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.
Thailand’s plan could woo 65 million tourists yearly
Southeast Asia’s second-largest economy plans to pour about US$13 billion into expanding airport capacity and connecting major terminals with high-speed railways. As a result, foreign tourist numbers in Thailand could jump more than 60 percent by 2029 to about 65 million, projections from The World Travel and Tourism Council show. Thailand is expected to lure 40 million visitors this year. – Bangkok Post
Unauthorised drones around Changi Airport delay 37 flights, affect operations of one runway
Some 37 flights were delayed and one of Changi Airport's two runways saw operations affected for 10 hours after unauthorised drones were spotted flying in the vicinity of the airport on Tuesday and Wednesday, according to the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS). – The Straits Times
Malaysia lost US$1.16 billion to illicit cigarette trade last year
The illicit cigarette trade cost Malaysia almost US$1.16 billion in excise duties last year. This was among the findings presented during the unveiling of a report by Oxford Economics titled “The Economics of the Illicit Tobacco Trade in Malaysia” yesterday. The report also found that 59 percent of Malaysia’s cigarette market last year was illicit. – New Straits Times
Constitutional Court grills Prabowo's witnesses
Losing candidate Prabowo Subianto found his camp in hot water during the presidential election dispute hearing on Wednesday as the Constitutional Court’s justices grilled his legal team and witnesses over their claims of widespread electoral fraud in the election. – The Jakarta Post
Only 32% of Vietnamese consumers trust personal data security
Only 32 percent of consumers in Vietnam believe their personal data will be treated in a trustworthy manner by organisations offering digital services, according to a study recently released by Microsoft and IDC Asia Pacific. – Vietnam News
Ex-Foreign Secretary Del Rosario held, questioned at Hong Kong airport
Former Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario, who filed a case for crimes against humanity at the International Criminal Court against Chinese President Xi Jinping last March, was held and questioned at the Hong Kong International Airport as he arrived there at 7.40 am today. – The Philippine Daily Inquirer