Southeast Asia

Pacific Rim: Taiwan Earthquake Damages Undersea Cables

Date: January 3rd, 2007 |

A 7.1 magnitude earthquake struck near Taiwan Dec. 26 and damaged undersea telecommunications cables, affecting internet, banking and telephone services around the Pacific Rim. Much of the service has been restored but repairs to the cables are expected to take as long as a month. Internet access may be slow or unavailable in so [read more]

Indonesia: Terrorist and Crime Threats during Holidays

Date: December 20th, 2006 |

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The U.S. Embassy in Jakarta issued a statement reminding Americans that in recent years terrorist attacks have occurred in Jakarta and elsewhere during the Christmas-New Year’s holiday season, and urged travelers to remain vigilant. Most of the attacks against Westerners have occurred in Jakarta and on the island of Bali. Thousands of police have been [read more]

Thailand and Burma: Flooding to Continue

Date: October 17th, 2006 |

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Floods that began in August have hit central and northern Thailand hard, killing 44 and affecting some two million people in 46 provinces. The floods are unlikely to abate before the end of October because continued rain is forecast. Bangkok has suffered serious flooding and the nearby ancient capital of Ayutthaya and Chiang Mai province [read more]

Malaysia: Taxi Coupon Plan Extended

Date: September 19th, 2006 |

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Authorities in Kuala Lumpur are extending a taxi coupon system to more tourist spots in an effort to prevent taxi drivers from cheating their passengers. Currently the system is available at Kuala Lumpur’s Sentral train station, Kuala Lumpur Bird Park, Sunway Lagoon and Kuala Lumpur Tower. It will be extended to the Kuala Lumpur City [read more]

Indonesia: Terrorist Threat Remains

Date: September 5th, 2006 |

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The U.S. Embassy in Jakarta warned that a serious threat of terrorist attacks against Westerners and Western interests exists in Indonesia, especially at Western businesses and places where foreigners congregate. Reports suggest that individual Americans could be targeted i [read more]

Thailand: New Year’s Eve Bombings in Bangkok

Date: January 3rd, 2007 |

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A series of seven bombings struck Bangkok on New Year’s Eve, the first five around 6 p.m. and the last two shortly after midnight. The final two occurred near the World Trade Center shopping mall where Bangkok’s main New Year’s celebration was to take place. Three Thais died in the first wave of bombings and [read more]

Philippines: Bombings in Mindanao, Threats in Manila

Date: October 17th, 2006 |

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Shortly after officials warned of a threat of Islamic terrorist bombings in Mindanao, explosions occurred at three sites over two days Oct. 10 and 11. One bomb killed six and the others injured several people. They occurred in a village near Isulan, in the town of Makilala, and in Cotabato City. The attacks resembled the [read more]

Indonesia: Illegal Burning Spreads Haze over Region

Date: October 3rd, 2006 |

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Dry season burning of brush on the islands of Sumatra and Borneo has caused smoke and haze to spread over both islands and nearby Singapore, reducing visibility, damaging air quality and delaying flights in Palangkaraya, Kalimantan on the Indonesian side of Borneo. The haze was affecting some 215,000 square miles of land. Air quality had [read more]

Malaysia: Crime Gang Dismantled in Borneo

Date: September 12th, 2006 |

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A small-time crime syndicate in Kota Kinabalu on the island of Borneo was broken up, but its modus operandi is worth remembering. They meet foreign tourists “by chance,” befriend them, show them around for the day, then invite them to their home. Once there, they encourage the tourists to play a game Black Jack, even [read more]

Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand: Sumatra Forest Fires Cast Pall over Neighbors

Date: August 1st, 2006 |

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Haze from forest fires in Sumatra drifted into Malaysia and Thailand in an annual rite of pollution caused by illegal burning. The fires are typically started by slash-and-burn farmers clearing forests for fields or logging companies clearing land to get at timber. Indonesia’s Riau province has the majority of the fires and the worst pollution, [read more]