These are the top stories making the front pages of major newspapers from across Southeast Asia today.
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Bulk of bus tickets for S'pore-Malaysia VTL still available despite technical problems on first day
Some 4,400 bus tickets have been snapped up for quarantine-free land travel between Singapore and Johor Baru on the first day that they went on sale.
Three-quarters of the tickets were for journeys from here to Malaysia, while the rest were for trips in the other direction, the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) said in response to queries.
While demand for tickets is likely to remain high, the majority of tickets for the first 30 days of the land vaccinated travel lane (VTL) - that starts next Monday (Nov 29) - are still available, it added on Thursday. - Straits Times
'Combat fake news on vax, booster shot'
As a fourth coronavirus wave looms, it is crucial that the government take proactive steps to combat fake news and widespread mistrust of Covid-19 vaccines and booster shots.
Alliance for Safe Community chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said it was necessary to mitigate fear among the people for better pandemic preparedness and control.
"It is speculated that a spike in cases is a possible outcome of the recent political activity leading up to the Melaka election last Saturday. - New Straits Times
Unverified claim suggests 'Boss' hiding in Austria
Red Bull scion Vorayuth "Boss" Yoovidhya, wanted for an infamous hit-and-run case from 2012, is believed to be in Austria, though the Royal Thai Police (RTP) have no evidence of his residency there.
The claim was made by vice chairman of the House committee on police affairs, Sanya Nilsupan, after a meeting with the RTP that concentrated on Mr Vorayuth's whereabouts.
Mr Sanya said the search for Mr Vorayuth is still on, and that the police believe the fugitive is living in Austria. - Bangkok Post
Reforms helped PH attain 'modest' defense integrity rating: DND
Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said the country's Defense System of Management played a key role in the rating given by Transparency International in its Government Defence Integrity Index 2020 Report.
The Defense System of Management refers to the DND's judicious use of resources in its acquisitions for the continued improvement of Philippine defense capabilities, as well as the consistent upholding of transparency and accountability in all procurement processes.
"We have taken note of the published Government Defence Integrity Index 2020 report from Transparency International, that ranked the Philippines in Band C. A cursory look at the report showed that the Philippines has been classified as having 'moderate' risk overall, the only Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) country together with Singapore to be in the same bracket," Lorenzana said in a statement Thursday night. - Philippine News Agency
COVID-19 cases, deaths on the rise in HCM City
The HCM City Department of Health has released new guidance for home-based care of patients with mild or moderate COVID-19 symptoms amid a surge in new COVID-19 cases, hospitalisations and deaths in the past week.
The number of new cases in the city steadily increased over the past weeks, reaching 1,666 cases on Wednesday.
The city recorded four consecutive days with an increase in deaths, with 50 on Sunday, 55 on Monday, 59 on Tuesday, and 62 on Wednesday. Last week, the city recorded fewer than 30 deaths a day. - Vietnam News
Water Festival holidays inflamed mild C-19 symptoms among some revellers
With almost one million people out during the recent Water Festival holidays, a few hundred of them were found with mild symptoms of the Covid-19, thanks to the majority of them being double vaccinated.
All of them are undergoing home treatment with some having recovered fully within three to four days.
World Health Organization representative to Cambodia Dr Li Ailan told Khmer Times yesterday that there may be a surge in cases with Cambodia reopening but the most important factor is to maintain community safety as people will recover fast from the mild symptoms. - Khmer Times
Soldiers cordon off houses of NLD officials in Tanintharyi
Soldiers in Tanintharyi Region on Monday cordoned off the homes of a regional minister and a lawmaker for the National League for Democracy (NLD), both of whom went into hiding in the wake of the February 1 coup.
Some 60 soldiers travelling in 4 trucks arrived at the house of Myint San, the ousted agriculture minister, in Minyat village, Launglon Township, to seal off his house, a local told Myanmar Now.
“The soldiers asked the villagers where Myint San’s house was and sealed it right away,” the local said. - Myanmar NOW
BRIN supports ASEAN to create artificial intelligence development plan
The National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) supports the establishment of a roadmap for artificial intelligence (AI) development in ASEAN to facilitate the advancement of the ASEAN community in various sectors, including the creative industry.
Head of BRIN Laksana Tri Handoko made the remarks here on Thursday while opening the 'ASEAN Workshop on the 4th Industrial Revolution: Implementation of Artificial Intelligence in the Creative Industries'. The workshop is being held on November 25–26, 2021 in a hybrid format.
"The results of the workshop will serve as a reference for establishing a roadmap for research and development of artificial intelligence in ASEAN," he stated. - AntaraNews.Com