Southeast Asia

Talk about last minute! We're leaving for Mt. Pulag tonight and we only bought our gear a few minutes ago at R.O.X. The good thing about R.O.X. is that they have everything we needed.I even got myself an oxygen canister when I get really exhausted during the climb. And since they closed at 11 p.m. today, even those who had some unfinished work at the office were able to catch up. That's why they'r

While APHonda, Thailand's largest motorcycle producer saw declining sales figures this year, the current sales figures make sense to Thai motorcycle insiders, in today's tough market, Yamaha did a full blown attack on everything what was considered APHon...

‘Continuity and Change: (Re)conceptualising Power in Southeast Asia’ March 26th-28th 2009 Hosted by CRASSH (Centre for Research in the Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities), University of Cambridge, UK Keynote Speakers: James Scott (Sterling Professor of Political Science and Professor of Anthropology, Yale University) Shelly Errington (Professor of Anthropology, UC Santa Cruz) The study of po

According to today's New York Times , a number of counterterrorism experts and governments have concluded that JI and other major terrorist networks in Southeast Asia have suffered significant setbacks in the past three years.The Times article found that the major elements in combatting the terrorist groups were effective law enforcement, heightened intelligence, ongoing military operations and "a

According to today's New York Times , a number of counterterrorism experts and governments have concluded that JI and other major terrorist networks in Southeast Asia have suffered significant setbacks in the past three years. The Times article found that the major elements in combatting the terrorist groups were effective law enforcement, heightened intelligence, ongoing military operations and "

New genetic-level studies on Southeast Asian populations throw up new ideas about how humans migrated and populated this region - it may well turn out that the Austronesian expansion wasn’t as big a deal as it was made out to be. New Research Forces U-turn In Population Migration Theory Science Daily, 26 May 2008 Prevailing theory suggests that [...]

Remember I post about the biggest bookfest in Southeast asia last year, about the books I bought on that bookfest? It's back!! HooRAY!!!!!I was just telling FL that I've finished all the books I bought last year, in fact some of the books I've already read twice!! I've run out of books to read!! and then I got the news that the bookfest is coming soon. OMG, can you imagine how thrilled I am when I

Among the ironies of the world’s response to rising oil prices is diverting food production in order to expand ethanol resources which has resulted in large shortages of basic foods such as rice. The result is rising food prices which threaten the survival of millions of people. Under leadership of Thailand’s prime minister, Cambodia, Vietnam, [...]

Early Indian Influence in Southeast Asia: References on Southeast Asia in ancient Tamil literature Date/Time: Saturday Apr 26, 7:00pm - 8:00pm Venue: Level 5 - Possibility in National Library Language: Tamil Dr S.P. Thinnappan, from South Asian Studies Programme, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, NUS,will talk on the early references about Southeast Asia made in ancient Tamil literature, [...]

The regional terror network Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) is now regrouping with al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden funding efforts to strengthen its forces in Southeast Asia, a top ranking Thai intelligence official disclosed Tuesday."The latest intelligence report we have about the JI is that they are regrouping," according to Maj. Gen. Thawip Netniyom, director of the Royal Thai Army Office for Policy and Plans.Thawip said the JI is consolidating what remains of its forces after its ranking leaders have been neutralized and arrested by regional security forces.He said Bin Laden continues to finance the JI to put it back as a potent terrorist force in the region."Osama bin Laden still has a lot of connections with the JI. The bulk of the finances of the JI for their operations comes from Bin Laden,

Just a reminder - deadline for submission is on May 15. 3rd Singapore Graduate Forum on Southeast Asia Date: 28/07/2008 - 29/07/2008 Venue: Asia Research Institute, National University of... Visit SEAArch to read the full story, and other stories about the archaeology of Southeast Asia.

