{{Portal:Current events/News Browser}}

{{Portal:Southeast Asia/News Highlights}}

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{{flagicon|Brunei}}, {{flagicon|Cambodia}}, {{flagicon|East Timor}}, {{flagicon|Indonesia}}, {{flagicon|Laos}}, {{flagicon|Malaysia}}, {{flagicon|Myanmar}}, {{flagicon|Philippines}}, {{flagicon|Singapore}}, {{flagicon|Thailand}}, {{flagicon|Vietnam}} -->

{{Dateheader|2006|08|22}}

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*{{flagicon|Thailand}} [[Sondhi Limthongkul]], a leader of the People's Alliance for Democracy calls for an investigation of Monday's beating of anti-Thaksin Shinawatra|Thaksin]] demonstrators, promising to stage a large protest if the investigation results are not released publicly. [http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/08/22/headlines/headlines_30011669.php (The Nation)] [http://etna.mcot.net/query.php?nid=24259 (TNA)]

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{{Dateheader|2006|08|21}}

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*{{flagicon|Thailand}} As the [[Thailand legislative election, October 2006|October 15 legislative election]] nears, opponents of [[Prime Minister of Thailand|caretaker Prime Minister]] [[Thaksin Shinawatra]] are becoming more vocal at the premier's appearances. Three anti-Thaksin protesters are injured in a scuffle with Thaksin supporters as the premier visits [[Central World Plaza]] to mark the opening of Thai Knowledge Park. [http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/08/22/headlines/headlines_30011655.php (The Nation)] [http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/08/22/headlines/headlines_30011656.php (The Nation)]

* {{flagicon|Indonesia}} Indonesia delays the execution of the three [[2002 Bali bombings|Bali bombers]] because of a last [[appeal]]. The three [[death row]] prisoners, [[Amrozi]], Mukhlas and Imam Samudra, were due to face a firing squad on 22 August. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/5269874.stm (BBC)]

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{{Dateheader|2006|08|20}}

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* {{flagicon|Thailand}} [[John Mark Karr]], a suspect in the 1996 murder of [[JonBenet Ramsey]], is deported from [[Thailand]], accompanied by three US immigration officials on board [[Thai Airways International|Thai Airways]] flight 794 to Los Angeles. [http://etna.mcot.net/query.php?nid=24220 (TNA)]

* [[Image:Flag of ASEAN.svg|25px]] ASEAN economics ministers arrive in Kuala Lumpur for the 38th Asean Economic Ministers. [http://bernama.com/bernama/v3/news.php?id=214953 (Bernama)]

* {{flagicon|Malaysia}} {{flagicon|Indonesia}} [[Proton]] to export 3,000 [[Proton Wira|Wira]]s as cabs to Indonesia. [http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news_business.php?id=214981 (Bernama)]

* {{flagicon|Indonesia}} Protected [[Javanese]] long-tailed monkeys (trachyphitecus auratus), or locally known as [[Javan lutung]], are threatened with extinction due to increasing illegal trade of the animal and conversion of forest land into farms. [http://www.antara.co.id/en/seenws/?id=18513 (ANTARA)]

* {{flagicon|Philippines}} [[Philippine National Oil Company|Petron Corp.]] says it hopes to retrieve 1.8 million liters of fuel oil from the sunken ''MT Solar I'' and salvage the tanker off [[Guimaras]] to eliminate the source of an [[Guimaras oil spill|oil spill]]. [http://www.asianewsnet.net/news.php?aid=3997 (Daily Inquirer)]

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{{Dateheader|2006|08|19}}

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* {{flagicon|Singapore}} Security is stepped up at [[Alexandra Hospital]] after [[Subutex]], which is now classfied an illegal drug, is found on in some patients' possession. [http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/225734/1/.html (CNA)]

* {{flagicon|Thailand}} Responding to the protests of [[Thai Airways International]] employees, caretaker [[Prime Minister of Thailand|Prime Minister]] [[Thaksin Shinawatra]] backs off his demand that domestic airlines start operations at [[Suvarnabhumi Airport]] on September 15, ahead of the official opening on September 28. Local carriers may now voluntarily move to the new airport at anytime between September 15 and September 27; however, services at the current [[Bangkok International Airport]] will cease at 3am on September 28. [http://etna.mcot.net/query.php?nid=24196 (TNA)]

