Top News Headlines In Cambodia, indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand & Vietnam : June 3, 2025

CAMBODIA 

1.INFORMAL SECTOR VITAL FOR NATIONAL GROWTH -- AGENCE KAMPUCHEA PRESSE 

Prime Minister Hun Manet said that the informal sector remains a pillar of the national economy. The government aims to reduce the sector to ensure more workers and businesses can enjoy legal protections, social security and other government assistance.

2.ALL CAMBODIA-THAI BORDER CROSSINGS REMAIN OPEN -- AGENCE KAMPUCHEA PRESSE 

All Cambodian-Thai border crossings and checkpoints remain open and activities are normal. The six main border crossings and 10 checkpoints between both countries are key for cross-border trade and tourism activities.

INDONESIA

1.PRABOWO VOWS TO CLEAN HOUSE AMID CALLS FOR RESHUFFLE -- THE JAKARTA POST

President Prabowo Subianto has issued a veiled warning to his cabinet ministers amid new pressure for a reshuffle, saying that he will not hesitate to remove any government official involved in corruption as he reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to clean governance.

2.FOREIGN TOURIST ARRIVALS UP 9 PCT, MALAYSIANS AND AUSTRALIANS LEAD VISITOR NUMBERS -- JAKARTA GLOBE

Indonesia welcomed over 1.16 million foreign tourists in April 2025, marking an 18.26 per cent increase from the previous month and a 9.15 per cent rise compared to the same period last year, according to data released by Statistics Indonesia (BPS) on Monday.

LAOS

1.LAOS INKS GLOBAL CONVENTION TO RESOLVE DISPUTES -- VIENTIANE TIMES

Laos has signed the Convention on the Establishment of the International Organisation for Mediation to resolve global disputes. The signing will enhance Laos' legal cooperation and foster stronger trade and diplomatic ties with other countries.

2.LAOS BEGINS FRESH MANGO EXPORTS TO CHINA -- VIENTIANE TIMES

Laos exported 90 metric tonnes of fresh mangoes to China, its first shipment of the fruit to the neighbouring market. The shipment followed an agreement signed by both countries in 2023 to export fresh mangoes. Laos will export 1,500 metric tonnes to China. 

MYANMAR

1.LOCAL PAWSAN RICE VARIETY TO GAIN GI TAG -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR

Myanmar is applying for the Geographical Indication (GI) status for Myanma Pawsan Rice. The rice grain won the World’s Best Rice award at the World Rice Conference in 2011 in Vietnam. The original Pawsan cultivation dates back to 1922 in the Ayeyarwady Region.   

2.OVER FIVE MILLION STUDENTS RETURN TO SCHOOL -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR 

About 5.8 million students returned to schools yesterday for the 2025-2026 academic year across the country. The basic education, monastic and private schools opened their new session. The government provides free textbooks, notebooks and stationery to all primary to high school students.

SINGAPORE

1.HOW GE2025 CANDIDATES ARE GIVING THEIR CAMPAIGN LEFTOVERS A SECOND LIFE -- THE STRAITS TIMES

With the 2025 General Election now over, several political parties and candidates say they are reducing wastage of their campaign materials by reusing, recycling and even selling some of them.

2.'HE MARKED MY DAUGHTER FOR LIFE': FATHER OF IAN FANG'S VICTIM SPEAKS OUT -- CNA

The family of a teenage girl who fell victim to Ian Fang’s sexual offences has expressed dissatisfaction with the former actor’s sentence of a 40-month prison term, which does not include caning.

THAILAND

1. HUN SEN ISSUES STARK WARNING OVER THAILAND BORDER ROW CALLS FOR WORLD COURT ACTION -- THE NATION

Cambodia's veteran leader Samdech Hun Sen has issued a severe warning that the unresolved border dispute with Thailand risks escalating into a Gaza-like conflict, as he pushes for International Court of Justice intervention and declares a key 2000 memorandum defunct.

2. CALL FOR MAJOR UPDRADES TO THAI TOURISM SECTOR -- BANGKOK POST

The Tourism Council of Thailand (TCT) will this week submit a letter to Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, requesting improvements to the tourism industry in order to compete at the global level.

VIETNAM

1.EARTHQUAKE RISK MITIGATION STEPS -- VIETNAM NEWS 

The government plans to review risk management after Vietnam recorded 31 earthquakes in May. Earthquake risk assessment in densely populated cities, economic zones and critical infrastructure in high-risk areas will be conducted to prevent damages to properties and people. 

2.BUREAUCRATIC HURDLES CHOKE DEVELOPMENT -- VIETNAM NEWS  

The government said 2,200 development projects worth RM996 billion (US$235 billion) across the country have been stalled due to legal and administrative bottlenecks. The delay could have an impact on Vietnam’s growth prospects and development goals. 

-- BERNAMA