A Short History of China and Southeast Asia : Tribute, Trade and InfluenceAuthor: Martin Stuart-FoxPublisher: Allen & UnwinDate: 2003Pages: 278Language: EnglishDescription:This informative but concise history of China and Southeast Asia is perfect for travelers, students, teachers, and businesspeople. Portable and attractively designed, it includes color illustrations, maps, and a brief history of the region. Explored are relations between China and Southeast Asia across two millennia; patterns of diplomacy, commercial networks, and migration; and how these have varied over time. With a focus on modern history, this is a fascinating account of imperial ambition, internal collapse and revival, cultural and commercial endeavors, and war and revolution. Important insight into the complica

Three million people develop tuberculosis in the Southeast Asian region every year, India reporting 22 percent of these, and over half a million die of the disease, says the latest World Health Organisation (WHO) report released Monday.

Three million people develop tuberculosis in the Southeast Asian region every year, India reporting 22 percent of these, and over half a million die of the disease, says the latest World Health Organisation (WHO) report released Monday.

Southeast Asian central banks expect strong domestic demand and regional trade to help mitigate the impact of likely lower global growth, the banks said yon Saturday following a two-day meeting.Governors from Southeast Asian countries, as well as South Korea and Taiwan, gathered in Jakarta for a regular meeting as policy makers globally try to tackle a credit crisis that is threatening to drag on worldwide economic growth."Governors noted that global growth is expected to weaken... while the region will be affected by increasing downside risk to the global outlook," the banks said in a statement.Asian economies rely heavily on exports to the United States, so governments and bankers fear a weaker dollar and economy is likely to crimp Asia's growth.But the statement said that "the impact wi

Just 30 years ago, the pristine shores of Southeast Asia and her plethora of islands, archipelagos and exotic coastlines were largely inaccessible to the average traveler. Rumors of white–powder beaches and placid, crystal clear waters to be found off the Andaman and China Seas were circulated mostly among backpackers. While Phuket and Bali were on the tourist map so to speak, even these larger land masses harbored sandy stretches where foreign feet had barely made an imprint.Indeed, enigmatic Southeast Asia provided endless opportunity for exploration, and gave rise to an almost mythical impression of virginal beaches and uncompromised beauty. A myth undoubtedly fuelled by the emergence of literature such as Alex Garland's The Beach and the massively–popular movie that followed. And s

The conference doesn’t specifically state archaeology, although at last year’s conference there were a couple of archaeology papers presented. 3rd Singapore Graduate Forum on Southeast... Visit SEAArch to read the full story, and other stories about the archaeology of Southeast Asia.

Sooner or later, you have to visit Southeast Asia if you enjoy seeing the world. There are simply too many unique landmarks and fascinating cultural aspect to not do so. When you go, you may find getting about a bit difficult, so focus on Thailand as your hub. Asia is a fascinating area that has to be seen to be believed. From the spires of Angkor Wat to the lightening shows off the coast of Sihanoukville in Cambodia, there is something for everyone. To top the area off as a top destination, a currency problem in the late 1990s has resulted in Southeast Asia being a very cheap trip. Yes, even with the dollar being beaten up. There is only one hang up when it comes to traveling in this area. Simply put, it is difficult to get from here to there. The quality, size and frequency of the tran

Sooner or later, you have to visit Southeast Asia if you enjoy seeing the world. There are simply too many unique landmarks and fascinating cultural aspect to not do so. When you go, you may find... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

The pineapple that grows here on the steep hills above the Mekong River is especially sweet, the red and orange chilies unusually spicy, and the spring onions and watercress retain the freshness of the mountain dew.For years, getting this prized...

When it comes to tracing the movements and migrations of prehistoric communities across Southeast Asia, the Bellwood model stands out as one of the leading theories - humans moved Southwest China,... Visit SEAArch to read the full story, and other stories about the archaeology of Southeast Asia.

OSI makes grants in Southeast Asia through two programs: the Southeast Asia (SEA) Initiative and the Southeast Asia: Beyond Borders Program. The SEA Initiative supports programs concentrating on human rights advocacy, access to justice, media, and access to information. The SEA: Beyond Borders Program supports international exchanges that bring civil society actors and organizations together beyond [...]

