Bangkok’s central bank cut its key interest rate by a quarter point for the second time on Wednesday ( Apr 30 ) to help a struggling economy that is unsure of the impact of US tariffs. The monetary policy committee at the Bank of Thailand approved a 25 basis pointContinue Reading
Trump has argued that tariffs may help stabilize the country’s trillion-dollar trade deficit and encourage production. He has even suggested using tariffs as a negotiating tool to remove taxes as part of the government’s profits, occasionally in the same meeting.
These objectives do not all inevitably help one another. Imports may decline along with tax revenue if he were to recapture America. Different nations would find innovative ways to satisfy him rather than making a possible risky investment in American manufacturing if he searches for bargains.
Nations are still left to guess what Mr. Trump wants without a clear description of how these targets are prioritized.
A deal might not be feasible in some circumstances. Actually if Vietnam eliminated tariffs on US products, according to White House Trade Advisor Peter Navarro, it would still be inappropriate because of “non-tariff cheating” measures like introducing a value-added income, according to Navarro. There is very little any nation may give an administration that views itself as a victim of what some people refer to as conventional economic practices.
This pervasive ambiguity is wreaking havoc with international business, the very program that America built, and which many East Asian economies rely on to support their growth. The region may also encounter a bumpy street ahead as supply chains coordinate and businesses are forced to conform, even if the trade war doesn’t rise further.
Thai to experience a raise in soft power
PUBLISHED: 30 Apr 2025 at 04: 43
After speaking at a Brics gathering of leading emerging market economy in Brazil, foreign affairs minister Maris Sangiampongsa stated that Thailand would develop more global partnerships and encourage Muay Thai as a form of soft power.
At the offer of his Brazilian rival, Mauro Vieira, Mr. Maris took part in the Brics Foreign Ministers meeting on Tuesday as part of the Brics Partnership Session in Rio de Janeiro.
The team has 11 part nations, including three that are incredibly popular with Thai visitors: China, India, and Russia, and have a lot of financial potential.
Mr. Maris stated that Thailand is prepared to expand its bilateral cooperation with Brazil in places like food security, people health, agriculture, and natural strength.
Thailand’s standard membership in a Brics gathering as a partner country is its second, according to Mr. Maris, who described it as a beneficial opportunity to contribute to developing cooperation among developing nations.
Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates are currently Brics users.
The minister also attended the Muay Thai Master Class’s opening ceremony in Rio de Janeiro, which was a collaboration between the Thai Subcommittee on Sports Industry Promotion, the Sports Authority of Thailand ( SAT ), the Thai Embassy in Brasil, and the Brazilian Muay Thai Confederation.
During the competition, renowned soldiers were present to teach their combat skills to more than 300 members.
According to Mr. Maris, Muay Thai is one of Thailand’s strongest types of soft power because it is well-known worldwide, has a lot of potential for growth, and has a lot of financial benefit. He claimed that the government is totally committed to supporting it both domestically and internationally.
From May 1 through May 1, Mathias Cormann, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development ( OECD ) secretary-general, will be visiting Thailand as a guest of the ministry of foreign affairs.
Since the start of Thailand’s OECD Accession Process, Mr. Cormann will be making his next trip.
He did speak with senior government and parliamentary tree staff, take part in the 7th OECD Southeast Asia Regional Forum, which Thailand and the OECD jointly host on May 2. The OECD and Southeast Asia: Partnership for Prosperity will be the design of the event.
The OECD Southeast Asia Regional Forum serves as a forum for dialogue within Thailand’s OECD Southeast Asia Regional Programme ( SEARP ), which Thailand co-founded in 2014.
Thailand has hosted the event for the second time this year. The country will share its powerful close cooperation with the OECD at different levels to encourage greater cooperation between the organization and Southeast Asia.
Thailand joined the OECD in 2024 with the intention of boosting the nation’s competitiveness and increasing the number of people’s incomes.
Thai kickboxing Thai will experience a boost in power
PUBLISHED: 30 Apr 2025 at 04: 43
After speaking at a Brics gathering of leading emerging market economy in Brazil, foreign affairs minister Maris Sangiampongsa stated that Thailand would develop more global partnerships and encourage Muay Thai as a form of soft power.
At the offer of his Portuguese rival, Mauro Vieira, Mr. Maris took part in the Brics Foreign Ministers meeting on Tuesday as part of the Brics Partnership Session in Rio de Janeiro.
