🎣 Opening

Hello, and welcome to The Southeast Asia Desk Weekly Dispatch Podcast.

This is where we slow down the headlines and make sense of the stories shaping our region.

Now, let me ask you something.

Have you planned your Eid Al Fitr holiday yet?

Because after a full month of Ramadan, many families across Southeast Asia are getting ready for something just as exciting: Travel.

Whether it’s a quick regional escape, a food trip, or simply a break from the city, the Eid Al Fitr holiday season is one of the busiest travel periods of the year in the region, which will happen from March 20 to 22, next week.

So if you’re still looking for inspiration, here’s some good news.

According to the 2026 TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards, Southeast Asia is dominating global tourism rankings — with three of the world’s top seven destinations right here in the region.

And yes…
one of them just took the number one spot in the world.

So if you’re planning a trip, here are some destinations worth putting on your radar.

🌏 The Big Picture

First, the headline.

Leading the pack is Indonesia’s Bali, which secured the number one destination globally.

Joining it in the top tier are Hanoi in Vietnam, ranked fourth in the world, and Bangkok in Thailand, which came in seventh.

Together, these cities highlight something bigger happening in global tourism.

Travelers are no longer just chasing famous landmarks.

They’re looking for experiences — food, culture, nature, and authenticity.

And Southeast Asia offers all of that in one region.

📍 The Top Destinations

Let’s talk more about them and start with the global number one.

Bali, Indonesia — #1 in the World

Bali continues to dominate global travel rankings, especially for honeymooners and wellness travelers.

What makes Bali special is its dual personality.

On one side, you have Ubud, known for its temples, rice terraces, and spiritual retreats.

On the other, there’s the coastline — luxury resorts, beach clubs, and sunset views that attract visitors from all over the world.

For many travelers, Bali offers the perfect balance between serenity and luxury.

Hanoi, Vietnam — #4 in the World

Next is Hanoi, Vietnam’s capital.

Hanoi is often described as a masterclass in sensory travel.

Think French colonial architecture, buzzing street markets, and one of the most celebrated food scenes in Asia.

From bowls of pho served on plastic stools to historic landmarks like the Hanoi Opera House, the city blends history, culture, and culinary exploration in one unforgettable experience.

And for travelers on a budget, Vietnam remains one of the best-value destinations in the region.

Bangkok, Thailand — #7 in the World

Then there’s Bangkok, Southeast Asia’s ultimate urban playground.

The city is famous for its ability to combine ancient tradition with modern chaos.

Ornate temples sit just minutes away from rooftop bars, luxury malls, and one of the most vibrant nightlife scenes in the world.

For travelers who want energy, food, shopping, and culture all in one place, Bangkok remains hard to beat.

🗺️ Hidden Gems Worth Discovering

But here’s the thing.

Not every traveler wants to follow the crowds.

And the 2026 tourism data also highlights a growing interest in hidden destinations — places that offer incredible scenery without the heavy crowds.

Here are three worth considering.

Tumpak Sewu, Indonesia

Located in East Java, Tumpak Sewu Waterfall is often called one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Southeast Asia.

Imagine a curtain of water cascading down a volcanic valley, surrounded by jungle.

It’s rugged, dramatic, and still relatively untouched compared to Bali’s more commercial waterfalls.

Lan Ha Bay, Vietnam

If you’ve heard of Ha Long Bay, this is its quieter cousin.

Lan Ha Bay, located near Hai Phong, offers the same emerald waters and towering limestone islands — but with far fewer tourist boats.

Many travelers come here for kayaking through caves, floating villages, and peaceful overnight cruises.

Bua Thong Waterfalls, Thailand

And then there’s Bua Thong Waterfalls, near Chiang Mai.

These are also known as Thailand’s “Sticky Waterfalls.”

Thanks to the limestone surface, visitors can actually walk up the waterfall while water rushes beneath their feet.

It’s a fun, unusual experience — and often completely free to visit.

🌱 A New Travel Trend

Another shift in 2026 is something called regenerative tourism.

