Asia

  • Thailand News

    Singapore tops Asia in World Happiness Report 2024 rankings

    Singapore has retained its position as the happiest country in Asia for the second consecutive year, according to the recently released World Happiness Report 2024. The city-state ranked 30th out of 143 surveyed countries globally but stood at the pinnacle in Asia, outshining its regional peers including Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Thailand. Thailand came in seventh…

  • Business News

    Thailand aims to be among top five Asian tech ecosystems

    Aspiring to rank among Asia’s top five tech ecosystems within the next decade, Thailand is currently focusing on the development of smart industries, particularly in tourism, healthcare, agriculture, and manufacturing, according to a statement by a corporate innovation accelerator. Dr Kid Parchariyanon, CEO and co-founder of RISE, the accelerator, insisted that the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI), along with nurturing…

  • Business News

    Asia-Pacific aviation recovery boosted by China’s early reopening

    Asia-Pacific aviation is set for a gradual recovery this year, with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) citing China’s earlier-than-expected reopening as a significant boost for the industry. Philip Goh, IATA’s Vice-President for Asia-Pacific, noted that revenue passenger kilometres (RPK) for the region in April reached 82% of the corresponding period in 2019. Domestic RPK has already surpassed 2019 levels,…

  • Business News

    Asian nations revive Mice industry, Taiwan focuses on preferred destination

    As the demand for on-site meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (Mice) activities recovers following the pandemic, Asian countries are preparing their exhibition venues and marketing strategies to welcome international visitors. Northeast Asia has shown significant enthusiasm, with South Korea’s Busan bidding for the World Expo 2030 and Hong Kong unveiling the West Kowloon Cultural District, a 40-hectare area designed to…

  • Business News

    Asian stocks surge as us debt default averted

    Asian stocks experienced gains on Friday, following the US Senate’s approval of legislation that prevents a US debt default. The possibility of the US Federal Reserve deciding against raising interest rates this month also contributed to the positive sentiment. Last week, Thai shares fluctuated between 1,521.31 and 1,545.55 points, eventually closing at 1,531.20 on Friday, marking a 0.024% increase from…

  • Business News

    Asia’s factory demand eases amid China’s faltering recovery and global trade slump

    Factories across Asia experienced a further decline in demand during May, as China‘s sluggish recovery impacted a region already grappling with a global trade downturn. Taiwan’s purchasing managers indexes (PMI) dropped to 44.3 from 47.1 in April, while Vietnam recorded its lowest reading since September 2021, according to S&P Global. South Korea’s factory gauge saw a slight increase in May,…

  • World News

    Asia-Pacific markets to gain from US-Europe supply chain diversification

    Asia-Pacific emerging markets are predicted to gain from the ongoing supply chain decoupling, as analysts highlight the US and Europe’s efforts to diversify risks in security-related sectors. Steven Cochrane, Moody’s Analytics chief Asia-Pacific economist, recently discussed the decoupling between the US and China within intermediate goods production during an online event. He explained that incentives, rather than government policies, are…

  • Business News

    Asia-Pacific consumers to boost health and wellness spending post-pandemic

    A recent survey reveals that approximately 70% of consumers in the Asia-Pacific region are prepared to increase their expenditure on health and wellness products, as the pandemic has heightened health consciousness. The study called the Asia-Pacific Health Priority Survey, was carried out by US supplement distributor Herbalife and highlighted a particularly strong interest in health improvement in Southeast Asia, specifically…

  • Business News

    Asia-Pacific countries need US$362 billion annually for climate action, says UN

    The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) highlighted the urgent need for significant funding to support climate change adaptation and mitigation efforts in the Asia-Pacific region. ESCAP’s Accelerating Climate Action in Asia and the Pacific report reveals that most countries in the area are inadequately prepared for extreme weather events and natural disasters, which…

  • World News

    Singapore firms eye Central Asia’s growing consumer market for expansion

    Central Asia, a region known for its landlocked countries, may not be the most obvious choice for Singaporean businesses looking to expand their horizons. However, Enterprise Singapore (EnterpriseSG) believes that the area’s growing consumer market and young population can offer early-mover advantages for companies, particularly in sectors such as urban infrastructure, technology, and innovative consumer products. Despite Central Asia’s strategic…

  • World News

    Climate change makes deadly Asian heatwaves 30 times more likely, study finds

    Last month’s deadly heatwaves in Bangladesh, India, Laos, and Thailand were made at least 30 times more likely due to climate change, according to a study by the World Weather Attribution group. The research examined the average maximum temperature and the maximum heat index, which includes humidity. The findings revealed that climate change made the humid heatwave at least 30…

  • World News

    Over 50% of Gen Z in Asia, and world, suffers with poor mental health

    The latest findings from the annual AXA Study of Mind Health and Wellbeing 2023 have revealed that over 50% of Gen Z (aged 18-24) suffer from poor mental health in Asia and across the globe. Around the world, 53% of Gen Z is experiencing poor mental health, according to the survey. The survey reported that half of Gen Z in…

