Preetam Rai · December, 2006

Latest posts by Preetam Rai from December, 2006

Bombs in Bangkok

  31 December 2006

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

  30 December 2006

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

  30 December 2006

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.”

Malaysia: Internet Slowdown

  27 December 2006

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...

Indonesia: Sharia Police in Aceh

  27 December 2006

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.

Vietnam: Christmas in Vietnam

  26 December 2006

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.”

Brunei: Origins of Wedding Rituals

  25 December 2006

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

  24 December 2006

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

  22 December 2006

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

  22 December 2006

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

  22 December 2006

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...

Laos: Touristy Vang Vieng

  21 December 2006

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

  21 December 2006

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

  21 December 2006

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.