Travelers are no longer satisfied with simply being “eco-friendly.”

Instead, they’re looking for ways to actively help nature while traveling.

In Bali, for example, visitors can now join coral reef restoration projects, helping rebuild damaged marine ecosystems.

Meanwhile, many street food markets in Thailand and Vietnam are moving toward plastic-free dining, encouraging travelers to bring reusable utensils and containers.

💰 What It Costs

Of course, travel also comes down to budget.

Here’s a rough idea of daily costs across the region.

For backpackers, around 30 to 50 dollars per day can cover hostel stays, street food, and local transport.

For mid-range travelers, about 80 to 130 dollars per day offers boutique hotels, cafes, and private transport options.

And for those seeking luxury, high-end resorts and private tours can easily reach 250 dollars or more per day.

One helpful tip:

Vietnam remains the most budget-friendly destination, while Bali’s luxury resorts and beach clubs can push budgets higher.

🎙️ The Wrap

So if you’re still planning your Eid Al Fitr getaway, Southeast Asia offers an incredible range of options.

From the world’s number one destination in Bali,
to food adventures in Hanoi,
to the nonstop energy of Bangkok.

And if you prefer something quieter, hidden gems like Tumpak Sewu, Lan Ha Bay, and Bua Thong Waterfalls offer stunning experiences away from the crowds.

The takeaway?

You don’t need to fly halfway across the world for a great holiday.

Some of the best destinations on the planet are right here in Southeast Asia.

I’m Rheza Ardiansyah, and this has been The Southeast Asia Desk Weekly Dispatch Podcast, where we slow down the noise and follow the region’s compass.

If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to our newsletter at thesoutheastasiadesk.com,

Subscribe now

and join us again for stories to linger over—one weekend at a time.

🎧 Opening

Every year, as the crescent moon appears on the western horizon after sunset, Muslims welcome the holy month of Ramadan.

And with it, the rhythm of daily life across Southeast Asia begins to change, in small ways in some places, and bigger ways in others.

In general, the core of Ramadan remains the same: the discipline of fasting from dawn to sunset.

But how that discipline is lived can look different in Muslim-majority and Muslim-minority regions, giving each place its own character.

Let’s take a closer look.

Hello and welcome to The Southeast Asia Desk Weekly Dispatch Podcast.

I’m Akasha Viandri, this is where we slow down the headlines and make sense of the stories shaping our Southeast Asia region.

🧭 The Difference

Happy Ramadan everyone!

How’s the fasting going? Holding up well?

The holy month of Ramadan is special for many reasons. Beyond fasting itself, you begin to see moments and traditions that appear only during this time of year across Southeast Asia.

And in some places, it even begins before the fasting starts.

In parts of Java, 🇮🇩Indonesia, the entry into Ramadan may be preceded by Nyadran, collective visits to ancestral graves. Families clean burial sites, scatter flowers, and recite prayers for their ancestors while expressing gratitude to God.

In some communities, there is also Padusan, communal bathing in springs or rivers, symbolising physical and spiritual purification before fasting begins.

When Ramadan finally arrives, daily life begins to shift, especially in regions where Muslims form the majority.

Take 🇧🇳Brunei Darussalam, for example.

Food establishments operate within regulatory frameworks shaped by Sharia law, and public eating during fasting hours is restricted. Restaurants may only serve takeaway orders after 3 p.m.

If someone breaks the rule, it can lead to fines, both for the person eating and the restaurant owner, and in some cases, even jail time.

Similar rules exist in parts of 🇲🇾Malaysia.

Muslims caught eating or drinking during daytime fasting hours may face legal penalties, including fines or jail time.

One recent case reported by the 🇸🇬Singapore-based media outlet, Mothership, involved a 27-year-old 🇲🇾Malaysian Muslim woman who was detained by the Negeri Sembilan Islamic Religious Affairs Department after allegedly livestreaming herself eating and drinking on TikTok.

The woman said she had recently given birth and was still in postpartum recovery.