The team has 11 part nations, including three that have high financial potential and are highly popular with Thai visitors: China, India, and Russia.
Mr. Maris stated that Thailand and Brazil have the potential to expand their bilateral cooperation in areas like food security, public health, agriculture, and green energy.
Thailand’s official participation in a Brics meeting as a partner country is its first, according to Mr. Maris, who described it as a valuable opportunity to contribute to fostering cooperation among developing nations.
Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates are currently Brics members.
The minister was present at the Muay Thai Master Class’s ceremony in Rio de Janeiro, a collaboration between the Thai Embassy in Brasil, the Sports Authority of Thailand ( SAT ), the Brazilian Muay Thai Confederation, and Thailand’s subcommittee on sports industry promotion.
Over 300 participants were able to learn from renowned fighters at the event.
According to Mr. Maris, Muay Thai is one of Thailand’s strongest forms of soft power because it is well-known worldwide, has a lot of potential for growth, and has a lot of economic value. He claimed that the government is fully committed to supporting it both domestically and internationally.
From May 1 through May 1, Mathias Cormann, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development ( OECD ) secretary-general, will be visiting Thailand as a guest of the ministry of foreign affairs.
Since the start of Thailand’s OECD Accession Process, Mr. Cormann will be making his second trip.
He will speak with senior government and legislative branch representatives and take part in the seventh OECD Southeast Asia Regional Forum, which Thailand and the OECD jointly host on May 2. The OECD and Southeast Asia: Partnership for Prosperity will be the theme of the event.
The OECD Southeast Asia Regional Forum, which Thailand co-founded in 2014, serves as a forum for dialogue under the SEARP.
Thailand has hosted the event for the third time this year. The kingdom will share its successful close cooperation with the OECD on a variety of levels to encourage greater Southeast Asian cooperation.
Thailand joined the OECD in 2024 with the intention of boosting the nation’s competitiveness and increasing the number of people’s incomes.
According to a recent poll conducted by Japan’s left-leaning Asahi Shimbun paper, US President Donald Trump’s increased taxes, destructive foreign policy, and insulting errors are alienating the populace. Similar destruction to confidence was found in a previous ballot in Taiwan.
The Asahi poll, which was conducted from late February through early April and was published in Japanese on April 27, yielded the next findings:
Is it preferable to accept or adopt an impartial position in US conversations?
Agree: 24 %
Taking a stand alone: 66 %
Do the US actually protect Japan in an emergency?
Well: 15 %
I don’t think so: 77 %
The international community” cannot rely very much on the United States” to maintain peace, according to 48 % of respondents, and 6 % said they” cannot rely at all on the United States.”
Only 43 % of respondents said that American democracy is setting a good example for other nations, compared to 54 % who said it is.
However, almost two-thirds of respondents do not want the Chinese government to change its “diplomatic goal” from the US to Asia, including China, despite the fact that the majority of respondents said Japan should be more impartial. Just 16 % of people believed that would be a wise decision.  ,
According to The Asahi, “in previous surveys, skeptics about Japan’s security plan were at most only under 60 %,” but this figure stands out.
In Taiwan, a recent poll conducted by the Taiwan Public Opinion Foundation found that 81.9 % of respondents thought Trump’s 32 % “reciprocal” tariffs were unreasonable, while 86.4 % anticipated they would have a significant impact on the country’s economy.
This implies that Trump’s taxes have created a profound and common sense of crisis in the Taiwanese public, according to the Foundation.
Additionally, only 31.4 % of Taiwanese respondents said they thought the US was still dependable despite being asked if Taiwan had still rely on it.
The majority of Japanese have lost confidence in the US as a result of Trump’s actions, especially the impact of the novel taxes, according to Foundation Chairman Michael You Ying-lung, who was cited by the South China Morning Post. When 57 % of Americans say the US is no longer reliable, that is more than just a statistical shift; it could also represent a turning point in public opinion.
It could also be a temporary emotional response, he added,” of course.” Depending on how Trump’s Taiwan plan develops,”…
However, Max Lo, senior director of the Taiwan International Strategic Study Society, said,” There’s a growing concern that Trump might handle Taiwan the same way he treats Ukraine, requiring more, offering less, and blaming the target when things go wrong.
At a legislative hearing the week before last, Shinji Oguma, a member of the Chinese opposition, compared President Trump to” a delinquent child extorting one.” If Japan complies with his “impossible demands of negotiation and offers,” it may set a bad case [once more ] if you get mugged and put cash in their hands.