During the Vietnam War, amidst carpet bombing and My Lai, the United States engaged in a unique form of chemical warfare known as herbicidal warfare. Between 1962 and 1971, Air Force aircraft were employed as souped-up crop dusters to spray defoliants throughout Southeast Asia as part of Operation Ranch Hand. Defoliants are a particular variety of herbicides that kill plants by causing them to lose their leaves. This mode of action made them particularly good at destroying both food crops (primarily rice, which is difficult to incinerate) and jungle canopy, which the Viet Cong took advantage of to hide their activities.A number of different defoliants, either single chemicals or mixtures, were developed and utilized by the US military in 'Nam. Six of these were assigned a particular colour code, and this colour was painted on the barrels in which the particular agent was stored.Agent Orange is by far the best known of these "rainbow herbicides", largely due to the fact that it account

There are two side of the sea here ; 1. Andaman sea side and 2. Gulf of Thailand sea sideAndaman sea is full of under water world marine life such as corel, fishes, sea flower, etc. So Andaman sea is the paradise of scuba diving and snorkeling. The beach is very clean and has white sand which attract the tourist for sun bathing. Phuket Island is one of the province of Thailand which located at the

Once completed, the KPE is to be a dual-carriageway expressway with three lanes in each direction and eight interchanges and stretch over 12 km from the Tampines Expressway (TPE) in the north-east to the East Coast Parkway (ECP) in the south. About 9km of the expressway, from ECP to Defu Lane 3, will be built entirely underground as road tunnels, using the cut-and-cover method. This will make it the longest underground expressway in South-east Asia.The KPE, which is being opened in phases, is part of LTA’s plan to develop a comprehensive road network for Singapore. Physical works on the KPE started in 2001 and is targeted to complete in 2008.Drivers got their chance to experience the Kallang—Paya Lebar Expressway for the first time as the first phase of the road opened to vehicular traffic last week.Do you want to have a look? Check-out the KPE Underground!Tags: Singapore, KPE Underground, Kallang-Paya Lebar Expressway

Hi. Here are some facts I have gathered from the corporate website of Pangkor Island beach resort. I have been here at least twice but I just couldn't find where did I put all the pictures. So here's some of the pictures of Pangkor Island beach resort. It is beautiful island and I would like to come back again to this resort for a relaxing vacation.Pangkor Island Beach Resort located on an unspoilt tropical island of Pangkor , on the west of Peninsular Malaysia, is surrounded by 73 acres of lush tropical Jungle, exotic land and marine life. On this private enclave, it offers 1.2 kilometres of white sandy beach with inviting emerald green sea.Be awed by the natural beauty of unspoilt nature, exotic flora and fauna, secluded pristine beach and breathtaking sunset that makes the resort one of the preferred holiday destinations in Malaysia.Pangkor Island lobbyPangkor Island VillaPangkor Island VillaPangkor Island VillaPangkor Island Outdoor ShowerPangkor Island Pacific WingPangkor Island

While the outside world gets excited over the economic rise of China and India, it seldom stops to notice the equally remarkable transformation of Indonesian politics in the 10 years since the downfall of the 30-year authoritarian rule of President Suharto. It now has the most open, extensive, decentralized democratic system in all of Southeast Asia, achieved possibly at some cost to economic growth but with little localized disorder, and with settlements of the Aceh and Timor Leste issues to its credit. It is also a remarkably plural society to which the position of Pangestu, a woman, and ethnic Chinese and a Christian attests, and a cultural vitality that puts much of a money-obsessed region to shame. It is of course not without communal tensions and occasional bloodshed. But it provides a salutary contrast to its small higher profile, wealthy neighbors, Malaysia, a country of growing religious intolerance and deepening racial divide and Singapore, a state whose social and politica

SEOUL, Korea (AVING Special Report on 'GNGWC 2007') -- GNGWC 2007(Game & Game World Championship)’s Southeast Asian regional finals held in Ho Chi Minh City on October 13th. Nine finalists were chosen to go to the GNGWC 2007 Grand Final in Korea on December while 5,000 people watching...full featurevia [Aving]