* {{flagicon|Indonesia}} Indonesia refused to disarm [[Hezbollah]], despite of its commitments to allocate US$40 million to dispatch 2,000 troops as part of the international troops [[UNIFIL]]. Defense Minister [[Juwono Sudarsono]] has said that the [[UN Security Council Resolution 1701]] does not stipulate [[disarmament]] by the [[UN peacekeeping]] troops. [http://www.antara.co.id/en/seenws/?id=18482 (ANTARA)]

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{{Dateheader|2006|08|18}}

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* {{flagicon|Singapore}} The local media goes on a tour at the [[Home Team Academy]], which will open officially on [[2 September]] [[2006]] with an open house. [http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/225578/1/.html (CNA)]

* {{flagicon|Thailand}} Wat Pun On, a [[Buddhism|Buddhist]] [[chedi]] built more than 500 years ago, collapses during heavy rains in [[Chiang Mai]]. [http://etna.mcot.net/query.php?nid=24174 (TNA)]

* {{flagicon|Indonesia}} An Indonesian woman died of suspected [[bird flu]] in a village that has been hard hit by the disease, a hospital official said Friday, as health workers investigated a new possible [[cluster]] of the [[H5N1]] [[virus]]. The virus has killed at least 140 people worldwide since 2003 &mdash; 45 of them in Indonesia, the world's worst affected country, according to the [[World Health Organization]].[http://edition.cnn.com/2006/HEALTH/conditions/08/18/indonesia.birdflu.ap/ (AP)]

* {{flagicon|Indonesia}} {{flagicon|Malaysia}} Israel object the presence of Indonesian and Malaysian military in the United Nations peacekeeping force for the [[2006 Israel-Lebanon conflict]]. [http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L1834451.htm (Reuters)]

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{{Dateheader|2006|08|17}}

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* {{flagicon|Thailand}} [[John Mark Karr]], 41, admits to [[Thailand|Thai]] police that he killed [[JonBenet Ramsey]]. Karr was arrested in [[Bangkok]] on Wednesday night. [http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060817/ap_on_re_as/thailand_jonbenet_ramsey (AP)]

* {{flagicon|Indonesia}} [[Indonesia]] commemorates its 61st [[independence day]]. It is a tradition in Indonesia during Independence Day to cut jail terms of well-behaved prisoners. [[Schapelle Corby]], a convicted Australian drug smuggler, gets 2 months, [[Renae Lawrence]] from [[Bali Nine]] gets 1 month, while nine of the [[2002 Bali bombing]] terrorists get 4 months, among others. [http://www.theage.com.au/news/World/Anger-over-Bali-bombers-sentence-cuts/2006/08/17/1155407932107.html (The Age)]

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{{Dateheader|2006|08|16}}

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* {{flagicon|Thailand}} Commerce Minister [[Somkid Jatusripitak]], a respected businessman who is widely seen as a possible successor to [[Prime Minister of Thailand|Prime Minister]] [[Thaksin Shinawatra]], resigns from the cabinet. Dismissing concerns that Somkid's departure could hurt the ruling [[Thai Rak Thai]] party's chances in the [[Thailand legislative election, October 2006|October 15 legislative election]], saying, "I am the most important person who works with them. Everyone else is just my helper." [http://sg.news.yahoo.com/060816/1/42tgd.html (AFP)]

* {{flagicon|Indonesia}} {{flagicon|Singapore}} [[Singapore|Singapore's]] [[Prime Minister]] [[Lee Hsien Loong]] says as a close friend and neighbour of [[Indonesia]], Singapore fully supports the peace process in [[Aceh]]. Mr Lee had sent a video message congratulating the Indonesian President [[Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono]], as Indonesians celebrate the first anniversary of the signing of the [[Helsinki]] peace accord. [http://asia.news.yahoo.com/060815/5/singapore224868.html (AFP)]

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{{Dateheader|2006|08|15}}

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* {{flagicon|Singapore}} [[Singapore]], with one of the highest rates of [[myopia]] in the world, launches a large scale study to find effective treatments for the condition.[http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/224805/1/.html (CNA}]

* {{flagicon|Indonesia}} Tens of thousands rally in [[Aceh]], [[Indonesia]], celebrating a full year of peace but calling on [[Jakarta]] to honour the pact which ended three decades of separatist warfare. [http://asia.news.yahoo.com/060815/afp/060815075306asiapacificnews.html (AFP)]

