Latest posts by Preetam Rai from December, 2006
Bombs in Bangkok
It was not a good start to the new year in Bangkok as a series of bombs exploded in the city killing two people and injuring several others. From 2Bangkok's Youtube page The lost boy has pictures from one of the explosion sites At 6.45 p.m. today, less than 300...
Malaysia: Failure in Disaster Management
Opposition Malaysian politician Lim Kit Siang asks “why the authorities were caught off-guard despite the availability of sophisticated early-warning systems about the massive floods in the south of the country”. Southern states of Malaysia have seen record levels of rainfall and massive flooding in the last couple of weeks.
Malaysia: Saddam's Execution
Ktemoc comments on the execution of Saddam Hussein and calls the execution as “unnecessary” and is concerned about more violence. “The Iraqis would be better off locking up Saddam and throwing the key away.”
Cambodia: Angkor Wat in the Seven Wonders
Vutha points to Angkor Wat's official caretaker body asking Cambodian people to vote for the monument to be included in a new list of seven wonders of the world.
Malaysia: Internet Slowdown
Nik Nazmi comments on the breakdown in internet services in some parts of South East Asia and East Asia because of an earthquake in Taiwan. “When I told my colleague earlier that a website stated repair works for the cables in Taiwan may take up to three days, we were...
Brunei: New Banknotes
The Daily Brunei Resources has the trivia on the new banknotes released today in Brunei.
Indonesia: Monitor Lizard in Resort Pool
Emma Good Egg describes her encounter with a monitor lizard in a resort swimming pool in Bali.
Indonesia: Sharia Police in Aceh
Indonesia Matters looks at the latest campaign launced by Aceh's religious police against unislamic behaviour. Aceh is a province in Indonesian island of Sumatra that insists on adherence to strict islamic laws.
Malaysia: Flood Situation Worsens
The Malaysian rounds up the flood situation in Malaysia. It has been raining on and off since Monday in Southern Malaysia and Singapore.
Vietnam: Christmas in Vietnam
Chris Harvey has pictures from a Christmas eve service in a Catholic church in Vietnam. “Many of you will be surprised to learn that Christmas in Vietnam is *huge*. And I don't mean the Vietnamese kinda sorta like it. They freaking LOVE Christmas.”
Laos: New Mekong Bridge and Troubles with Traffic Direction
The New Mandala comments on the regulatory issues that are delaying land transport between Vietnam and Thailand even thought the new bridge over the Mekong river is ready for use.
Brunei: Origins of Wedding Rituals
The Daily Brunei Resources blog traces the origin of Malay wedding custom of bunga telur. Bunga telur is the token gift presented to the guests who attend a wedding.
Cambodia: Video Footage from 1960s Cambodia
Phenomenon highlights couple of youtube videos of 1960s Cambodia. “if you’ve never been to Cambodia, it’ll look like a cheesy 60s Disney documentary but if you’ve been to these places, you’ll probably want to cry.”
Philippines: Learning from Seoul City Planners
Urbano dela Cruz writes about South Korean capital Seoul's bold restoration of a river and a park by demolishing a highway in the city centre. The blogger says that Manila city should learn from Seoul's example.
Malaysia: Sex Education in Schools
Cakap Tak Serupa Bikin asks couple of questions after reading about the proposed introduction of sex education in Malaysian schools. “Since the education minister is adamant that sex education will be incorporated into these subjects and will begin by January 2007, would the teachers have sufficient time to digest the...
Cambodia: Former Police Chief Extradited from Malaysia
Sopheak blogs about the former Cambodian police chief Heng Pov who was brought back to Cambodia from Malaysia to serve his 18 years sentence for the murder of a judge. Heng Pov denies his role in the murder and was seeking to leave Malaysia for Finland where he was granted...
Brunei: Credit Card Economy
The Daily Brunei Resources blog looks at the ills of credit card economy.
Laos: Touristy Vang Vieng
Popagandhi leaves Laos in a hurry after discovering how touristy Laotian city of Vang Vieng has become. Laos was one of the last South East Asian country to be opened to tourists. “Everybody sold the same mediocre and expensive food tailored for the Western palate. Everybody played the same music....
Malaysia: Cheating Penang Cab Drivers
Blueheeler has a post on the cheating taxi drivers in Malaysian city of Penang. “I still enjoyed Penang, but when it was time to get a taxi, it pissed me off slightly, knowing that all the bloody drivers are out to make more money from me than they should. Today,...
Malaysia: Maglev link between Singapore and Malaysia
Rajan Rishyakaran analayses the various forms of rapid transport links being considered between Malaysian city of Johor Bahru and Singapore and feels that planners should make better use of the existing infrastructure rather than coming up with exotic ideas like maglev trains.
Indonesia: From Oil Exporter to Importer
Indonesia matters looks at the situation that Indonesian oil industry finds itself in. The last couple of years has seen Indonesia become an oil importer.
