Top News Headlines In Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Singapore & Indonesia: Nov 13, 2024

THAILAND

1. LOY KRATHONG EXPECTED TO DRAW 36% MORE FLIGHTS THAN LAST YEAR -- The Nation

Flight bookings to Thailand are expected to surge by 36% during the Loy Krathong festival, which falls on Friday, November 15, government deputy spokesman Karom Polpornklang said.

2. PM COURTS US CASH ON TRIP -- Bangkok Post

Thai diplomats have been urged to take a proactive approach to attracting foreign investors following Donald Trump's US presidential election victory, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra said on Tuesday.

CAMBODIA

1. KINGDOM SHAPING ENTREPRENEURIAL ECOSYSTEM -- FRESH NEWS 

Cambodia's Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Strengthening Conference will be held on 25 November in Phnom Penh. The conference themed "Power of Collaboration for Impact," will explore opportunities and foster collaborations among the business community and support entrepreneurial growth and innovation in the Kingdom. 

2. SOFT, HARD INFRASTRUCTURE READY FOR INVESTORS --  FRESH NEWS

Prime Minister Hun Manet said Cambodia had created a favourable investment environment from soft to hard infrastructure to encourage more foreign investors to invest in the Kingdom. Cambodia is intensifying efforts to connect to regional and global markets by negotiating free trade agreements. 

LAOS

1. LAOS PREPARES FOR RESILIENT ECONOMY -- VIENTIANE TIMES 

The Lao National Chamber of Commerce and The Asia Foundation on Tuesday discussed ways to build a resilient and inclusive domestic economy. Participants explored developing key sectors like agriculture, logistics, renewable energy, tourism, and transport to make the Loa economy more robust.  

2. LAOS LURES DIASPORA INVESTMENTS -- VIENTIANE TIMES 

Lao launched  “Love Your Home Country” to encourage its nationals living overseas to invest in their homeland to strengthen socio-economic growth. The government wants to see more involvement of the overseas Lao community in bringing development to the rural community. 

SINGAPORE

1. SKILLSFUTURE WILL HELP S'POREANS SEIZE NEW OPPORTUNITIES AS LIFESPANS LENGTHEN: PM WONG -- THE STRAITS TIMES

As life expectancy increases and Singaporeans embark on multi-stage careers, SkillsFuture will enable them to seize new opportunities, said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.

2. CLEAN TOILETS, 'SUPRSINGLY' COMFY BEDS: STAYING OVERNIGHT ON ONE OF THE SINGAPORE NAVY'S LARGEST SHIPS -- CNA

Cutting through the waves on a bright Saturday (Nov 9) morning were two high-speed naval vessels. 

INDONESIA

1. HOTEL SECTOR RAISES CONCERNS OVER RAJA AMPAT NICKEL MINE -- THE JAKARTA POST

The Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI) has expressed concern over potentially adverse impacts on the country’s tourist industry from a nickel project in the Raja Ampat regency, Southwest Papua. 

2. GOVERNMENT DEBT HITS US$537.34 BILLION, STILL WITHIN SAFE GDP RATIO -- JAKARTA GLOBE

Indonesia’s government debt rose by 0.14 percent to Rp 8,473.9 trillion (US$537.34 billion) as of Sept. 30, up from Rp 8,461.93 trillion the previous month. This debt level represents 38.55 percent of the nation’s GDP, well below the 60 percent threshold set by the State Finance Law. 

-- BERNAMA