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.
Thailand
bangkokpost.com How easily can Thai passport holders travel to other parts of the world compared to the citizens of other countries? The answer lies in the annual Henley & Partners Visa Restrictions Index, which placed Thailand 72nd in the survey this year.
Singapore
Brunei
theaustralian.com.au The family of Adelaide schoolteacher Anthea Bradshaw-Hall, murdered in Brunei two decades ago, is a crucial step closer to justice through plans for law changes. The Federal Government will today move to amend legislation introduced after the Bali bombings so that South Australian police can charge the only suspect and try him in Adelaide for murder.
Burma
irrawaddy.org The European Union's involvement in Burma will face two key tests in the next month: the conclusion of the so-called nationwide ceasefire agreement on Thursday, and, provided it is not postponed, what is being touted as the first ''free and fair'' general election in 25 years.
Indonesia
nytimes.com President Joko Widodo of Indonesia appealed for calm on Wednesday in the fractious province of Aceh after a man was shot to death during a brawl set off by the razing of a Christian church.
jakartaglobe.com ''Stop the violence in Aceh Singkil,'' the president said via his Twitter account. ''Violence of any kind, particularly one motivated by religion and faith, will only damage plurality.''
Malaysia
huffingtonpost.com As Najib Razak, Malaysia's current Prime Minister, struggles for political survival on the back of the 1MDB scandal, observers are questioning whether this signals the end of his position as the nation's leader - especially with a vote of no-confidence planned for October 19
Philippines
tnn India backed the Philippines in its dispute with China over islands in South China Sea, which Manila calls West Philippine Sea, saying it wanted peaceful resolution to the maritime disputes, at the heart of which lies Beijing's expansive maritime claim in the form of the nine-dashed line covering 90pc of the sea's waters.
Vietnam
ap Vietnam slammed China over its construction of two lighthouses in the disputed South China Sea, saying the move violates Vietnam's sovereignty and escalates tensions.
Cambodia
khmertimeskh.com Cambodia is moving fast to attract more Chinese tourists by increasing direct flights from more cities in the country, promoting the Kingdom???s competitive advantage in cultural tourism and making it easier for Chinese visitors to purchase goods and services here with their own currency, officials said.
Laos
thepoultrysite.com An outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza has been discovered in ducks and chickens in Laos. The outbreak, of the H5N6 strain, was found on a farm in the area of Xayabury, to the north of the country on the border with Thailand.
