Top News Headlines In Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam, Singapore & Thailand: Jan 3, 2025

By Vijian Paramasivam

LAOS  

1.HEALTH MINISTRY ALERTS RABIES THREATS -- VIENTIANE TIMES 

Officials are reviewing community surveillance operations and plans to create awareness about rabies. Between 2012 and 2021, 298 rabies cases were reported in Laos due to animal bites, resulting in the deaths of 55 people.

2.OVER 250 SCAM CENTRES SHUT DOWN IN GOLDEN TRIANGLE -- VIENTIANE NEWS 

Authorities are cracking down on fraudulent call centres in the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone. Over 250 illegal call centres involved in scamming people have been dismantled and foreign nationals operating cyber crime activities have been deported.

MYANMAR 

1.UPGRADING PORT FACILITIES TO PUSH EXPORTS -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR

New jetties will be built for loading and unloading processed crops and oil products at the Thilawa Port Terminal, and a sheltered conveying system will be installed at Sule Jetty. The modernisation of the jetties is to promote productivity and increase exports. 

2.MYANMAR EXPORTS 1.7 MILLION TONNES OF RICE -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR

Myanmar Rice Federation said rice and broken rice exports reached 1.7 million tonnes during April-November last year, valued at RM3.6 billion (US$804 million). Indonesia was the largest importer with 480,000 tonnes and the second major importer China procured 355,000 tonnes, 

VIETNAM

1.HISTORICAL HANOI FLAG TOWER OPENS TO VISITORS -- VIETNAM PLUS

The Hanoi Flag Tower, a World Heritage Site and a symbol of the capital is open to visitors for the first time on 1 January. The 33-meter-old tower was recognised as a national monument in 1989. 

2.HO CHI MINH’S FOUR KEY PROJECTS COMPLETED IN 2024 -- VIETNAMPLUS

Four infrastructure projects worth RM278 million (US$62 million) were opened in Ho Chi Minh City at the end of 2024. The Phuoc Long Bridge, HC1 underpass, and expansion of National Highway 50 and Tan Ky Tan Quy Street — will ease traffic congestion.

SINGAPORE

1.DO GEN ZERS AND MILLENNIALS HAVE A PROBLEM DRESSING PROFESSIONALLY AT THE WORKPLACE IN SINGAPORE? -- THE STRAITS TIMES

Civil servant Jessica Xu was shocked when her colleague walked into the office one day with a pair of Birkenstocks on her feet.

2.AS TRUMP’S SHADOW LOOMS, SOUTHEAST ASIAN ECONOMIES FACE ‘HARD CHALLENGES’ IN 2025 -- CNA

From a potential tariff war, economic slowdown to political turmoil affecting key trading partners, 2025 is set to be a challenging year for Southeast Asian countries looking to boost their economic growth.

THAILAND

1. CHOLERA SITUATION IN TAK UNDER CONTROL, HEALTH MINISTRY SAYS -- THE NATION

No further cases of the diarrhoeal disease reported in Tak province but authorities continue to be on alert.

2. THAILAND TARGETS MORE FREE TRADE DEALS THIS YEAR -- BANGKOK POST

Thailand will continue to pursue free trade agreements (FTAs) this year as part of its strategy to accelerate economic recovery.

--BERNAMA