only a few foreigners present. There is also the timeless view of the Mekong River, behind which the untamed jungle goes on into the distant hills.
TACi Group:Active Travel Asia # 303, 3rd Floor, Building 30 Nguyen Du Street, Hanoi, Vietnam
Phone: +84 4 9446230 | Fax: +84 4 9446231
Homepage:http://www.activetravellaos.com
Anwar Ibrahim victory (Wednesday, 27 August 2008) Posted by: Jacques (Hits: 11) Anwar Ibrahim, Malaysia's opposition leader, has won a landslide victory in a by-election to return him to parliament.
Anwar, who heads the Keadilan party, or the People's Justice, said on Tuesday he was on track to oust a "weakened government".
Sharif quits Pakistan government (Tuesday, 26 August 2008) Posted by: Jacques (Hits: 4) Nawaz Sharif, a former prime minister of Pakistan, has pulled his party out of the country's ruling coalition, just two weeks before the country is due to elect a new president.
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