Meanwhile, some parts of 🇮🇩Indonesia approach Ramadan somewhat differently.

Rather than strict nationwide enforcement, Ramadan observance is largely shaped by social expectations and community norms.

For Muslims who do not fast, the consequences tend to be social rather than legal.

Meanwhile, in Muslim-minority regions across Southeast Asia, Ramadan tends to be observed more quietly.

Governments generally allow Ramadan practices within community boundaries while maintaining broader secular state structures.

Mosques often become the centre of activity, hosting prayers, gatherings, and communal meals that strengthen social ties during the fasting month.

🧭 The Same Rhythm

But across both majority and minority contexts, there is still a recognisable rhythm to Ramadan.

Daylight hours are marked by restraint.

Nightfall expands into gathering.

Mosques often extend their evening programmes, hosting communal prayers and activities.

Meal distribution is common, not only for Muslims, but also for people in need.

People gather to break the fast together.

Sometimes at mosques, especially in Muslim-minority regions.

Sometimes in more intimate settings at home.

And sometimes in public spaces like restaurants offering special Ramadan buffets, something more commonly found in Muslim-majority regions.

In 🇲🇾Malaysia, 🇮🇩Indonesia, and 🇧🇳Brunei Darussalam, people even gather outdoors for sahur, the pre-dawn meal before fasting begins.

🧭Ramadan and The Economy

What’s interesting is that Ramadan also activates micro-economies across Southeast Asia.

Temporary bazaars in 🇮🇩Indonesia, 🇧🇳Brunei Darussalam, 🇲🇾Malaysia, and 🇸🇬Singapore attract large crowds, offering traditional dishes alongside modern variations.

Clothing stalls appear across markets and shopping districts, often with special discounts.

🇮🇩Indonesian economist Arfian Prasetya Aji of Kisi Asset Management has suggested that Indonesia’s economic growth in the first quarter of 2026 could slightly exceed historical averages, potentially reaching between 5.2 and 5.3 percent.

In places like 🇲🇲Myanmar, 🇹🇭Thailand, and other minority-Muslim regions, the scale may be smaller, but the economic impact remains meaningful.

🌅 Closing

In Southeast Asia, sacred time is not incidental.

It is structured, socially textured, and deeply woven into how communities recalibrate themselves under the discipline of Ramadan.

And perhaps that is the deeper meaning of the month.

Not simply the restraint of appetite, but the annual rehearsal of how society reshapes itself under sacred time.

I’m Akasha Viandri, and this has been The Southeast Asia Desk Weekly Dispatch Podcast, where we slow down the noise and follow the region’s compass.

If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to our newsletter at thesoutheastasiadesk.com, and join us again next weekend for stories to linger over, one weekend at a time.

🎧 Opening

Artificial intelligence has quietly become our default advisor.

For many of us, it’s now a go-to tool.

But what if AI could do more than solve daily problems?

What if it could help Muslims maintain their spiritual routines, especially during Ramadan?

Yes, you heard that right.

There’s an AI-powered learning app called Ngaji.ai.

And yes, it does exactly what its name suggests.

Let’s take a closer look.

Hello and welcome to The Southeast Asia Desk Weekly Dispatch Podcast.

I’m Akasha Viandri, this is where we slow down the headlines and make sense of the stories shaping Southeast Asia region.

🧭 Background Story

Before we talk about the app, let’s begin with a simple fact.

Around 85 percent of Indonesia’s population, more than 245 million people, identify as Muslim. That makes Indonesia not only the largest Muslim-majority country in ASEAN, but in the world.

But numbers alone don’t guarantee Quran literacy.

According to the Ministry of Religious Affairs, 72 percent of Indonesian Muslims are still unable to read the Quran properly and correctly.

The reasons vary.

Busy lives.

A fear of starting too late.

Limited access to teachers or mentors.

And sometimes, simply not knowing where to begin.

At the same time, Indonesia’s Muslim population represents an enormous market for Muslim-related products and technology investment.

