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 The first Malaysian astronaut will be Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor, a 34-year-old physician, with Malaysian Army dentist Faiz Khaleed, 26, chosen as an alternate. The pair will undergo training in Star City, Russia for a mission to the International Space Station in October 2007. (AFP) More than 400 CEOs are in Singapore for the Sixth Forbes Global CEO Conference. (CNA)- Philips says it will open a new LED plant in Singapore, employing around 900 workers and set to start production in 2007. (CNA)
 Four Royal Thai Army officers are charged with conspiracy in the assassination attempt on caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. The four officers, accused of working with Lt. Thawatchai Klinchana, already in custody, to kill the premier, are Maj-Gen. Pairoj Thiraphab, Col. Surapol Sukpradit, Lt-Col. Manas Sookprasert and Sgt-Maj. Chakrit Chantra. (TNA)
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 Four members of the Bali Nine – Tach Duc Thanh Nguyen, Matthew Norman, Si Yi Chen, and Scott Rush – have their life sentences for heroin smuggling increased to the death penalty. (AFP) Government offensive against Abu Sayyaf:
- Memorial services are held in Zamboanga City for six Marines killed in an attack on Monday in which a 27-man unit engaged in a firefight with close to 200 Abu Sayyaf fighters. (Inq7)
- Southern Philippine cities are alerted to the possibility of bomb attacks by Abu Sayyaf. (Inq7)
- Two design teams are selected to design and build the Gardens at Marina South and Marina East in the Gardens by the Bay, with the development blueprints released for public consultation. The Garden at Marina Centre is not awarded to any design team so as to allow for greater participation in the design phase from the general public (CNA).
- The Singaporean economy tops a list of 175 economies as the most business-friendly economy in the world in a survey conducted by the World Bank's International Finance Corporation. Thailand ranks 18th, Malaysia 25th, Vietnam 104th, the Philippines 126th, Indonesia 135th, Cambodia 143th, Laos 159th, and Timor-Leste at 174th (IFC) (CNA) (TNA).
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- The World Health Organization confirms two more deaths from H5N1, bringing the country's death toll from bird flu to 48. One is a 14-year-old female from South Sulawesi who died in June and whose death from the virus was already confirmed by the Indonesian health ministry; the other is an 8-year-old girl from Banten province who died on July 14, 2005. (Bloomberg)
- Former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad is defeated in an election in Kedah in which he sought to be a delegate to the United Malays National Organisation assembly in November. The former premier polled 227 of 476 votes. He denies he wants to unseat his hand-picked successor, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, but says he hoped to explain his criticisms of the current government to the UMNO. (Reuters)
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- Riau police a reverse a complete ban on protesters on Batam, allowing the planned International People's Forum coinciding with the IMF-World Bank meetings to proceed. (AFP)
- The rape trial of four US Marines resumes in Makati Regional Trial Court, with Lance Cpl. Daniel Smith denying he raped the 22-year-old Filipina referred to in court as Nicole, saying they had consensual sex. (Standard)
- Alert levels on Mayon Volcano are lowered, allowing more than 30,000 evacuees from 22 villages to return to their homes after more than a month. (Inq7)
- Singapore 2006:
- Registration begins, with delegates and other participants going through tight security procedures. (CNA)
- Singapore has banned at least 28 activists from entering the country during the meetings. Police say they are "characters who were involved in disruptive activities" at past meetings, such as the 1999 World Trade Organization meeting in Seattle. (CNA)
- The foreign ministry repeats its denial that Thailand harbors any safe houses or secret prisons used by the United States in its War on Terrorism. The latest denial comes after The New York Times reported that close Osama bin Laden associate Abu Zubaydah had been interrogated and tortured in Thailand by US personnel in 2002. (The Nation)
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- Lee Kuan Yew claims Chinese in Indonesia and Malaysia "are hardworking and, therefore, they are systematically marginalized" and Singapore must stand up against its two larger neighbors. (Reuters)
- Three Christians, Fabianus Tibo, 60, Marinus Riwu, 48, and Dominggus da Silva, 42, are executed by firing squad in direct violation of a government pardon for all those involved in the Poso conflict. The men were accused of leading attacks on Muslims in 2000 that left 70 people dead. Thousands of police are block roads leading to the prison and guard churches. Rights workers call the trial a sham. (CBS News)
- Chua Sock Koong will be the new Chief Executive Officer of Singapore Telecommunications, replacing Lee Hsien Yang in April 2007. (CNA)
- The Singapore Changi Airport wins six more awards in September to garner a total of 16 in 2006 so far, including the the Best Airport in the World and Best Airport for Duty Free Shopping award by both Business Traveller (UK/Europe) and Business Traveller (Asia/Pacific). In addition, it wins the World Travel Awards for Asia's Leading Airport and World's Leading Airport. (AsiaOne)
- Thailand coup d'état:
- Deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra issues a press statement in London, urging the junta to have elections soon. Through a spokesman, the billionaire ex-premier also says he plans to take a "deserved rest". (Guardian) (The Nation) (AFP)
- In moves to distance himself from Thaksin, former deputy prime minister Surakiart Sathirathai arrives in Bangkok and thanks the junta for its support in his bid to become United Nations Secretary-General.
