Indonesia

  • EventsEU Green Diplomacy Weeks in ASEAN 2024 kicks off with a fun run/walk and green action events

    EU Green Diplomacy Weeks in ASEAN 2024 kicks off with a fun run/walk and green action events

    The Ambassador of the European Union (EU) to ASEAN, H.E. Sujiro Seam, officially kicked off the EU-ASEAN Green Diplomacy Weeks 2024 in Jakarta, Indonesia. The launch featured already 2nd edition of the dynamic five-kilometre fun walk and run titled “EU-ASEAN Green Transition for Sustainable Planet and More Positive Impact” (GET UP and MOVE). Around 500 participants took part, including representatives…

  • World NewsIndonesian woman’s first date sparks debate over splitting the bill

    Indonesian woman’s first date sparks debate over splitting the bill

    A young Indonesian woman’s first date experience sparked a heated debate online about who should pay on a first date. The story revolves around Sisil, a 25 year old woman, who shared her unexpected encounter with her date’s approach to splitting costs. In July, Sisil met a man for their first date at a restaurant in East Kalimantan, Indonesia. Anticipation…

  • Thailand NewsVisa-free travel: Indonesia opens doors to 13 countries

    Visa-free travel: Indonesia opens doors to 13 countries

    Indonesia is rolling out the red carpet for citizens of 13 countries, with its latest visa-free travel policy set to shake up tourism and economic development. Announced in Presidential Regulation No. 95 of 2024, which was formally ratified on August 29, this groundbreaking move targets 11 of Indonesia’s Asian neighbours, alongside Colombia and Suriname. The lucky 13 nations—Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia,…

  • Thailand NewsIndonesian woman arrested for illegally working as tour guide

    Indonesian woman arrested for illegally working as tour guide

    Police arrested an Indonesian woman at Wat Pho in Bangkok yesterday for illegally working as a tour guide. Tourist Police Bureau officers received a complaint that an Indonesian woman illegally offered a travel package in Thailand to 133 Indonesian tourists between September 19 and 22. The woman did not possess a tour guide permit and her travel package was not…

  • Thailand NewsThai couple could face firing squad for Indonesia drug bust

    Thai couple could face firing squad for Indonesia drug bust

    Two Thai nationals face execution for drug trafficking charges in Indonesia. Rachanon Jongseeha and his girlfriend Woranawan Wongsuwan were among six people arrested in Bali last week on drug charges by Indonesian police. Four could face execution under the country’s strict drug laws. The 33 year old Rachanon and his 31 year old girlfriend were arrested upon arrival at Bali’s…

  • Thailand NewsThai nationals arrested for smuggling wildlife from Indonesia

    Thai nationals arrested for smuggling wildlife from Indonesia

    Thai police apprehended two men yesterday for smuggling wildlife from Indonesia into Thailand. The Natural Resources and Environmental Crime Suppression Division (NED), working with various agencies, detained the two suspects in Lam Thap district, Krabi. The suspects, 28 year old Thosaphon and 30 year old Somporn were found with 10 yellow tortoises, 11 Moluccan cockatoos, and other wildlife species. A…

  • Business NewsIndonesian motorcycle taxi drivers strike for fair pay

    Indonesian motorcycle taxi drivers strike for fair pay

    Over 1,000 motorcycle taxi drivers initiated a strike in various Indonesian cities today, protesting against inadequate pay and demanding greater protection from what they deem unfair practices by ride-sharing firms. The drivers, clad in their distinctive green jackets, converged outside the Communications Ministry and near the Jakarta offices of Indonesia’s largest tech company GoTo and Southeast Asia’s leading ride-hailing and…

  • World NewsIndonesian man killed over age-old ‘chicken or egg’ question

    Indonesian man killed over age-old ‘chicken or egg’ question

    In a shocking twist to an age-old debate, a friendly discussion turned deadly in South Sulawesi, Indonesia. On the evening of July 24, what began as a casual argument over, “Which came first, the chicken or the egg?” escalated into a fatal altercation. The tragic incident unfolded in a village where two strangers, identified only as DR and 47 year…

