Latest posts by Preetam Rai from April, 2006
Media from the Free Expression in Asian Cyberspace Conference
Audio and video notes from the event are online at the conference blog. The conference was held in the Philippines from April 19 to 20th and was attended by prominent bloggers and activists from across Asia.
Culture zone to dampen nightlife in Phnom Penh
Alvin Lim in Cambodia links to a forum where people are discussing closure of bars around Wat Phnom. The Cambodian capital city Phnom Penh gets its name from this religious place. The city authorities plan to build a culture zone around the wat and want the businesses in the area...
Thai street art
Diacritic links to a Thailand Street Art flickr pool. His favourite piece features Thai prime minister Thaksin who resigned recently.
Vietnam hosts Bill Gates
Bill Gates is visiting Vietnam. Sadgopan, an IT industry veteran, finds lots of excitement in Vietnam for this. He finds strong pro-US sentiment among the people. The blogger also shares some thoughts on Vietnam as a offshore service location.
Singapore-Malaysia relations spoof video
Singapore blogger Lancerlord links to a short video made by Malaysian students that pokes fun at some Singapore-Malaysia issues.
Oil subsidies in Malaysia
At Volume of Interactions blogger Aizudding is asking the Malaysian government to reconsider its promise of keeping oil prices subsidised for the consumer until the end of the year. The blogger says that the money spent in keeping the oil prices from going up is better spent in developing alternatives...
Myanmar's natural gas
Both China and India are keen on importing natural gas from Myanmar's huge reserves. In the past India has sympathised with Myanmar's pro-democracy elements but recent years have seen India warming up to the ruling military government. Paresh asks if India should do a deal with Myanmar's rulers and face...
Political discussions on blogs in Singapore
May 6th will be the polling day in Singapore's general elections this year. Tinkertailor comments on Tomorrow.sg and refers to a clarification by the authorities on the issue of political discussions on blogs and podcasts. There is no outright ban on discussions but the sites that consistantly promote a particular...
Haiku competition in the Philippines
Kurokuroatbp pens a haiku in Tagalog and provides details of a Pinoy Haiku competition organised by the Japanese Embassy in Philippines.
Volcano nears eruption
Indcoup is watching the news on the possible eruption of Mount Merapi, the most active volcano in Indonesia. People living in the area are getting ready to evacuate.
A Myanmar born American soldier in Iraq
Blogger Sean at Man Actually has a story on a Myanmar born American soldier Ko Wai Phyo Lwin. Lwin died in action in Iraq last year.
China's growth model a challenge to US influence
Many developing countries are now looking at China's model of state guided growth favourably compared to the US one of minimum intervention. Indonesian blogger Martin Manurang asks if the success of Chinese economic policies will help reduce American influence in the world.
The shaman of Myanmar
Ian, a tourist in Yangoon, meets the famous shaman U Shein of Myanmar. U Shein is known for his magic goldash powder. The shaman's followers allege that this powder can cure cancers and other serious ailments.
Cambodian assistance in demining Sudan
Heng at Blog Cambodia has a report on Cambodian soldiers helping out in the demining in Sudan. This is the first time Cambodian soldiers are participationg in an U.N. peacekeeping mission.
Malaysia-Singapore half bridge
Rajan Rishiyakarn questions the various official statements issued by Malaysian officials on the scrapping of Malaysia-Singapore half-bridge project. The project was questionable from the start as Malaysia has started work on its half of the bridge and supporting immigration facilities while Singapore had not even commited to the project.
Filipino influences in Mexico
Spanish trade routes helped the exchange of ideas and influences between the colonies in America and Asia. Milkphish visits Mexico and finds things that originated in the Philippines.
Cambodian film festival
The theme for this year's Cambodian Film Festival is “Independent Visions”. The organisers are seeking Cambodian and non-Cambodian entries. Diacritic.org has the details.
Indonesia vs. China
Sarapan Ekonomi argues that Indonesia's acheivements in economic growth and family planning are not too bad when compared to those of China's.
Happy water festival – mind the elephant gun
This week four countries in South East Asia celebrated their traditional new year. In Thailand the festival is known as Songkran. Usanee tells us why the people in Thailand look forward to this festival. I am so happy to have 5 days off. It is the longest holiday I would...
Historical fort restoration
Wormie wants a recently excavated colonial fort in Singapore to be turned into a national monument. The authorities are planning to re-bury the fort as they don't expect the restoration to be economically viable.
East Timor tourism
tumbleweed in timor lorosae writes about some of the attractions in East Timor.
