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.



rappler.com The makers of a Thai reality television show have held an apologetic mountaintop prayer ritual after viewers accused them of angering sacred spirits during their last episode. 'Thailand's Got Talent,' which is based on the hugely successful British franchise, found itself in hot water after an episode with an opening sequence aired showing host Na Nuke standing on a sacred spot at a northern Thai temple where locals believe the Buddha left a footprint.



afp An Australian man accused of raping and trafficking two girls in the Philippines has pleaded not guilty. Gerard Peter Scully, 51, puffed on a cigarette before calmly saying ''not guilty'' as the charges - five counts of rape and one of human trafficking - were read to him at an improvised courtroom in the port of Cagayan de Oro.



laht.com A 59-year-old Mexican man was arrested in Cambodia, accused of sexually abusing a 15-year-old girl in the tourist city of Sihanoukville, local media reported. Local newspaper 'Cambodia Daily' confirmed the police arrested the Mexican, acting on a rape complaint filed by the young girl's family.



leaderpost.com The Canadian siblings who were jailed in Malaysia for posing naked atop the country's highest mountain have issued an apology, saying they had no idea how sacred the summit was.

channelnewsasia.com The fuss sparked by a gymnast's ''revealing'' attire at the SEA Games is ''a lesson'' on clothing for Muslims in sports and other fields, said Mr Jamil Khir Baharom, a Malaysian minister in charge of Islamic affairs.

espnfc.com A woeful Malaysia suffered a 6-0 thrashing at the hands of Palestine, leaving their 2018 World Cup Group A qualifying campaign in tatters after just two games.



time.com The Sydney Morning Herald has reportedly obtained photographic evidence that proves Australian officials paid human traffickers to take a group of asylum seekers away from its shores. Photos appear to show stacks of crisp $100 bills, which Indonesia's police force say were handed over to six traffickers.



theguardian.com An Indian military operation along its eastern border with Burma has Pakistani leaders rattled, resulting in threats of swift retaliation should India ever try similar manoeuvres along its western border with Pakistan.



inquirer.net A Vietnamese fishing crew said they were attacked by a Chinese vessel using water cannon in disputed waters near the flashpoint Paracel Islands, Vietnam's state media reported. Both Vietnam and China claim full sovereignty over the Paracel Islands.



kspr.com The Jurong rock caverns in Singapore are defying the challenge of limited land space by creating a deep underground storage facility for the city-state's oil reserves.straitstimes.com In a shock result, Singapore have held Asian giants Japan to a 0-0 draw in 2018 World Cup qualifers, earning a precious away point.



reuters China is about to complete some of its land reclamation work on the Spratly Islands in the disputed South China Sea, the foreign ministry said, shedding light on a controversial project that has inflamed regional tension. The Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan and Brunei have overlapping claims



plenenglish.com Laos will temporarily stop importing pork meat for commercial purposes or family consumption, in order to promote and protect the domestic market, announced local media.