Southeast Asia

  • Thailand NewsByte-sized shopping: TikTok dances into ASEAN e-commerce scene

    Byte-sized shopping: TikTok dances into ASEAN e-commerce scene

    TikTok, the social media phenomenon owned by ByteDance, is now a formidable force in e-commerce. According to a recent report by Momentum Works, published in Nikkei Asia, TikTok Shop’s gross merchandise volume (GMV) soared from US$4.4 billion (around 158 billion baht) in 2022 to a staggering US$16.3 billion in 2023. This explosive growth has catapulted TikTok to second place in…

  • Thailand NewsPattaya to become Southeast Asia’s premier destination

    Pattaya to become Southeast Asia’s premier destination

    Pattaya, known for its bustling nightlife, is apparently trying to shed its old skin and emerge as a beacon of transformation in Southeast Asia. Recent years have witnessed a remarkable overhaul aimed at elevating visitor experiences and community living standards. Key infrastructure upgrades are at the heart of this makeover. Underground installations of electrical and communication cables, revamped road surfaces,…

  • Thailand NewsSoutheast Asia leads in anti-corruption initiatives with public support

    Southeast Asia leads in anti-corruption initiatives with public support

    Southeast Asia has emerged as a leading example of public initiatives tackling corruption, as highlighted by legal experts and academics at the Anti-Corruption Innovations in Southeast Asia conference recently held in Bangkok. The conference, which took place on June 7, aimed to share perspectives on innovative strategies to promote integrity and good governance across the region. Experts underscored the importance…

  • Business NewsJohor, Singapore aim for Shenzhen-like economic zone

    Johor, Singapore aim for Shenzhen-like economic zone

    The Malaysian state of Johor suggested its economic and petrochemical centres as potential locations for a special zone with neighbouring Singapore. This proposal is part of Johor’s ambition to become the Shenzhen of Southeast Asia, according to the Star’s report. The proposed area will include Iskandar Malaysia and Pengerang, located on the state’s eastern coast, said Johor Menteri Besar Onn…

  • Thailand NewsSoutheast Asia sees 130% growth in YouTube Shorts daily views

    Southeast Asia sees 130% growth in YouTube Shorts daily views

    A significant increase in daily views for YouTube Shorts has been observed in Southeast Asia, with a growth of over 130% in the year ending July 2023, according to Niharika Kapoor, the Asia-Pacific head for Shorts scaled partnerships. This format, which limits videos to a maximum of 60 seconds, has been instrumental in attracting new creators to the global YouTube…

  • Business NewsHong Kong bolsters business links with SE Asia and Middle East

    Hong Kong bolsters business links with SE Asia and Middle East

    Hong Kong is set to intensify its business ties with Southeast Asian and Middle Eastern nations, as part of its contribution to China’s Belt and Road Initiative. Nicholas Ho Lik-chi, the Commissioner for Belt and Road, has identified Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia as key cooperation partners for the year ahead. Ho Lik-chi oversees…

  • Business NewsRice production crisis forecast: Dry woes, dwindling waters, and El Nino brew trouble

    Rice production crisis forecast: Dry woes, dwindling waters, and El Nino brew trouble

    Asian rice production during the off-season is predicted to suffer due to a blend of unfavourable weather conditions including dry planting, dwindling reservoirs and ongoing El Nino weather patterns. These issues are due to reduce the early 2024 yields, further squeezing supplies and potentially causing a rise in food inflation. Both India, the world’s largest rice exporter and Thailand, the…

  • Business NewsAnta marches into Bangkok, kicks off its first sportswear sensation

    Anta marches into Bangkok, kicks off its first sportswear sensation

    China’s premier sportswear label Anta inaugurated a shop in Bangkok, marking its ambitious expansion in the Asia-Pacific region. Gavin Lum, Anta’s regional brand marketing director for Southeast Asia, revealed the new store during a recent Thailand visit. The Anta Sportswear store, occupying a 230 square metre area on CentralWorld’s third floor, kicked off operations on October 31. It caters to sports aficionados,…

  • Business NewsThai leadership insights: Decade-long study proves remarkably accurate

    Thai leadership insights: Decade-long study proves remarkably accurate

    A decade-long research study on Thai leadership, conducted by an executive and Professor Bruce McKenzie, demonstrated remarkable accuracy. This study, based on global data and insights from diverse Thai groups, offered a comprehensive perspective on leadership. Over the past dynamic decade, predictions by Thai contributors have proven highly accurate, leading to the emergence of six key leadership approaches. These encompass…

  • Business NewsGrain gain: Thailand’s rice exports sprout an impressive 12% surge

