Top News Headlines In Indonesia, Thailand, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam & Singapore: Jan 16, 2025

INDONESIA

1. GOVERNMENT MONITORS TREASURE HUNT GAME KOIN JAGAT AMID PUBLIC CONCERNS -- JAKARTA GLOBE

The government is closely monitoring the mobile game application Koin Jagat, which offers monetary rewards for locating virtual coins using the app, amid concerns about potential vandalism of public facilities, officials said on Wednesday.

2. BI DELIVERS SURPRISE RATE CUT TO BOOST GDP GROWTH -- THE JAKARTA POST

Bank Indonesia (BI) has cut its key interest rate by 25 basis points (bps) to 5.75 per cent, citing a more “measurable impact” from Donald Trump’s reelection as United States president and the need to bolster a sluggish domestic economy.

THAILAND

1. PAETONGTARN TO VISIT THAILAND'S DEEP SOUTH AMID VOLATILE SITUATION -- THE NATION

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra is scheduled to visit three southern border provinces on Thursday, shortly after two bomb attacks in Pattani and Narathiwat that claimed two lives and injured several others.

2. THAI LION AIR SEES DIP IN CHINESE MARKET -- BANGKOK POST

Thai Lion Air estimates the Chinese market will remain stagnant this year based on declining safety confidence in Thailand over the short term and a stagnant mainland economy throughout 2025, prompting the airline to pivot to India and domestic demand.

LAOS

1. LAOS-PHILIPPINES HONOUR 70 YEARS DIPLOMATIC TIES -- VIENTIANE TIMES

Laos and the Philippines mark 70 years of solidarity and friendship. Seven decades ago, the Philippines was the second country in Asia and the fourth in the world to establish bilateral relations with Laos and recognise its role in the international community.

2. POPPY PLANTATIONS DESTROYED IN NORTHERN LAOS -- VIENTIANE TIMES

The Narcotics Department cleared 15 hectares of poppy plantations in Luang Namtha province in northern Laos. Authorities placed wooden planks on the ground to prevent poppy cultivation and encouraged villagers to grow other cash crops instead. 

MYANMAR

1. MICROFINANCE FIRMS SERVE THREE MILLION BORROWERS -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR

The Ministry of Planning and Finance announced that 174 companies —  comprising domestic, foreign and joint ventures — are operating in the microfinance sector. These institutions have distributed loans to over three million borrowers. Digital tools are used for loan disbursement and collection.

2. OVER 10,000 ONLINE BUSINESSES REGISTERED NATIONWIDE -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR

The Department of Consumer Affairs said over 10,000 online businesses selling goods and services have registered. Nearly 1,300 companies and over 9,000 individual business owners have applied for registration until January 2, 2025. Online businesses were officially designated as essential services.

VIETNAM 

1. CLEANING UP REAL ESTATE SECTOR’S BOTTLENECKS -- VIETNAM PLUS

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh instructed officials to stamp out price manipulation and speculations, and probe real estate investment and construction projects. The government is introducing strict measures to clean up the sector and stabilise the real estate market. 

2. ROSY OUTLOOK FOR BANKING SECTOR IN 2025 -- VIETNAM NEWS

Vietnam’s banking sector is expected to perform better this year,  forecast to grow from 14 per cent last year to 17 per cent in 2025. A strong gross domestic growth and the revival of the real estate sector will drive its growth.

SINGAPORE

1. JOB SEARCHING, HIRING IN S’PORE GOT TOUGHER IN 2024 AMID RAPIDLY CHANGING SKILL NEEDS: LINKEDIN -- THE STRAITS TIMES

Over the last year, it has become harder for both job seekers and hirers here to find the right match, the latest reflection of how fast skill needs are changing in Singapore, according to LinkedIn.

2. SHOT IN THE ARM FOR CHINA’S AVIATION HUB AMBITIONS AS HOMEGROWN AIRLINES FLY DEEPER INTO EUROPEAN MARKET -- CNA

Chinese airlines have been swooping in to grab a larger slice of the China-Europe air travel market as their continental counterparts bow out - a calculated strategy that’s not just about capitalising on opportunity, but also gaining an enduring foothold in the sector, say analysts.

-- BERNAMA