* {{flagicon|Philippines}} An [[oil spill]] 17 miles long is left off the coast of [[Guimaras Island]] after Friday's sinking of the tanker ''Solar I''. The ship, which went down in rough seas and lost 20 crewmen, is 3,000 feet under the water, and authorities are struggling to contain the spill of fuel oil. [http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060816/ap_on_re_as/philippines_oil_spill (AP)]

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{{Dateheader|2006|08|14}}

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* {{flagicon|Singapore}} {{flagicon|Malaysia}} [[Train]] services between [[Singapore]] and [[Malaysia]] have been disrupted when a cargo train operated by [[Keretapi Tanah Melayu]] derailed and overturned near [[Lower Delta Road]] while proceeding to the [[Tanjong Pagar Railway Station]]. [http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/224851/1/.html (CNA)]

* {{flagicon|Indonesia}} [[Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono|Indonesia's president]] warns more work is needed to solidify peace in [[Aceh]] as global leaders praise [[Indonesia]] and ex-rebels from the province for reaching the first anniversary of their conflict's end.[http://asia.news.yahoo.com/060814/afp/060814044010asiapacificnews.html (AFP)]

* {{flagicon|Malaysia}} Former [[Prime Minister of Malaysia|Malaysian premier]] [[Mahathir Mohamad]] denies he is trying to unseat Prime Minister [[Abdullah Ahmad Badawi]]. "I have no way of toppling the prime minister of this country ... No, no way," Mahathir, 81, was quoted as saying in the ''[[New Straits Times]]''. He says he'll stop criticizing the government of his hand-picked successor when a new bridge to [[Singapore]] is built. [http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/nst/Monday/National/20060814085929/Article/index_html (NST)] [http://sg.news.yahoo.com/060814/1/42rk6.html (AFP)]

* {{flagicon|Philippines}} Landslides bury eight villages in [[Lanao del Norte]] and [[Zamboanga del Sur]] on [[Mindanao]], and kill at least six people, including three in a Rural Transit bus that was swept by the slides. [http://mindanews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=669&Itemid=50 (MindaNews)]

* {{flagicon|Thailand}} [[Prime Minister of Thailand|Prime Minister]] [[Thaksin Shinawatra]] begins a four-day tour of [[northern Thailand]] in [[Chiang Mai]], where a group of 15 protesters verbally clash with hundreds of supporters. Just before the premier arrives, police persuade the 15 to disperse. [http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/08/15/headlines/headlines_30011106.php (The Nation)] [http://etna.mcot.net/query.php?nid=24073 (TNA)]

* {{flagicon|Thailand}} An explosion aboard a [[Semi-trailer|semi trailer]] being loaded with [[fireworks]] at a warehouse in [[Songkhla Province|Songkhla]] kills two people and injures three. [http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/08/15/national/national_30011100.php (The Nation)] [http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/15Aug2006_news02.php (Bangkok Post)]

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{{Dateheader|2006|08|13}}

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* {{flagicon|Indonesia}} The Indonesian authority delays the [[execution]] of three attackers on [[Muslim|Muslims]] in eastern Indonesia, after [[Pope Benedict XVI]] contacts the [[President of Indonesia|President]] [[Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono]]. [http://asia.news.yahoo.com/060811/afp/060811190414int.html (AFP)]

* {{flagicon|Indonesia}} [[Haze]] from land-clearing fires blankets parts of [[Borneo]]. [http://sg.news.yahoo.com/060813/1/42r9c.html (AFP)]

* {{flagicon|Thailand}} In the [[South Thailand insurgency]], two people are killed and 11 others are injured in a bombing at a motorcycle shop in [[Ra-ngae]], [[Narathiwat Province|Narathiwat]], where authorities were investigating a previous killing. [http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/08/14/headlines/headlines_30011044.php (The Nation)]

* {{flagicon|Cambodia}} [[Cambodia]] bans the import of poultry from neighboring countries after reporting its first [[H5N1|bird flu]] outbreak in four months. [http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20060813/hl_afp/healthflucambodia_060813104543 (AFP)]