Oguma expressed concern about the lack of emotional support for Trump from Chinese government authorities. Oguma stated this just two weeks after Minister of Economic Revitalization Ryosei Akazawa flew to Washington, DC to explore tariffs and trade.
Minister Akazawa is a ready and serious person, but is it secure for a significant person to travel there? You should never make compromises to someone who is not right, either, because he is not a direct person, so he didn’t listen to our right talk.
I sincerely hope you will never offer in to American fraudsters.
The Jakarta Globe, The Times of India, and Sankei Shimbun, Japan’s right-wing publication, all covered this history. The YouTube videos names almost 7, 000 comments and has 1.5 million views.
Oguma, a representative of Fukushima’s main opposition party in the House of Representatives, has the authority to say what Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and his officials can’t or would prefer not to do.
Oguma traveled to the Foreign Correspondents ‘ Club of Japan on April 28 to develop on his notes and share his thoughts on the state of US-Japan relationships.
He emphasized that Japan should consider multilateralism rather than bilateralism in order to counteract their detrimental effects on the global market, noting that Trump’s tax and money policies don’t make sense.
Oguma is no anti-American. In truth, he is pro-American and has a certain fondness for British movies. He suggested that the council members view The Apprentice, the 2024 film about Trump’s first occupation, to learn about who he is and what he learned from his coach, Roy Cohn.
During America’s anti-communist Red Scare in the first 1950s, Cohn served as Senator Joe McCarthy’s general guidance. Trump presents the infamous Cohn with fake diamonds cuff links with the name” Trump” engraved on them in the video.
Oguma questioned whether US-Japan relations could regain their pre-Trump level, claiming that the empire has endurance, that Chinese people do not view Trump as America, and that a profit to civility is required. He doesn’t think that Japan has lost faith in the United States.
This might well be the case, according to surveys conducted by the Pew Research Center. According to them, the proportion of Japanese respondents who favor the US has decreased from 72 % in 2016 to 41 % in 2020, and is expected to increase to 70 % in 2024 under President Biden. As seen by the Biden leap, it appears as though Trump has already reached a new low, but it might immediately rise under his leadership.
In contrast, Japan is no choosing between the US and Asia, but rather is paying close attention to both, contrary to the arbitrary paradox posed by Asahi’s public opinion surveys.
Prime Minister Ishiba traveled to Hanoi on Sunday to initiate a conversation with Vietnam and the Philippines about trade and protection. Ishiba traveled to Southeast Asia for the second time since taking office as prime minister in October.
Following this writer on , X: @ScottFo83517667
China has spent the majority of the past two decades spluttering up friends both domestically and abroad. At the end of March, two rounds of ministerial meetings with local foes Japan and South Korea took place in Tokyo and Seoul.
And earlier in April, the red carpet was draped around the Spanish president, Pedro Sanchez, for his next trip to Beijing in less than seven times. This occurred just before the Taiwanese president, Xi Jinping, made his first overseas vacation of the year in 2025, conducting a charm offensive against Vietnam, Malaysia, and Cambodia.
Donald Trump, who has returned to the White House has undoubtedly skewed the restrictions between friend and foe, is at the heart of these political maneuvers.
China, Japan, and South Korea have all previously used caution when interacting with one another. This is the result of royal anger, conflicted territorial issues, and conflicting safety positions with the US.
However, the volatility of the Trump administration, which has most recently been demonstrated by the implementation of severe business taxes, appears to be bringing the three nations closer up.
Their respective governments agreed to increase the Secretary-General and DSL Secretaries ‘ terms of office from two to three at the ministerial meeting in Tokyo in March. In an effort to encourage cooperation between the three countries, this also largely unknown foreign organization was established in 2011.
The decision represents a growing increasing mutual confidence between these countries, despite what appears to be a minor administrative adjustment. Wang Yi, the country’s foreign minister, has made it clear that the extension represents a complete support for the organization’s function. China has then requested that Japan respond to US taxes in a planned manner.
China sought to strengthen corporate ties and argue its leadership as a result of this renewed interest in local assistance.
China put together a sophisticated political plan for Xi’s visit to Vietnam. It sought to reaffirm” comrades and brothers” ‘ ideological ties and counteract Hanoi’s new deepening relationships with Washington.
To Lam, the general secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam, stated after speaking with Xi that his nation has always viewed developing relations with China as” a proper decision and top goal.”
