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.



channelnewsasia.com Protesters in Hong Kong on Sunday burnt effigies of Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and founding Prime Minister Mr Lee Kuan Yew at a demonstration held to demand the release of teen blogger Amos Yee. About 50 people from various civic and political groups gathered with banners and placards near the Singapore Consulate in Admiralty district, one day ahead of Yee's expected sentencing, reported the South China Morning Post.

sg.news.yahoo.com Speaking to a full auditorium, former Nanyang Technological University journalism professor, Cherian George, was not shy when conveying his views to the audience. ''Of all the advanced industrial nations, Singapore has by far the least freedom of expression,'' he said in his opening speech.



cctv-america.com After nearly two years' discussion, Chinese and Thai officials are finalising details of a massive railway project to connect the two countries. The railway will be a key segment of China's new silk road. Construction is expected to begin before the year ends.



ft.com Malaysia's prime minister Najib Razak faces a struggle for survival amid growing fallout from allegations that hundreds of millions of dollars were channelled from a state development fund into his personal bank accounts. Mr Najib has denied taking money for personal gain.

abc.net.au Members of Malaysia's LGBTI community are speaking out about being violently attacked in the moderate Muslim nation, saying the abuse has become common as religious authorities push for more power.



xinhua Cambodia's three international airports received over 3.2 million passengers in the first six months of 2015, a 14 percent rise compared to the same period last year, according to the report of the Cambodia Airports. Upgrades at Phnom Penh and Siem Riap are to double capacity.



vietnamnet.vn An analyst noted that Vietnam and Thailand together provide 50 percent of the total rice supply in the world market, and if they cooperate, they will not only gain the initiative in selling rice to the Philippines, but also will be able to control the world market price.



philstar.com Archimedes ''Archie'' Rosario King, owner of Victoria Court motel chain, died as his private helicopter crashed near Mount Maculot in Cuenca, Batangas on Sunday afternoon. The chopper's pilot, Captain Felicisimo Taborlupa Jr., also died in the incident.



ft.com Myanmar's former military rulers are used to winning the day despite losing the argument. The question is whether they will still be able to do so after landmark elections, whose shape remains unclear just a few months from polling day.



perthnow.com.au Bali flights, both inbound and outbound slowly returned to normal after a volcanic ash eruption caused days of disruption. Thousands of Jetstar and Virgin Australia passengers had their holiday plans thrown into chaos.



nationmultimedia.com The English Language Institute of China (ELIC) in cooperation with the Laos Ministry of Education and Sports will implement the first ever English language teacher training program for in-service secondary English teachers.



todayonline.com Claims by Beijing to the disputed South China Sea will come under international legal scrutiny for the first time this week. While China has officially refused to take part in the case filed by the Philippines at a UN tribunal, it has made its presence felt. Brunei is among claimants to parts of the South China Sea.