south east asia

  • Business NewsSoutheast Asian nations ramp up efforts to boost upstream oil industry

    Southeast Asian nations ramp up efforts to boost upstream oil industry

    Southeast Asian nations are intensifying their efforts to boost the upstream oil industry, with Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Thailand vying for investment from both domestic and international entities, as revealed by a study from BMI, a Fitch Solutions company. In 2022, Malaysia received foreign investment of 287 million ringgit (US$61.7 billion), equivalent to 47% of the nation’s overall investment, in…

  • TravelExploring South East Asia: road trip destinations near Thailand

    Exploring South East Asia: road trip destinations near Thailand

    Taking a road trip through Southeast Asia’s varied cultures, stunning scenery, and undiscovered gems is an experience that won’t ever be forgotten. Thailand’s neighbouring countries, including Laos, Cambodia, Malaysia, and Vietnam just a little further, provide an abundance of exciting road trip opportunities for travellers based in Thailand. Here are some of the top places to go on a road…

  • World NewsRubber’s forest fury: Southeast Asia’s deforestation problem worse than thought

    Rubber’s forest fury: Southeast Asia’s deforestation problem worse than thought

    The rampant deforestation caused by rubber production in Southeast Asia could be much higher than anticipated, potentially two to three times the current estimates. This alarming discovery is a significant concern for importers who are under increasing pressure to source sustainable supplies, as revealed in a recent research study. Global demand for rubber is on the rise, leading to an…

  • World NewsMyanmar’s surprise cash checks: Dollars and insurance needed for entry

    Myanmar’s surprise cash checks: Dollars and insurance needed for entry

    According to the Royal Thai Embassy in Yangon, Myanmar has announced that it will randomly inspect foreign tourists on arrival. US dollars in cash and medical insurance are required for entry. The embassy yesterday, September 14, reported that the Burmese authorities urged foreigners entering the country for less than 14 days to prepare for a random inspection upon arrival. According…

  • World NewsPorsche sales in Thailand roaring thanks to nation’s entrepreneurs

    Porsche sales in Thailand roaring thanks to nation’s entrepreneurs

    Porsche Thailand managing director reckons the roaring sales of his luxury car in the kingdom is a combination of the nation’s budding entrepreneurs and modern technology. Peter Rohwer revealed Thailand is second to only Norway in the world for electrified Porsche Cayenne vehicles. Last year, 70% of the vehicles Porsche sold in Thailand were hybrid-powered Cayenne SUVs, reported Bangkok Post.…

  • World NewsDespite rising Omicron infections, Thailand is forced to reconsider current restrictions

    Despite rising Omicron infections, Thailand is forced to reconsider current restrictions

    Another CCSA meeting this week as Thailand’s Covid overlords determine the next stage of the two-year long strategy to cope with the pandemic. Will they allow bars and nightlife to re-open? Will they reduce the testing requirements for overseas arrivals? Will they get rid of the current 5th day test and stay in an SHA+ hotel? At least in this…

  • World NewsThe world’s largest trade bloc launches today – January 1, 2022

    The world’s largest trade bloc launches today – January 1, 2022

    The new Asian regional trade pact, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, or RCEP, becomes effective as of today. The RCEP is the world’s biggest free trade agreement, larger than the EU, the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, the EU, the Mercosur trade bloc in South America, and the recent US-Mexico-Canada Free Trade Agreement. RCEP includes all the ASEAN…

  • World NewsSouth East Asia gradually re-opening to vaccinated foreign arrivals

    South East Asia gradually re-opening to vaccinated foreign arrivals

    With Thailand now open to vaccinated travellers from 63 approved countries, the rest of South East Asia is preparing to follow suit. According to a TTR Weekly report, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Cambodia all have their own variations on a re-opening plan. In Vietnam, the resort island of Phu Quoc will re-open later this month for fully vaccinated foreign…

  • Thailand video newsBangkok’s long road to recovery, Too Early to re-open, Haze alarms | Good Morning Thailand | Ep. 111

    Bangkok’s long road to recovery, Too Early to re-open, Haze alarms | Good Morning Thailand | Ep. 111

    In today’s episode Jay and Tim talk about the long road to recovery for Bangkok post pandemic as the re-opening nears, A national poll reveals that majority of the people think Thailand is re-opening too soon, the lack of a plan to deal with the incoming Haze to Bangkok and central plains region.