- Former Director-General of the World Trade Organization Supachai Panitchpakdi, currently secretary-general United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, is mentioned as a possible interim prime minister, as is Supreme Administrative Court president Ackaratorn Chularat. (The Nation)
- The United States is said to be reviewing its aid to Thailand. (The Nation)(The Nation)
- The junta calls for a ban on expressions of public opinion. Three-hundred community radio stations are shut down in northern Thailand, which is a stronghold for Thaksin supporters. The junta also bans local TV stations from broadcasting SMS messages from viewers. (AFP) (The Nation) (The Nation)
- In the absence of a parliament, the junta formally assumes legislative powers. (AFP)
- The junta bans any meetings by political parties. (AFP) (The Nation)
- Former Thaksin cabinet members, Newin Chidchob and Yongyuth Tiyapairaj, are summoned and held by the junta. Also four police generals, including the nation's intelligence chief, are transferred to inactive posts. (AFP) (The Nation) (The Nation)
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 King Norodom Sihamoni visits Slovakia, meeting with Slovak President Ivan Gasparovic and pledging to strengthen ties between their two countries. (AP)- The country's 51st death from H5N1 is confirmed. The victim is a 9-year-old boy who died in a Jakarta hospital. (News24)
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 Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong arrives in Ho Chi Minh City for a two-day visit to Vietnam, meeting his counterpart, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung. Vietnam seeks stronger business ties with Singapore. (CNA) (Thanh Nien)
- Thailand coup d'état:
- Supachai Panitchpakdi tentatively accepts the junta's invitation to become interim prime minister, sources say. He is due to return to Bangkok to hold talks with CDRM leaders.
- The junta's secretary-general, Gen. Winai Phattiyakul, says the new constitution has been drafted and that the a long-delayed government budget will also be approved.
- Under a civilian-led interim government, the ruling Council for Democratic Reform under Constitutional Monarchy would take on a protective role and be renamed the Council of National Security. (The Nation) (IHT)
- Northern and central Thailand are hit by flooding, including Phichit, Phitsanulok, Ang Thong, Lampang and Nakhon Sawan. (The Nation)
- In the South Thailand insurgency, four people are killed in late-night attacks: Two are killed in an attack on a police station in Yala. A village headman is fatally shot at his home in Narathiwat and in Pattani a man is fatally shot while riding his motorcycle. (Nation)
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- Malaysia sends two of its astronaut candidates, Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor and Faiz Khaleed for training in Star City, Russia for their mission to the International Space Station. (Bernama)
- Around 200,000 civil servants in the support category – hospital attendants, drivers, gardeners and clerical and administrative staff – who earn basic pay of 480 ringgit (about US$130) per month are demanding a salary hike. (NST) (AFP)
- Royal Thai Air Force Air Chief Marshal Chalit Pukbhasuk tours Suvarnabhumi Airport and declares it ready for Thursday's official opening, as airline and airport staff prepare for the massive move from the old Don Mueang International Airport. (TNA) (IHT)
- Thailand coup d'état:
- Privy Councillor Gen. Surayud Chulanont emerges as leading candidate for interim prime minister. (Bangkok Post)
- Bank of Thailand Governor Pridiyathorn Devakula, whose name was mentioned as a possible interim prime minister, is instead named to head the junta's economics advisory panel. Additionally, the Council for Democratic Reform under Constitutional Monarchy names several other civilians for advisory panels, many of whom hadn't been previously notified. (Nation)
- Gen. Sonthi Boonyaratglin says the junta will remain in power and serve in advisory capacity to a civilian government, which will be installed "in a day or two". "There are still concerns about security issues, since we don't know yet what will happen," he says. "We will not control the cabinet, we will just give them our expertise. I reaffirm that the junta will not be involved in politics." (AFP)
- The board of MCOT resigns en masse to take responsibility for their actions on Day 1 of the coup, when MCOT's television station, Modernnine, was the only Thai TV station to broadcast a state-of-emergency message from deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. (TNA)
- The country's third death this year from H5N1 is confirmed by health officials. The victim is a 59-year-old farmer from northeast Thailand who died on August 10. (BBC)
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- Typhoon Xangsane lashes the Philippines, killing at least 60 people and causing extensive damage in Manila and several provinces, including Quezon, Laguna, Bulacan, Bataan, Bicol, Iloilo, Antique and Leyte. (AP) (DPA)
- Thailand coup d'état:
- Surayud Chulanont will be named as the interim prime minister, several officials say, though his appointment won't be official until it is ratified over the weekend by King Bhumibol Adulyadej.(Times) (AFP)
- Responding to criticism and the suspension of aid by the US, junta spokesman Gen. Winai Phattiyakul asks the US to "understand the decision of Thailand." The general also appeals to the foreign press to tone down its negative coverage of the coup and says that "we are considering lifting (restrictions against the press) very soon." (AP)
- The Council for Democratic Reform announces its annual military shuffle, removing several pre-Cadet classmates of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. The junta's secretary-general, Gen. Winai Phattiyakul, is named permanent secretary for defence. Deputy Supreme Commander Gen. Boonsang Niampradit is named supreme commander, replacing Gen. Ruangroj Mahasaranond. Fourth Army Region command, which is dealing with the south Thailand insurgency, goes to Lt. Gen. Ongkorn Thongprasom, who swaps posts with Army adviser, Lt. Gen. Viroj Buacharoon. (TNA)
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[edit] Recently concluded
Ongoing:
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Holidays
and observances |
[edit] September
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