Top News Headlines In Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand & Vietnam: May 18, 2026

INDONESIA

1. JAKARTA GOVERNOR EYES LRT EXTENSION TO PIK 2, SOEKARNO-HATTA AIRPORT -- ANTARA

Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung has opened the possibility of extending the LRT Jakarta route to the Pantai Indah Kapuk (PIK) 2 area and a direct connection to Soekarno-Hatta (Soetta) Airport.

2. ENGLISH TO BECOME COMPULSORY IN INDONESIAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS -- ANTARA

The Indonesian government plans to make English a compulsory subject in elementary schools starting in 2027, Primary and Secondary Education Minister Abdul Mu'ti said.

LAOS 

1. ADDING FRESH MOMENTUM TO LAO-NEW ZEALAND TIES -- VIENTIANE TIMES 

Laos and New Zealand will cooperate in education, trade, environmental protection, tourism and the clearance of unexploded ordnance. Both nations plan to upgrade their diplomatic relations established in 1963.

2. PUSHING TECHNICAL STUDIES AGENDA -- VIENTIANE TIMES

A nationwide campaign has been launched to promote technical studies among Lao youth. It is to bridge the widening gap between the country’s labour market demand and students' career choices.

MYANMAR

1. A RECORD 300 VESSELS DOCK AT SITTWE PORT -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR

An Indian cargo ship transporting goods for the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project has docked at Sittwe Port in Rakhine State, Myanmar, on Saturday. It is the 300th vessel to dock at the India-funded infrastructure project.

2. FROZEN SEAFOOD DEMAND SURGES AFTER FISHING BAN -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR

Domestic demand for frozen seafood has risen due to the decline in the supply of fresh marine fish. The drop in supply is due to the three-month monsoon-season fishing ban imposed to conserve the marine fish resources.

PHILIPPINES

1. OVER 45K TNC DRIVERS GET DSWD CASH AID -- PHILIPPINE NEWS AGENCY

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said Sunday that a total of 45,522 transport network and delivery drivers in Metro Manila have received PHP5,000 each in cash assistance during the latest round of special payouts.

2. TRANSFORMATION PROGRAM: P11.7-M AID HANDED TO REGION 12 FORMER REBELS -- PHILIPPINE NEWS AGENCY

The Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) on Sunday said the government's Transformation Program is progressing smoothly and gaining momentum following the recent turnover of PHP11.7 million in socio-economic assistance to former rebel (FR)-led people’s organisations (POs) in Region 12.

SINGAPORE

1. IMDA SUSPENDS REVIEW OF SIMBA’S PROPOSED ACQUISITION OF M1 AMID PROBE INTO POTENTIAL REGULATORY BREACH - CNA

The Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) has suspended its assessment of telco Simba's proposed acquisition of M1 after uncovering a potential regulatory breach during its review process.

2. ‘LIVING’ LAB MODELS BY NUS DENTISTRY TEAM COULD MAKE DEVELOPING MEDICAL TREATMENTS SAFER, FASTER --  THE STRAITS TIMES

While the process of developing treatments for diseases typically involves testing drugs on cells in petri dishes, the stiff, sterile plastic of such laboratory equipment cannot accurately replicate conditions within the human body.

THAILAND

1. MAKKASAN POLICE CHARGE ONLY TRAIN DRIVER SO FAR OVER BUS CRASH -- THE NATION

Makkasan police have charged only the freight train driver so far after a train hit a Route 206 bus near Airport Rail Link Makkasan, killing eight people and injuring dozens.

2. PM PLEDGES LEVEL CROSSING FIX -- BANGKOK POST

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has pledged to pursue long-term safety measures, including replacing railway crossings with tunnels or elevated routes, following Saturday's fatal collision between a freight train and a public bus at the Makkasan level crossing in Bangkok.

VIETNAM

1. ANIMAL SCIENCE CONGRESS TO PROMOTE GREEN FARMING -- VIETNAMPLUS

Hanoi will host the 21st Animal Science Congress from October 28 to 31 to boost research and development in the livestock sector. The event will promote  modern, green and sustainable agriculture.

2. FOOD AND BEVERAGE EXPO TO SHOWCASE LATEST TECHNOLOGIES -- VIETNAMPLUS

A series of international exhibitions related to dairy, ice cream, milk tea and beverages will take place in Hanoi from May 28 to 31. Participants will showcase the latest products and technologies in processing and packaging and supply chain solutions.

-- BERNAMA