  • World News

    Thai Vietjet to launch only direct Bangkok – Okinawa route

    Budget airline Thai Vietjet is expanding its wings with new direct flights between Bangkok, Thailand, and Okinawa in Japan, in collaboration with leading Thai travel agency Tourladfah Co., Ltd. The new route is the only nonstop service between the two major Asian hubs. The route between Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport and Okinawa’s Naha Airport will fly twice per week on Thursdays…

  • Thailand News

    Manchester City Takes on the Far East: Tour of Thailand and Japan in Mid-July

    Manchester City, the reigning Premier League champions, are embarking on a journey to Asia as part of their preparations for the upcoming season. The tour, expected to take place in mid-July, will cover both Thailand and Japan, marking their first trip to the Far East since the outbreak of the pandemic. Sportsmail UK reported that the club has already planned…

  • World News

    Bangladeshi child plays hide and seek, turns up in Malaysia five days later

    A young boy turned up in Malaysia after becoming trapped inside a shipping container for five days while playing hide and seek in Bangladesh. On January 17, a 45 year old shipping operator opened a container at Port Klang, Malaysia’s largest port, to find a confused, weak Bangladeshi boy named Farim who had travelled over 1,000 miles from home. A…

  • World News

    UN urges Asian countries to save starving Rohingyas adrift at sea

    The UN is calling on Asian countries to save almost 200 starving Rohingya refugees adrift at sea. The group of desperate Rohingyas has been adrift in the Indian ocean for the past month. The boat’s exact location is unclear. But as of Wednesday, the boat was near the Indian territory of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the Bay of…

  • Bangkok News

    Bangkok chosen as Asia’s 2nd most cycling-friendly city

    Netizens are not convinced with the Independent‘s selection of Bangkok as Asia’s 2nd most cycling-friendly city. Singapore ranked in first place, followed by Bangkok, Osaka in Japan, Xiamen in China, Taipei in Taiwan, Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia, and Beijing in China. Bangkok is a “fantastic city for cycling” thanks to Lumphini Park, Benjakitti Park, and the city’s “brilliant guided cycling…

  • World News

    Asian international tourism slower than other regions

    While tourism in Thailand is picking up, Southeast Asia has seen a much slower rate of return for international travellers than other parts of the world. Many popular holiday areas in Europe have seen a full recovery, and even record-breaking numbers in some. But Asia lags, flummoxed by the slow lifting of Covid-19 restrictions. Thailand began reopening efforts over a…

  • Politics News

    Last Pakistani in Guantanamo Bay goes home

    Saifullah Paracha has been in Guantanamo Bay detention centre since he was taken into custody in Bangkok in 2003. The 74 year old was never charged with anything, nor was he accused of any crime, merely “having links” with the al-Qaeda leadership. The oldest inmate at Guantanamo Bay detention facility in Cuba and an innocent man by every legal definition, Paracha…

  • World News

    Thai Airways releases details of winter flights itinerary

    Thai Airways (THAI) announced its winter flights schedule from October 30 to March 25, 2023, with 34 flights slated to take off from Suvarnabhumi Airport Bangkok for destinations to Asia, Europe, and Australia. Thailand’s flag carrier has endured a tough time since the Covid-19 pandemic hit the world over two years ago. But THAI recently announced a restructuring plan to…

  • Hot News

    US Navy scammer arrested in Venezuela over scandal in Asia

    An alleged United States Navy military contractor has been arrested in Venezuela after fleeing house arrest in the US. The man fled his home country just weeks before being sentenced for his role in a corruption scandal in Thailand and other parts of Asia. The man, Leonard Gleen Francis, known as “Fat Leonard,” had fled from his California home and…

  • World News

    UPDATE: 110 Thais on one flight denied entry into South Korea

    UPDATE The Thai tourists who were denied entry into South Korea have filed a lawsuit against a tour company who they say is responsible for the whole nightmare. Despite forking out loads of cash for the package ‘holiday,’ 71 Thai tourists were detained at the South Korean border for four days and deported back to Thailand. Yesterday, eight Thais on…

  • World News

    Seoul sees worst floods in 80 years, 7 dead, 6 missing

    Seoul and surrounding areas are inundated with water after one of the heaviest rain storms in 80 years hit the South Korean capital last night. At least seven people have died and at least six people are missing. At least five people died in Seoul and two others in neighbouring Gyeonggi province, according to the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures…

  • World News

    110 Thais on one flight denied entry into South Korea

    A total of 110 Thai tourists on a single flight were denied entry into the South Korean island of Jeju and sent back to Thailand yesterday, according to the Korea Times. Since Korea’s post-pandemic “reopening,” a crazy 50% of all Thais arriving in South Korea have been rejected at the border, according to reports. Of the 184 Thai nationals aboard…

  • World News

    Japan keeps hitting new records in Covid-19 cases

    Japan keeps hitting new records in its number of Covid-19 cases. Yesterday (Friday), there were over 190,000 cases in the island nation. On Thursday, there had been 186,246 cases. Last week, Japan hit a record of 110,600 cases. This news comes as Japan faces a seventh wave of Covid, caused by the BA.5 Omicron sub-variant. BA.5 makes up nearly 100%…