  • Thailand NewsThai fugitive Chaowalit Thongduang to be extradited from Indonesia

    Thai fugitive Chaowalit Thongduang to be extradited from Indonesia

    High-profile jail escapee Chaowalit Thongduang will be extradited from Indonesia back to Thailand under tight security measures. Nakhon Si Thammarat Police Chief Somchai Seutortrakul confirmed that a special unit will receive the 37 year old inmate at Nakhon Si Thammarat Airport tomorrow. Chaowalit, also known as Sia Paeng, who escaped from Maharaj Nakhon Si Thammarat Hospital during a dental visit…

  • Thailand NewsMajor Thai fugitive arrested in Bali after 7 months on the run

    Major Thai fugitive arrested in Bali after 7 months on the run

    The Thai Ministry of Justice, in coordination with Indonesian authorities, successfully arrested a major fugitive in Bali, Indonesia, after he had been on the run since October of last year. The fugitive, Chaowalit “Paeng” Thongduang, faced a sentence of 20 years and six months for aiding the escape of a gang member arrested on drug charges. He was also implicated in…

  • Business NewsIndonesia seeks Tesla EV battery plant with Musk’s interest

    Indonesia seeks Tesla EV battery plant with Musk’s interest

    Indonesia is once again courting Elon Musk’s interest in establishing an electric vehicle (EV) battery plant within its borders. After meeting with President Joko Widodo, the CEO of Tesla, Elon Musk, is set to consider the proposal, as confirmed by Indonesia’s Coordinating Minister of Investment, Luhut Pandjaitan. Musk’s immediate response was not available following the announcement made by Luhut to…

  • Thailand NewsIndonesia: Airline staff plummets from Airbus A320 (video)

    Indonesia: Airline staff plummets from Airbus A320 (video)

    A jaw-dropping video has emerged showing an airline staff member’s terrifying fall from an Airbus A320 after a step ladder was prematurely retracted. The incident, caught on camera and shared by Sanjay Lazar on Twitter, now known as X, quickly went viral, leaving viewers stunned and authorities scrambling for answers. The footage, reportedly taken in Indonesia and involving Transnusa Airlines,…

  • Thailand NewsIndonesian tourist’s false Thai honeymoon drama debunked

    Indonesian tourist’s false Thai honeymoon drama debunked

    A viral clip of an Indonesian woman‘s outcry on social media, claiming her honeymoon trip to Thailand collapsed because her husband was denied entry for not carrying cash, sparked significant attention. However, Thai immigration authorities have debunked the story as a fabrication for content creation, further uncovering that the woman is a frequent traveller to Thailand and an online merchant.…

  • Thailand NewsIndonesian Embassy’s cash reminder for entry into Thailand

    Indonesian Embassy’s cash reminder for entry into Thailand

    The Indonesian Embassy in Bangkok issued a reminder to citizens planning a trip to Thailand to arm themselves with a substantial amount of cash to avoid the risk of being denied entry. Minister Counsellor of the Indonesian Embassy in Bangkok, Dewi Lestari, revealed Thailand’s stringent entry requirements in an exclusive interview with the Indonesian network RRI. Lestari clarified that regardless…

  • Business NewsIndonesia reassures no rice shortage despite retail restrictions

    Indonesia reassures no rice shortage despite retail restrictions

    The Indonesian government affirmed today that there is no shortage in the country’s rice stocks, despite increasing restrictions on sales in mini markets and supermarkets that have been in place since the close of 2023. Arief Prasetyo Adi, the Head of the National Food Agency (NFA), made this assurance following a coordination meeting with the president. He also highlighted the…

  • Thailand NewsIndonesian pickpocket gang nabbed at Bangkok mall after stealing 310,000 baht