So here lies a tension.

A challenge and an opportunity.

Why not bring the two together?

That is where Vokal.ai, an Indonesian education technology company, enters the picture with its app, Ngaji.ai.

📲 How The App Works

Muslim-focused apps are not new.

Many people are already familiar with Muslim Pro, a 🇸🇬 Singapore-based app that provides prayer notifications, adhan reminders, and qibla direction tools.

Or Athan Pro, based in 🇬🇧 London, which offers much the same.

🇮🇩 Indonesia has its own players as well, including the NU Online Super App, developed by Nahdlatul Ulama.

These apps function as digital companions, supporting worship routines through reminders, audio features, and increasingly, artificial intelligence.

Ngaji.ai follows that path, but with a much narrower focus: Quran learning.

Inside the app, users can start from the basics, like learning Arabic letters, through interactive modules and short quizzes.

They can set goals to complete all 30 juz.

They can read surahs, study their meanings, listen to correct pronunciation, and record their own recitation.

And this is where AI comes in.

The app evaluates users’ recitation and provides feedback.

To make that possible, developers are collecting 30,000 audio datasets from Quran readers across Indonesia, ensuring the AI is credible, helpful, and adaptable, including to regional accents.

In other words, it aims to function as a mobile mentor.

🌏 The Regional Stake

But this story extends beyond personal devotion.

It sits within Indonesia’s broader position in the global Islamic economy.

According to the State of the Global Islamic Economy Report 2024/2025, published by DinarStandard, 🇮🇩 Indonesia has ranked third globally for the past three years in the overall Global Islamic Economy Indicator (GIEI).

🇲🇾 Malaysia remains in first place, holding the top spot for eleven years in a row now.

🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia comes second.

🇦🇪 The United Arab Emirates ranks fourth, followed by 🇧🇭 Bahrain, 🇯🇴 Jordan, 🇰🇼 Kuwait, 🇵🇰 Pakistan, 🇹🇷 Turkey, and 🇶🇦 Qatar, which rounds out the top ten.

The report evaluates seven main sectors:

1. Halal food,

2. Islamic Finance,

3. Modest fashion,

4. Muslim-friendly travel,

5. Halal pharmaceuticals,

6. Halal cosmetics, and

7. Islamic media and recreation.

Muslim-related technology doesn’t quite fit into a single category.

But with global Muslim consumer spending projected to reach 3.36 trillion US dollars by 2028, the opportunity for Muslim tech platforms is difficult to ignore.

Ngaji.ai plans to expand across Southeast Asia, starting with 🇲🇾 Malaysia, 🇧🇳 Brunei Darussalam, and 🇸🇬 Singapore.

Together with other Indonesian apps, this could mark Indonesia’s deeper entry into Southeast Asia’s evolving Muslim-tech ecosystem and a gradual rise as a benchmark for Muslim digital lifestyle trends in the region.

🎧Closing

For years, technology was often framed as a distraction from spirituality.

Now, in some corners, it is being positioned as a bridge back to it.

Whether AI can truly replicate the guidance of a human teacher remains an open question.

But its presence in religious practice, especially in Southeast Asia’s largest Muslim-majority nation, signals a shift.

Not just in how people learn.

But in how faith, technology, and regional markets increasingly intersect.

I’m Akasha Viandri, and this has been The Southeast Asia Desk Weekly Dispatch Podcast, where we slow down the noise and follow the region’s compass.

If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe

Subscribe now

to our newsletter at thesoutheastasiadesk.com, and join us again next weekend for stories to linger over, one weekend at a time.

🎣 Opening

Hello and welcome to The Southeast Asia Desk Weekly Dispatch Podcast. I’m Akasha Viandri, this is where we slow down the headlines and make sense of the stories shaping our Southeast Asia Region.

In this episode, we’re talking about durian.

And whenever durian comes up, there are usually two reactions:

• One group immediately imagines having it for dessert tonight.

• The other raises an eyebrow… just thinking about the smell.