11 October 2007 (Saigon Times) - While I’ve featured stories about the Cat Tien archaeological site before (see here and here), this story carries pictures of the actual site, including one of the alleged largest linga and yoni in Southeast Asia. The linga and yoni are Hindu symbols respectively representing the male and female organs. The linga is particularly associated with the god Siva. Cat Tien is one of the more significant sites discovered in Vietnam in recent times. Seeing believed-to-be biggest Linga and Yoni in Southeast Asia by Binh Nguyen Archeologists believe the couple of Linga and Yoni, found in a group of archeological sites on the Dong Nai River in Lam Dong Province, to be the biggest of their kind in Vietnam, if not in Southeast Asia. The linga measures 2.10 meters in height and 0.7 meters in diameter while the yoni’s side is 2.26 meters long. They are being kept temporarily in a hut on the border of Quang Ngai and Da Lay villages in the Central Highlands pro

06 October 2007 (Newindpress) - If there’s such a thing as universal appeal in Southeast Asia, it’s gotta be the Hindu epic, the Ramayana. Drs M. and S. Krishnasamy write about how the influence of epic of Rama manifests itself in the countries of Southeast Asia. A Sea view of Rama Dr S Krishnaswamy and Dr Mohana Krishnaswamy We are at the tail end of a fascinating journey through history, in a time machine that took us back 2500 years, and often brought us back and forth to the 21st Century. We made several trips in 2006 — first, for research and then for filming a television documentary serial titled Indian Imprints to be telecast on Doordarshan’s national network. It deals with the impact of ancient Indian culture on Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam. This “episode” is devoted to Rama as perceived in SEA (‘South East Asia’, not the Sea at Palk Straight, which is making waves). (more…)

03 October 2007 (News in Science) - Monash University unveils an interactive map called Sahul Time, named after the ancient landmass of Australia and Papua New Guinea, that shows you the lay of the land at different points in time over the last 100,000 years. While the main focus is of course on Australia, what’s really nifty is the inclusion of much of island Southeast Asia, which would provide anyone with an interest about the prehistory of the region to see how much larger the land mass must have been - and possibly how many archaeological sites now remain underwater. Links in this post will lead to the News in Science article, while a separate link to Sahul Time will be added to the resources page. Mouse click reveals ancient coastline Anna Salleh The changing shape of Australasia can now be seen in a new interactive digital map that mimics the rise and fall of sea levels over the past 100,000 years. The map also has pop-up images and text about key archaeological sites and

Phuket Thailand - Banyan Tree SpaPioneering the garden spa concept, Banyan Tree Spa offers exquisite pampering amidst an ambience of solitude and luxury. Created exclusively by a hand-picked group of specialists, the treatments draw on ancient traditions and natural remedies, focusing on a holistic approach to healing and rejuvenation. Designed to harness the healing powers of nature, the Banyan Tree Spa has developed their own signature treatments, recipes and techniques.Among the spa packages include:The Banyan Indulgences (3-hour session)Time-Honoured Traditions (3-hour session)Rejuvenation (2-hour session)Body ScrubsBody ConditionersFacial TreatmentsBeauty TreatmentsHand & Foot TreatmentMassagesHair TreatmentDEPILATORY WAXINGBrows or LipsBikiniUnderarmsLegs: half & full

Between 40 and 50 families control the economies of Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines and Indonesia.Their interests include banking, property develop ment, shipping, sugar exports and running casinos.Thirteen of the 50 richest families in the world are in Southeast Asia and yet they are largely unknown outside confined business circles. Often this is because they not only control the press and television, but also almost everything else.How do they do it? What are their secrets? And is it good news or bad for the places where they operate? Joe Studwell explosively lifts the lid on a world of staggering secrecy and shows that the little most people know about them is also almost entirely wrong.Ten years ago, the Asian financial crisis caused hundreds of business corporations to go bankrupt, affecting most Asian countries. And the people believed to be most affected were the business tycoons dominating Southeast Asian econo

