Top News Headlines In Philippines, Singapore, Indonesia , Cambodia , Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam & Thailand : Jan 23, 2026

PHILIPPINES

1.PH HOSTS 1ST MYANMAR STAKEHOLDERS MEET; DE-ESCALATION DISCUSSED -- PHILIPPINE NEWS AGENCY

The Philippines has hosted a meeting among political and ethnic groups from Myanmar, the first under its chairship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

2.GOV’T SEEKS TO DECONGEST PH PRISON, JAIL FACILITIES – CHIEF JUSTICE -- PHILIPPINE NEWS AGENCY

Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo on Thursday said the Supreme Court (SC) is studying the possibility of revising rules to allow courts to hear pleas for house arrest, hospital arrest and other modes of preventive detention as part of the ongoing measures to decongest prison and jail facilities.

SINGAPORE

1.SINGAPORE LAUNCHES FRAMEWORK TO SAFEGUARD AGAINST ROGUE AI AGENTS -- THE STRAITS TIMES

The capacity for an artificial intelligence (AI) system to draw from multiple databases and act independently has introduced new risks, such as potential unauthorised payments and personal data theft.

2.CHANGI AIRPORT RECORDS ALL-TIME HIGH OF NEARLY 70 MILLION PASSENGER MOVEMENTS IN 2025 -- CNA

Singapore's Changi Airport recorded an all-time high of 69.98 million passenger movements in 2025.

INDONESIA 

1.INDONESIA CHOOSES PEACE OVER CHAOS, SAYS PRABOWO AT DAVOS -- ANTARA

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto said on Thursday that Indonesia will continue to prioritise peace over chaos, reaffirming the country’s commitment to friendship and global responsibility amid geopolitical uncertainty.  

2.GOVT TO PROTECT WORLD’S OLDEST ROCK ART SITE IN SULAWESI -- THE JAKARTA POST

The government has pledged to protect archaeological sites in Southeast Sulawesi, especially a cave on Muna Island where the world’s oldest rock art was discovered amid mounting concerns over environmental and tourism-related damage.

CAMBODIA

1.USS CINCINNATI TO DOCK AT REAM NAVAL BASE - - FRESH NEWS 

The United States Navy combat ship USS Cincinnati (LCS 20) will dock at  Cambodia’s Ream Naval Base on Saturday for four days. The warship will join the naval training exercises between the two nations. 

2.CAMBODIA EYEING BETTER TIES WITH CANADA - - FRESH NEWS 

Cambodia and Canada agreed to further strengthen their bilateral ties by focusing on areas of mutual interest this year. This includes education, trade, tourism, and demining activities in the Kingdom. 

LAOS

1.LAO EXPORTS HIT RM77 BILLION LAST YEAR - - VIENTIANE TIMES

Laos’ foreign trade reached RM77 billion (US$19 billion) in 2025, driven largely by electricity exports. Electrical appliances, gold alloys, gold bars and potash salt dominated exports, besides agricultural produce. 

2.PROMOTING EQUALITY AT THE WORKPLACE - - VIENTIANE TIMES 

The government vows to eliminate all forms of discrimination at the workplace, including gender-based abuses. Authorities will put an end to harassment, violence and child labour, while workers’ protection will be given priority. 

MYANMAR 

1.MYANMAR-THAILAND TO CURB ONLINE SCAMS - - THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR 

Myanmar and Thai armed forces will cooperate to halt the re-emergence of cyber fraud and online gambling activities along their shared border regions. The two armed forces also agreed to deepen relations. 

2.PENETRATING SOUTH ASIAN FARM MARKETS - - THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR 

Myanmar is hosting the fourth South Asia Agri Forum 2026, where public and private sector players are deliberating to enhance agricultural trade. Exports and trade to financing are being discussed at the two-day forum. 

VIETNAM

1.INDONESIA WELCOMES VIETNAMESE HALAL GOODS - - VIETNAMPLUS

Indonesia is ready to support Vietnam in expanding its presence in the global halal market. It sees Vietnam as a potential supplier of halal products to its market once halal certification procedures are completed. 

2.VIETNAM UNIVERSITY GEARS TO BE TOP IN ASIA  - - VIETNAMPLUS

Ho Chi Minh City’s Vietnam National University aims to be a leading higher education institution in Asia. It will serve as a centre for high-quality human resources training, scientific and technological development, and mathematics. 

THAILAND  

1.EKNITI IN DAVOS: THAILAND PITCHES NEUTRALITY AND SMART TECH, EVs, FOOD, WELLNESS -- THE NATION

Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas attended the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting 2026 in Davos, Switzerland, to announce Thailand’s “New Growth Pathways” strategy—highlighting the country’s strength in geopolitical neutrality and urging global investors to use Thailand as a production base.

2.EC SEEKS POLICY CLARITY -- BANGKOK POST

The Election Commission (EC) has ordered five political parties to provide further clarification by submitting additional supporting documents about campaign policies involving budget expenditures.

-- BERNAMA