Indonesia

  • Thailand News

    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 News

    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 News

    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 News

    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…

  • World News

    Indonesian volcano Mount Merapi erupts again, causing ash rain and evacuations

    Mount Merapi, an Indonesian volcano, erupted for the second time in a month, sending a 1,300-metre high plume of ash into the sky and covering nearby homes, vehicles, and evacuation tents in volcanic ash. This latest eruption occurred on Sunday, with no reported fatalities. Mount Merapi is among over 120 active volcanoes in Indonesia, notorious for their unpredictable and sudden…

  • Thailand News

    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 News

    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 News

    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 News

    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…

  • Environment News

    Flash floods claim one life and leave 11 missing at Indonesia’s Jewel, Lake Toba

    Flash floods in Lake Toba, Indonesia wreaked havoc, claiming one life and leaving 11 missing on December 1. Lake Toba experienced a heavy downpour, triggering devastating flash floods. The heavy rain caused widespread destruction that extended beyond homes to include a church, a school, and even a hotel. The aftermath resembled a nightmare, as large stones, trees, and mud cascaded…

  • World News

    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 News

    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 News

    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…

  • Events

    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,…

  • World News

    Indonesian woman marries brother-in-law, causes social media storm

    The viral saga of a 24 year old woman from Depok, West Java, Indonesia, has taken the social media world by storm. Surprisingly, she revealed that she married her former brother-in-law. Rafida Sonia had garnered viral attention since 2022 when she posted a heartfelt wedding video. The video featured her sister’s wedding in 2014, and it was the same brother-in-law…

  • Thailand News

    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 News

    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 deaths

    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 News

    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…

  • World News

    Indonesia introduces golden visa scheme to attract foreign investors

    Indonesia has launched an initiative to draw foreign individual and corporate investors with the introduction of a golden visa scheme, aimed at bolstering the nation’s economy, according to an announcement made by the Ministry of Law and Human Rights. The director-general of Indonesia’s immigration Silmy Karim explained the new long-term, high-value visa plan. “The golden visa is granting a residence…

  • Economy News

    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 News

    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…

  • World News

    Indonesian teen’s father marries her childhood friend

    There’s a good way and a bad way for your stepmom to be your best friend. A 19 year old Indonesian woman, suffered mixed emotions as her father recently married her childhood friend. The bride and she were once close playmates, while their fathers worked alongside each other. In an initial display of joy on social media, Silwa Nabela Dwianadini,…

  • World News

    Brave mum battles giant crocodile: The canal clash of kalimantan, Indonesia (video)

    In a shocking encounter, a 38 year old mother of two survived an unimaginable ordeal by fighting off a giant crocodile that dragged her into a canal. The terrifying moment occurred on the morning of July 27, at around 8am, in Kalimantan, Indonesia. Falmira De Jesus, a palm tree planter by profession, was busy fetching water from the canal to…

  • World News

    Extravagant 450,000-baht dog wedding in Indonesia sparks national debate over disparities

    In Indonesia, an extravagant wedding ceremony, costing nearly 450,000 baht (US$13,066), was held for two adorable Alaskan Malamutes, a story which has sparked national debate amongst netizens. The lavish event took place in a popular public dog park in the north of Jakarta, masterminded by professional event planners. The dogs were adorned in traditional attire, and the controversy stemmed from…

  • World News

    Indonesia urged to emulate Thailand’s EV dominance

    A prominent business executive, known for his roles as president of the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC) and the chairman of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin), advocates cooperative efforts between Thailand and Indonesia to establish a robust and resilient supply chain within Southeast Asia that caters to the global EV market. In the early part of this…

  • World News

    Indonesia probes potential leak of election system verdict

    Indonesia‘s Coordinating Minister for Politics, Legal and Security, Mohammad Mahfud Mahmodin, has called for an investigation into a potential leak involving a Constitutional Court verdict that could alter the country’s parliamentary election system. This comes after former deputy justice minister, Denny Indrayana, claimed that the court had repealed the current “open-list proportional representation” system for Indonesia’s parliamentary elections. Indrayana stated…