Love it or hate it, durian is often called the king of fruits because of its size, its strong odour, and its thorn-covered rind.

But it seems the king is claiming more than just a title.

It’s showing its power becoming a regional economic force.

🤔 What’s Happening?

Durian has stepped onto the global stage.

Demand is surging, especially in China, where the import market has reached around 7 billion dollar.

It turns out the obsession is real.

So real, in fact, that companies are turning durian into almost everything.

For example, IKEA Hong Kong now offers durian croissants and ice cream.

@ikeahongkong

IKEA Hong Kong on Instagram‎: "IKEA 50周年呈獻：D.U.R.I.A.N IceKrEAm…

Pizza Hut China even launched durian pizzas in 2024.

@pizzahutmsiaDurian on pizza, yes or no? 😏​ ​ Comment below!​ ​ #DurianCheesePizza #PizzaHutMalaysia #PizzaHutDurian

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Croissants and ice cream? Fine.

But pizza? Well… apparently it works.

Pizza Hut reportedly sold 30 million durian pizzas. So maybe it’s worth a try.

@pizzahut.indonesiaKembali hadir buat kamu para pecinta durian, cobain MOLLY’S Musangking Pizza Personal & MOLLY’S Musangking Melts dengan Musangking asli yang lembut dan creamy banget! 😋 Pesan sekarang di outlet Pizza Hut terdekat atau pesan online via Apps Pizza Hut Indonesia 🍕✨ #PizzaHut #PizzaHutIndonesia #PizzaHutRestaurant #PizzaHutRestorante #PizzaHutDelivery

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🌏 Regional Players

As the world’s durian powerhouse, Southeast Asia isn’t wasting the opportunity.

🇹🇭 Thailand still holds the top position as the region’s largest exporter,
with exports reaching around 4 billion dollars last year.

🇻🇳 Vietnam is close behind, shipping about 3.44 billion dollars’ worth of durians in 2025.

It’s now almost a 🇹🇭 Thailand versus 🇻🇳 Vietnam competition for dominance in 🇨🇳 China’s durian market.

🇱🇦 Laos plans to export 400 tons in 2026, leveraging its fertile land and the Laos–China Railway for faster delivery.

🇵🇭 The Philippines entered fresh durian exports to 🇨🇳 China in 2023. Still small, but growing.

And then there’s 🇲🇾 Malaysia playing a slightly different game.

DurianBB, a Malaysian brand, not only exports durian to 🇨🇳 China, but also builds tourism attractions around it.

One example is DurianBB Park in 🇲🇾 Kuala Lumpur, a mini durian theme park.

And around 50 percent of its visitors come from 🇨🇳 China.

🪙 Two Sides of The Coin

But every boom has its complications.

In 🇻🇳 Vietnam, some farmers are cutting down coffee plants to make room for durian.

In 🇹🇭 Thailand, durian orchard acreage has doubled over the past decade.

In 🇲🇾 Malaysia, hills near Raub have been cleared and terraced to meet growing demand from China.

With so much money at stake, the race to plant more trees has also sparked tensions and land disputes.

Yet on the other hand, for many farmers, durian has become a fortune. Some have seen dramatic changes in their lives.

According to an interview with The New York Times, one Malaysian farmer, Mr. Chan, said that durian farmers now can rebuild their houses from wood to brick and are able to send their children overseas for university.

There are always two sides to a story.

❤️ Closing

So beyond your love for durian or your dislike of its smell and taste, this humble, spiky fruit is no longer just a street-side snack.

It’s an agricultural heavyweight that is powerful enough to move regional economies.

The king of fruits, it seems, now rules beyond the orchard.

I’m Akasha Viandri, and this has been The Southeast Asia Desk Weekly Dispatch Podcast, where we slow down the noise and follow the region’s compass.

Subscribe now

If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to our newsletter at thesoutheastasiadesk.com and join us again next weekend for stories to linger over, one weekend at a time.

🎣 Opening

This week is all about red.
You go here, red lanterns are everywhere.
You go there, red outfit and envelopes are the best-selling items.
Everything is turning red.

