Philippines

  • Thailand NewsCebu Pacific resumes flights from southern Philippines to Bangkok

    Cebu Pacific resumes flights from southern Philippines to Bangkok

    Cebu Pacific resumes its international flights and launches new domestic routes from the southern Philippines city of Davao, including to Bangkok. Starting October 28, Cebu Pacific will operate direct flights thrice weekly between Davao and Bangkok’s Don Mueang International Airport. This eagerly anticipated route is a game-changer for those yearning to explore Thailand’s vibrant streets, bustling markets, and rich cultural…

  • Business NewsPhilippines ranks in top 10 for coal power reliance

    Philippines ranks in top 10 for coal power reliance

    The Philippines has emerged among the world’s top ten economies most reliant on coal-fired power, surpassing Indonesia and China. Data from energy think tank Ember highlights the country’s growing challenges in achieving its green energy objectives. In 2023, the Philippines saw its coal share in electricity generation increase for the 15th consecutive year. This rise comes despite the nation’s goal…

  • Business NewsPhilippines intensifies illegal offshore gambling crackdown

    Philippines intensifies illegal offshore gambling crackdown

    The authorities in the Philippines have intensified efforts to shut down illegal offshore gambling operations amidst growing calls for a complete ban due to alleged connections to criminal syndicates. The country’s gaming regulator revealed approximately 250 to 300 offshore gambling firms are operating without a licence, a significant increase from the 46 legitimate operators. This information was disclosed by Alejandro…

  • Business NewsPeso power play: CIMB targets record 75 billion in loans for 2024

    Peso power play: CIMB targets record 75 billion in loans for 2024

    CIMB Bank Philippines, a subsidiary of Malaysia’s CIMB Group Holdings Bhd, announced an ambitious lending target of over 75 billion pesos (US$1.28 billion) to Filipino customers this year. This represents a 23% increase compared to 2023, according to the bank’s chief executive officer. Chief Executive Officer Vijay Manoharan disclosed the bank’s plans during a press conference, stating that CIMB Bank…

  • Business NewsThai government profits from increasing Philippine rice imports

    Thai government profits from increasing Philippine rice imports

    As the Philippines’ demand for rice imports swells, the Thai government is capitalising on this increasing requirement. The Southeast Asian country is set to import more rice this year than previously estimated, providing a lucrative opportunity for Thailand’s rice export market. Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai has thus instructed the Department of Foreign Trade (DFT) and the commercial attaché in the…

  • Thailand NewsBangkok: Filipino couple arrested for shipping 10 kilos of cannabis

    Bangkok: Filipino couple arrested for shipping 10 kilos of cannabis

    A couple from the Philippines were taken into custody in Bangkok yesterday on suspicion of mailing a package containing 10 kilogrammes of dried cannabis to their home country to sell it. Bangkok’s Immigration Police apprehended the couple at a townhouse on Soi 65 On Nut in the Prawet district. The arrest came after information received from the Philippine authorities. In…

  • Thailand NewsTiktok tiff: Thai singer takes legal note after Filipino plagarises song

    Tiktok tiff: Thai singer takes legal note after Filipino plagarises song

    A Thai singer filed a lawsuit against a Filipino TikToker for plagiarising one of his songs. The Filipino, Shad, allegedly put a translated version of the song up for sale without giving credit or obtaining a license. Drama emerged on Thai social media after the Filipino TikToker offered a translated version of a song by Chetkit “Phon” Thunmark called พี่ชอบหนูที่สุดเลย (I…

  • Thailand NewsUpdate: Filipina transgender beauty contestant speaks out after Bangkok brawl

    Update: Filipina transgender beauty contestant speaks out after Bangkok brawl

    A Filipina transgender beauty contestant stepped into the spotlight following a viral Bangkok street brawl, seeking to soothe tensions and advocate for respect from the hosts. Two Filipina nationals faced charges for assaulting six Thai transgender individuals outside the Citin Hotel on Soi Sukhumvit 11 on Monday, March 4. The altercation erupted among a group of over 20 tourists, leading…

  • Thailand NewsJetstar Asia soars to Krabi and Clark, Philippines

    Jetstar Asia soars to Krabi and Clark, Philippines

    Jetstar Asia announced two direct routes to Krabi and Clark, Philippines, promising to whisk passengers away to paradise. Starting June 7, thrill-seekers can jet off to the mesmerising shores of Krabi, with the low-cost carrier offering six weekly services to this South Thai gem. From June 16, travellers can hop aboard for a journey to the heart of the Philippines’…

  • Property NewsAccor partners with Tytans Properties Development to unveil world’s largest Pullman in Cebu

    Accor partners with Tytans Properties Development to unveil world’s largest Pullman in Cebu