  • World News

    Indonesia adopts cool roofs to combat heatwaves and reduce energy costs

    A low-cost, sustainable solution to the increasing heatwaves in Southeast Asia is being implemented in Indonesia through the use of “cool” roofs. These roofs have a special coating applied to them that reflects sunlight and reduces the amount of heat absorbed by a building, resulting in lower indoor temperatures. In Indonesia, the Cool Roofs project, led by architecture lecturer Beta…

  • World News

    Indonesian shamans scam victims with ‘magic money’ schemes, face murder charges

    Shamans posing as spiritual figures in Indonesia have swindled fearful citizens out of their life’s savings, leaving them destitute and shamed. Scammers promising to turn small investments into substantial riches have been widely circulated on social media sites like Facebook, reaching over 1.4 million viewers. This has led to a rise in fraudulent activities involving shamans which, in turn, has…

  • World News

    Indonesian woman exposes husband’s affair with elderly mistress on TikTok

    A video clip has gone viral after an Indonesian woman shared her husband’s affair with an older woman on TikTok. The video amassed over 7 million views. The woman, who goes by the username @laylamagnoon, shared the story of her husband of 14 years who had been cheating on her with a senior-aged woman, reported Sanook Layla revealed her suspicions…

  • World News

    Myanmar peace plan progress lacking, says Indonesia’s president

    Despite having agreed to implement a peace plan with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) two years ago, Myanmar’s ruling military has made no significant progress, according to Indonesia’s president. Speaking on the second day of the ASEAN leaders’ meeting in Labuan Bajo, President Joko Widodo stressed the need for the bloc’s unity in deciding the next steps to…

  • World News

    Indonesia’s president condemns attack on ASEAN officials in Myanmar

    Indonesia‘s President Joko Widodo, today, condemned an attack in Myanmar on ASEAN officials delivering humanitarian aid but did not provide further details of the occurrence. Myanmar’s shadow National Unity Government, allied with the anti-junta militias, the People’s Defence Forces (PDF), stated that it was not aware of any attack. The PDF in Taunggyi District, Shan State, where the attack reportedly…

  • World News

    Indonesia’s efforts to kick-start peace process in Myanmar

    Indonesia has been discreetly engaging with Myanmar’s pro-democracy shadow government, the ruling junta, and ethnic minority armies for several months, according to Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi. As this year’s chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Indonesia aims to kick-start a peace process and reduce violence in the region. In an interview, Marsudi revealed Indonesia’s behind-the-scenes efforts to…

  • World News

    Speedboat carrying 78 people sinks in western Indonesia, leaving nine missing

    A speedboat accident in western Indonesia has left at least 11 people dead, with a further nine individuals still missing. The vessel, the Evelyn Calista 01, was carrying 72 passengers and six crew members when it sank on its journey between Tembilahan, a town in the Indragiri Hilir Regency in Riau province, and Tanjung Pinang city in a neighbouring province…

  • World News

    Jakarta ferry capsizes leaving 11 dead and one missing near Sumatra Island

    At least 11 individuals have tragically lost their lives, and another is currently missing after a ferry accident occurred off the eastern coast of Sumatra Island in Indonesia. The national search and rescue agency has disclosed this information as they continue their search operation. The ferry involved in the accident was transporting approximately 74 passengers to the small island of…

  • World News

    Brazilian teen faces death by firing squad for smuggling cocaine into Bali

    Prosecutors demanded death by firing squad last week for a Brazilian teenager who was caught with 3 kilogrammes of cocaine in her luggage upon arrival in Bali, Indonesia, in January. According to Newsflash, prosecutors want to see 19 year old Manuela Vitoria de Araujo Farias executed by a firing squad for her crimes if found guilty, which is the maximum…

  • World News

    Russian tourist to be deported from Bali for naked pic on sacred mountain

    A Russian man is to be deported from Indonesia after posting a photo of himself on social media standing on a sacred mountain in Bali with his pants around his ankles. Mount Agung – an active volcano – is the highest point in Bali and is especially sacred to Hindus, who believe it to be a replica of Mount Meru,…