Thailand, the world's biggest producer of rice, has been hit hard by floods with 3.5 million tonnes of rice thought to have been damaged. But even before the floods hit, there was another problem: the government is offering to buy rice at a 50% premium. Their plan is to stockpile the rice to increase the price then to sell the produce at a higher rate to alleviate poverty among farmers.
With flood waters still covering large swathes of Thailand, we look at the fate of the many illegal migrant workers, who have nowhere to flee. Also, our reporters meet the independent candidates running for election in China. They are using the internet to run against the ruling Communist party. Finally, we explore the rebirth of a Japanese tradition which is proving a smash hit. Ear cleaning, believe it or not, is the latest way to relax.
The death toll from Thailand's five months of flooding surpassed 500 on Sunday, the government said. At least 20 per cent of Bangkok is submerged in floodwater despite efforts to push the floods through waterways away from the capital.
Flood waters encroached on Bangkok's business and tourist districts Friday, threatening the capital city's underground train system. Floods have killed 442 people, damaged homes and affected the livelihoods of millions in Thailand since late July.
Angry residents in flooded parts of Bangkok scuffled with Thai security forces on Monday to force open the Klong Sam Wa floodgate that left much of the city swamped while keeping its commercial centre dry.
In Thailand, waters are still threatening to engulf the capital Bangkok. Also, demographers say a shortage of adult women over the next 50 years will have as deep an impact as climate change. Finally, we take a look at the long-term impact of the tourism boom on the Indonesian island of Bali.
Thai officials expressed hope on Sunday that central Bangkok would escape the floods that have devastated a third of the country's provinces, but residents along canals in the northern part of the capital were warned to be ready to evacuate.
Japanese firms with manufacturing operations in Thailand will be allowed to bring over several thousand of their Thai employees to make up for lost production after severe floods hit Thailand, the government in Tokyo has said.
The centre of Bangkok remained largely dry on Saturday as barriers and dykes protected Thailand's capital from a peak in coastal tides coinciding with the worst floods to hit the country in nearly 60 years.
Tens of thousands of Bangkok residents attempted to flee the capital Friday, anticipating a high tide expected to worsen what is already the city's worst flood in 50 years. Ratings agency Fitch put the losses at around $4.5 billion.
