The Nation, Bangkok Post to sell in Burma
Thailand’s leading English-language dailies given the go-ahead for distribution inside Burma but analysts warn of heavy censorship
British PM ‘must urge China rethink’
Analysts say Cameron should ensure he warns China about its ongoing diplmoatic support of Burma but warn the message may carry hypocrisy
Refugees number 17,000 as more arrive
UN says that repatriation of Karen refugees unlikely to happen soon as fighting continues further south in Payathonzu
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First election results emerge
Majority of results announced today won in one-party constituencies as the pro-junta USDP looks to be taking the lead
Suu Kyi ‘very relevant’ despite absence
British ambassador Andrew Heyn defends NLD’s boycott of today’s elections and says that UK ‘won’t turn its back’ on Burma
PM urges ‘successful’ elections
Thein Sein says Burma’s prestige is dependent on elections but the chorus of global condemnation continues to ring loud
Diplomats snub election booth ‘tours’
British, German, French and Italian diplomats say they will not take part in ‘choreographed tour’ of voting stations offered by the junta
Activists mark second vote behind bars
Forty-five political prisoners look set to spend their second elections behind bars as hopes of an amnesty fade
Foreign diplomats to witness polling
Burma’s election authority says that diplomats and employees of UN agencies will be able to view selected ballot stations on the day
Activists to attempt elections uprising
Veterans of the 1988 uprising have regrouped and claim they can succeed on Sunday where the thousands who marched 22 years ago could not
Migrants indifferent to looming vote
As international media trains its eye on happenings inside Burma, millions of migrants outside of the country appear uninterested in the vote
India cautions on ‘adverse’ UN probe
Indian diplomat warns that investigation into war crimes in Burma could be counter-productive and adversely affect Burmese citizens
US senator fires warning shot at Obama
Senator Jim Webb warns that Burma risks becoming a province of China unless the US steps up engagement with the ruling junta
Philippines to break ASEAN poll silence
President Aquino set to deliver speech at regional Southeast Asia summit this week decrying the looming Burmese elections as a ‘farce’
China sabotaging UN war crimes probe
Report claims that pressure from China has taken the steam out of global support for a UN-led probe into war crimes in Burma
Than Shwe ‘pinning hopes’ on UN
Analysts say junta chief’s praise of UN’s work in promoting economic and social justice is ironic given conditions inside Burma
Aung Htoo, BLC: ‘Than Shwe fears the ICC’
As calls for Than Shwe to be indicted for war crimes gather momentum, DVB speaks to exiled Burmese lawyer, Aung Htoo, who heads the Burma Lawyers’ Council. He claims that[…]
Not in my backyard
Thai and Indian citizens are growing increasingly intolerant of environmentally destructive mega-projects – so their governments are moving them to Burma
Burma press freedom ‘amongst worst’
Paris-based media watchdog says in 2010 Index that nothing has improved in one of the world’s most draconian press environments
Opium production soaring, warns UN drugs tzar
Opium production in Burma trending ‘relentlessly upward’ as UN warns that Southeast Asia’s drug threat has been overlooked
Foreign media barred during polls
Burma’s Election Commission announces that a ban on foreign journalists is justified because diplomats will be the observers
New initiative reignites Burma tourism debate
Burma, Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos to join hands in promoting ‘Four Countries: One Destination’ but the pro-boycott lobby stands strong
Indonesia urged to back war crimes probe
Southeast Asia’s largest democracy hailed as model for Burma’s transition and possible trend-setter if it backs UN inquiry
Business Elections News Politics
Thai PM leaves, border crossing still shut
Burmese officials reject Thai offer of help in 7 November elections whilst Abhisit fails to make progress on reopening of key border crossing
Thai giant closing in on Burma port deal
Looming elections in Burma won’t affect deal which will enable Thai exports to bypass the congested Straits of Malacca