It’s Lunar New Year, everyone!

Millions of people across Southeast Asia are celebrating.
This year, they’re welcoming the Year of the Fire Horse.
But how big is this celebration in Southeast Asia?

Let’s find out.

Hello and welcome to The Southeast Asia Desk Weekly Dispatch Podcast. I’m Akasha Viandri. This is where we slow down the headlines and make sense of the stories shaping our Southeast Asia Region.

🌏 Lunar New Year In Southeast Asia

When Lunar New Year arrives, something shifts. From Jakarta to Hanoi, from Kuala Lumpur to Manila, the region feels connected by something that goes beyond borders.

If you look around, people are decorating their houses in red, preparing symbolic foods like nian gao and oranges. They’re buying red envelopes with money inside, and giving them to family members during reunions.

Or maybe it’s you, who’s doing all this.

But what makes it interesting is that Southeast Asia is culturally diverse, so each country adds its own cultural imprint:

For example, 🇸🇬 Singapore and 🇲🇾 Malaysia share civic moments: from the Yu Sheng prosperity toss to Singapore’s Chingay Parade, turning Lunar New Year into a multicultural showcase with modern flair.

In 🇹🇭 Thailand, locals have a celebration known as Trut Chin that lights up Yaowarat, Bangkok’s Chinatown, a reflection of centuries of Thai-Chinese trade and settlement.

In 🇮🇩 Indonesia, milkfish is often served as the main dish, symbolising careful prosperity. There are also events like Grebeg Sudiro in Solo, or Tuk Panjang in Semarang, blending Javanese and Chinese traditions into something uniquely local.

In 🇻🇳 Vietnam, Banh Chung, a traditional Vietnamese sticky rice cake, is always served as part of the celebration.

But, there is one practice that quietly crosses borders. It is Fang Shen, the ritual release of living creatures such as birds or fish.

This symbolizes compassion, renewal, and respect for life, a reminder that this celebration carries an ethical dimension too, not just spectacle.

❤️ Closing - Everyone Celebrates

Today, six Southeast Asian countries recognise Lunar New Year as a national holiday: 🇻🇳 Vietnam, 🇸🇬 Singapore, 🇧🇳 Brunei, 🇮🇩 Indonesia, 🇲🇾 Malaysia, and 🇵🇭 the Philippines.

Others may not mark it officially, but Chinese communities there still celebrate it.

Beyond that, people who aren’t part of the Chinese community are also embracing the celebration, and this happens across many countries in Southeast Asia.

People go out dressed in red, enjoy special Lunar New Year menus, watch lion dances, and more. Basically, everyone seems happy welcoming Lunar New Year.

This shows that Lunar New Year isn’t just a date on a calendar. It marks continuity between generations, communities, and memories. And in many places, it has become part of local culture.

So how about you?

How do you celebrate Lunar New Year?

I’m Akasha Viandri, and this has been The Southeast Asia Desk Weekly Dispatch Podcast where we slow down the noise and follow the region’s compass.

If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to our newsletter at thesoutheastasiadesk.com,

Subscribe now

and join us again next weekend for stories to linger over, one weekend at a time.

🎣 Opening

Quick question.

If someone mentions “river crisis,”
What comes to mind?

Plastic bags?
Black water?
Maybe the smell?

What about… a fish?

Because right now, across Southeast Asia, our rivers are being taken over by a creature that looks like it belongs in an aquarium — not in the wild.

It sticks to rocks.
It survives filth.
And it refuses to die.

Meet the suckermouth catfish.

A pet fish turned invader—and a surprisingly honest mirror of how broken our rivers really are.

Curious? Let’s talk about it!

Hello, and welcome to The Southeast Asia Desk Weekly Dispatch Podcast. I’m Cecilia Setiawan. This is where we slow down the headlines and make sense of the stories shaping our region.

🐟 The Fish

So, the suckermouth catfish isn’t supposed to be here…at all!