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{{Dateheader|2006|08|12}}

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* {{flagicon|Indonesia}} A strong 6.0 magnitude [[earthquake]] strikes off the western coast of [[Sumatra]] in [[Indonesia]]. There are no immediate reports of any casualties or damage. [http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060811/wl_nm/quake_indonesia_dc;_ylt=At_hIDKKtECK9p_zZn1nAKMBxg8F;_ylu=X3oDMTBjMHVqMTQ4BHNlYwN5bnN1YmNhdA-- (Reuters)]

* {{flagicon|Thailand}} A 22-year-old university student is in a coma after jumping in front of a train on the [[Bangkok Skytrain]]'s Sukhumvit line in an apparent [[suicide]] attempt. [http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/08/13/headlines/headlines_30010985.php (The Nation)] [http://etna.mcot.net/query.php?nid=24035 (TNA)]

* {{flagicon|Thailand}} Four people, including a police officer, a government employee, and a villager with his two-year-old son, are fatally shot by suspected [[South Thailand insurgency|Islamic militants]] in three separate incidents in [[Narathiwat Province|Narathiwat]] and [[Yala Province|Yala]]. [http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_asiapacific/view/224501/1/.html (AFP)]

* {{flagicon|Malaysia}} [[Khairy Jamaluddin]] sells all of his shares in [[ECM Libra Avenue Bhd]] amid investigation by [[Public Audit Committee]] of [[Parliament of Malaysia]] - chaired by [[Shahrir Abdul Samad]] - into possible wrongdoing done during the merger of [[ECM Libra Capital]] with government-linked [[Avenue Capital Resources Bhd]]. [http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=213609 (Bernama)]

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{{Dateheader|2006|08|11}}

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* {{flagicon|Indonesia}} More than 2,000 [[Christians]] in [[Indonesia]] rally against a plan to execute three co-religionist found guilty of a series of [[attacks]] on [[Muslims]] in eastern Indonesia. Tibo, da Silva and Riwu were involved in the attacks on [[Sulawesi]] in [[2002]]. [http://au.news.yahoo.com/060810/2/103oy.html (AAP)]

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{{Dateheader|2006|08|10}}

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* {{flagicon|Indonesia}} An [[Indonesian]] appeals court upholds a ruling by the [[Attorney-General]]'s office to drop the [[corruption]] case against former [[President of Indonesia|president]] [[Suharto]] because of his poor health. [http://au.news.yahoo.com/060810/15/103fb.html (AAP)]

* {{flagicon|Indonesia}} [[Indonesia]] complains to [[Australia]] regarding the travel warning to Indonesia. It has been found that the [[travel]] warning is harming its [[economy]], deterring new [[investment]] and decreasing the rate of [[international students]]. [http://au.news.yahoo.com/060629/2/zl5n.html (AAP)]

* {{flagicon|Philippines}} {{flagicon|Myanmar}} Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary [[Alberto Romulo]] arrives in [[Myanmar]] for talks with senior leaders, including [[Nyan Win]], Senior General [[Than Shwe]] and Prime Minister [[Soe Win]] in the new capital, [[Naypyidaw]]. [http://sg.news.yahoo.com/060810/1/42pi7.html (AFP)]

* {{flagicon|Thailand}} {{flagicon|Cambodia}} [[Prime Minister of Thailand|Prime Minister]] [[Thaksin Shinawatra]] visits [[Cambodia]] for talks on long-standing land and maritime boundary disputes. Among the issues is a [[natural gas]] field in the [[Gulf of Thailand]] that both countries claim. [http://etna.mcot.net/query.php?nid=23989 (TNA)]

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{{Dateheader|2006|08|9}}

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* {{flagicon|Malaysia}} Local council officials fine promoter Absolute Entertainment 10,000 [[ringgit]] over a concert by the scantily clad all-female [[pop music|pop]] group [[Pussycat Dolls]] at [[Kuala Lumpur]]'s [[Sunway Lagoon]] Surf Beach on July 26. [http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20060809/ennew_afp/afpentertainment_060809170906 (AP)] [http://star-ecentral.com/news/story.asp?file=/2006/7/28/music/14969885&sec=music (The Star)]

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{{Dateheader|2006|08|8}}

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* {{flagicon|Myanmar}} At a Buddhist temple in [[Yangon]], [[National League for Democracy]] activists hold a ceremony to mark the 18th anniversary of the [[August 8]], [[1988]] pro-democracy uprising. [http://sg.news.yahoo.com/060808/1/42n2e.html (AFP)]

