Top News Headlines In Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand & Vietnam: Jan 2, 2026
INDONESIA
1. INDONESIA SETS 2027 COMPLETION FOR IKN LEGISLATIVE, JUDICIAL BUILDINGS - ANTARA
Indonesian Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka announced the government’s target to complete construction of legislative and judicial institution buildings in the future capital, Nusantara (IKN), by 2027.
2. INDONESIA HALTS RICE, SUGAR, CORN IMPORTS IN 2026 -- ANTARA
The Indonesian government announced a total ban on the import of rice, table sugar, and corn for 2026, citing a significant rise in domestic production and a strategic pivot toward national food self-sufficiency
LAOS
1. KEY NATIONAL EVENTS IN 2026 -- VIENTIANE TIMES
President Thongloun Sisoulit said the 12th National Congress of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party will be held this year. And the 10th Five-Year National Socio-Economic Development Plan will be implemented.
2. VIENTIANE-LUANG PRABANG HIGHWAY NEAR COMPLETION -- VIENTIANE TIMES
The upgrading of the national highway connecting Vientiane and Luang Prabang provinces is expected to be fully completed by May this year. The 68-kilometre route, when completed, will ease travel between the two provinces.
MYANMAR
1. HITECH MUSHROOM FARMING PROJECT -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR
Farmers will launch a pilot project for an automatic misting system in mushroom farming. This system aims to help growers transition to smart, sustainable agriculture and enhance farm productivity.
2. PROMOTING PARBOILED RICE LOCALLY -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR
Myanmar Rice Federation announced that it will provide door-to-door delivery service of parboiled rice to boost domestic consumption. Parboiled rice is mainly exported to Russia and the European market.
PHILIPPINES
1. SHEAR LINE, 'AMIHAN' TO BRING RAINS OVER MOST PARTS OF PH -- PHILIPPINE NEWS AGENCY
The northeast monsoon (amihan), shear line, and warm easterlies will bring rains over most parts of the country on Friday, the weather bureau said.
2. DA VOWS TO PRIORITIZE FAIR PALAY PRICES, P20 RICE PROGRAM, FMRS-- PHILIPPINE NEWS AGENCY
The Department of Agriculture (DA) will focus on ensuring fair palay prices, expanding the PHP20-per-kilo rice program and fast-tracking farm-to-market roads (FMRs) construction as its top priorities in 2026.
SINGAPORE
1. PATIENTS ON DIALYSIS SECURE JOBS THROUGH INCLUSIVE JOB FAIR-- THE STRAITS TIMES
Being tethered to a dialysis machine three times a week keeps kidney patients Chew Teck Seng and Malathy Naga Rathnam alive. But it has also made it nearly impossible for them to find employment.
2. FROM HIGH STREET CAFE TO MRT KIOSKS: POLAR'S 100-YEAR SURVIVAL STORY -- CNA
The pastry chain has weathered war, relocation and rising costs. But can a recipe won in a card game and locked in a secret room keep Polar relevant for another century?
THAILAND
1. BMA WARNS OF HEALTH IMPACTS, BANGKOK AIR QUALITY SLIPS INTO ORANGE ZONE -- THE NATION
The Bangkok Air Quality Information Centre reported at 7am on Thursday (January 1) that the 24-hour average PM2.5 across the capital measured 37.4–70.3 micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m³), exceeding the standard set at no more than 37.5µg/m³.
2. TENSIONS COOL ON BORDER -- BANGKOK POST
Major powers, diplomatic missions and humanitarian organisations have commended Thailand for freeing 18 Cambodian soldiers and reinforcing momentum behind the fragile ceasefire between the two countries.
VIETNAM
1. CHINESE PLAYERS DRIVING AUTO SECTOR -- VIETNAMPLUS
The automobile sector saw robust growth in 2025 due to recovering consumer spending, increased demand for electric vehicles and a rise in imports. The entry of Chinese manufacturers transformed the industry.
2. VIETNAM ACHIEVES TOP GLOBAL RANKING -- VIETNAMPLUS
Vietnam was ranked 16th among 101 economies in the World Bank's Business Ready 2025 report, in terms of its operational efficiency. It scored well in several key areas like utility services, business entry, labour and international trade.
-- BERNAMA
