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Asean Today: Aussie Navy Defeats Refugees; Second Maid Beheaded; SE Asia More Costly to Visit

Saturday, April 18, 2015
Today Around Southeast Asia

PHUKETWAN recognises the importance of Asean with the Economic Community approaching and marks what's happening around the region with a new column, Asean Today.

Vietnam


theguardian.com The Australian government has reportedly used a costly navy vessel to return a number of asylum seekers to Vietnam. Up to 50 people were on board the Navy supply ship HMAS Choules, the West Australian reported.

watoday.com.au The ship has a daily running cost of $201,621, according 2012 Defence estimates. This means that a week-long voyage to return asylum seekers to Vietnam would cost at least $1.4 million - double if you include the return voyage.

Cambodia


aa.com.tr Three days after refugees at a Nauru detention center received letters saying they could be relocated to Cambodia as soon as Monday it is still unclear if any of them have agreed to travel, despite media reports to the contrary. An ABC story quoted unnamed sources as saying that a plane had been chartered for April 20 and up to 10 refugees would be on board.

cambodiadaily.com Australia's Immigration Department confirmed that a letter being handed out to refugees on Nauru filled with false claims about Cambodia -where Australia hopes they decide to resettle - was issued by the department, but declined to say whether there were any takers.

Laos


dailytelegraph.com.au Costs in resorts in trend destinations Laos and the Philippines have increased the most, with Vientiane now averaging $116 per night compared with $85 in April last year. The Philippines has seen the highest national price increase of 21 percent compared with the same time last year.

Indonesia


cnn.com Saudi Arabia has executed a second Indonesian maid despite protests from Jakarta, which is itself facing fierce criticism for its failure to heed calls for clemency for a number of foreigners on death row. The Indonesian government summoned the Saudi ambassador to the foreign ministry after learning that 37-year-old Karni Bt. Medi Tarsim had been beheaded, without official warning.

wsj.com A Batik Air flight in Indonesia made an emergency landing due to a bomb threat Friday morning, the company and officials said. Airport spokesman Rio Hendarto said no bomb was found.

afp The French ambassador in Jakarta warned Indonesia that executing a Frenchman on death row on drugs charges would have ''consequences'' for the bilateral relationship.

Malaysia


channelnewsasia.com Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak and his wife have sued an opposition parliamentarian for slander over comments suggesting they manipulated fuel subsidies for personal gain, the lawmaker said.

themalaysianinsuder.com The Malaysian government needs to show greater political will in prosecuting human traffickers and protecting their victims if the country hopes to improve on its currently lowest ranking in the US State Department's Trafficking in Persons (TiP) report, US ambassador to Malaysia Joseph Yun said.

Philippines


interaksyon.com Philippine President Benigno Aquino III said the territorial dispute with China in the South China Sea was of concern for the world because global trade will be hit by China's reclamation. Recent satellite images show China has made rapid progress in building an airstrip suitable for military use in contested territory in the Spratly Islands

Singapore


smh.com.au Qantas will return to flying on the Perth to Singapore route after a year-long absence with five weekly return services.

Comments

Comments have been disabled for this article.

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So whats the giraffe pic got to do with anything, cant see an article for it?

Posted by Chalongresident on April 18, 2015 08:20

Editor Comment:

My mistake. It's now on PhuketWATCH.

news.com.au Female hunter Rebecca Francis, who was attacked online by Ricky Gervais for posing smiling next to a giraffe she had just killed, has accused the British comedian of sexism. Franciswon a US-based reality television show competition called Extreme Huntress.

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When will people at the top learn and not insist on their interpretation of their personal rights are in the name of Thainess or for that matter, Aseanness. In the society of today, where the many have access to information, not necessarily via newspapers or internet, but by the old method of mouth to mouth and shaking the heads in disbelief, suing someone for defamation is rather understood by the general public as admitting at least some guilt. Nothing but revenge on an individual is achieved by winning a defamation case. The public have the experience that the courts will rule in favour of the one closest to the power there is, in such cases, and against the defendant in a defamation case, according to statistics. Just give a thought to it, should Hillary Clinton, recently accused of having made the correspondence as foreign secretary on her private email address, have sued the accusers for intent to defame her? Would that make her fit for becoming President? Defamation laws need to be abolished for the single reason that people in power must create confidence in their leadership. Use fact based arguments to ensure the public that all political leaders know their responsibilities and are fit for their job and can handle bigger matters and not get offended by anything that sounds criticism, even a simple question. Why show too the level of control over actions solely based on personal feelings, likings and dislikes, being used as the base for decision making.
Thainess or Aseanness should not be defined as having been in a responsible position when something has gone wrong and being told so is a reason to take revenge on the person who told that. Instead, the general public expects the leaders to calmly explain and even admit failure in communicating the correct understanding.
Maturity, please. Is that not within the Buddhist teaching.
Bob

Posted by Anonymous on April 18, 2015 10:38

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The giraffe huntress story is so awful. Why would anyone want to be so cruel? What a dumb bitch.

Posted by Vfaye on April 19, 2015 02:46


Friday March 29, 2024
Horizon Karon Beach Resort & Spa

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