* {{flagicon|Philippines}} [[Mayon Volcano]] sends ash columns up to a half mile high, prompting the evacuation of tens of thousands of villagers. [http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060808/ap_on_re_as/philippines_volcano (AP)]

* {{flagicon|Singapore}} [[Singapore]]an filmmaker [[Martyn See]] is given a warning after being investigated by the police for making a documentary about [[Singapore Democratic Party|Democratic Party]] secretary-general [[Chee Soon Juan]]. The film ''Singapore Rebel'', came under investigation after the censorship board classified it as a "party political film", which is prohibited under the Films Act. [http://sg.news.yahoo.com/060808/1/42mlz.html (AFP)]

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{{Dateheader|2006|08|7}}

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* {{flagicon|Singapore}} Plans to build the first [[liquefied natural gas]] terminal with an annual capacity of three million tonnes is announced in Singapore. [http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporebusinessnews/view/223574/1/.html (CNA)]

* {{flagicon|Thailand}} {{flagicon|Myanmar}} [[Thailand]]'s Armed Forces Supreme Commander Gen. Ruengroj Mahasaranond departs for [[Myanmar]] on a three-day trip that will include talks on boosting relations between senior border officials and solving the problems of narcotics smuggling and illegal labour. He is to pay a courtesy visit to Senior General [[Than Shwe]] in Myanmar's new capital, [[Naypyidaw]]. [http://etna.mcot.net/query.php?nid=23905 (TNA)]

* {{flagicon|Thailand}} [[Thailand]]'s Transport Ministry says local airlines should start using [[Suvarnabhumi Airport]] on September 15, ahead of the airport's official opening on September 28. [[Thai AirAsia]] and [[Bangkok Airways]] say they won't be ready, however [[Orient Thai]] plans to comply, and [[Thai Airways International]] says it will base some domestic flights at the new airport, with the exception of the [[Chiang Mai]] and [[Phuket]] routes, which carry large numbers of foreign tourists. [http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/08/08/headlines/headlines_30010613.php (The Nation)]

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{{Dateheader|2006|08|6}}

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* {{flagicon|Singapore}} The [[Anglo-Chinese Junior College]] Choir becomes the first [[Asia]]n team to win in the [[International Eisteddfod|Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod]]'s Mixed Choir category. [http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/223428/1/.html (CNA)]

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{{Dateheader|2006|08|5}}

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* {{flagicon|Thailand}} A 27-year-old man in [[Uthai Thani Province|Uthai Thani]] died from [[H5N1|bird flu]], Thai officials say. It is the second death this year. The other victim was a 17-year-old boy from [[Phichit Province|Phichit]], who died July 26. [http://etna.mcot.net/query.php?nid=23875 (TNA)]

* {{flagicon|Thailand}} A [[grey wolf]] that escaped from [[Chiang Mai Night Safari]] is captured in the foothills of [[Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep|Doi Suthep]] in [[Chiang Mai]] after being free for about one month, all the while feasting on domestic fowl and puppies. A veterinarian confirms the animal had a sexual encounter with a local dog. It is one of six grey wolves bought from a zoo in the [[Czech Republic]] for the fledgling tourist attraction in Chiang Mai. [http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/07Aug2006_news02.php (Bangkok Post)]

* {{flagicon|Singapore}} The [[Singapore Fireworks Festival]] 2006 commences with a 12-minute performance by a team led by [[Italy]]'s [[Francesco Ambrico]]. [http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/223437/1/.html (CNA)]

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{{Dateheader|2006|08|4}}

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* {{flagicon|Thailand}} King [[Bhumibol Adulyadej]] is released from [[Siriraj|Siriraj Hospital]] to continue recovery at home from [[spinal stenosis]] surgery. Accompanied by members of the royal family, the 78-year-old monarch, seated in a wheelchair, waves to the crowd as he passes tens of thousands of well-wishers, some bursting into tears at the sight of their king. Throngs chant "Long Live the King" and line the route from the hospital to [[Chitralada Palace]]. [http://etna.mcot.net/query.php?nid=23853 (TNA)]