  • World News

    Former South Korean navy member under fire for fighting in Ukraine

    A former South Korean navy member who fought in Ukraine hasn’t received a warm welcome upon returning home to recover from injuries. The man, Rhee Keun, said that about 10 police officers were waiting for him as he stepped off the plane today. The officers told him to quarantine for a week as a Covid-19 precaution, and said they would…

  • World News

    Hong Kong to let in non-residents starting May 1, but with quarantine

    After lifting suspensions on flights from 9 overseas locations on April 1, Hong Kong now plans to let in non-residents from all countries starting May 1. In the past month, average daily arrivals have risen in the territory to about 1,200 from a meagre 300, according to the Hong Kong government’s Covid website. The ban on non-residents has been in…

  • World News

    Bum Gun vs Toilet Paper, which is better for your butt?

    Life’s important questions… Is there a God, Honda vs Toyota, bum-guns (aka. arse-blasters) vs toilet paper. It’s a cultural shock either way. If you’re an Asian travelling to the west you may be left pondering what happened to the water gun, usually found casually hanging on the wall next to the toilet. Or if you’re a westerner heading to Asia,…

  • World News

    UPDATE: Boeing 737 carrying 132 passengers crashes into mountains in China

    A Boeing 737 passenger jet carrying 132 people has crashed in China, according to a Chinese state media broadcast earlier today. Reports say the Chinese Eastern Airlines flight MU5735 went missing earlier in the day as it was headed from Kunming to Guangzhou. The plane was carrying 123 passengers and 9 crew. The China Eastern Airlines aircraft plummeted rapidly then…

  • World News

    Asia News Today | Record Covid cases in South Korea, Japan and Australia add extra Russia sanctions

    The Asia-Pacific region has been lagging behind other parts of the world, in regards to Covid recover, but now appears primed for a tourist and business travel comeback. Unlike most of North America and Europe, the omicron variant surge in most locations in the Asia-Pacific region still hasn’t peaked. Countries including South Korea, Thailand, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam…

  • Thailand video news

    Thailand News Update | Thai suicide rate skyrocketed during pandemic

    On Saturday, Thailand’s Department of Mental Health has reported the drastic impact of Covid-19 on mental health, with its director-general revealing that the suicide rate in Thailand is 5.9 times what it was in pre-Covid days.The department’s data found that people are 2.1 times more likely to develop stress, and 4.8 times more likely to develop depression, than they were…

  • World News

    Asian stocks rise with new Russian sanctions, market volatility increases worldwide

    Asia markets ticked higher at opening on Friday, encouraged by a rebound of the US stock market, after Russia was struck with a flurry of international sanctions. US President Joe Biden has announced a new round of sanctions against Russia, crippling its ability to conduct business in major currencies. Many indexes were in the green on Friday morning, including Tokyo’s…

  • Technology News

    Global Electric Vehicle sales up 109% last year

    In new research on the global electric vehicle market, Canalys estimates that 6.5 million electric vehicles (EVs) were sold worldwide in 2021, up 109% on 2020. EVs include fully electric and plug-in hybrid passenger cars. The total global car market grew just 4% in 2021 as it continued to struggle with Covid-19 restrictions and chip shortages. EV sales represented 9%…

  • Thailand News

    Despite Covid-19, tourism authorities still optimistic about this coming year

    The Tourism Authority of Thailand is keeping its chin up, and has high hopes for tourism income this year. The TAT governor told the Bangkok Post today he hopes to target wealthy travellers, skilled professionals, and remote workers. The target age groups include millenials and retirees alike. He says the goal for tourism this year is to earn the country…

  • World News

    Taiwan to ease entry restrictions, cut quarantine to 10 days in March

    Taiwan plans to relax its strict COVID-19 quarantine policy beginning in March, in order to reopen to the world and gradually resume normal life, the government said on Tuesday. Since the start of the pandemic, Taiwan has enforced a blanket two-week quarantine on everyone arriving to the island, even while its neighbours in Asia began implementing reopening strategies last year,…

  • Thailand video news

    Asia News Today | Japan to ease border controls & Fears of Cambodian surveillance

    A new internet gateway in Cambodia, set to be launched today, is being delayed, apparently due to issues related to Covid 19 in the country. When enacted, all Internet traffic in Cambodia will be routed through the government-run National Internet Gateway, allowing authorities to monitor online activity, intercept and censor digital communications, and collect users’ personal data. But the Telecommunications…

  • World News

    Lombok expects to welcome 64,000 visitors at Indonesian Motorcycle Grand Prix

    At least 64,000 visitors are estimated to flock to Indonesia’s Lombok for the 2022 Indonesian Motorcycle Grand Prix next month, with locals on the island’s special economic zone Mandalika expecting a boost. One said it’s the first time their resort has been fully booked since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. The five-day event will start on March 18 with…