Indonesia

  • World NewsTAT pushes for Indonesia, Malaysia to be added to approved list for Phuket sandbox

    TAT pushes for Indonesia, Malaysia to be added to approved list for Phuket sandbox

    The Tourism Authority of Thailand says there is demand in the Malaysian and Indonesian markets, but both countries are currently off the approved list for the Phuket sandbox. The Bangkok Post reports that Sophon Tantayotai from the TAT’s Jakarta office says Indonesians are allowed to travel abroad but cannot avail of the Phuket sandbox, instead having to quarantine for 14…

  • World NewsBali to re-open for international yachts with fully vaccinated crew, passengers

    Bali to re-open for international yachts with fully vaccinated crew, passengers

    The director of a Bali yachting firm says Indonesia is preparing to ease entry restrictions for yachts and fully vaccinated crew and passengers. Thomas Taatjes from Asia Pacific Superyachts says foreign nationals will be required to present proof of Covid-19 vaccination when applying for a visa. “Foreigners who apply for the visa must have a certificate showing they are fully…

  • World NewsBali eyes wealthy tourists, while considering a ban on backpackers

    Bali eyes wealthy tourists, while considering a ban on backpackers

    Travellers visiting Bali on a budget may have to haul their backpacks elsewhere if one Indonesian government official gets his way. Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, who serves as the country’s Maritime and Investment Coordinator Minister, has put forward a controversial proposal to ban backpackers from Bali once the hugely popular tourist island re-opens. His comments are captured in a Bali Sun…

  • World NewsIndonesia converting motorbikes to electric, aims for all e-vehicles

    Indonesia converting motorbikes to electric, aims for all e-vehicles

    A new program is launching today in Indonesia to convert normal petrol-fueled motorbikes into electric vehicles to try to make Indonesian transportation more eco-friendly. Indonesia’s Energy Ministry announced the plan to make a more environmentally friendly mode of transportation and they have already converted 10 motorbikes. The plan intends to convert 90 more motorbikes by November for a total of…

  • World NewsIndonesia extends Covid-19 disease control measures for another week

    Indonesia extends Covid-19 disease control measures for another week

    Covid-19 restrictions in Indonesia are being extended to August 2 as the highly transmissible Delta variant continues to rapidly spread. Indonesian President Joko Widodo announced the extension yesterday, adding that the government will gradually adjust restrictions. Since the start of the pandemic last year, Indonesia has reported 3.1 million Covid-19 cases and 83,279 coronavirus-related deaths. With a recent spike in…

  • World NewsMan with Covid-19 disguised as his wife to board flight

    Man with Covid-19 disguised as his wife to board flight

    Stories have been going viral about how after lockdowns and travel restrictions, airlines are struggling with defiant and badly behaved passengers. But an Indonesian man who is infected with Covid-19 went to extreme measures to sneak aboard a flight this week disguised by dressing up as his Covid-19 negative wife. The man who had tested positive for Covid-19 swapped identities…

  • World NewsIndonesia now Asia’s Covid-19 epicentre as daily cases exceed India

    Indonesia now Asia’s Covid-19 epicentre as daily cases exceed India

    Indonesia has become the epicentre of Covid-19 in Asia as the daily case count has exceeded India’s. The country reported 56,757 new cases and 982 coronavirus-related deaths yesterday, surpassing India’s count of 39,072 new cases and 544 deaths. With the highest number of daily cases, the archipelago country of 270 million people is now the new Covid-hotspot in Asia, and…

  • World NewsCovid-19 crisis unfolding across several Asian nations

    Covid-19 crisis unfolding across several Asian nations

    Just as the US and Europe are gradually emerging from the devastation brought by Covid-19, the pandemic is wreaking havoc across Asia. Earlier this week, Indonesia overtook India as the epicentre of the virus, reporting over 54,000 new infections and 991 deaths in a single day. Just a month ago, daily new infections were averaging 8,000. Indonesian officials are concerned…

  • World NewsBali to deport 4 tourists for not wearing masks, breaking disease control orders

    Bali to deport 4 tourists for not wearing masks, breaking disease control orders

    Four tourists in Bali are being deported after they apparently did not follow local disease control measures during their stay on the resort island in Indonesia. Some didn’t wear face masks while the other, who was infected with Covid-19, apparently left a quarantine hotel during her mandatory isolation period. Covid-19 has been on the rise in the Southeast Asian country,…

  • World NewsBali plans 5-year visa scheme for digital nomads as island stalls reopening

    Bali plans 5-year visa scheme for digital nomads as island stalls reopening

    Digital nomads in Bali will be granted a 5-year visa, according to Indonesia’s tourism minister. The government is waiting until the Covid-19 situation improves before reopening the island to foreign tourists. To revive the tourist island’s economy after the pandemic, tourism officials hope to attract more digital nomads, online-based business owners and people who work remotely. Under a proposed scheme,…