    Accor, one of the world’s leading hospitality groups, continues its rapid expansion in the Philippines with the signing of Pullman Mactan Cebu Hotel & Residences, which is set to become the world’s largest Pullman property. The signing of the beachfront destination represents a milestone for mixed-use lifestyle real estate in the Philippines, as a new generation of integrated resorts emerges…

  • Thailand NewsNASA’s air pollution blitz: Ambitious mission to clear the skies

    NASA’s air pollution blitz: Ambitious mission to clear the skies

    In a move to tackle the global scourge of air pollution, NASA launched a series of missions aimed at revolutionising the way we forecast and combat this deadly threat. With millions of lives hanging in the balance each year due to air pollution-related illnesses, the need for accurate identification and tracking of pollutants has never been more pressing. Kicking off…

  • Thailand NewsThailand plans Philippines tie-up for 75th anniversary bash

    Thailand plans Philippines tie-up for 75th anniversary bash

    Thailand’s Deputy Director General for East Asian Affairs Department of the Foreign Affairs Ministry is gearing up to boost social, cultural and economic ties with the Philippines to celebrate three quarters of a century of bilateral relations. Both Thailand and the Philippines outlined a series of initiatives, including high-level visits, business-to-business collaborations, cultural showcases, and community engagements, to mark 75…

  • Thailand NewsMajor drug bust in Thailand seizes 2 tonnes of meth bound for Philippines and Australia

    Major drug bust in Thailand seizes 2 tonnes of meth bound for Philippines and Australia

    In a major drug bust, authorities last night apprehended 13 suspects and confiscated 2 tonnes of crystal methamphetamine from a large tugboat in Chachoengsao’s Bang Pakong district. The narcotics, believed to be headed for the Philippines and Australia, were discovered during a late-night search operation by marine and narcotics suppression police. As law enforcement officers arrived, several individuals attempted to…

  • Crime NewsPhilippines: Mindanao University Sunday mass terror attack

    Philippines: Mindanao University Sunday mass terror attack

    A peaceful Sunday mass at Mindanao State University, Marawi, Philippines, turned into a nightmare as a bomb ripped through the congregation, leaving at least three dead and seven injured. As worshippers gathered for their regular Sunday mass service at Mindanao State University’s gymnasium in Marawi, the tranquillity was shattered by a bomb blast. Regional police Chief Allan Nobleza disclosed that…

  • Thailand NewsSignificant earthquake in Mindanao Philippines triggers tsunami warning but spares Thailand

    Significant earthquake in Mindanao Philippines triggers tsunami warning but spares Thailand

    The Philippines experienced a significant earthquake near the island of Mindanao, triggering a tsunami warning. The quake, measuring 7.5 in magnitude, didn’t affect Thailand, according to the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD). Japan also issued a tsunami warning in response to the seismic activity occurring on December 3. At 9.57pm yesterday, December 2, the TMD stated the earthquake in Mindanao, Philippines.…

  • Crime NewsManila money munch: Airport officer’s theft cover-up caught on camera (video)

    Manila money munch: Airport officer’s theft cover-up caught on camera (video)

    A security camera at Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila, Philippines, captured the moment when an airport security officer tried to destroy evidence of a theft she committed – by swallowing the stolen money. The Chinese victim, identified as Cai, told local media that the theft occurred at around 8am on September 8 while he was going through a baggage…

  • Business NewsCPF targets 7-8% revenue growth, eyes Philippines animal feed sector

    CPF targets 7-8% revenue growth, eyes Philippines animal feed sector

    The leading food and agribusiness conglomerate Charoen Pokphand Foods (CPF) anticipates a 7 to 8% increase in total revenue to 610 to 620 billion baht this year, primarily due to contributions from its international business, with a focus on the growing animal feed sector in the Philippines. CPF’s chief executive, Prasit Boonduangprasert, stated that the company has been investing in pork,…

  • Press RoomFamily and folklore define pioneering hotel design at South Palms Resort Panglao Bohol – MGallery

    Family and folklore define pioneering hotel design at South Palms Resort Panglao Bohol – MGallery

    With craft, community and a deeply held intrinsic value for the cultural mores and history of the island, South Palms Resort Panglao Bohol – MGallery is shaping up to be anything but a cookie-cutter hotel. Six world-class innovation and sustainability leaders in architecture, interior design and green development have gathered to create a hotel like no other – weaving the…

  • World NewsPhilippine hospitals struggle to retain nurses as rich countries lure them away

    Philippine hospitals struggle to retain nurses as rich countries lure them away

    Ronald Ignacio began his nursing career in the Philippines during the nursing boom in 2008, quickly discovering that there were not enough jobs available within the health system. Initially unable to find work in his chosen profession, Ignacio spent two years laboring on a farm. In 2010, he eventually secured a nursing position in a private hospital in Manila. Ignacio…

  • World NewsAcquittal of Philippine human rights campaigner Leila de Lima brings her closer to freedom