In this second part of the Ancient Script of Southeast Asia (click here for part 1), we’ll explore two more exhibits from the Aksara: The Passage of Malay Scripts exhibition at the National Library of Singapore. These two pieces are from Terengganu in Malaysia, and Java in Indonesia. The first exhibit, the Terengganu Scripted Stone, stands at the mouth entrance between the Sacred Writings gallery and the Islamic gallery. Anyone who’s visited the Terengannu State Museum (where the original sits) or the National History Museum in Kuala Lumpur would instantly recognise this Terengganu Stone. I hear it also features in the Malaysian history textbooks as well. Discovered in the late 19th century, the Terengganu Inscribed Stone, or Batu Bersurat, dates to the 14th century and is the oldest evidence for Islam in Malaysia. The script used is Jawi while the language is Malay, and the inscription describes a set of Islamic laws, as well as proclaiming Islam as the state religion. A

I chanced upon “Aksara: The Passage of Malay Scripts” while I was doing research at the National Library last weekend and was surprised at the richness of the exhibits and artefacts gathered there. Aksara features the early script of the Malay world in Southeast Asia, drawing from the collections of the National Museum of Indonesia and the Vietnam History Museum - this is indeed a rare opportunity to see the epigraphy of ancient Southeast Asia in one collection. I had not realised that this exhibition was going on, but it’s still not too late to catch it as there are two more weeks left. The Aksara exhibition is divided into four galleries, each covering a particular time period: The Sacred Knowledge of Writing, The Coming of Islam, Colonial Encounters and Singapore and Modern Writing. For this series, I’ll be concentrating on the first two galleries, but the entire exhibition will be covered elsewhere. See that stone pillar on the right? I almost wet my pants

Hi. Again, I am so fascinated by this hotel when I saw my brother's honeymoon pictures. A colleague of mine stayed at this hotel too on her visit to Sabah. She also recommended this hotel to me. Just in case you are not familiar where Kota Kinabalu is, it is the capital of Sabah, a state in Malaysia.Well, since I know people enjoy looking at pictures as much as I do, please enjoy yourself looking at the pictures below. Erm.. I've tried asking for few personal pictures from my brother, but I guessed he's too shy for 'exposing' himself to the public. So I guess, I'd just settle from the hotel's gallery pictures then.Oh, before that, here are some facts about the hotel. Located 10 minutes from Kota Kinabalu International Airport, just a 2 1/2-hour flight from Singapore, Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur, Shangri-La’s Tanjung Aru Resort is a tranquil retreat offering 495 recently renovated rooms and suites, seven restaurants and bars, and a wealth of enjoyable recreational opportunities

Bali Island, a blend of modern tourist facilities combined with wonderful shopping and a rich heritage is a perfect holiday destination for all. Among the best surfing beaches in the world can be found on the western side of the island while on the eastern side is a wonderful spot for families, with beautiful white sand beaches and gentle seas.Bali Island is a shopper's paradise (my girl friends just go wild here) particularly for casual and tailored clothing, handmade jewelery, handicrafts and handbags all at unbelievable prices. Don't be surprised if you ended up bringing home double the number of suitcases when you first landed!Tips: Try bargaining at the street markets of Kuta and Sanur of Nusa Dua.Bali offers a wide range of entertainment from traditional Balinese dances, usually staged nightly by many of the larger hotels, discos and pubs. Kuta has the liveliest nightlife, with watering holes and discos all along Jalan Legian and Jalan Buni Sari, some of which stay open till da

Southeast Asia Travels is so fascinated by Hua Hin hotels and the scenery. Not many people know of the existence of Hua Hin, Thailand. Hua Hin means "rocky head' in Thai - is derived from the rocks that can be seen on the beach in front of the Sofitel Central Hotel. It's located at approximately 200 kilometres south of Bangkok and can be reached by car, train and flight.I'll find time to write on Hua Hin's attraction at some other times. Today, I am going to write on Let`s Sea Hua Hin AL Fresco Resort. This resort itself is a treat to tourists when visiting Hua Hin.Address:83/188 Soi Talay 12 Khaotakieb Hua Hin Road, Hua Hin / Pranburi, ThailandRates from: USD 115Room Amenities:- air conditioning- broadband internet- hair dryer- iron and ironing board- private safe- separate showerFacilities:- airport pick-up and drop-off- car rental- cocktail lounge- conference rooms- currency exchange- dry cleaning and laundry- restaurantsStudio PierThere are 20 Studio Piers on the first floo