    Indonesian pickpocket gang nabbed at Bangkok mall after stealing 310,000 baht

    An Indonesian gang specialising in pickpocketing was apprehended at a well-known shopping centre in Bangkok and swiftly brought to justice by police following a report from a Japanese victim. The culprits were caught yesterday (January 25) at around 8am, shortly after their ill-fated heist. The swift police action led to the recovery of a cache of items and the confession…

  • Thailand NewsIndonesian bride marries brother-in-law, their love story goes viral

    Indonesian bride marries brother-in-law, their love story goes viral

    A 21 year old Cinta bride from East Kalimantan, Indonesia, recently made waves online when she revealed that her groom was none other than her former brother-in-law. This intriguing story began eight years ago when Cinta attended her sister’s wedding. In 2015, Cinta was present at the wedding ceremony of her sister, which took place with a man named Rangga…

  • World NewsIndonesian woman discovers husband is actually a woman post-wedding

    Indonesian woman discovers husband is actually a woman post-wedding

    A 23 year old Indonesian woman was left stunned when she discovered her prospective husband, whom she had known for two years, was a woman. The two had met on social media and were residents of the same town. They decided to marry after dating for two years, and a ceremony was held in a village in West Java, Indonesia.…

  • Thailand NewsLast orangutans rescued from Thai smuggling ring set to jet back home to Indonesia

    Last orangutans rescued from Thai smuggling ring set to jet back home to Indonesia

    In a triumphant move for wildlife conservation, Thailand is gearing up to bid farewell to the last three orangutans smuggled into the country from Indonesia. The adorable primates, seven year olds Nobita and Shizuka, and four year old Brian will be winging their way home next Thursday, December 21, as confirmed by Narin Prathuanchai, the director-general of Thailand’s National Parks,…

  • Thailand NewsChaowalit Thongduang: Thailand asserts active extradition treaty with Indonesia

    Chaowalit Thongduang: Thailand asserts active extradition treaty with Indonesia

    Thailand‘s Office of the Attorney-General (OAG) asserted yesterday, December 5, that the country has an active extradition treaty with Indonesia. This announcement arrived in light of an unverified report suggesting that notorious fugitive Chaowalit Thongduang, also known as Sia Paeng, might have escaped to the Southeast Asian country. Prayuth Phetkhun, the OAG spokesperson, clarified that the attorney-general possesses the authority…

  • World NewsLong-beaked echidna not extinct, rediscovered after 62 years

    Long-beaked echidna not extinct, rediscovered after 62 years

    The long-beaked echidna, a mammal thought to be extinct for over 62 years, has been unexpectedly spotted in the Cyclops Mountains of Indonesia. This discovery was reported today by the Seub Nakhasathien Foundation on their Facebook page. This elusive creature, also known as Attenborough’s long-beaked echidna, was named after English naturalist David Attenborough, who last encountered it in 1961. The…

  • Business NewsEl Nino-induced drought disrupts Indonesia’s rice production, hikes prices

    El Nino-induced drought disrupts Indonesia’s rice production, hikes prices

    Indonesia, Southeast Asia’s largest economy, is grappling with a severe disruption to its rice production due to the extreme El Nino phenomenon. This drought-induced shortage has led to a surge in rice prices, impacting small businesses and consumers. Yanto, an East Jakarta food stall owner who caters to the lower-income bracket, has seen a significant profit decline since August, unable…

  • World NewsIndonesian woman deceived into marrying transgender man: A 20-year ordeal unveiled

    Indonesian woman deceived into marrying transgender man: A 20-year ordeal unveiled

    A 58 year old woman from Indonesia recently shared her harrowing experience 20 years ago of being deceived into marrying a transgender man. In 2000, Ida was introduced to a man named Nardinata Marchioni by a friend during a trip to Europe. The two kept in touch via expensive international phone calls until Nardinata returned to Indonesia. Ida was impressed…