It comes from South America.
And it arrived in Southeast Asia not through nature, but through aquariums.

At first, it was just an aquarium pet.
A bottom-feeder, sold as a “cleaner fish.”

But once released into rivers like the Ciliwung in Jakarta or the Klang River in Malaysia, it did something remarkable.

It thrived. So much better than native fish.

While native fish struggled to survive, the suckermouth catfish multiplied.
Fast.

No natural predators.
High reproduction rates.
And a special ability to live in polluted, low-oxygen water.

In Malaysia alone, hunting squads have removed more than 75 tonnes of these fish in just two years.

That’s not an invasion.
That’s domination.

⚖️ What’s at Stake

And this isn’t just about biodiversity.

First, ecology.
These fish outcompete native species like lampam and tengas for food and space, creating what scientists call “monoculture rivers.”

In Jakarta’s Ciliwung River, even water birds are disappearing because the entire food chain has been disrupted.

Second, infrastructure.
The catfish digs deep burrows into riverbanks—sometimes up to a meter deep.
That weakens the soil, increases erosion, and raises flood risks in already vulnerable cities.

Third, health.
Living in polluted rivers, the fish absorb heavy metals and microplastics.
Which means when humans eat them, those toxins move straight up the food chain.

And yet, on social media, people are turning them into street food.

Experts are clear:
Fish from urban rivers are not safe to consume.

🌏 A Regional Problem

This isn’t just Indonesia’s problem.

In Malaysia, the fish, known as ikan bandaraya, are now so widespread that some states pay residents to catch them.

In Singapore, scientists warn that one released pet fish can disrupt fragile freshwater life.

Different countries. Same pattern.

Polluted water.
Collapsing native species.
Invasive fish are filling the gap.

💡 The Bigger Meaning

Here’s the twist.

The suckermouth catfish is not the real problem.

It’s the symptom.

These fish don’t clean rivers. They don’t restore ecosystems.
They simply survive where everything else has failed.

Their dominance is a biological warning sign.

It tells us that Southeast Asia’s freshwater systems are being overwhelmed by sewage, waste, and weak environmental enforcement.

You can remove the fish. Again and again.

But unless the rivers themselves are restored—with proper wastewater treatment, pollution control, and public awareness—they will always come back.

🎙️ The Wrap

I guess this story isn’t really about a random freshwater fish; it’s about urban pollution, public health, food security, and how close we are to the ecological tipping points.

The suckermouth catfish didn’t break our rivers. Our rivers were already broken in the first place. The fish just made it visible and impossible to ignore.

I’m Cecilia Setiawan, and this has been The Southeast Asia Desk Weekly Dispatch Podcast, where we slow down the noise and follow the region’s compass.

If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to our newsletter at thesoutheastasiadesk.com,

Subscribe now

and join us again next weekend, for stories to linger over—one weekend at a time.

🎼 Opening

Have you ever heard a gamelan performance?

For some people, it’s just traditional music. But for the Balinese, it shares a deeper story. It’s a part of their daily life, part of the ceremony, beliefs, and the soul of Bali.

And today, that ancient melody is trying to survive in the vast modern world.

Let’s hear the story.

Hello and welcome to The Southeast Asia Desk Weekly Dispatch Podcast. I’m Rheza Ardiansyah, and this is where we slow down the headlines and make sense of the stories shaping our region.

🌱 The Story

To understand gamelan, we have to start with what it really is.

Gamelan is a traditional ensemble of musical instruments found all across Indonesia, mainly in Bali and Java. But in Bali, gamelan is not just a performance art. It’s present in almost every important moment of life. From religious rituals to sacred dances and ceremonies. From temple anniversaries — also known as odalan, to cultural celebrations and community gatherings.

In other words, gamelan does not just live on a stage. It lives in human society. And the sound itself reflects that. It’s fast, dynamic, and energetic. Built not around a single lead musician, but around cooperation.

On their own, these instruments are incomplete, but together, they create harmony.