  • EventsThammasat University Massacre – 45 year on | VIDEO

    Thammasat University Massacre – 45 year on | VIDEO

    Yesterday marked the 45th anniversary of the infamous October 6 massacre at Thammasat University in Bangkok in 1976, when 4,000 police and military forces blocked all exits from the university before firing machine guns, assault rifles, grenade launchers, and other military-grade weapons on the students after increased anti-government protests. Officially, some 45 people were killed and over 145 injured, but…

  • Thailand NewsPhuket, the hub of the next global superyacht destination

    Phuket, the hub of the next global superyacht destination

    Sponsored Thailand, and notably Phuket, is poised to become the core of the next major superyacht destination in Southeast Asia. As we learn to live with Covid what better way to promote this wonderful place than the Thailand International Boat Show (TIBS), which will be held from January 6 to 9, 2022, at the award-winning and SHA Plus+ certified Royal Phuket Marina…

  • World NewsASEAN Summit on Myanmar – will it achieve anything? | VIDEO

    ASEAN Summit on Myanmar – will it achieve anything? | VIDEO

    Today the Association of Southeast Asian Nations will hold a special summit today to discuss the crisis in Myanmar. The meeting is being held at the current secretariat for the Bloc, in Jakarta. There will be huffing and puffing, a group photo, a few grand-standing leaders shaking their fingers at the Burmese chiefs, and then everyone will go home. And,…

  • Travel8 Thai Airlines must provide a business recovery plan or lose out on additional routes

    8 Thai Airlines must provide a business recovery plan or lose out on additional routes

    Commercial Airlines Registered in Thailand must provide a business recovery plan or run the risk of the civil aviation authority of Thailand (CAAT) halting the allocation of additional routes. According to reports, eight airlines have been targeted. The 8 airlines on the list from the Civil Aviation Commission (CAC) are Thai Airways, Thai Smile Airways, Nok Air, AirAsia X, VietJet…

  • Thailand NewsThailand News Today | Home-made Thai vaccine ready to start trials | February 11

    Thailand News Today | Home-made Thai vaccine ready to start trials | February 11

    Thailand’s Health Minister, Anutin, is now claiming that the first stage of human trials of a locally-produced vaccine brew will get underway next month. The local Thai vaccine is a joint collaboration between the Government Pharmaceutical Organisation and the Faculty of Tropical Medicine of Mahidol University. It’s understood the vaccine has performed satisfactorily in animal testing, showing an ability to…

  • Tourism NewsThe Thai government threw a tourist party (sound of crickets) | VIDEO

    The Thai government threw a tourist party (sound of crickets) | VIDEO

    The Thai Government, flushed with the success of their containment of Covid-19, decided to market the Land of Smiles to the world as the safe place to travel. With the annual wet season starting to weaken the tourists would flock back to the S E Asian country that had such a remarkable success containing, then almost eradicating itself, of the…

  • World NewsForeign media express anxiety over Thailand’s press freedoms

    Foreign media express anxiety over Thailand’s press freedoms

    Foreign journalists in Thailand are expressing concern about what they are calling restrictions on press freedom. Speaking at a recent Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Thailand forum, speakers said that the current laws are “proving to be an obstacle to reporting of the anti-government protests”, despite government assurances there have been no curbs on freedom of expression. The “Journalism Without Fear…

  • Thailand Protest NewsUniversity alumni and students gather to commemorate the Thammasat University Massacre – VIDEO

    University alumni and students gather to commemorate the Thammasat University Massacre – VIDEO

    A small gathering was held yesterday on the grounds of Bangkok’s Thammasat University Tha Prachan Campus commemorating the 44th anniversary of the ‘Thammasat University Massacre’, the violent crackdown on students by right-wing militia and army in the morning of October 6, 1976. Former student leaders, university alumni and opposition politicians came to pay their respects for the fallen and voice…

  • EventsRemembering the Thammasat University Massacre – October 6, 1976

    Remembering the Thammasat University Massacre – October 6, 1976

    The actual events that preceded the incident started a few weeks before when the tortured corpses of 2 electricity workers were found hanging on September 24, 1976, just north of Bangkok. You also need to put the incident into the context of the mid-1970s and the events swirling around South East Asia. Next door the Americans had just lost the…

  • HealthHas Thailand’s suicide rate increased due to Covid-19 restrictions? – VIDEO

    Has Thailand’s suicide rate increased due to Covid-19 restrictions? – VIDEO

    Another Thaiger video on Thaiger TV. Please subscribe.   Before Covid, around the world every 40 seconds someone lost their life to suicide and nearly 800,000 people die due to suicide every year, according to statistics from the WHO. In Thailand, suicide is the second leading cause of death among 15-29 year olds, after road fatalities. Now, an apparent rise…

  • World NewsTop 10 must-see towns in Asia

    Top 10 must-see towns in Asia

    Tropical nights, curious mountain silhouettes, sprawling rice paddies and exotic cuisine. You’ll also find some snow-topped mountains as well. The Thaiger has selected the Top Ten of these camera-worthy towns. Southern Asia is a concoction of the ancient, very modern, traditional and enigmatic. Amongst the islands, megacities and spectacular scenery, there are also some very pretty towns that deserve your days…

