PHUKETWAN recognises the importance of Asean with the Economic Community approaching and marks what's happening around the region with a column, Asean Today, that will cease when Phuketwan closes on December 31.



nationmultimedia.com Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha has labelled Thailand and Cambodia's relationship as ''the best'' it has been in the 65 years of ties between the two countries after they signed five agreements to strengthen cooperation in various sectors.



themalaymailonline.com Malaysia's first Shariah-compliant airline Rayani Air is scheduled to begin operations, with its maiden flight from Luala Lumpur's klia2 to its home base in Langkawi.



reuters There are concerns for the welfare of more than 100 passengers aboard a ship that is adrift in rough seas off the coast of Indonesia's Sulawesi. Reports are unclear on whether it is still afloat or has sunk.



xinhua Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, sent each other congratulatory messages Saturday on the formal commencement of a project of China-Thailand cooperation in railway construction. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Thailand.



nst.com.my Philippine authorities have verbally confirmed that a human head found in Southern Philippines belonged to Malaysian hostage Bernard Then, based on DNA tests, said Inspector General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar.



the-japan-news.com While the nation appears to be moving along the path of democratisation, there is still deep public distrust of the central government. A high-ranking editor of a major Myanmar newspaper told me, ''Many people here still feel traumatised by the repeated swings between delight and despair.''



channelnewsasia.com The Securities Investors Association Singapore (SIAS) has appealed to the board of Singapore Airlines (SIA) on behalf of long-term Tiger Airways minority shareholders, asking SIA to revise its buyout offer and extend the deadline for acceptance by two weeks. The offer closes on December 28.



abc.net.au Two US B-52 bombers have flown close to islands in the flashpoint South China Sea this month in a "serious military provocation", Beijing said, as tensions simmer in the disputed waterway.



PTI In a significant move in the ongoing dispute over the South China Sea, China and Vietnam which have overlapping claims over several islands and reefs along with four other countries launched joint inspection of a section of the waters.