Bangkok, Thailand — Bangkok’s Lumpini Park is well known for its spacious decorated gardens, wonderful running tracks and exercise stations, which the public uses on a daily basis. Lumpini is also developing as a favorite place to drop by and file lèse majesté charges against foreigners.

Bangkok, Thailand — U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is set to visit Burma on Friday – the same day the trial of democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi is scheduled to resume. The regime wants to keep her in custody through next year’s elections. The United Nations should not allow the regime to perpetrate such injustice.

Colombo, Sri Lanka — Sri Lanka is a plural society with diverse communities. At present, national debate on the future of society is dictated by nationalist groups who fear the devolution of power to the regions. But if everyone sees this process as empowering their own provincial councils, there is no need to oppose it.

Beijing, China — China has decided to boost the power and prestige of its think tanks in order to contend for a global role in the world of ideas. As part of this strategy, a new “super think tank” will make its official debut this weekend as host of a global think-tank summit in Beijing.

Manipal, India — Given the many allegations that he endured, pop star Michael Jackson may have been surprised by the emotion caused by his death. The legacy of the singer includes the proof that while prejudice may exist on the surface, deeper inside each person is the recognition of a common humanity.

Beijing, China — A group of prominent Chinese writers and scholars have issued a petition for the immediate release of pro-democracy dissident Dr. Liu Xiaobo, who was officially arrested Tuesday after spending more than six months in detention. He is charged with attempting to subvert the state.

Nakhonratchasima, Thailand — Thailand’s Red Shirts – supporters of ousted former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra – are again planning a demonstration Saturday in Bangkok. The rally will undoubtedly witness statements the Thai government will consider insulting to the royal family and possibly dangerous to national security.

Ningbo, China — Thailand’s Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva is in China for a four-day visit, his first trip to the country since taking office. In the midst of the global financial crisis, he hopes to strengthen bilateral ties and economic cooperation with China.

Kathmandu, Nepal — Nepal’s Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal named eight new ministers to his Cabinet Wednesday, bringing in representatives of parties that had been unwilling to join the month-old governing coalition, in an expansion of his power-sharing policy. Nepal now has a six-party alliance with 30 Cabinet ministers.

Colombo, Sri Lanka — The fruits of the Sri Lankan government's victory over the LTTE, with regard to improving the lives of the people, are already becoming evident. The removal of restrictions on fishing in the northern seas and the opening of the highway to the Jaffna Peninsula are welcome news to the people in the north.