    Acquittal of Philippine human rights campaigner Leila de Lima brings her closer to freedom

    Philippine human rights advocate Leila de Lima, who has been imprisoned since February 2017, was acquitted of one of the two remaining drug trafficking charges against her on Friday, edging her closer to freedom. De Lima, 63 years old and a former senator and justice minister, has faced these charges as retaliation for investigating President Rodrigo Duterte and his controversial…

  • World NewsPhilippine president clarifies use of military bases granted to US

    Philippine president clarifies use of military bases granted to US

    Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr emphasised on Thursday that the additional military bases in his country, recently granted to United States access, will not be utilised to target China or any other nation. Marcos spoke at a think-tank event and responded with a simple “no” when questioned if the United States had requested his government contribute troops for combat operations…

  • World NewsUS granted permission to expand military presence in the Philippines: What does it mean?

    US granted permission to expand military presence in the Philippines: What does it mean?

    News the United States has been permitted by the Philippines to open four new military bases on the Southeastern Asian archipelago may have slipped under the radar of most mainstream media outlets but not this one. But what does it mean? Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos immediately went on the defensive insisting that Manila will not allow “any offensive actions” from…

  • World NewsSouthern Philippines jolted by two strong earthquakes

    Southern Philippines jolted by two strong earthquakes

    The Philippines is recovering after two strong earthquakes hit the southern part of the country. Yesterday, a 6.0 magnitude earthquake struck at around 2pm, just a few kilometres from Maragusan municipality in the gold-mining province of Davao de Oro on Mindanao island. The US Geological Survey says a shallower second quake, measuring 5.6 magnitudes, hit just three hours later in…

  • Visa InformationThailand still pushing its unattractive LTR 10-year visa

    Thailand still pushing its unattractive LTR 10-year visa

    The Government of Thailand is once again, making unsubstantiated claims regarding its 10-year, multiple entry Long Term Residence (LTR) visa programme. The government still reckons the LTR programme will attract one million foreigners over five years and act as a catalyst to boost the nation’s tourism and promote economic growth in Thailand. According to the VN Express yesterday, the secretary…

  • World NewsJobseekers from the Philippines urged to be cautious when considering job offers overseas

    Jobseekers from the Philippines urged to be cautious when considering job offers overseas

    Jobseekers from the Philippines are being urged to exercise caution when considering employment offers overseas. The Philippines government reported that illegal cross-country recruitment has been around for years with several Asian countries guilty of offering fake employment opportunities, trafficking individuals, and coercing applicants into working at fraudulent call centres. The Facebook page of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration Anti-Illegal Recruitment…

  • World NewsPays to be single! Filipino single staff get bonuses

    Pays to be single! Filipino single staff get bonuses

    This Valentine’s Day, how much is your relationship worth? No really, exactly how much? Because employees of the town hall in one city in the Philippines are getting bonus pay for being single on Valentine’s Day. The incentive comes as a thank you from Mayor Matt Florido, a lifelong bachelor himself, who’s giving extra salary to single staff members of…

  • Thailand NewsThai woman accuses Philippines airport officers of attempted theft

    Thai woman accuses Philippines airport officers of attempted theft

    A Thai woman accused customs officers at Manila International Airport in the Philippines of attempted theft. She said the officers tried to steal 40,000 yen (about 10,000 baht) from her bag. The Thai woman, Saruta Jansila, shared her unnerving experience at the Ninoy Aquino Intl Airport (Manila) in the Philippines on a Facebook group named People Who Like to Roam…

  • World NewsPIL launches weekly service to link key ports in Thailand, Philippines, Singapore

    PIL launches weekly service to link key ports in Thailand, Philippines, Singapore

    Pacific International Lines (PIL) is set to revolutionize Southeast Asian shipping with its new weekly direct service, the Thailand Philippines Straits Service (TPS), launching on February 15, from Manila, Philippines. This service will bring the key ports of Thailand, the Philippines, and Singapore closer together and enhance PIL’s connections in the region. A consortium of vessels with an average capacity…

  • World NewsPhilippine senators angry onion-smuggling bust is too small

    Philippine senators angry onion-smuggling bust is too small

    Government officials in the Philippines are angry that the Bureau of Customs (BOC) are wasting time and resources making a big show out of busting airline crews for smuggling 15.5 kilogrammes of onions into the country. What do they want officials to be focusing on – drugs, weapons, and other contraband? No, just BIGGER onion smugglers. The BOC came under…

  • World NewsPhilippines storms take at least 11 lives in past week

    Philippines storms take at least 11 lives in past week

    Storms over the past week in the Philippines have reportedly taken at least 11 lives thus far with more heavy rain forecasted. According to Thai PBS World, bad weather has hit the southern and central islands since Christmas weekend. Flooding and landslides have left 52 people dead with hundreds forced to uproot and leave their homes. The Civil Defence Office…