Southeast Asian leaders hold summit, excluding Myanmar coup leader

17 Sept 02:38 Key points summarised by AI

ASEAN leaders began their annual summit, notably excluding Myanmar's military coup leader, Min Aung Hlaing, marking a rare deviation from the bloc's usual non-interference policy.
The exclusion was decided after the junta chief failed to implement an ASEAN peace plan, which included ending hostilities, initiating dialogue, and granting a special envoy full access to the country following the February 1 coup.
Myanmar's foreign ministry declared it would only accept its head of state or ministerial representative, indicating its seat at the 10-member summit would remain empty.
U.S. President Joe Biden is scheduled to attend a joint session by video link, with additional meetings planned between ASEAN leaders and representatives from China and South Korea.

Uthenthawai students and alumni declare truce with Pathumwan rivals

Yesterday 20:34 Key points summarised by AI

Uthenthawai students and alumni have pledged to cease violent clashes with Pathumwan Institute rivals, coinciding with their campus's reopening after a 90-day closure.
The Minister of Higher Education is mediating the long-running conflict, while the campus closure has significantly disrupted in-person classes and laboratory work for over 1,000 students.
Uthenthawai resists relocation from its current site, citing a historical land grant from King Rama VI, despite Chulalongkorn University's plans to reclaim the land for an educational hub.
Concerns are mounting over the legality of the campus closure, its detrimental impact on uninvolved students, and the potential commercial development of the land, which critics argue contradicts the late King Rama VI's intentions.