    Grain gain: Thailand’s rice exports sprout an impressive 12% surge

    The Commerce Ministry reported a significant increase in Thailand’s rice exports. Data reveals an 11.91% rise in exports from January to August 29, compared to the same duration last year. During this period, Thailand managed to export a hefty 5.29 million metric tonnes of rice. Despite the impressive rice export figures, the agricultural sector in Southeast Asia has been grappling…

  • Business NewsCathay Pacific highlights Bangkok’s crucial role in aviation recovery

    Cathay Pacific highlights Bangkok’s crucial role in aviation recovery

    Southeast Asia, particularly Bangkok, is showing promising signs of growth in terms of flight traffic, according to Cathay Pacific, which has ranked the Thai capital as one of its stronger-performing flight routes. Post-Hong Kong’s reopening, Cathay has reported a steady ascent, keeping pace with global passenger traffic. One of the airline’s senior executives, Dominic Perret, highlighted Thailand as a key…

  • World NewsElectrifying growth: Sprouting EV projects spark green revolution in Southeast Asia

    Electrifying growth: Sprouting EV projects spark green revolution in Southeast Asia

    In a robust move towards a greener future, new Electric Vehicle (EV) projects are sprouting across Southeast Asia, signalling a collaborative endeavour between multiple corporations and academic institutions. The initiatives are set to deliver significant enhancements to EV infrastructure, comprehensive research, and expanded workforces. At the forefront is Evolt Technology, a firm specialising in EV charging services. The company has…

  • Việt NamRestaurant owner ‘disguises’ beer in soup container to help customer evade wife’s disapproval

    Restaurant owner ‘disguises’ beer in soup container to help customer evade wife’s disapproval

    A restaurant delivery owner in Vietnam received an unusual request from a male customer, seeking a secretive way to enjoy a beer without his wife‘s knowledge. The owner devised a clever plan and shared the amusing story on social media. With soaring temperatures, it is natural for one to crave a cold beverage. However, when a husband wished to quench…

  • Việt NamVietnamese woman finds hidden lottery tickets during house cleaning, alerts police

    Vietnamese woman finds hidden lottery tickets during house cleaning, alerts police

    A woman in Vietnam discovered hidden lottery tickets and money in her wardrobe and decided to alert the police. On May 30, a Vietnamese woman cleaning her house found many lottery tickets and money in a wardrobe. Suspecting her husband of faking a robbery, she decided to inform the police, who are now handling the case. The suspect, referred to…

  • Business NewsSoutheast Asia and China top destinations for overseas business expansion in Asia

    Southeast Asia and China top destinations for overseas business expansion in Asia

    Southeast Asia and China are now the top choices for overseas expansion, with 83% of Asian businesses expressing interest in venturing abroad, as revealed in a recent report. The Business Outlook report, conducted by United Overseas Bank (UOB), surveyed over 4,000 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as well as large organisations in Asia. The study showed that over four out…

  • World NewsCambodian runner’s determination at SEA Games captures hearts (video)

    Cambodian runner’s determination at SEA Games captures hearts (video)

    Phnom Penh witnessed the rise of a new local hero, Bou Samnang. The 20 year old Cambodian runner gained fame during the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, particularly for her performance in the 5,000-metre event. Despite finishing last, her determination to complete the race in heavy rain endeared her to the nation, and she even received praise from Prime Minister Hun…

  • World NewsTour helicopter crash near Vietnam’s Ha Long Bay kills 5

    Tour helicopter crash near Vietnam’s Ha Long Bay kills 5

    A helicopter carrying four tourists on a sightseeing trip crashed in the Ha Long Bay area of northeast Vietnam on Wednesday evening. The body of the fifth and final victim of the crash was found this morning. The Bell-505 helicopter took off from Tuan Chau Island at 4.56pm local time and lost contact with air traffic control at 5.15pm, crashing…

  • World NewsThailand chips away at US trade deficit with 62% increase in chip market exports

    Thailand chips away at US trade deficit with 62% increase in chip market exports

    The United States has been experiencing a growing deficit in its chipmaking trade with Asia, but the good news is that Thailand is helping to chip away at that gap. According to US Census data, US imports of chips grew 17% from last year to US$4.86 billion in February, with Asia accounting for 83% of that total. Over the past…

  • HealthDiscovering Mayongchid: The sweet and tangy Marian Plum

    Discovering Mayongchid: The sweet and tangy Marian Plum

    Mayongchid, also known as Marian plum or Plum mango, is a fruit that is native to Southeast Asia and is commonly found in countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines. The fruit is similar in appearance to a small mango, with yellowish-green skin that turns slightly purple as it ripens. The flesh is yellow and juicy, with a sweet…

