Philippines
- World News
China backs Philippines online gambling crackdown
The embassy of China in Manila backed the Philippines government’s plan to crackdown on online gambling and the expulsion of Chinese nationals. A Philippines Justice Ministry official yesterday announced its decision to shut down some 175 offshore gambling companies and expel around 40,000 Chinese workers in a bid to clean up a haven of crime that envelopes the industry. Justice…
- World News
Tropical Storm Noru hits the Philippines, 5 rescue workers killed
Five rescue workers have died after Tropical Storm Noru made landfall on the main island of the Philippines. Noru is the strongest storm to hit the island nation so far this year. Typhoon Noru, known as Karding in the Philippines, caused winds up to 240 kilometres per hour (149mph) on Luzon island, which is home to 64 million people. The…
- Crime News
Young Thai woman says Chinese scammers tortured her in the Philippines
A young Thai woman is claiming that Chinese scammers brutally tortured her in the Philippines, Thai media reported yesterday. The woman, so far only known as 26 year old ‘Sa,’ said the scammers first recruited her via Facebook in what she thought was a job answering customers’ questions about Bitcoin. But when Sa arrived in the Philippines, she found out…
- World News
Royal Caribbean offers cruises to Thailand & other Asian locations in 2023
Royal Caribbean has announced a new series of Asian cruises on their ship ‘Spectrum of the Seas,’ setting sail in 2023 and 2024. Beginning in Singapore, travellers can set off on cruises for 5, 7, 9 or 12 nights, visiting various locations in Asia including Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, Philippines, Taiwan and Japan. Guests can choose from cruises which make stops…
- World News
UPDATE: Latest information about Philippines earthquakes – four dead
Here’s the latest from this morning’s series of earthquakes in the northern Philippines. The most prominent shake today was a 7.1-magnitude earthquake that rocked the northern Philippines Wednesday morning, Filipino time. The tremor shattered windows of buildings in the central Abra province and shook office buildings more than 300 kilometres to the north in the capital of Manila. Four people…
- World News
Philippines: Covid-19 infections spikes 39%, dengue jumps 90%
Newly-elected President Ferdinand Marcos Jr is facing a health crisis already as a dual spike in Covid-19 and dengue fever infections threaten the well-being of the Philippines. Covid infections are steadily rising now, but concurrently, the country has seen a 90% spike in dengue fever infections. The amount of new coronavirus infections has jumped 39% week over week with the…
- World News
Fire on Philippines ferry kills 7 passengers, 120 rescued, 7 still missing
A fire on a passenger ferry in the Philippines has left 7 people dead, with another 7 still missing. According to an AFP report, 120 have been rescued so far. The fire broke out on the Mercraft 2 at around 6.30am local time yesterday (5.30am Thai time). The ferry, which has a 186-passenger capacity, was transporting 134 passengers and crew…
- Thailand video news
Bad Students, Watching Porn & Lazada Gate | GMT
A school in Thailand has introduced strict, conservative guidelines that will deduct points off students for not following the school rules. Where does Thailand rank amongst the countries that watch the most amount of Porn? The Royal Thai Army is boycotting Lazada in the latest reaction following an advertisement deemed offensive to Thailand’s monarchy. Marcos Jr returns family to Philippines…
- Thailand video news
Thailand News Update | Thailand Pass Updates & Costs increase in Thailand
The updated Thailand Pass online registration system is now accepting applications for the new test-free entry. It opened just after midnight, today. From 1st May 2022, travellers arriving in Thailand by air will be subject to much-simplified entry measures… Fully Vaccinated Travellers only need to upload the following documents: A Passport Certificate of vaccination And Proof of insurance , now…
- Thailand video news
Asia News Today | Tensions on Korean Peninsula, Ramadan starts for Asia’s Muslims
The sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has called the South Korean defence minister a “scum-like guy”, warning that Seoul may face “a serious threat” for their talk about pre-emptive strikes from the north. The comments from Kim Yo Jong’s come during heightened tensions on the Korean peninsula after Pyongyang carried out a rush of missile tests this…
- 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…
- World News
Asia News Today | Chinese react to stock slump, Thai nightlife may re-open
China’s top economic official have stepped in to reassure investors, claiming that Beijing will take measures to support the Chinese economy and financial markets. The comments follow a sharp sell-off that has been partly fuelled by reaction from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Liu He, a vice-premier and economic adviser to the Communist party executive, says the government will take measures…
- World News
Philippines to raise the minimum age of sexual consent from 12 to 16
The age of sexual consent in the Philippines is being raised from 12 to 16 years old. President Rodrigo Duterte has signed a bill raising the minimum age in an effort to protect adolescents from rape and sexual assault. The bill says statutory rape is when an adult has sexual contact with a person 16 years old or younger, unless the…
- World News
Philippines to lift most Covid restrictions in Manila from tomorrow
A spokesperson for Rodrigo Duterte, President of the Philippines, says most Covid-19 restrictions in the capital, Manila, will be lifted from tomorrow. According to an AFP report, it comes as government officials declare Manila’s vaccination rate to be 100%, although it’s much lower elsewhere in the country. Manila has also experienced a sharp decline in case numbers. The country just…
- World News
Asia News Today | Asian stocks sink over Russian incursion, China ramps up microchip production
Russian President Vladimir Putin has formally recognised two breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine as independent. He’s used this diplomatic word-play as a reason to order the Russian army to launch a so-called peacekeeping mission into the area. His actions are a significant ramping up of diplomatic tensions in the ongoing Russian/Ukraine crisis.The president has ordered his defence officials to deploy…
- World News
Asia News Today | Indonesia’s hotel quarantine scams
