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.



un.org United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has congratulated the people of Myanmar for ''their patience, dignity and enthusiasm' in historic elections and has encouraged all stakeholders ''to maintain the dignified spirit, calm and respect throughout the completion of the electoral process.''

thestar.com Burma's embrace of democracy is fragile and comes with an asterisk. The Lady and her forces for change will need the world's support, in the months ahead. And the generals will need watching.

bangkokpost.com ''Be humble and calm'' Aung San Suu Kyi urged as tens of thousands sang in the streets of Yangon late Monday and early Tuesday over her election win.

ozy.com Much like its politics and economics, Myanmar's social conventions are evolving, pitting modern attitudes toward relationships and sexuality against traditional norms. Some women are challenging strict gender roles, experts say, while more teenage sweethearts are having sex, a small LGBT scene is emerging and society is becoming more permissive.



thediplomat.com China and Cambodia agreed to boost their military ties following a meeting between their defense ministers in the Cambodian capital Phnom Penh.



todayonline.com After more than three months of choking haze, life has pretty much returned to normal for Singaporeans, but for the pharmaceutical companies it is time to augment their therapeutic arsenals as the smoky skies are turning out to be an annual crisis that is causing more people to suffer from respiratory problems.



wired.com Indonesia has been aflame for a couple months now. That happens every fall - the country's fire season is severe - but this time around, things are the worst they've been in almost two decades. This year's crazy-strong El Nino has desiccated the region's peat beds, while palm oil plantations exacerbate the problem by cutting down trees and draining the normally soggy land.



9news.com.au The stepmother of an American tourist detained in the Philippines has put forward supposed video evidence showing airport officials allegedly planting a bullet in his luggage.



thestar.com.my Malaysia continues to forge ahead despite strong economic headwinds as reflected in the RM22.4bil foreign direct investment recorded in the first half of this year.



qz.com The Vietnamese government has announced plans to cut automobile tariffs, making cars much more affordable in a country where urban traffic is famously anarchic. The transport department plans to narrow the sidewalks to give vehicles more space.



cnbc.com La Residence Phou Vao - Laos: Deep in the jungle of northern Laos is this French colonial designed building, seeped with Lao culture, as well as and a 13-meter infinity pool with a view of mountains and the UNESCO World Heritage site of Luang Prabang, Laos's old city. Rooms are open-plan, with verandas to enjoy the green surroundings, as well as local Lao cuisine made by the hotel's restaurant.