Google to invest $1 billion in Thailand data center, cloud AI Infrastructure

SEOUL, October 02 (AJP) - Google has announced a US$1 billion investment in Thailand to build a data center and cloud artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure. The tech giant said Monday it plans to construct a data center in Chonburi province near Bangkok and establish a Google Cloud region center in the capital city to meet the growing demand for cloud services and AI innovation in Southeast Asia. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra welcomed the investment, stating it &quo

October 2, 2024

Landslide kills 15 at illegal gold mine in Indonesia

SEOUL, September 30 (AJP) - A landslide triggered by heavy rains has claimed at least 15 lives and buried 25 others at an illegal gold mine on Indonesia's Sumatra island. The disaster occurred on Friday, in a remote area of West Sumatra province, according to news reports. Rescue efforts were initially hampered by blocked access roads to the remote mining site. Indonesian rescue officials reported three additional injuries and confirmed that search operations for those buried ar

September 30, 2024

Fake hotel websites plague Vietnamese resort town

SEOUL, September 30 (AJP) - Nha Trang, a popular resort town in southern Viet Nam, is facing a surge in hotel booking scams. Fraudsters are creating fake websites and social media pages for 4 and 5-star hotels and resorts, tricking tourists into paying for non-existent reservations. One victim from Hanoi lost about 700,000 won ($520) when attempting to book for a group of 12. Local police have reported nearly 100 similar cases. The scammers imitate pages of well-known establishments

September 30, 2024

Philippines aims to launch commercial nuclear power by 2032

SEOUL, September 27 (AJP) - The Philippine government has unveiled plans to start operating commercial nuclear power plants with a minimum capacity of 1,200 megawatts by 2032. Sharon Garin, Undersecretary of the Philippine Department of Energy, announced this goal at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) General Conference in Vienna, Austria. The country aims to gradually increase nuclear power capacity to 4,800 megawatts by 2050. In preparation for this nuclear initiative,

September 27, 2024

Indonesia applies to join CPTPP, aims for economic reform

SEOUL, September 27 (AJP) - Indonesia has officially applied to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), a Japan-led multilateral free trade agreement in the Asia-Pacific region. Indonesia's Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto announced that the country had sent a letter of application to New Zealand, aiming to become the 13th member of the CPTPP. Minister Airlangga said, "This decision is to structura

September 27, 2024

Pope urges release of Suu Kyi, offers Vatican refuge

SEOUL, September 26 (AJP) - Myanmar's ongoing crisis has drawn international attention, with Pope Francis calling for the release of detained State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi. According to Reuters on Wednesday, during his recent Asia tour, the pope revealed he had requested Suu Kyi's release and offered her safe haven in the Vatican. Suu Kyi, who led the National League for Democracy to victory in the 2020 election, has been imprisoned since the military coup in February 20

September 26, 2024

Indonesia's new capital secures first foreign investment

SEOUL, September 26 (AJP) - Indonesia's new capital, Nusantara, has attracted its first foreign investor as Chinese real estate firm Dellonix Group broke ground on a mixed-use commercial complex Wednesday. President Joko Widodo attended the groundbreaking ceremony, praising Dellonix as a pioneering foreign investor and expressing hope that it would inspire confidence in other potential investors. The company is investing 500 billion rupiah ($31.7 million) to build hotels, shoppi

September 26, 2024

Thai Baht surge sparks economic concerns, policy debate

SEOUL, September 25 (AJP) – The Thai baht surged to its strongest level against the U.S. dollar since February 2023 this week, raising concerns about potential harm to Thailand's export and tourism sectors. According to reports, the baht reached 32.86 to the U.S. dollar on Monday, its strongest level in about 17 months. Industry groups, including the Thai Chamber of Commerce, have urged the Bank of Thailand (BOT) to cut interest rates to mitigate the baht's rise.

September 25, 2024

Vietnamese captain gets 7 years for deadly tourist boat accident

SEOUL, September 25 (AJP) - A Vietnamese boat captain has been sentenced to seven years in prison for a 2022 accident that killed 17 tourists near Hoi An, a popular tourist destination. The Quang Nam Province People's Court found Le Sen, 54, guilty of violating maritime traffic regulations during the incident about 3 kilometers off the coast. The tragedy occurred on Feb. 26, 2022, when a motorboat carrying Sen, two crew members and 36 tourists capsized while returning from Ch

September 25, 2024