Business

As Thailand’s tourism economy begins to recover, authorities are warning inbound visitors about the dangers of smuggling in cheap fruit, a practice known as fruit smuggling. Thailand, a major exporter of tropical fruits, has put in place measures to safeguard its agricultural business and encourage sustainability. However, some visitors may attempt to avoid these laws in order to save money, …

Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) have denounced what they see as arbitrary immigration restrictions imposed on departing Filipinos, expressing concern about the impact on their livelihoods and families. The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) recently issued a memorandum circular limiting the departure of Filipino employees to specific nations, citing labor abuse and exploitation concerns. The OFW association, on the other hand, …

Wealthy Chinese residents in Singapore have a taste for luxury real estate and automobiles, although investment activity seems to be lagging, signaling a change in investment tendencies. According to recent reports, wealthy Chinese expats in Singapore are increasingly investing in high-end real estate and luxury automobiles in order to diversify their assets and enjoy the benefits of luxury living. The …

Recent cryptocurrency hearings in Singapore have revealed some legal idiosyncrasies and novelties, highlighting the need for clearer regulations. In a recent case, a judge ruled that cryptocurrencies are not securities and are therefore exempt from Singapore’s Monetary Authority’s regulatory supervision. Nonetheless, the same judge ruled that the exchange of cryptocurrencies falls under the Payment Services Act, which regulates payment systems …

Elon Musk is no longer the richest person in the world. The French fashion industry executive with a $211 billion fortune dethroned the Tesla founder and Twitter CEO from the top spot on Forbes’ 2023 billionaires list, the newspaper said Tuesday. Forbes reported that the 74-year-old CEO of LVMH, the parent company of over 70 high-end brands including Louis Vuitton, …

BDO Unibank, the largest bank in the Philippines, has partnered with Hyakujushi Bank, a regional bank established in Japan, in a move that will increase BDO’s presence in the Japanese market and provide enhanced financial services to both Japanese and Filipino customers. Under the terms of the agreement, BDO and Hyakujushi Bank will work together to provide trade financing, remittance …

According to a report by Bloomberg, the real estate market in Singapore is observing rapid growth as demand continues to remain high. This comes as no surprise. The price of private residential property in the first quarter of 2023 rose by 2.9%, which is a higher increase than the previous quarter’s 2.1% rise (which was the highest quarterly increase on …

Parisians and visitors alike will soon have access to thousands of new cafe terraces, as 4,000 new summer terraces are scheduled to open throughout the French metropolis. On April 1, Parisians may anticipate a proliferation of new outdoor dining alternatives to appear on the city’s sidewalks, streets, and parks. The new terraces are part of a revitalization plan for Parisian …

Changi Airport in Singapore has been facing delays and longer-than-usual wait periods at its terminal checks, aggravating passengers and pushing the airport administration to take action. According to sources, the delays have been caused by the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority’s (ICA) delayed clearance procedures, resulting in lengthier lines and wait times for travelers. At peak hours, delays of up to …

Klook, Asia’s travel and experiences platform, announced that it is seeing robust recovery in Thailand, with growth that has more than quadrupled for three consecutive quarters, highlighting the company’s strong momentum and dedication to driving Thailand’s tourist revival. With the elimination of travel restrictions and the reopening of all borders, interest in Thailand as a tourist destination continues to increase …