Malaysia, on the other hand, is one of the first countries to support Xi’s name Belt and Road Initiative. It became a “partner state” in the BRICS team of emerging markets in 2025 and is now the chairman of the ASEAN team of South Asian states. In order to coordinate China’s relationships with the alliance, Malaysia now has a key role.
Anwar Ibrahim, the Malay prime minister, made the connection between the two nations apparent during Xi’s visit. In response to US risks, he claimed that Malaysia” stands with China.” One of China’s major trading lovers is Malaysia.
Cambodia is even regarded as one of Beijing’s most steadfast allies in Southeast Asia. In honor of China’s contribution to Cambodia’s advancement, it perhaps gave the name” Xi Jinping Avenue” as a name for a road in the funds, Phnom Penh, in May 2024.
For Xi’s most recent attend, the government made all the stops. Norodom Sihamoni, the king of Cambodia, individually welcomed Xi at the airport in a never-before-seen split from protocol. Additionally, the two nations increased their ties to an “all-weather” agreement, which suggests that their relationship is adaptable to physical changes.
Sanchez’s April attend to Beijing, on the other hand, marked a crucial turning point for bilateral relations between China and the EU. Following the US tariff increase, Xi demanded that the EU and China” simultaneously resist unilateral bullying.” This seems to have had a positive impact in Madrid.
The Spanish committee emphasized that Washington’s tariff increases were “neither good nor only” and had hurt the EU economy. Additionally, it stated that Europe may” strengthen unity and cooperation to protect its own pursuits.”
Some leaders have expressed an interest in stabilizing relations with Beijing, and this message appears to be reaching out to wider European lines. For instance, Union von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, has had” creative” conversations with Taiwanese Premier Li Qiang to discuss potential business problems brought on by US taxes.
However, the EU is faced with an apparent choice: whether to engage China as a substitute financial partner or rebel against a possible rise in redirected Foreign exports that would threaten European industries and worsen already-existing political tensions.
Spain, for its part, makes its own proper decisions. Madrid’s desire to become the world’s leader in alternative energy is highlighted by Sanchez’s return to China, where Foreign investment is anticipated to be key.
This helps clarify why Sanchez remarked that” Europe needs to evaluate this choice when asked about the EU’s tax legislation on China during a media briefing in September 2024. Spain finally decided to withdraw from the EU’s decision to impose levies on China’s electric vehicle industry.
China’s message to the world is obvious. It supports free trade and has a steady partner. In the face of growing political uncertainty, whether China can inspire the world to trust its leadership is a question that remains open.
Ming Gao is a study professor at Lund University studying East Asia.
This content was republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the text of the content.
The rapid implementation of interactive technologies and a growing commitment to sustainability are driving a tectonic shift in the home entertainment and gambling sectors. Leaders from across Asia and beyond discussed how virtual reality (VR ), augmented reality ( AR ), and artificial intelligence ( AI ) are changing both guest experiences and the environmental footprint of major attractions at the recent GTI Southeast Asia Expo.
Engaging solutions are at the forefront.
VR and AR are no longer novelties of the future; they are now at the center of the creation of new monuments and the rebirth of old ones. Universal Studios Singapore is preparing to launch Super Nintendo World, where trips like Mario Kart easily combine traditional walk architecture and cutting-edge VR, giving guests a hyper-immersive experience that reacts to their actions in real time, according to Philip Whittaker, CEO of NEXR Entertainment. In China’s future Legoland parks, mingled truth and holographic sets are integrated, creating interactive situations that meld digital and physical universes for visitors of all ages.
Smaller family entertainment centers ( FECs ) are also embracing these technologies. Experiences range from brief, four- to five-minute VR games to more, free-roaming journeys like those provided by Zero Latency, which brings high-end technology to neighborhood shopping centers and community spaces. With leaderboards, partner apps, and AI-powered loyalty programs, these improvements are not just about spectacles; they are also meant to enhance social conversation, competition, and personalization.
As DNA transitions its sustainability coverage to a stand-alone news site, please read the full article at https ://oursustainabilitymatters.com/the-next-level-how-vr-ar-and-ai-are-powering-a-greener-future-for-family-entertainment/.
The Trump taxes give Indonesia a boost to change its economic plan by diversifying its cooperation and partnerships. Through these actions, Indonesia maintains its impartiality to big powers while exerting its impact in local affairs, which also contributes to the nation’s “free and energetic” foreign policy.  ,
First of all, the levies offer an opportunity to improve the relationship between the US and Indonesia. Mr. Prabowo called Mr. Trump to congratulate him on winning the election, and the two men exchanged warm terms.
