Myanmar’s ethnic minorities under the spotlight as UN envoy visits

As UN envoy Razali Ismail prepares to make another visit to Myanmar Friday, his first since Aung San Suu Kyi’s release from house arrest in May, ethnic minority groups are hoping the diplomat will this time secure a breakthrough for their cause. Myanmar’s minorities are not involved in the ongoing national reconciliation talks between democracy…

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Cambodians poised to head to polls

PHNOM PENH – Cambodians head to general elections Sunday with Prime Minister Hun Sen favoured to retain leadership for another five-year term despite rival politicians running vigorous campaigns in a bid to oust the strongman. Colourful and noisy rallies attended by thousands have been peacefully staged in the poll run-up, with election monitors assessing an…

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Cambodian parties scramble ahead of polls but ruling party rests easy

PHNOM PENH – At Cambodia’s ramshackle opposition headquarters, party workers scramble to wrap up their month-long election campaign, in marked contrast to the ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP), whose offices remain quiet. Most of the fifteen full-time workers in the cabinet office of the opposition Sam Rainsy Party (SRP), along with a half-dozen party faithful…

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Thailand’s vibrant art scene struggles for recognition

With hordes of skilled young artists emerging from its colleges, Thailand should be home to a thriving contemporary art scene. But experts in the industry say government neglect has ensured the kingdom is the Asian art world’s best-kept secret. "Thailand produces about 2,000 artists every year from art institutions. Where are those artists’ works? The…

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Laos’ airline revamps in bid to cast aside chequered past

VIENTIANE – The national carrier of tiny landlocked Laos is undergoing a dramatic revamp, leasing its first jet, changing its name and unveiling a new logo as it seeks to leave its chequered past behind. Formed when the communist government took power in 1975, Lao Aviation officially adopted its new name Lao Airlines on Wednesday…

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Thai government struggles with Myanmar policy after Suu Kyi detention

BANGKOK – Thailand’s government is struggling to adopt a coherent stance on Myanmar following its military-ruled neighbour’s detention of opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi more than a month ago, analysts say. In a departure from his typical conciliatory tone, Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra joined US President George W. Bush in issuing a strong…

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Wordsmiths of the world find their own paradise in Thailand

In a downtown Bangkok shopping mall complete with blaring muzak and baffled onlookers, 72 of the world’s best Scrabble players take their positions for the first match in a gruelling four-day tournament. They might be in one of the world’s premier tropical holiday spots, but these global wordsmiths are happy to eschew palm trees and…

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Thailand works to export anti-AIDS drug know-how to Africa

At less than a dollar a day, Thailand produces the world’s cheapest anti-AIDS drugs, but one woman is determined to give impoverished African countries the know-how to produce them even cheaper. Along with India and Brazil, Thailand has become a global pioneer in the production of generic anti-AIDS medicines, thanks largely to Dr. Krisana Kraisintu,…

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