According to the WB’s latest report on the Lao economy, GDP growth in 2025 is projected at 4.2%, driven by a rebound in tourism, transport services, and continued expansion of the resource sector.
The Philippine Government has decided to extend its ban on sugar imports until the end of December 2026, as domestic supply has improved. The move aims to continue protecting farmers and domestic producers, as well as stabilising the market.
The number of people living around the volcano in the alert and standby status is estimated to reach 15 million. Therefore, preparedness and compliance with recommendations are important to minimise the risk of disasters.
Indonesia plans to raise minimum wages by about 5-7% in 2026 under a new formula signed into law by President Prabowo Subianto, a move that could test the country’s cost competitiveness in Southeast Asia.
An Indonesian official has urged the public and all stakeholders to support the development of a healthy and high-integrity digital financial asset and crypto ecosystem that prioritises consumer protection.
The recent mergers of provinces and cities have opened up new development space and provided a strong boost to FDI attraction across the southern key economic region.
Throughout 2025, the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) has reaffirmed its role as the central regulatory authority in managing monetary policy, stabilising the financial market, and maintaining macroeconomic balance. Closely monitoring international and domestic economic trends, the SBV steered the monetary policy proactively while closely coordinating with the fiscal policy to achieve the dual objective of controlling inflation and supporting growth.
Vietnam’s projected GDP growth of around 8% in 2025 shows that its economy is on an impressive growth trajectory, driven by multiple reinforcing engines, said Professor Reena Marwah from the University of Delhi, and Secretary-General of the Association of Asia Scholars (AAS).
Indonesian police conducted comprehensive security sweeps across Jakarta on December 21, as part of a nationwide security campaign known as "Operasi Lilin 2025" (Operation Candle), which aimsl to secure the country’s year-end festivities.
ASEAN Chair Malaysia underscored the importance of maintaining regional peace and stability, while calling on Cambodia and Thailand to fully implement agreements already signed in order to resolve the prolonged tensions along their shared border.
At 9:21 on December 21 (local time), a 5.6-magnitude earthquake struck the Ternate area in Indonesia's North Maluku province. The epicentre was located offshore, about 132 km northwest of Jailolo, at a depth of 30 km. The quake was caused by rock deformation along the Maluku Sea tectonic plate, with a reverse faulting mechanism.
Bangkok welcomed over 30.3 million international visitors this year, surpassing Hong Kong (China), London (the UK), and Paris (France).
The performance of the Malaysian economy partly reflects sound economic management, as the government has maintained prudent macroeconomic and fiscal policies, said an IMF official.
The Office of Agricultural Economics (OAE) under Thailand’s Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives forecasts that the country’s agricultural economy will grow at a slightly slower but still robust pace of 2–3% in 2026.
An international drug syndicate was busted after Malaysian police seized over 18 tonnes of drugs worth nearly 375 million USD in one of the country’s biggest drug busts on record.
Chea Serey, governor of the National Bank of Cambodia, and Bounkham Vorachit, governor of the Bank of Laos, presided over the launching event held in Phnom Penh.
The Indonesian government said about 14.7 million informal micro enterprises entered the formal sector in 2025, driven by policies to boost productivity, competitiveness and integration into the national economy.
Indonesia's rice production in 2025 is projected to reach 34.77 million tonnes, up 13.54% year on year, driven by favourable weather and farmer support policies under President Prabowo Subianto’s administration.
According to data compiled by the Ministry of Tourism, the number of tourists from Malaysia reached 2.18 million in the January-October 2025 period, showing a growth of 15.91% compared to last year. Meanwhile, the number of visitors from Singapore totaled 1.19 million this year, growing by 7.66% from 2024.
All construction activities at IKN are aimed at ensuring the city is prepared to assume its role as the political capital by 2028, OIKN Secretary Bimo Adi Nursanthyasto said on December 18.
Indonesia is also actively seeking cooperation with nations that play strategic roles in the global semiconductor supply chain, aiming to develop the industry while strengthening infrastructure for artificial intelligence (AI).
Laos is Thailand’s 7th largest trading partner in ASEAN and 18th globally. From January to October 2025, two-way trade grew by 18.65% to 8.18 billion USD, with Thai exports increasing by 16.90% to 4.81 billion USD and imports rising by 21.23% to 3.60 billion USD.
Thailand expressed openness to further collaboration on railway systems, maintenance technology, and workforce development—areas where Japan is recognised as a global leader.
Experts attributed the worrying trend to factors like people not spending within their means, consumer culture emphasising prestige items, and easier access to credit like “buy now, pay later” services. Analysts said this can be a hint of growing financial pressures faced by Singaporeans amid rising prices.
General Secretary of the Paraguayan Communist Party (PCP) Najeeb Amado said there remains significant potential for bilateral cooperation, ranging from scientific and technological exchanges, education and university-level training, to trade, technology transfer and sustainable development.
Citilink now operates daily Jakarta – Bangkok flights with Airbus A320 aircraft, adding over 5,000 seats per month to Thailand’s air capacity.
Indonesia will revoke 22 forestry permits across the country after deadly floods and landslides devastated parts of the northwestern island of Sumatra.
A major fire that broke out on the morning of December 15 devastated Kramat Jati, Jakarta's largest wholesale food market, destroying at least 350 kiosks.