Indonesia’s Tourism Ministry say authorities are cracking down on hotel quarantine scams, who he claims are allegedly perpetrated by organised groups, against foreign travellers. He’s already coined the groups the “quarantine mafia”. Police have been following up allegations of numerous reported scams in hotel quarantine across Jakarta. The scam involves travellers being told at the end of their hotel quarantine…
- World News
It’s official: Vietnam will reopen to tourists on March 15
In a move made three months earlier than planned, Vietnam will completely reopen to tourists starting March 15. Visitors to the country will still have to quarantine for 24 hours, and test negative for Covid-19 before departure and upon arrival. The Vietnamese government said in a statement that the reopening is part of its new response to controlling Covid-19, which…
- 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
15 passengers denied entry at Philippines airport over vaccine certificates
Following its reopening of borders to fully-vaccinated visitors last week, the Philippines immigration reportedly denied entry to 15 Malaysians due to their vaccination in Malaysia yesterday. Their passports are reportedly being held and they will be deported from the Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport tomorrow. A passenger told The Star reporters that the Philippines immigration officials did not accept the…
- World News
Philippines lifts travel ban, welcomes fully vaccinated tourists from 157 countries
The Philippines is welcoming fully vaccinated travellers from 157 countries with visa-free agreements as the Southeast Asian country has lifted its nearly two-year ban on foreign tourists. The 157 countries include the US, UK, Canada, Germany, and Russia. (Here’s a full list by Philippines Airlines.) Visitors are no longer required to quarantine upon arrival as a risk classification system that…
- World News
Malaysia considers full reopening in March to vaccinated travellers
Following moves from other Southeast Asian countries, like Thailand, to gradually reopen borders, Malaysia is considering a full reopening of borders starting March 1, allowing vaccinated travellers to enter without mandatory quarantine requirements. The plan is to speed up the country’s economic recovery, according to its coronavirus recovery council today. The Southeast Asian country that shut down its borders in March…
- World News
Philippines passes bill to crackdown fake social media accounts, fraud
The Philippines has passed a bill that will require social media users to register their identities and phone numbers when opening new accounts in a bid to combat online abuse and misinformation, according to a senator this week. The move comes ahead of a general election in May, in which a president, legislators, and thousands of political roles will be…
- World News
US CDC issues Level 4: Very High Risk travel advisory for the Philippines
Although the Philippines is set to reopen its doors to fully vaccinated international visitors this month, the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention of the US is advising its citizens not to travel to the Southeast Asian country due to a “very high level” of Covid-19 infections. The CDC released a statement that those planning to go to the Philippines…
- World News
Philippines reopens Feb 10 for the vaccinated from most countries
After nearly 2 years of closed borders due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Philippines plans on reopening to some fully vaccinated tourists on February 10. Officials made the announcement today that travellers from most countries will finally be allowed to enter, after plans to reopen on December 1 were scrapped due to the spread of the Omicron variant. The announcement…
- Thailand News
Thai women’s football team to play against Australia tomorrow
After winning 4-0 against Indonesia on Monday, the Thai women’s football team will play against Australia tomorrow. The AFC Women’s World Cup is being hosted in India right now. Even though Thailand lost their first game to the Philippines, the win over Indonesia has brought back their stride. The team hopes that player Chaba Kaew will help it qualify for…
- Thailand video news
Thailand News Update | Cannabis Sandbox entry scheme
https://youtu.be/Yhs3DwTTZRM Now that Thailand’s alcohol curfew has been extended in many provinces, the government says they’re serious about cracking down on venues serving past the 11pm cut off time. Or on bars and nightlife venues who are parading as restaurants without implementing the full precautions.As of yesterday, venues that meet the SHA certification, or the Public Health Ministry’s Thai Stop…
- World News
China donates US$19.5 million worth military equipment to Philippines
Last week, China allocated the Philippines US$19.5 million in military equipment as part of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s vow to help the Philippines government with not only anti-narcotics and anti-terrorism efforts, but also disaster relief missions. China has helped the Philippines modernise its military in recent years by sending high-capacity weaponry and equipment to support ongoing missions despite tensions in…
- World News
Philippines’ Typhoon Rai destroyed 1.5 million houses in total – IFRC
New figures from the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) show the entire scope of the devastation caused by Super Typhoon Rai, locally called Odette, when it hit the Philippines last month, causing damage to 1.5 million homes, which was more than any previous typhoon in recent decades. The Philippine Red Cross is bolstering its shelter…
- Bangkok News
Thai baht rises as officials consider resumption of Test & Go
Thailand saw strength in its currency “baht” today as expectations are high for the relaxing of quarantine for vaccinated visitors under “Test & Go” quarantine exemption scheme. Registration for the entry scheme was closed last month, but the Public Health Ministry is proposing the scheme be reopened again. The Public Health Minister says that if approved by the Centre for…
- World News
Philippines to spend US$620 million on 32 new Black Hawks for disaster relief
The Philippines will become another Southeast Asian nation to upgrade its military capability in 2022, probably for different purposes, as the Thai Cabinet approved the government’s plan to purchase four more fighter jets to strengthen the potency of its Royal Thai Air Force earlier last week. According to defence secretary Delfin Lorenzana, the Philippines will spend over US$620 million on…
