TOP NEWS HEADLINES IN CAMBODIA, INDONESIA, MYANMAR, SINGAPORE, THAILAND & VIETNAM: NOV 15, 2024

CAMBODIA

1.OVER A MILLION VISITORS ATTEND WATER FESTIVAL -- AGENCE KAMPUCHEA PRESSE

More than a million local and foreign visitors attended the first day of the three-day water festival in Phnom Penh, which hosted the colourful annual event. The boat race was the major attraction and this year nearly 350 boats participated in the competition that started yesterday.

2.CIVIL SOCIETY CALLS FOR GLOBAL SUPPORT TO ADDRESS CLIMATE CHANGE -- KIRIPOST

Cambodian civil society is urging international support to tackle the impact of climate change in country. More than 100 groups united to call for action while the 2024 United Nations Climate Change Conference is being held in Azerbaijan.

INDONESIA

1.'NO PROBLEM' WITH JOINING OECD AND BRICS: PRABOWO -- THE JAKARTA POST

President Prabowo Subianto says he seeks to maximize what Indonesia can gain from its membership in multilateral organizations, such as the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the BRICS group of emering economies.

2.INDON ESIA'S 'UNDERGROUND ECONOMY' COULD UNLOCK TRILLIONS, BUT AT A COST -- JAKARTA GLOBE

The Indonesian government is conducting a study on the underground economy, which encompasses tax evasion and other illegal activities. According to Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati, there is significant untapped potential for state revenue from these underground activities.

MYANMAR

1. RUSSIA-MYANMAR DISCUSS DEEPENING BILATERAL TRADE -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR

A Russian Buryatia delegation arrived in Nay Pyi Taw on Thursday to discuss enhancing cooperation across various sectors, including agriculture, banking, investment, health, tourism and education. The officials were from Buryatiya, a republic of Russia in eastern Siberia.

2.CLAMPING DOWN ILLEGAL TIMBER TRADE -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR

Authorities carried out raids to combat timber smuggling activities and seized teak and hardwood, both weighing more than 45 tonnes. During the same operation, smuggled consumer goods and vehicles used to transport illegal goods were captured.

SINGAPORE

1.S’PORE FIRMS CAPTURED $5.45 BILLION IN VENTURE CAPITAL IN FIRST 9 MONTHS OF 2024 DESPITE SLUMP -- THE STRAITS TIMES

Despite a slump in funding, Singapore’s venture capital market remained active in the first nine months of 2024.

2.'WALLABY NASI LEMAK': HOW AN AUSTRALIAN MILITARY CAMP KITCHEN WHIPS UP SINGAPORE FARE -- CNA

In a spotless kitchen tucked away in a military camp in Queensland, Australia, a handful of chefs busy themselves preparing dinner for the night.

THAILAND 

1. THAIS URGED TO CHANGE HABITS AS DIABETES CASES CROSS 6.5 MILLION -- The Nation

Health minister Somsak Thepsutin says experts estimate that as many as 40% of those with type 2 diabetes are undiagnosed

2. PM ADVANCES KEY AGENDAS AT APEC FORUM -- Bangkok Post

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra will meet Chinese President Xi Jinping and other world leaders at the four-day 31st Apec Economic Leaders' Meeting, which began on Thursday in Lima, Peru. 

VIETNAM

1.EXPERTS WANT IN-DEPTH STUDY ON PROPOSED ALCOHOL TAX -- VIETNAM NEWS

Economists want a thorough study before the government imposes a special consumption tax on alcoholic beverages that will see tax double from 2026 to 2030. They urge tax hikes to be delayed until 2027 as the move will impact the economy.

2.SKILLS TO PROTECT NATION’S MARINE LIFE -- VIETNAMPLUS

The Department of Fisheries is training fishermen and marine workers from provinces and cities on rescuing sea turtles and marine mammals. Participants are learning rescuing skills, becoming ambassadors for marine environment protection and promoting conservation awareness in the community.

-- BERNAMA