Political Tensions Flare in Thailand, Military Not Ruling Out Another Coup- May 29, 2008 Thailand's top military commander says he cannot guarantee there will not be another coup after political tensions flared up in the country again this week. VOA's Luis Ramirez reports from Bangkok. Elections last December returned Thailand to democracy after a 2006 military coup toppled Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. But the poll failed to resolve tensions between those who supported thehttp://www.aseannewsnetwork.com/2008/05/political-tensions-flare-in-thailand.html UN's Ban Regrets Burma's Continuing Detention of Aung San Suu Kyi- May 28, 2008 U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says he regrets the Burmese government's decision to extend the house arrest of pro-democracy activist Aung San Suu Kyi. The military government's decision was announced a day after Mr. Ban left that country following a humanitarian mission to secure more assistance to survivors of Cyclone Nargis. Mr. Ban returned to New York Monday, following a mission thathttp://www.aseannewsnetwork.com/2008/05/uns-ban-regrets-burmas-continuing.html British ex-cop arrested in Bangkok on sex trafficking charges- May 27, 2008 BANGKOK: -- A former British constabulary was arrested Wednesday at an apartment house in the Suan Plu area of Bangkok for alleged involvement in the international sex trade, police said. The flesh-trading suspect, identified as Ian Suttleworth, 42, was once a British police officer who allegedly lured an unidentified Thai woman into forced prostitution in England and Scotland. Mr. Suttleworthhttp://www.aseannewsnetwork.com/2008/05/british-ex-cop-arrested-in-bangkok-on.html ASEAN Trying to Bridge Myanmar's Trust Issue With West- May 27, 2008 The Association of Southeast Asian Nations has long had a policy of engaging with Burma, even when many countries have criticized its military government. Now, some regional political analysts credit ASEAN with helping persuade Burma to allow in foreign aid to help victims of Cyclone Nargis. It took more than two weeks after Cyclone Nargis devastated the Irrawaddy Delta before ASEAN membershttp://www.aseannewsnetwork.com/2008/05/asean-trying-to-bridge-myanmars-trust.html Clinton Apologizes for Referencing 1968 Kennedy Assassination- May 26, 2008 U.S. Senator Hillary Clinton has apologized for citing the 1968 assassination of presidential candidate Robert Kennedy while defending her decision to remain in the race for the White House. The Democratic presidential candidate told reporters Friday that she meant no offense to the Kennedy family. She said she was trying to make the point that in 1968, candidates were still campaigning in Junehttp://www.aseannewsnetwork.com/2008/05/clinton-apologizes-for-referencing-1968.html Strong Aftershock Strikes Central China- May 26, 2008 Central China has been struck by a powerful aftershock as the region struggles to recover from a massive earthquake earlier this month that killed tens of thousands of people and left many more homeless. Latest shock killed at least one person in Sichuan province and injured about 260. Chinese state media say a team of Chinese paramilitary police has arrived on foot at a newly formed lake inhttp://www.aseannewsnetwork.com/2008/05/strong-aftershock-strikes-central-china.html China Quake Toll Continues to Rise- May 25, 2008 U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has praised the Chinese government for its rapid response following the huge earthquake that struck southwestern China's Sichuan Province earlier this month. The U.N. chief met Saturday with Chinese leaders at the quake's epicenter. Secretary-General Ban arrived by helicopter in the ruins of Yingxiu, a small town near the epicenter of the massive quake. Yingxiuhttp://www.aseannewsnetwork.com/2008/05/china-quake-toll-continues-to-rise.html UN Opens Thai Staging Base for Burma Relief- May 25, 2008 The United Nations opened a staging area at an airport in Thailand's capital Saturday to deliver relief aid to cyclone survivors in neighboring Burma. U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon was on hand to open the hub at Bangkok's Don Mueang airport just one day after meeting with Burma's junta about relief efforts. On Friday, Mr. Ban said Burma's top leader agreed to allow all foreign aid workershttp://www.aseannewsnetwork.com/2008/05/un-opens-thai-staging-base-for-burma.html 4 Years After Tsunami, Asia Better Prepared for Disasters- May 24, 2008 Four years ago, the Asian tsunami laid bare the region's inability to cope with large disasters. As a result, governments, non-governmental organizations and United Nations agencies pledged to improve disaster preparedness and response. The earthquake in China's Sichuan province and the devastating cyclone in Burma are reminders that Asia is the world's most disaster-prone region. People livinghttp://www.aseannewsnetwork.com/2008/05/4-years-after-tsunami-asia-better.html Myanmar to allow foreign aid says UN's Ban Ki Moon- May 23, 2008 After travelling in-person to Myanmar, the Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN), Ban Ki-moon, has announced that international aid-workers will be granted access to the cyclone-ravaged country. Ban, who met with Senior General Than Shwe, considered the head of Myanmar's military junta, told reporters, "I had a very good meeting with the senior general, particularly on these aid workers."http://www.aseannewsnetwork.com/2008/05/myanmar-to-allow-foreign-aid-says-uns.html |