19 injured in bomb explosion in Thailand; Vietnam officials visit Chennai port to meet stranded sailors; Vice President of Philippines visits China; Thai PM believes ASEAN will not intervene in Thailand-Cambodia border talks; India, Malaysia sign trade pa
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    • Suspected separatists exploded a bomb outside a parlour in Thailand's city of Narathiwat, injuring 19 people on 19 February. The explosive was detonated shortly after gunmen shot at a nearby karaoke bar, injuring two women and drawing soldiers to inspect the scene. The bomb was planted in a parked car in Narathiwat, 750 kilometres south of Bangkok. The explosion injured 19 civilians and destroyed 12 cars.1

    On 19 February, a delegation from the Vietnamese embassy in New Delhi visited to meet sixteen sailors who are stranded outside the Chennai port. The delegation, accompanied by representatives of the International Transport workers Federation (ITF) and the Seafarers Port Welfare Association, reached the vessel with a medical team in a special boat arranged by the Chennai port trust.2

    Vice President of the Philippines Jejomar Binay visited China on 18 February 2011 and met a number of officials and political leaders. According to the press release, during the meetings, the Chinese officials talked about stronger Sino-Philippine relations, deeper judicial cooperation, and joint efforts to fight trans-border drug-related crimes.3

    Thailand Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said, on 20 February 2011, that ASEAN would not involve itself in border conflict matters to be discussed by the two neighbouring countries. Abhisit noted during his weekly TV and radio address that the ASEAN regional grouping would act as “coordinator, witness and provide facility only” and will not get directly involved in the matter. The statement holds importance as Thailand is keen to ensure that the region grouping stays out of the issue. However, ASEAN group will meet on 22 February 2011 to discuss the matter.4

    Malaysia and India signed a Free Trade Pact on 18 February 2011. The pact is expected to help reinforce economic ties and increase bilateral trade twofold to $15 billion by 2015. The Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) was signed by Commerce Minister Anand Sharma and his Malaysian counterpart Mustapa Mohamed.5

    The Chinese Defense Minister Liang Guanglie met with Indonesian Vice Minister of Defense Sjafrie Sjamsoedin on 18 February 2011, pledging to promote bilateral defense cooperation. Sjafrie hailed the rapid growth of defense cooperation between Indonesia and China, saying his country was ready to work with China to promote cooperation in defense and regional security affairs.6

    In other developments in the region, China and Myanmar signed a supplementary contract to a memorandum of understanding on Kyaukphyu economic and technical development zone and related port and railroad development projects on 16 February 2011. The signed contract between the CITIC Group of China and Myanmar Ministry of National Planning and Economic Development is expected to boost the bilateral cooperation in the infrastructure sector.7

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