  • Thailand video newsThailand News Today | Protesters face arrest | Phuket “in a coma”| September 22

    Thailand News Today | Protesters face arrest | Phuket “in a coma”| September 22

    Thailand News Today with Tim Newton. Daily news from around Thailand. Struggling airlines to get reprieve through small loans, extension to fuel tax cut Airlines in Thailand are being offered a financial lifeline, as the Government Savings Bank announces soft loans for carriers left struggling as a result of the current Covid-19 ‘disruption’. The GSB is offering the loans over…

  • World NewsPhilippines, Singapore and Indonesia battling new Covid-19 cases in SE Asia

    Philippines, Singapore and Indonesia battling new Covid-19 cases in SE Asia

    Indonesia, The Philippines and Singapore are leading the way in South East Asia, contributing the most number of new cases of the coronavirus in the past week (worldometers.info). In the past 24 hours The Philippines (1,841), Indonesia (1,462) and Singapore (327) have added the highest number of new Covid-19 cases in the ASEAN region. In The Philippines the numbers have…

  • World NewsSingapore drops into an official recession

    Singapore drops into an official recession

    Singapore, an early success story in Covid-19 containment, has now dropped into technical recession after an official second quarter report of negative growth. The Singaporean economy plunged 41.2% quarter-on-quarter, with the country’s trade-dependent economy battered by the Covid-19 crisis in the South East Asian region. Finance authorities are flagging that they expect Singapore’s GDP to shrink between 4 – 7% this…

  • ExpatsUK’s Kew Green Hotels launches 7 properties in Bangkok

    UK’s Kew Green Hotels launches 7 properties in Bangkok

    Despite a quickly changing business environment for the world hospitality industry, some companies are accelerating expansion plans in anticipation of the eventual recovery. Kew Green Hotels, one of the UK’s leading hotel management companies with over 55 hotels in its portfolio, has now announced plans to expand into the south east Asian market through a joint venture with Siamese Asset.…

  • World NewsCoronavirus pandemic reaches 4 million people infected

    Coronavirus pandemic reaches 4 million people infected

    Across the world some 4,100,000+ people are now infected with Covid-19. The actual number is much higher but, for lack of testing and diagnosis in some countries, we may never know the exact number. Still the statistics, as varied and unreliable as they may be, still provide some general trends and provide scientists with valuable data. There has never been…

  • Covid-19 NewsUS Covid-19 cases pass 1 million as Germany starts wearing masks – VIDEO

    US Covid-19 cases pass 1 million as Germany starts wearing masks – VIDEO

    Covid-19 cases in the US passed the 1 million mark in the past 24 hours, with US President Donald Trump claiming that the high number are “because of better testing”. The outbreak has left tens of millions unemployed in the US and nearly 60,000 dead, by far the highest number of confirmed fatalities – well over a quarter of the…

  • Covid-19 NewsVietnam flings open the doors, Thailand and Malaysia peek through the curtains

    Vietnam flings open the doors, Thailand and Malaysia peek through the curtains

    Peeking through the curtains and testing the water, or flinging wide the door and going for it. Or somewhere in between. Some South east Asian countries are starting to make cautious preparations to lift lockdown and travel restrictions. But this isn’t a competition – each country is having to look at the myriad of local issues as they factor in…

  • World NewsYangon applies curfew despite low reported case

    Yangon applies curfew despite low reported case

    Burmese authorities in the largest city Yangon have announced a night curfew to contain the spread of the coronavirus. Like Thailand, the curfew runs from 10pm to 4am, starting from last night, affecting some 7 million people. The curfew will remain in place “until further notice”. Mandalay, a city of around 1.5 million, has also imposed a similar curfew from…

  • World NewsSingapore hit by a second wave of coronavirus cases

    Singapore hit by a second wave of coronavirus cases

    Singapore was a paragon of coronavirus containment. Covid-19 was under control in the island state. Case number were flattening out. But the virus has made a resurgent return with the previous ‘flattening’ of new cases now spiking. As Italy, Spain, the UK and US founder under a seemingly relentless pandemic, despite lockdowns and best intentions, several Asian nations stand out…

  • Economy NewsBOT predicts 5.3% contraction in Thai economy for 2020

    BOT predicts 5.3% contraction in Thai economy for 2020

    Even the Thai economy, which was still maintaining respectable growth before January, is now spluttering under the siege of the Covid-19 virus. Now the Bank of Thailand has crunched some numbers and believes the Thai economy will sharply contract by 5.3% this year as the virus continues to weigh on global financial markets, the local economy and people. GDP growth…