I truly like traveling in Malaysia. The country is politically stable and I don't feel scared when traveling around. The climate is just nice for you to travel anywhere and everywhere at anytime. Just be prepared at times, rains may pour at anytime too.Before I continue further, I'd like to announce that the government of Malaysia has declared 2007 is the year to Visit Malaysia! I know it's a little bit late for the announcement to take place, but hey, it's not even half of the year yet.So do expect lots of special events (especially during festive seasons), special travel packages and great shopping spree too!I'll do my best to provide not only important information on places that you can explore while in Malaysia but also my experience with some great photos that I have taken during my memorable visits. And if I were to come across any special discounts packages, I'll just post it here.Indeed, Malaysia so many exciting spots for you to explore. Each of these places match all so

IntroductionBefore traveling to Southeast Asia, it's good that we all know some general facts about the the place we are visiting. Southeast Asia as we know, is a subregion of Asia, consisting the countries that I have listed in my previous post. Geographically, it is situated on the south of China, east of India, and north of Australia.ClimateThe climate of Southeast Asia is mainly tropical - hot and humid all year round. Southeast Asia has a wet and dry season caused by seasonal shift in winds or monsoon. Expect a lot of rainfall.The rain forest is the second largest on earth. Exception to this type of climate and vegetation is the mountain areas in the northern region.EnvironmentThe shallow waters of the Southeast Asian coral reefs have the highest levels of biodiversity for the world's marine ecosystems, where coral and fish abound. The whale shark can also be found in the South China Sea.Southeast Asia is rich in flora and fauna. The trees and other plants of the region are tro

Welcome All.Thank you for visiting Southeast Asia Travel. Though I have to admit that this blog is rather new, however, since I am from Malaysia and have been staying here all my life, so I think it gives me some credit to blog about Southeast Asia. I am very much excited to blog about this topic since I have been to many of the Southeast Asia countries and I am planning to explore all the Southeast Asia countries soon. Here, at my blog, I will share not only important information on exciting places that you can explore in Southeast Asia, but also my experience with some great photos that I’ve taken during my memorable visits. It has been my intention to share with you the heritage, cultures and traditions, popular destinations to visit, places to stay, maps, and hopefully if I come across special packages and discounts too. Indeed, Southeast Asia countries have lots and lots of exciting spots for you to explore. Expect unique culture and lifestyle, many fun and exciting activities,

President George W. Bush and Laura Bush walk the red carpet with Russia's President Vladimir Putin and Lyudmila Putina after their arrivalWednesday, Nov. 15, 2006, at Vnukovo Airport in Moscow. White House photo by Eric Draper. President George W. Bush and Mrs. Laura Bush wave goodbye to President Vladimir Putin and Mrs. Lyudmila Putina after a brief visit Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2006, in Moscow before heading to Singapore.White House photo by Eric Draper. President George W. Bush and Russia's President Vladimir Putin exchange handshakes Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2006, as Mrs. Laura Bush and Lyudmila Putina look on.The brief Moscow stop was the first on the President and First Lady's week-long trip. White House photo by Eric Draper.Technorati Tags: President Bush and White House or Laura Bush and Lyudmila Putina or Moscow and Vladimir Putin or Singapore and Viet Nam or Indonesia and VIDEO

(Manila, Philippines, November 7, 2006) Dipping its toes in the regional online gaming market, Digital Media Exchange (dme) has announced that it is set to release Rakion, the massively multiplayer online action fighting game from South Korean game publisher Softnyx, Inc., in the Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, and Vietnam. Read more!

SINGAPORE: The deadliest terrorist networks in Southeast Asia have suffered significant setbacks in the past three years, weakened by aggressive policing, improved intelligence, enhanced military operations and an erosion of public support, government officials and counterterrorism specialists say. Three years after the region's last major strike — the attacks on ...