One of Indonesia’s most important security and economic colleagues is still the US. The two nations pledged to work toward a stronger and more productive Indo-Pacific by elevating their relationship status to a” complete proper relationship” in 2023.
While this was the case during the administrations of their predecessors Joe Biden and Joko Widodo, Indonesia should think about reaffirming the relationship and discussing its future plans when negotiating with the US on business. By doing this, Indonesia both emphasizes its commitment to the area and points out its credibility as a trusted US companion in Southeast Asia.
Additionally, it is possible for Indonesia and the US to look into new trade routes, such as those involving crucial materials, which Indonesia is a big supplier of.
PUBLISHED: 27 Apr 2025 at 03: 33
The Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning ( ONEP ) reports that Phra Prang of Bangkok’s Wat Arun Ratchawararam has been added to the UN Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization ( UNESCO ) World Heritage Tentative List, which is a significant step toward its designation as a World Heritage Site.
The Unesco World Heritage Committee recently confirmed that Phra Prang, the classic prang-shaped chandni, at Wat Arun has been added to the preliminary record under the social group, according to Onep secretary-general Chayanan Pakdeejit, who announced on Friday that the company had received a formal verification letter from the Unesco World Heritage Committee.
According to him, the building’s remarkable historical and architectural significance is in line with Unesco’s Standards I and II for thought as a World Heritage Site.
Wat Arun’s Phra Prang is recognized as a remarkable instance of Buddhist chedi infrastructure under Criteria I.
Its distinctive form, construction methods, symbolic meaning, and complicated artistic decoration make it stand out as a masterpiece.
It is regarded as the most wonderful prang-shaped chedi in Thailand and Southeast Asia because of its huge size and rich detail.
According to Mr. Chayanan, the architectural style of Phra Prang reflects the influence of Ayutthaya-era art from both the early ( 15th century ) and later ( 18th century ) periods.
Its design evolved over time, incorporating unique characteristics that determine who it is. The Rattanakosin period ( 19th century ) is thus unmatched in Thailand and all of Asia as a unique picture of that time.
Thailand did post complete registration records to the Unesco commission during the World Heritage Committee meeting in Paris in July, according to Mr. Chayanan.
In light of potential trade tensions, Breton Technology plans to raise HK$ 30 million ( US$ 30 million ) from its Hong Kong initial public offering ( IPO ) in response to Chinese electric vehicle maker Xpeng.
According to a filing to the Hong Kong stock exchange on Friday, the Shanghai-based company intends to sell 13 million shares for HK$ 18 each, which would put it at about HK$ 6.8 billion following the IPO. On May 7, the property is anticipated to begin trading.
According to China Insights Consultancy, Breton ranked second in supplies of battery-electric widebody dump cars with power powers greater than 650 kilowatt-hours between 2022 and 2024. It accounted for 18.3 % of the new-energy widebody chuck vehicle market in China last year, putting it fourth among all producers.
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However, due to significant upfront investments in product development and an increase in raw material and component costs, its net loss increased 20 % year on year to 274.5 million yuan ( US$ 37.5 million ) in 2024.
According to the business,” major rises in shipping prices and the prices of organic materials or components may result from currency fluctuations, tariffs, or fluctuations in gas offer, along with other economic or political conditions,” according to the registration. Any significant increase in these charges may result in higher operating costs and potential lower profit margins.
Breton stated that it would concentrate its growth on Africa, Middle East, and Southeast Asia. We do not anticipate the rising US-China tensions having a major impact on our organization, it said.
More than 100 companies have been waiting in the area since late 2024, and Hong Kong’s Investor market has remained resilient in spite of international conflicts stoked by the US’ “reciprocal” taxes. In the first quarter, 15 businesses raised almost triple the amount raised by KPMG, which is second place globally for Investments.
Among Breton’s owners are state-owned bank Hunan Xiangtan Caixin, private equity firm Rockets Capital, owned by Shenzhen-listed Broad-Ocean Motor, and Shenzhen-listed Broad-Ocean Motor.
The main investors are Changfeng Asset Management and Hong Kong-based Changfeng Xinwei Electronic, who both agreed to subscribe to HK$ 63.5 million, or roughly 27 % of the stocks on offer.
Breton intends to use the Investor proceeds to invest in tech, create new goods and services, set up manufacturing facilities, and buy machinery.
Joint partners of the Offering are China International Capital Corporation and CMB International.
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