  • World NewsOver 350 vaccinated medical workers in Indonesia infected, dozens hospitalised

    Over 350 vaccinated medical workers in Indonesia infected, dozens hospitalised

    Hundreds of healthcare workers in Indonesia have tested positive for Covid-19, despite being vaccinated, with dozens hospitalised. According to a Reuters report, over 350 medical staff, all of whom have received the Sinovac vaccine, have been confirmed as infected. Most are asymptomatic, but dozens have been hospitalised with high fever and low oxygen levels. The infected healthcare workers are in…

  • World NewsBTS meal closes Indonesian McDonald’s amid Covid-19 fears

    BTS meal closes Indonesian McDonald’s amid Covid-19 fears

    McDonald’s in Indonesia was the site of a BTS-inspired frenzy that forced them to close at least 13 stores for fears of a Covid-19 outbreak. The world-famous Korean Pop band partnered with the world-famous American burger joint to make a BTS meal deal that had rabid K-Pop fans swarming the restaurants. After yesterday’s release of the BTS meal deal, 5…

  • World NewsBali officials run out of patience with badly-behaved tourists

    Bali officials run out of patience with badly-behaved tourists

    The Indonesian holiday island of Bali has lost patience with misbehaving visitors, with several tourists being deported for their high-jinks. Singapore’s Channel News Asia has been documenting the activities likely to get you kicked out of Indonesia – don’t say you haven’t been warned. Bali locals are not in the mood for jokes as their country continues to do battle…

  • World NewsCovid-19 Indonesia: Indian variant, reused swabs, holiday travel ban

    Covid-19 Indonesia: Indian variant, reused swabs, holiday travel ban

    Indonesia is experiencing an average of 5,000 new Covid-19 cases each day over the past week, and the Indian variant has now arrived as well. The Health Ministry confirmed this week that 2 patients had been infected by what has been identified as the B.1.617 variant of the Coronavirus, commonly known as the more contagious Indian strain. Indonesia is often…

  • World NewsSoutheast and South Asia struggling with rapid Covid-19 spread

    Southeast and South Asia struggling with rapid Covid-19 spread

    With outbreaks in many countries throughout the region, and India in a Covid-19 crisis, the World Health Organisation and other health bodies are urging action in South and Southeast Asia. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies have joined the call to action to aid the Earth’s most populous region, and the pandemic now ravaging it. The…

  • World NewsYouTubers in Bali may be kicked out of Indonesia after face mask prank

    YouTubers in Bali may be kicked out of Indonesia after face mask prank

    2 YouTubers in Bali, Indonesia may be getting kicked out of the country after posting a video of one of them breaking local mask-wearing regulations. The local government has seized Josh Paler Lin and Leia Se’s passports and are facing deportation as a result of posting the video, which shows them entering a grocery store with Se being turned away…

  • World NewsSearch teams zero in on suspected location of missing Indonesian submarine on last day of its oxygen supply

    Search teams zero in on suspected location of missing Indonesian submarine on last day of its oxygen supply

    Search teams say they are focusing on an area where the missing Indonesian submarine could be located. The area of interest is about 40 kilometres north of Bali, where oil has been found on the surface of the water. The head of the Indonesian military’s central information unit says the oil is near a dive point and where an object…

  • World NewsPM Prayut will skip ASEAN summit addressing Myanmar situation, says he needs to deal with Covid situation

    PM Prayut will skip ASEAN summit addressing Myanmar situation, says he needs to deal with Covid situation

    Thailand’s PM Prayut Chan-o-cha will skip out of attending the Asean summit in Jakarta, Indonesia this Saturday, saying he needs to stay to deal with the country’s Covid-19 situation. The summit was to specially address the worsening situation in the neighbouring country of Myanmar, which saw a military coup February 1. The decision for PM Prayut to skip out is…

  • World NewsSearch continues for missing Indonesian submarine with 53 crew on board

    Search continues for missing Indonesian submarine with 53 crew on board

    Officials in Indonesia are continuing to search for a submarine that disappeared while on a routine exercise on Wednesday, with 53 crew members on board. The Indonesian military has issued a warning about unverified information and speculation after the KRI Nanggala-402 submarine went missing. It’s understood the vessel is expected to run out of oxygen within hours. Military spokesman Achmad…

  • World NewsIndonesian submarine with 53 crew on board missing off Bali coast

    Indonesian submarine with 53 crew on board missing off Bali coast

    The Indonesian navy is scouring the waters off Bali after losing contact with one of its submarines, with 53 crew members on board. The country’s defence ministry says the submarine was due to carry out scheduled torpedo exercises, when it requested permission to dive yesterday morning. “After permission was given according to the procedure, the submarine lost contact and could…

  • World NewsIndonesia to introduce new GeNose Covid-19 test for foreign visitors to Bali

