Latest posts by Mong Palatino from April, 2009
Thailand: Southern militants launch attacks
Eleven attacks by separatists in southern Thailand were launched last Sunday. A blogger criticizes the lack of in-depth coverage by the local media
Indonesian minister thinks swine flu could be man-made
Indonesian Heath Minister Siti Fadilah Supari thinks it is possible that the swine flu could be man-made “to boost pharmaceutical companies’ profits.”
Cambodia: Road accidents
Road and traffic accidents have been increasing in Cambodia, especially in the capital city of Phnom Penh.
Diarrhea deaths in Myanmar
The Irrawaddy reports that there is a diarrhea outbreak in Rangoon City in Myanmar.
Brunei: Child-safety laws
Rogue Economist from Brunei notes that laws on child-seat and safety belts are not properly observed and implemented.
Brunei: Islamic Banking
Rogue Economist from Brunei sees no difference between Islamic Banks and conventional banks in terms of their operations.
Unemployment in Singapore
Tan Kin Lian believes unemployment rate in Singapore is “seriously under-reported.”
Reflections on Barcamp Kuala Lumpur 2009
Bernard Leong shares his reflections on the recent Barcamp Kuala Lumpur 2009. He writes: Other than technology, we have topics ranging from social & youth entrepreneurship, corporate brands with social media, bloggers, to even salsa dancing.”
Malaysia: Facebook now more popular than Friendster
Friendster is the top social networking site for many years already in Southeast Asia. But Facebook is now more popular than Friendster in Malaysia.
Cambodia: “Finest pepper in the world”
Kampot province in Cambodia is known for producing the “finest pepper in the world”
Global crisis affects Cambodian migrant workers
Due to the global economic crisis, South Korea has reduced the number of migrant workers it will accept this year. This is bad news for Cambodia's migrant workers. Many Cambodians are working and planning to work in South Korea.
Thailand: Red Shirt videos
Happi like a Hippo gives a list of protest videos uploaded by Thailand's Red Shirt protesters on YouTube.
Global Recession: The world is talking. Are we listening?
There is no lack of online articles about the various aspects of the global economic crisis. Many of them are written by economic experts and policymakers. What about the perspectives of ordinary bloggers? This global roundup of blogs gathers stories of people around the world who are struggling to survive the economic downturn.
Global Recession: “Underdevelopment is a mixed blessing”
There are governments which insist that their countries are not affected by the global economic crisis. Most of the time they are not convincing; and their constituents do not believe in the supposed improvement of the economy. Countries with very small economies and countries which are not globally-integrated are usually the same countries which claim that the financial crisis has not affected them so far.
Cyber-activism in Vietnam
The website Viet Tan features an article about cyber activism and online repression in Vietnam.
Thailand: Extended holiday
The government of Thailand extended the country’s traditional New Year holiday festivities for public safety in case the Red Shirt protesters organize a new round of protests.
Thailand: Red Shirts paid to protest?
The Red Shirts have ended their protests. The leaders have been arrested and an arrest warrant was issued against former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. There is a popular video on YouTube which critics believe is a proof that Thaksin paid his supporters to protest in Thailand.
Thailand: Fake Red Shirt application
Thai 101 translates a fake Red Shirt membership application which was probably made by critics of the red-shirted protesters. The Red Shirts are demanding the resignation of Thailand's Prime Minister.
Thailand protests: Shopping stores were closed
Shopping stores and other local businesses were forced to close in Bangkok as violence erupted between government troops and opposition Red Shirts yesterday.
Bangkok protests: Black Songkran
Songkran, the Thai New Year celebrated from April 13 – 15, is supposed to be a joyous event in Thailand. But this year’s Songkran has been described as the “Black Songkran” in reference to the chaotic and violent confrontation between soldiers and anti-government protesters. Two protesters were killed and more than one hundred were injured during the clash in the streets of Bangkok.
Thailand’s “colored” protesters
Red shirts. Yellow shirts. Blue Shirts. Pink Shirts. White Shirts. Orange Shirts. Purple Shirts. Black Shirts. Be careful what you wear in Thailand today. Your politics are determined by the color of your shirt. A blogger suggests that tourists should wear floral shirts in Thailand in order not to be identified with any of the political forces here.