  • EventsThe EU and ASEAN marked the start of Green Diplomacy Weeks 2023 through a fun run, walk, and cycling event in Jakarta

    The EU and ASEAN marked the start of Green Diplomacy Weeks 2023 through a fun run, walk, and cycling event in Jakarta

    Ambassador of the European Union (EU) to ASEAN, H.E. Sujiro Seam, the Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community H.E. Ekkaphab Phanthavong and the Ambassador/Permanent Representative of the Republic of the Philippines to ASEAN, H.E. Hjayceelyn Mancenido Quintana, officially launched the start of the EU-ASEAN Green Diplomacy Weeks 2023 today in Jakarta, Indonesia. Over 300 people, representing officials from ASEAN,…

  • Thailand NewsFishy business: RTN reels in Indonesian vessels straying into Thai waters

    Fishy business: RTN reels in Indonesian vessels straying into Thai waters

    The Royal Thai Navy (RTN) stopped three Indonesian fishing vessels after they strayed into Thai waters after a recent maritime operation near Phuket. This unfolding event kicked off yesterday when Thai authorities apprehended these vessels within Thai territorial waters. What added to the significance of this operation was the detention of all 40 crew members aboard the ships. The operation…

  • World NewsFlaming love: Pre-wedding photoshoot sparks wildfire, shuts down Indonesian park (video)

    Flaming love: Pre-wedding photoshoot sparks wildfire, shuts down Indonesian park (video)

    A pre-wedding photoshoot gone awry in Indonesia’s Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park caused a substantial wildfire, forcing the temporary closure of the popular tourist site. The fire, which spread over 312 acres, was sparked by a flare used in the photoshoot. National park officials revealed that the fire was ignited by a flare shot during a pre-wedding photoshoot of a…

  • Road deathsOne year old survives truck collision in Sumatra, heart-wrenching video goes viral

    One year old survives truck collision in Sumatra, heart-wrenching video goes viral

    An Indonesian one year old toddler stunned the world as he crawled out of a truck wreckage following a collision on Sumatra Island. The incident occurred on September 9 in the province of Lampung. The heart-wrenching video, which went viral on social media, showed the boy crawling from the crushed vehicle and seeking his mother. The video also showed Sri…

  • Business NewsIndonesia mulls banning social media merchandise sales, TikTok expresses concern

    Indonesia mulls banning social media merchandise sales, TikTok expresses concern

    Indonesia is contemplating prohibitive measures against merchandise transactions conducted via social media platforms such as TikTok as stated by the deputy trade minister during a parliamentary hearing recently. The move is aimed at e-commerce vendors who employ predatory pricing strategies on social platforms, thereby jeopardising traditional marketplaces in Southeast Asia’s largest economy. Social media and social commerce cannot be combined, declared…

  • Economy NewsIndonesia unveils three month plan to boost trade and cultural ties with Thailand

    Indonesia unveils three month plan to boost trade and cultural ties with Thailand

    Indonesia kickstarted a three month long series of activities in Thailand, aimed at bolstering trade, cultural ties, and tourism, and enhancing people-to-people diplomacy. Announced at the Indonesia Fair: Know Indonesia Better event, Ambassador Rachmat Budiman revealed the comprehensive plan, curated by the Indonesian Embassy in Bangkok. The event which took place over the weekend at the Central Court in Central…

  • World NewsInternational motorcycle gang and Indonesian drug syndicate nabbed in Thailand crackdown

    International motorcycle gang and Indonesian drug syndicate nabbed in Thailand crackdown

    An international motorcycle gang and a major Indonesian drug gang, both of whom had fled to Thailand, have been apprehended in a sweeping operation by the Thai Immigration Bureau (IB). The series of arrests also included the capture of a notorious human trafficking network operating in the Sa Kaeo province. The Deputy Commissioner of the Royal Thai Police, Police Lieutenant…