    Indonesia to introduce new GeNose Covid-19 test for foreign visitors to Bali

    The Indonesian government says that from next month, it will allow the use of the GeNose Covid-19 detector for foreign visitors to the island of Bali. This will replace the previous requirement for a negative PCR test or antigen rapid test obtained within 2 days of arrival. From April 1, foreign visitors will be able to take the GeNose Covid-19…

  • World NewsSuicide bombers attack Indonesia cathedral, at least 20 injured

    Suicide bombers attack Indonesia cathedral, at least 20 injured

    At least 20 people were injured in an explosion at a cathedral in Indonesia believed to have been cause by 2 suspected suicide bombers involved in an Islamist militant network. The blast went off at 10:30am, just after the Palm Sunday Mass had just finished at the Sacred Heart of Jesus Cathedral in Makassa, a major port city in South…

  • World NewsMalaysia joins calls to hold emergency ASEAN summit over Myanmar political situation

    Malaysia joins calls to hold emergency ASEAN summit over Myanmar political situation

    Malaysia is joining calls to hold an emergency ASEAN summit to discuss the political turmoil in its neighbouring country of Myanmar. Malaysian PM Muhyiddin Yassin says he supports Indonesia’s president who originally proposed the emergency meeting. Muhyiddin says the continued use of lethal violence against unarmed civilians was unacceptable, and urged Myanmar’s military leadership “to change its course and choose…

  • World NewsNorth Korea severs ties with Malaysia over “unpardonable” US extradition

    North Korea severs ties with Malaysia over “unpardonable” US extradition

    The reclusive country of North Korea has confirmed a severing of diplomatic ties with Malaysia after its one-time ally agreed to extradite a North Korean citizen to the US. According to the Bangkok Post, Pyongyang has described the extradition as an “unpardonable crime”, accusing Malaysia of responding to US pressure with blind obedience. The country’s foreign ministry has announced that…

  • World NewsIndonesia designates 3 areas of Bali as Covid-19 ‘green zones’ to welcome foreign tourists

    Indonesia designates 3 areas of Bali as Covid-19 ‘green zones’ to welcome foreign tourists

    In a move that Thai officials may watch with some interest, the governor of Bali, Indonesia, has designated 3 areas of the province as Covid-19 “green zones” to welcome international tourists. The popular tourist destinations of Ubud, Sanur, and Nusa Dua, have all been labelled “green zones” as Indonesia takes tentative steps towards re-opening its borders. Bali governor, Wayan Koster,…

  • World NewsIndonesian and Thai foreign ministers meet with Myanmar counterpart, seek peace after coup

    Indonesian and Thai foreign ministers meet with Myanmar counterpart, seek peace after coup

    To seek a peaceful solution in Myanmar after the country’s military seized power, foreign ministers of Indonesia and Thailand met with the new, military-appointed foreign minister of Myanmar Wunna Maung Lwinat at Bangkok’s Don Mueang Airport for a brief, 20 minute discussion. Both the Indonesian and Thai counterparts say they want peace, but the Indonesian foreign minister says Thailand has…

  • Thailand NewsTop travel destinations grapple with re-opening during the pandemic

    Top travel destinations grapple with re-opening during the pandemic

    Tourism, not only in Thailand, but all over the world, was hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic. Hotels shut down. Tour companies closed. Airplanes grounded. Millions lost their jobs. Before diving into Thailand’s tourism situation, here’s a quick look at what’s going on in some of the world’s top tourist spots… DUBAI Dubai, with its huge chunks of expats and…

  • Covid-19 NewsWorld Tourism hotspots re-opening – success or failure? | VIDEO

    World Tourism hotspots re-opening – success or failure? | VIDEO

    The world of tourism has been turned upside down, not just in Thailand but around the world. Globally, it’s certainly the hardest hit industry from the coronavirus pandemic, shutting down hotels, tour companies, grounding aeroplanes and putting millions out of work. Before we look at the latest situation, and predictions for Thailand, let’s take a quick tour of some of…

  • Thailand NewsThailand News Today | Stray car on runway, Indonesian quake, 300 baht tourist fee | January 15

    Thailand News Today | Stray car on runway, Indonesian quake, 300 baht tourist fee | January 15

    A man has driven his car onto the runway at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport while allegedly under the influence of illicit substances. AOT officials are now trying to figure out how the man was able to breach airport security and drive onto the airport runway. Airport security vehicles were seen escorting the car off the runway, passing by waiting planes. The…

  • World NewsUPDATE: At least 34 dead and 600 injured after Indonesia earthquake

    UPDATE: At least 34 dead and 600 injured after Indonesia earthquake

    UPDATE: At least 34 people were killed after a 6.2 magnitude earthquake shook Indonesia’s Sulawesi island just after midnight today. As of this evening, reports say more than 600 people were injured during the earthquake which caused buildings to collapse and residents to flee their homes in the dark. Original story below… Indonesian island Sulawesi was shook by a 6.2…