  • World NewsCountdown to ADB’s SEADS 2023: Imagining a Net Zero ASEAN

    Countdown to ADB’s SEADS 2023: Imagining a Net Zero ASEAN

    The Southeast Asia Development Symposium (SEADS) is back! With the theme, “Imagining a Net-Zero ASEAN,” SEADS 2023 promises to be a dynamic gathering for anyone interested in sustainability and climate action. The event is scheduled to take place on 30 March at The Westin Resort Nusa Dua in Bali, Indonesia. It will convene thought leaders and climate action advocates from…

  • World NewsMalaysia bans foreign male performers from cross-dressing on stage

    Malaysia bans foreign male performers from cross-dressing on stage

    Performing artists who are male and foreign are no longer allowed to “cross-dress” or dress up like women while performing in Malaysia, according to updated guidelines on live shows and concerts. The Central Agency for Application for Filming and Performing by Foreign Artistes (PUSPAL), under Malaysia’s Ministry of Communications and Digital, recently published some stricter rules regarding live performances by…

  • World NewsThai baht and Singapore dollar battle for strongest regional currency

    Thai baht and Singapore dollar battle for strongest regional currency

    China is reopening its borders, pushing economists to predict that an influx of Chinese tourists to Thailand will propel the Thai baht into Southeast Asia’s reigning currency in 2023. But the baht has one regional competitor: the trusty Singapore dollar. Thailand’s economy heavily depends on tourism revenue. In 2019, Chinese tourists made up over 40% of the 40 million tourist…

  • World NewsFloods hit Malaysia hard, tens of thousands displaced

    Floods hit Malaysia hard, tens of thousands displaced

    Floods are hitting Malaysia hard leaving tens of thousands of people displaced. As of last night, 45,000 victims had been evacuated to relief centres in five states in Malaysia’s peninsula. The state of Terengganu was hit the hardest, with 29,717 victims from 8,214 families evacuated. The district most impacted in Terengganu was Kemaman, with 8,375 victims from 2,109 families evacuated. There…

  • Tourism NewsThailand tops BBC poll for Southeast Asia travel

    Thailand tops BBC poll for Southeast Asia travel

    A recent BBC poll saw Thailand on the top of the list of most desired destinations to travel to in Southeast Asia. BBC News conducted a poll of people planning a trip from Europe and North America to Southeast Asia in July. Thailand topped the list with 57.4% of people responding that they would be likely to visit the kingdom.…

  • World NewsThailand teaches Indonesia how to legalise cannabis

    Thailand teaches Indonesia how to legalise cannabis

    Government officials from Indonesia – a country famous for having some of the strictest drug laws in the world – flew to Thailand to learn about the kingdom’s liberal medical cannabis policies this morning. News that old-fashioned Indonesia is considering legalising medical cannabis comes as quite a shock given that lawmakers in the country approved a Draconian law that bans…

  • HealthHow to combat mould in humid climates like Thailand

    How to combat mould in humid climates like Thailand

    The most humid parts of the world include Thailand and all of South and Southeast Asia. For those who live or travel to these countries, combatting mould becomes a mainstay task of tropical living, especially during the rainy season. According to Dr Cameron Jones, a mould problem occurs when water vapour from the humid air can condense onto surfaces, providing…

  • World NewsEarthquake kills at least 46 in Indonesia

    Earthquake kills at least 46 in Indonesia

    A 5.6 magnitude earthquake struck West Java in Indonesia this afternoon, killing at least 46 people. Over 700 injuries have been reported so far. The death toll is likely to rise, according to the Indonesian Disaster Agency. The quake struck in Cianjur, about 100 kilometres southeast of Jakarta, at a depth of 10 kilometres and lasted for about one minute.…

  • World NewsAsian international tourism slower than other regions

    Asian international tourism slower than other regions

    While tourism in Thailand is picking up, Southeast Asia has seen a much slower rate of return for international travellers than other parts of the world. Many popular holiday areas in Europe have seen a full recovery, and even record-breaking numbers in some. But Asia lags, flummoxed by the slow lifting of Covid-19 restrictions. Thailand began reopening efforts over a…

  • World NewsAmnesty International calls on Thailand to help stop Myanmar violence

    Amnesty International calls on Thailand to help stop Myanmar violence

    Amnesty International yesterday called on Thailand to help stop the violence in Myanmar. The organisation marched to the UN building on Ratchadamnoen Nok Road to submit a letter urging the Thai government to help, as Thailand is the host of the 29th APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting. The letter listed four demands: The Thai government should use every possible means to…

  • World NewsThailand pushes digital payments, rejects US dollar in move towards cashless society

    Thailand pushes digital payments, rejects US dollar in move towards cashless society

    The Bank of Thailand and central banks in four more southeast Asian countries are creating a cross-border payment zone using QR codes so that southeast Asians can make international payments digitally without having to convert and reconvert to US dollars. The bank hopes to bolster the use of digital payments to halve the amount of cash in circulation in Thailand…