These are the top stories making the front pages of major newspapers from across Southeast Asia today.
Get up to speed with what’s happening in the fastest growing region in the world.
Stay informed with The ASEAN Post.
Strict Covid-19 testing for high-profile Bloomberg forum as S'pore revives global event hub ambition
One of the most-watched global events to be held in Singapore since the start of the pandemic was under way on Wednesday (Nov 17) in a meticulously planned albeit muted fashion, as the Republic took another step towards business as usual as a leading events hub.
The Bloomberg New Economy Forum (NEF) saw Covid-19 testing and safety measures implemented with no hiccups for about 300 international business and government leaders who descended on Sentosa island's ritzy Capella hotel.
As part of a pilot scheme by Singapore starting this week - to allow larger gatherings of fully vaccinated attendees who undergo prior testing - the NEF is helping to create a blueprint for how such events can be done, Bloomberg Media's global communications head Brian Strong told The Straits Times. - Straits Times
Analysts worry about low voter turnout
The campaign in the Melaka election is down to the last three days with the parties' machinery facing the most crucial moment to convince voters to choose their candidates, analysts said.
Rather than the typical two-week campaign, political pundits told the New Straits Times that the strict election standard operating procedures (SOP) would see the Melaka polls turning into a "three-day election campaign".
They said sentiments on the ground proved that the people of Melaka were experiencing political fatigue to the point they were disinterested in participating in the Nov 20 polls. - New Straits Times
TAT cautiously optimistic on Loy Krathong
Travel sentiment during Loy Krathong this year is expected to improve from last year, but will be quieter than the last festival to take place before the pandemic, with overall tourism spending projected at 1.4 billion baht nationwide, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).
TAT governor Yuthasak Supasorn said 551,700 domestic trips have been forecast for the water lantern festival tomorrow, generating 1.4 billion baht, with an average hotel occupancy rate of 24%.
Despite being plagued with a high infection rate, the North, which hosts the unique floating lanterns ritual, remains the top destination as it is projected to attract 151,700 domestic trips, contributing 580 million baht to the local economy, of which 400 million baht will be derived from 63,200 local trips to Chiang Mai. - Bangkok Post
Parents told to be extra careful when bringing kids outside
With the easing of restrictions for minors in public establishments under Alert Level 2, parents and guardians here were reminded to take extra precautions when bringing their children to crowded places.
In an interview, Angela Brenda Tromis, a mother of three, said she was surprised when she went to a mall here and witnessed parents bringing their children with some of them not even wearing face masks.
“Despite the loosening of restrictions, I would never bring my children in crowded places. I am so afraid of seeing other parents with their babies,” she told Philippine News Agency Thursday. - Philippine News Agency
Businesses in HCM City, neighbouring places recovering as restrictions ease
Businesses in the south, including HCM City, are recovering production and business quickly after remaining closed for more than 4 months due to COVID-19 restrictions.
In October, Mobile World Investment Corporation's net revenues increased by 38 per cent year-on-year and 45 per cent over September to VND12 trillion (US$515 million).
The company’s chairman, Nguyen Duc Tai, said it was the highest ever monthly sales. - Vietnam News
PM expresses concern over re-emergence of COVID-19 during upcoming cold weather
Hun Sen, Prime Minister of Cambodia, has expressed concern over the re-emergence of COVID-19 during the upcoming cold weather and called on the people to pay attention to health care and continue to implement health rules to ensure that there is no recurrence of COVID-19.
In a voice message sent today, the PM said that, although there is no clear scientific study, it has been the experience of some countries that when the cold season begins, infectious diseases often occur.
The PM added that in Cambodia, although cases of COVID have now been alleviated, the spread of the disease has not yet ended, which requires high attention, prevention and prevention. - Khmer Times
NUG warns of plans to escalate attacks in Yangon and neighbouring regions
A wave of explosions and shootings in Yangon on Monday was just part of a wider operation that is set to see an increase in attacks on regime targets in Yangon, Bago, and Ayeyarwady regions, Myanmar’s underground government has warned.
The operation, dubbed Pyan Hlwar Aung, was launched following the declaration of a “resistance war” by the National Unity Government (NUG) in September.
Meaning “swallow” in English, Operation Pyan Hlwar Aung aims to emulate the swift-flying bird by carrying out rapid attacks on junta forces and other targets associated with the regime that seized power in February. - Myanmar NOW
Govt sees state budget deficit shrinking to 5.2--5.4% of GDP
The Indonesian government has projected that the state budget (APBN) deficit will reduce to 5.2–5.4 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP), or equal to Rp873.6 trillion, by the end of 2021.
The number is smaller than the initial projection in the 2021 APBN Law of 5.7 percent of the GDP or Rp1,006.4 trillion, Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati noted after a plenary cabinet meeting at the Presidential Office in Jakarta on Wednesday.
The estimated reduction is due to increasing state revenues, as Indonesia’s overall revenue has grown by 18.2 percent as of the end of October 2021, she explained. - AntaraNews.Com