* {{flagicon|Philippines}} Seven members of the [[Abu Sayyaf]] are killed in the fourth day of a major [[Philippines]] offensive against Muslim militants on [[Jolo Island]]. Three suspected Abu Sayyaf members are captured by a navy vessel as they try to flee. Among the dead are Ismin Sahiron, son of [[Radullan Sahiron]], the one-armed Abu Sayyaf commander. [http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060804/ap_on_re_as/philippines_abu_sayyaf;_ylt=AgwEWi3FRl0Vo1TmisTZGDmnxQ8F;_ylu=X3oDMTA5aHJvMDdwBHNlYwN5bmNhdA-- (AP)] [http://sg.news.yahoo.com/060804/1/42k7j.html (AFP)]

* {{flagicon|Malaysia}} [[Malaysia]] will send 1,000 soldiers for peacekeeping in [[Lebanon]], [[Military of Malaysia|Defence Forces]] chief Admiral [[Mohd Anwar|Tan Sri Dato' Sri Mohd Anwar bin Hj Mohd Nor]] says. "We will send armoured vehicles and troops in highly bullet-proof attire to face any consequences," he says. [http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=212244 (Bernama)]

* {{flagicon|Singapore}} [[Singapore]]'s government says it is tightening the rules on foreign publications previously exempt from the media code. ''[[Newsweek]]'', ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'', the ''[[Financial Times]]'', the ''[[Far Eastern Economic Review]]'' and the ''[[International Herald Tribune]]'' will be required to appoint a publisher's representative in Singapore who could be sued, and to pay a security deposit of [[Singapore dollar|S$]]200,000. The move comes after ''FEER'' published an interview with Singapore opposition leader [[Chee Soon Juan]]. [http://sg.news.yahoo.com/060804/1/42kk9.html (AFP)]

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{{Dateheader|2006|08|3}}

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* {{flagicon|Malaysia}} Malaysian cabinet approves a second bridge and a monorail system projects for [[Penang]]. Penang already has a landlink to the mainland via the [[Penang Bridge]]. [http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2006/8/3/nation/15035546&sec=nation (The Star)]

* {{flagicon|Myanmar}} {{flagicon|Thailand}} A day following a surprise visit to [[Naypyidaw]], [[Prime Minister of Thailand|Thai Prime Minister]] [[Thaksin Shinawatra]] says he asked [[Myanmar]] Senior General [[Than Shwe]] to free detained democracy activist [[Aung San Suu Kyi]]. Myanmar says it is considering releasing Suu Kyi, but has no timetable on doing so. Meanwhile, Thaksin's visit fuels speculation in the Thai press that the visit was for business reasons. [[Thailand]]'s PTT petroleum company is seeking exclusive rights to offshore natural gas reserves in western Myanmar. [http://sg.news.yahoo.com/060803/1/42jc4.html (AFP)] [http://www.irrawaddy.org/aviewer.asp?a=6041&z=156 (Irrawaddy)]

* {{flagicon|Malaysia}} The [[Organisation of the Islamic Conference]] meets in [[Putrajaya]] today to demand an immediate cessation of [[Israel]]i assault against [[Lebanon]] in the [[2006 Israel-Lebanon Conflict]]. OIC will push for "immediate convening of a special session of the [[UN Human Rights Council]] as well as a meeting of the High Contracting Parties to the 4th [[Geneva Convention]] to address the Israeli violations in Lebanon." [http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v3/news.php?id=212148 (Bernama)] [http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/SP296434.htm (Reuters)]

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{{Dateheader|2006|08|2}}

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* {{flagicon|Thailand}} Three policemen are killed and another injured in a bombing at a railway bridge in [[Songkhla Province|Songkhla]]. Another bomb at a school construction site in [[Pattani]] kills an army officer. The railway attack is just hours after a string of more than 100 firebombings late Tuesday in [[Yala Province|Yala]], [[Pattani Province|Pattani]] and [[Narathiwat Province|Narathiwat]]. Most of the attacks caused minor fires only, with the exception of a rubber factory in Nong Jik district, Pattani, that burned for more than two hours. Police blame the attacks on suspected [[South Thailand insurgency|Islamic militants]]. [http://etna.mcot.net/query.php?nid=23792 (TNA)] [http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060802/ap_on_re_as/thailand_southern_violence;_ylt=Ar0G0fPBvMy.fSFM3QWN8t6nxQ8F;_ylu=X3oDMTA5aHJvMDdwBHNlYwN5bmNhdA-- (AP)]

