Top News Headlines In Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand & Vietnam: May 15, 2025
Cambodia National Defence Ministry announced on Wednesday that two Cambodian military personnel were killed during a peacekeeping mission in the city of Malakal in South Sudan. They were deployed under the Royal Cambodian Military Police.
The United Kingdom's (UK) HALO Trust is confident that Cambodia can be mine-free by 2023. Since 2014, its experts have cleared over 151 million square metres of contaminated land across the country and delivered risk education to 481,440 people.
Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin on Wednesday defended his recent remark suggesting that people with a pant size of 33 inches or more are more likely to 'meet their maker sooner,' saying the comment was meant to convey a serious health message in simple terms.
2. KADIN VOWS TO ADDRESS EXTORTION ALLEGATIONS -- THE JAKARTA POST
The Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) will investigate alleged extortion practices involving people who claim to represent its regional branch in Cilegon, Banten, against a contractor of a giant petrochemical project in the area.
LAOS
1. LAO MODERNISES ITS TAX ADMINISTRATION -- VIENTIANE TIMES
The Lao government and the Asian Development Bank launched the Domestic Resource Mobilisation Modernisation Project. It will reform tax administration and the domestic revenue collection process by enhancing the efficiency, transparency and effectiveness of tax systems.
2. NEW CLIMATE INITIATIVE TO REDUCE GAS EMISSIONS -- VIENTIANE TIMES
The Ministry of Energy and Mines launched a new initiative to reaffirm its Paris Agreement commitment on climate change. Laos wants to mitigate greenhouse gas emission amid high energy demand during the dry season and reliance on imported fossil fuels.
MYANMAR
1. NEARLY 2,000 BUILDINGS NEED REPAIRS POST EARTHQUAKE -- THE GOBALE NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR
The Myanmar Earthquake Committee disclosed that 1,954 buildings in Mandalay, Sagaing and Nay Pyi Taw need major repairs and reinforcement to resist future shocks after the Mandalay's earthquake in late March. The committee has surveyed about 20,000 buildings across the affected regions.
2. HIGH CHANCES OF CYCLONE IN BAY OF BENGAL -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR
The Meteorological Department has warned of heavy rain in parts of Myanmar due to high likelihood of a cyclone in the east-central Bay of Bengal on May 17 morning. Experts predict there will be 70 per cent changes in cyclone formation.
SINGAPORE
1. PM WONG BREAKS GROUND ON CHANGI AIRPORT T5; ALL SIA, SCOOT FLIGHTS TO MOVE THERE WHEN IT OPENS -- THE STRAITS TIMES
Prime Minister Lawrence Wong has broken ground on Changi Airport Terminal 5 (T5), an expansion project more than a decade in the making that will position the airport to ride an expected surge in air travel within the Asia-Pacific and beyond.
2. CHANGI AIRPORT'S T5 TO CREATE JOBS, BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES FOR SINGAPOREANS, SAYS PM WONG AT GROUNDBREAKING -- CNA
Changi Airport's Terminal 5 (T5) is a "significant engineering undertaking" that will benefit both local businesses and jobseekers, said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong during the groundbreaking ceremony of the mega project on Wednesday (May 14).
THAILAND
1. RAINY SEASON TO BEGIN WITB ABOVE-AVERAGE RAINFALL IN UPPER THAILAND -- THE NATION
The rainy season will officially begin on May 15, with rainfall in upper Thailand is expected to exceed the average by 5–10% until mid-July, the Thai Meteorological Department said.
2. CHINA EV FIRM TO RAMP UP ITS PRSENCE -- BANGKOK POST
China's state-owned Changan Automobile is looking to establish a research and development centre for right-hand-drive electric vehicles (EVs) and a regional office in Thailand.
VIETNAM
1. SPECIAL TASK FORCE TO CLEAN UP ECONOMIC CRIMES -- VIETNAMPLUS
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has directed the formation of a special task force to eliminate smuggling, trade fraud, counterfeit goods, low-quality products, items with unverified origins, and goods that violate on intellectual property rights.
2. VIETNAM TO EXHIBIT SEMICONDUCTOR PROWESS IN SINGAPORE EXPO -- VIETNAMPLUS
Vietnam will participate in the SEMICON Southeast Asia 2025 Expo in Singapore, scheduled from May 20 to 22. Vietnam will showcase its role in the global semiconductor supply chain, highlight its talented human resources, technological infrastructure and potential to attract high-tech investments.
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