Muay Thai was adopted as a basic training program in Cobra Gold, one of the biggest multilateral military exercises in Southeast Asia, held in Thailand from late February. (Royal Thai Armed Forces)
International relations

Thailand taking the offensive over the origin of Muay Thai

Cambodia claims itself as the birthplace of the martial art

7 April 2024
Japan hosted a special summit meeting with ASEAN in December to commemorate 50 years of friendship and cooperation.
International relations

Japan 'most trusted' by ASEAN despite low influence, study shows

Southeast Asians doubt Tokyo's ability to take lead on global issues

7 April 2024
Dumplings made with Meatable's cultivated pork: The Netherlands-based startup decided to apply for sale approval for its products in Singapore rather than the EU. (Meatable)
Opinion

Asia's embrace of cultivated meat will bring industry leadership

Amid regulatory uncertainty at home, Western startups focus sales on region

7 April 2024
Julie Bishop, then Australian foreign minister, arrives for a meeting in Canberra in August 2018. 
Myanmar Crisis

U.N. taps ex-Australian foreign minister as special envoy for Myanmar

Regional diplomats welcome 'strategic' appointment of Julie Bishop

6 April 2024
Philippine Navy personnel aboard the BRP Davao Del Sur salute the passing vessel Izumo from Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force on Aug. 24, 2023. © Philippine Navy
Defense

Philippines, Japan, Australia, U.S. to hold drills in South China Sea

Exercises demonstrate military ties ahead of US-Japan-Philippines summit

6 April 2024
Great Wall Motor unveiled a hybrid model of its Poer brand pickups at the Bangkok International Motor Show, which ends April 7. (Photo by Hiroki Endo)
Automobiles

Chinese auto giants to sell hybrid, EV pickup trucks in Thailand

Electrification boom threatens Japan's grip on key market

6 April 2024
Chuwit Kamolvisit, whose colorful career has ranged from massage parlor tycoon to parliamentarian, poses for a photo in his Bangkok office in August 2023. (All photos by Ken Kobayashi)
Life

The fast life and slow exit of Thai showman Chuwit

Flamboyant public figure leaves sex, scandals and politics behind. Or does he?

6 April 2024
Vietnam's Momo payment app uses QR codes. Laos has been in talks with Vietnam to link QR payment platforms. (Photo by Yuji Nitta)
International relations

ASEAN finance chiefs agree to expand cross-border QR payments

Integrated networks seen as crucial to regional economic growth

6 April 2024
Singapore's Marina Bay Sands is set to begin expanding its downtown property next year. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Travel & Leisure

Singapore's Marina Bay Sands to build fourth tower by 2029

After COVID delay, landmark casino resort to start hotel expansion next year

5 April 2024
Stream article image
Podcast: News Roundup

High-speed trains connect Southeast Asia

Tune in to Nikkei Asia's podcast, bringing the region's key news to global listeners

5 April 2024
U.S. President Joe Biden, left, and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at a news conference during their trilateral summit at Camp David with South Korea in August 2023.
Opinion

U.S.-Japan-Philippine summit will advance shared Indo-Pacific vision

PM Kishida's Washington trip to showcase Tokyo's commitment to enhanced security

5 April 2024
Nvidia and Indosat are reportedly joining hands for an AI project in Indonesia. (Source photos by Reuters)
Business deals

Nvidia, Indosat to build $200m AI center in Indonesia: government

Sinar Mas and LG also tying up on data center business in country

5 April 2024
Myanmar's military regime says it shot down this drone. (Photo courtesy of Myanmar military authority)
Myanmar Crisis

Myanmar anti-regime forces close in on capital with drone attacks

With HQ and base targeted, military's mouthpiece says 'fortunately' no casualties

5 April 2024
Inflation readings in Thailand have been negative, a trend largely fueled by government subsidies on diesel.
Economy

Thailand inflation fell by 0.47% in March for its sixth straight drop

Negative streak could end if fuel subsidies elapse or decrease

5 April 2024
Myanmar soldiers salute during an Armed Forces Day parade in Naypyitaw on March 27.
Myanmar Crisis

As Myanmar starts military draft, many flee the country

Potential recruits' departures drive national currency to near-record weakness

5 April 2024
Indonesian President-elect Prabowo Subianto greets supporters during an election campaign rally in February in Jakarta. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Politics

Indonesian scholars fear self-censorship under Prabowo

Analysts warn lack of objective research could deter foreign investors

5 April 2024
Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, left, and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese: The two countries plan to build a Green and Digital Shipping Corridor.
Opinion

ASEAN and Australia are facing up to need for green cooperation

Current fossil fuel-focused trade ties will have to evolve

5 April 2024
The Laotian kip has depreciated by more than 10% from a year earlier. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
International relations

ASEAN finance chiefs to seek progress on cross-border payments

Host nation Laos looks to soften economic fallout from China slowdown

5 April 2024
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida tells Nikkei in an interview that Japan needs to "take greater responsibility" in providing options for Southeast Asian countries. (Photo by Yuki Kohara)
Interview

Japan, U.S., Philippines to cooperate in clean energy, chips: Kishida

Prime minister speaks to Nikkei in exclusive interview ahead of trilateral summit

4 April 2024
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, left, welcomes Indonesian President-elect Prabowo Subianto at his office in Putrajaya on April 4. (Photo courtesy of Malaysia's Prime Minister's Office)
International relations

Indonesia president-elect Prabowo meets Anwar after Xi, Kishida

Neighbors' relations continue to be close and strengthened, Malaysian PM says

4 April 2024
Kim Hyong-mo, the representative in Vietnam of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, speaks during an interview in Hanoi. (Photo by Yuji Nitta)
Business trends

South Korean firms in Vietnam face growing competition from China

Chamber of Commerce says minimum corporate tax rule also affects businesses

4 April 2024
People ride motorcycles near the site where a building collapsed, following the earthquake in Hualien, Taiwan, on April 4.
Natural disasters

Taiwan earthquake kills at least 9; TSMC plants recovering

World's top chipmaker reports no damage to most advanced equipment

4 April 2024
A young soldier from an armed ethnic group in Myanmar who lost both legs to a landmine.
Myanmar Crisis

Myanmar saw threefold increase in landmine casualties in 2023

Most deaths and maimings in regions with worst fighting, says UNICEF

4 April 2024
Indorama Ventures is the world's leading producer of PET, a plastic material commonly used for beverage bottles by the likes of Coca-Cola and Pepsi. (Indorama Ventures)
Interview

Thai plastics maker Indorama shifts focus from M&A to reducing debt

Leading PET producer to boost capacity for recycled materials, CEO says

4 April 2024
Even after stepping down as prime minister in 2023, Hun Sen has remained a highly influential figure in Cambodian politics. (Photo by Yuji Nitta)
Politics

Cambodia ex-PM Hun Sen set to return to diplomatic stage

Longtime leader elected Senate president as family tightens grip on power

4 April 2024