Pacific Press Asia
Thailand rewards the traveller who slows down. This is Pacific Press Asia's running guide to the kingdom's finest stays, journeys and places — from Andaman island hideaways and northern hill retreats to Bangkok's riverside grand dames — reported by our desk and updated as new openings, restorations and destinations emerge.
SINGAPORE —Discounted economy seats between Changi and major capitals reveal how legacy carriers manage volume against premium transit yields
SINGAPORE —Expanding via management agreements preserves capital while escalating operational competition against global lodging conglomerates.
PHUKET —The new Hotel Riu Palace Phuket introduces a self-contained resort concept that tests the island’s existing infrastructure and local engagement.
The fragility of public health systems, highlighted by newborn deaths in Mexico, offers a stark view into the often-unseen infrastructure beneath tourism's surface, a concern that echoes across varied destinations.
SINGAPORE —Marriott International’s agreement for two distinct properties in a 200-hectare coastal development suggests a focused capture of specific tourism segments, rather than a broad diversification of the region’s economic appeal.
SINGAPORE —The movement of a general manager with extensive Asian experience signals a strategic realignment in how hotel groups pursue growth, potentially overlooking distinct operational environments.
SINGAPORE —The continuous flood of new artificial intelligence models from global developers shifts the region's focus from technological spectacle to practical integration.
HONG KONG —The sale of a long-standing fast-food property in Tsuen Wan suggests old money is returning to retail, but what does this mean for the city and wider Asia?
SINGAPORE —The abrupt departure of Thai Airways CEO Chai Eamsiri, attributed to flood disruptions at Bangkok's main airport, highlights the economic fragility of critical infrastructure points in the face of climate events.
SINGAPORE —An incident involving a Thai tour group in the Czech Republic highlights persistent concerns about women’s safety in travel, impacting perceptions for Thai citizens and the broader Asia-Pacific region.
SINGAPORE —The new BBA in Global Hospitality Management in Bangkok signals an evolving strategy for an essential regional industry, reflecting a broader investment shift.
BANGKOK —Unprecedented rainfall in Thailand's capital exposes how urban planning and infrastructure fall short for residents, even as air travel continues.
SINGAPORE —Despite initial popularity, Mamma Mia Focaccia and its hidden bar shuttered in less than a year, attributing the closure to increasing operational costs.
SINGAPORE —While Meta announces success against scam networks, the underlying incentives for digital fraud remain. This affects businesses relying on platforms in regions like Thailand.
SINGAPORE —An alleged scam mastermind's arrest lays bare a regional vulnerability, echoing larger narratives of illicit networks across Southeast Asia.
A British sportswear retailer expands its footprint, hinting at shifting consumption landscapes far beyond Mexico's borders.
SINGAPORE —The quiet dedication of a 74-year-old volunteer in Singapore hints at a deeper narrative of care, challenging rigid perceptions of justice across the region.
The embrace of wind power along Mexico's coast suggests a deeper pattern than mere policy.
Local cultural initiatives in Mexico's San Miguel de Allende, while distinct, yield no actionable data for Asian maritime sector analysis.
SINGAPORE —The recent oil leaks on Shell’s Singaporean island operation expose a tension between industrial legacy and environmental aspiration, with implications for a region poised between growth and preservation.
HONG KONG —Hisense's unit Ligent Technologies made a strong debut in Hong Kong, part of a trend for mainland Chinese companies to seek overseas capital. This signals opportunities for Hisense, but poses a challenge for other Asia-Pacific economies.
SINGAPORE —The region's caffeine habits, viewed through Bangkok's street-level energy, suggest a wider phenomenon.
SINGAPORE —Etihad’s new cooperation agreement points to a strategic repositioning, not just expansion.
HONG KONG —The city’s strategic play for family wealth management signals a broader shift in regional capital flow, with implications for nations like Thailand.
HANOI —Vietnam's action against a Russian national underscores the evolving complexities for Southeast Asia's visitor economies amid geopolitical flux.
SINGAPORE —Enquiry shifts beyond traditional destinations suggest a changing landscape for Asia-Pacific tourism markets, particularly for those reliant on established appeal.
SINGAPORE —The arrest of a French national following a protest at a Thai exotic park reveals underlying structural pressures, forcing a re-evaluation of local sovereignty and international relations.
SINGAPORE —As domestic demand wanes, Chinese gold sellers look abroad. The implications for other Asia-Pacific markets are not straightforward.
SINGAPORE —The sale of seized luxury bags and the stalled auction of high-end properties reveal differing market perceptions and liquidity for illicit assets in a regional financial hub.
SINGAPORE —A Chinese memory chip advance recalibrates regional supply chain dependencies, with implications for economic structures beyond traditional hardware. Berth economics will respond to shifts in access and cost.
SINGAPORE —Henan Province's synthetic diamond boom signals a broader strategic pivot, altering regional economic dynamics and challenging established supply chains.
SINGAPORE —While China's cities ponder property, a deeper current shapes the region.
SINGAPORE —The industry's long-term viability depends on shifting its emphasis from individual medical acts to comprehensive patient protection structures.
The islands' recent visitor trends suggest a policy outcome that may not align with strategic intent, offering a complex precedent for other coastal economies.
SINGAPORE —The ongoing trial of an Australian citizen accused of murder in Pattaya raises questions about regional governance and the long-term impacts on Thailand’s international image and legal processes.
The recent chikungunya outbreak in San José, though geographically distant, signals a subtle but significant cultural shift that resonates far beyond its borders, touching coastal regions across the Pacific.
BANGKOK —The call for Singapore's public service to engage citizens differently suggests a new direction in governance, one that Southeast Asia might watch closely.
SINGAPORE —The city-state's consistent draw for regional talent, exemplified by a Filipino tennis player, reflects an overlooked pattern in the Asia-Pacific.
SINGAPORE —Collinson Group’s investment in Priority Pass focuses on digital and data. This may address passenger volume, but neglects the spatial constraints that define true airport sanctuary.
When a leader challenges the narrative of drug control, the reverberations reach the Pacific Rim, reshaping how nations approach shared burdens.
SINGAPORE —Rising tuition costs at elite institutions could divert high-income regional talent and capital, posing a long-term challenge to domestic development.
SINGAPORE —As China's hotel market shifts towards bespoke experiences, a wider regional transformation beckons for travel's future.
SINGAPORE —Incidents at transit hubs underscore the ongoing tension between economic dependency on tourism and the capacity for effective cross-border law enforcement.
SINGAPORE —The Rimowa x Faber-Castell artist case, while seemingly niche, highlights a deepening divide in consumer access and aspirational consumption across Asia-Pacific property markets.
SINGAPORE —Record attendance at ITE HCMC 2026 signals a more competitive regional landscape, pressuring established markets.
SINGAPORE —ByteDance's Hongguo platform demonstrates how technology reshapes consumption, leaving traditional entertainment models to navigate a new landscape.
SINGAPORE —Mediacorp's collaboration with Blintn suggests a reorientation of regional influence, moving beyond established hubs.
SINGAPORE —An incident aboard a Sepehran Airlines flight in Iran prompts consideration of the broader economic implications for travelers in Asia-Pacific, particularly regarding air safety and affordability.