* {{flagicon|Thailand}} {{flagicon|Myanmar}} [[Prime Minister of Thailand|Thai Prime Minister]] [[Thaksin Shinawatra]] makes a surprise one-day visit to [[Myanmar]]'s new capital, [[Naypyidaw]], to visit top ruling general [[Than Shwe]]. On his departure from [[Bangkok]], Thaksin says the trip involved "bilateral and multilateral issues" but declines to elaborate. He is accompanied by [[Royal Thai Army]] Commander-in-Chief Gen. Sonthi Boonyaratkalin, Foreign Minister Kantathi Suphamongkhon and Agriculture Minister Sudarat Keyuraphan. [http://asia.news.yahoo.com/060802/3/2nxfq.html (Reuters)] [http://etna.mcot.net/query.php?nid=23790 (TNA)]

* {{flagicon|Thailand}} Flooding from rains early Monday recede in [[Chiang Mai]], but rains continue, prompting a warning about more flooding. Schools are closed, [[State Railway of Thailand|rail service]] is suspended and business is disrupted in [[Northern Thailand]]'s tourism center. [http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/08/02/headlines/headlines_30010168.php (The Nation)] [http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30010204 (The Nation)]

*{{flagicon|Laos}} {{flagicon|Thailand}} [[Laos]] officials cancel a meeting with their [[Thailand|Thai]] counterparts that was to discuss bilateral cooperation to fight the outbreak of [[H5N1|bird flu]] in the two countries. Foreign Minister [[Kantathi Suphamongkhon]] says he suspects Laos was put off by [[Media of Thailand|Thai media]] reports that blamed Laos for the outbreak. [http://etna.mcot.net/query.php?nid=23797 (TNA)]

* {{flagicon|Malaysia}} [[Prime Minister of Malaysia|Prime Minister]] [[Abdullah Ahmad Badawi]] threatens the arrest of people who stir unrest by spreading "rumours" via [[Short message service|SMS]] and the [[Internet]], saying the government will monitor [[website]]s and [[blog]]s for [[sedition|seditious]] or [[slander|slanderous]] material that could undermine the country. [http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/nst/Wednesday/National/20060802085739/Article/local1_html (NST)] [http://sg.news.yahoo.com/060802/1/42ibv.html (AFP)]

*{{flagicon|Philippines}} The [[Philippines]] military says four people are killed in a major operation on [[Jolo Island]] aimed at capturing militants linked to [[al-Qaeda]] and [[Abu Sayyaf]] leader [[Khadaffy Janjalani]] as well as two suspects in the [[2002 Bali bombing]], [[Jemaah Islamiyah]] militants [[Umar Patek]] and [[Dulmatin]]. The rebels are contained near the town of Indanan. [http://sg.news.yahoo.com/060802/1/42iqs.html (AFP)]

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* {{flagicon|Thailand}} All eight [[Asian Elephant|Asian elephants]] from Thailand, destined for [[Taronga Zoo]] and [[Melbourne Zoo]] in [[Australia]], have safely arrived in the [[Cocos (Keeling) Islands]], officals say. The animals will be quarantined in Cocos before being moved to the zoos. Their export had been protested since June by conservation activists in Thailand. [http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/08/01/headlines/headlines_30010095.php (The Nation)]

* {{flagicon|Philippines}} Air strikes target a base on [[Jolo]] thought to be used by [[Abu Sayyaf]]. Troops then engage in heavy fighting with fleeing militants. Authorities are also searching for members of [[Jemaah Islamiah]]. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/5235142.stm (BBC)]

* {{flagicon|Malaysia}} Second Malaysian low cost air carrier modelled after another successful Malaysian carrier [[Air Asia]], [[Fly Asian Xpress]] is launched. The carrier will cater East Malaysia in its initial stage and plan to expand to other destinations in Southeast Asia. [http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2006/8/1/nation/20060801134757&sec=nation (The Star)]

* {{flagicon|Myanmar}} [[President of the United States|US President]] [[George W. Bush]] signs a bill renewing the 2003 law that imposes economic sanctions against [[Myanmar]], and urges the country's military government to promote democracy and release democracy leader [[Aung San Suu Kyi]]. [http://asia.news.yahoo.com/060801/kyodo/d8j7teag0.html (Kyodo)]

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