This reflects a core Balinese philosophy known as menyama braya — the idea of brotherhood, togetherness, and collective responsibility.

Gamelan — in this sense — is not just music.

It’s a social system.

🏙️ The Challenge

But here comes the problem.

Traditional culture today exists in the middle of rapid changes. Urbanisation, global pop culture, digital entertainment, and shifting lifestyles.

In big cities like Jakarta, preserving traditional arts is no longer simple.

This is where communities such as Gamelan Tantular come in. Based in the middle of Indonesia’s capital, Gamelan Tantular tries to keep Balinese gamelan alive — not just as a heritage but also as a living practice.

Their goal is simple: Make gamelan accessible across all ages, professions, and backgrounds.

But learning the music is not easy. Unlike other types of music, there are no standard sheet notes.

For people without a musical background, this can be intimidating. And for younger generations raised on digital platforms, it almost feels impossible.

📱 Micro Learning: A Digital Bridge

Through a collaboration between the School of Design at BINUS University and the Gamelan Tantular community — supported by a national innovation grant — a new approach was introduced.

Micro learning videos. Short. Focused. Two to three minutes each.

Instead of long rehearsals or formal classes, learners can now access small pieces of gamelan knowledge through their phones.

In total, five core micro learning videos were created for beginners. And more than 360 additional videos documented full gamelan performances.

The idea is simple. Break down something complex into something approachable, repeatable, and accessible.

Not to replace tradition but to support it.

This way, anyone can learn anytime, anywhere, at their own pace.

🌏 What This Means for Southeast Asia

This story is not just about gamelan. It’s about how Southeast Asia preserves culture in the digital age.

Across the region, many traditional arts face the same challenge. They are rich in meaning, but difficult to transmit. That’s because they rely on embodied knowledge and community practice.

No…I’m not saying those are bad; what I’m trying to say is that micro learning shows that technology doesn’t always erase tradition. Sometimes, it can help preserve them.

It allows traditional practices to be documented, systematised, and shared without losing their essence.

More importantly, it helps bridge a growing gap. Between generations, old-fashioned knowledge and urban life, and between heritage and habit.

🎙️ Closing

Gamelan has survived for centuries. Not because it stayed the same. But because it adapted. From temple courtyards to studios. From memory to digital screens.

And maybe that’s the real lesson here.

Tradition doesn’t just disappear because the world changes. It disappears only when we stop finding new ways to carry it forward.

I’m Rheza Ardiansyah, and this has been The Southeast Asia Desk Weekly Dispatch Podcast — where we slow down the noise and follow the region’s compass.

If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to our newsletter at thesoutheastasiadesk.com. And join us again next weekend, for stories to linger over, one weekend at a time.

✨ Opening

Do you know salak? No?

How about snake fruit? Does that ring a bell?

Salak is a native fruit of Indonesia.

A quirky fruit with scaly skin and a sweet-tart bite, one that often gets misunderstood.

Some people decide very quickly that it’s not their favourite.

Hmm. Poor you.

But behind the look, this fruit has just earned something bigger: Indonesia’s first-ever global recognition.

And no, this isn’t about fruit exports. It’s about an agricultural system shaped by tradition.

Let’s hear the story.

Hello and welcome to The Southeast Asia Desk Weekly Dispatch Podcast.

I’m Akasha Viandri. This is where we slow down the headlines and make sense of the stories shaping our Southeast Asia Region.

🌱 The Story

To understand this, let’s go back for a moment to 2025.

Last year, Indonesia, along with 13 other countries, received recognition at the GIAHS Awards Ceremony in Rome.

GIAHS stands for Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems, a programme under the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.

The countries selected aren’t recognised just for beautiful landscapes, but for agricultural systems that in one living system sustain:

• rural livelihoods,

• while combining biodiversity,

• resilient ecosystems,

• tradition, and

• innovation.

For Indonesia, the nomination was awarded to Salak Agroforestry System of Karangasem, Bali.

And this marked the first time Indonesia has received this recognition.

If that sounds like a mouthful, just stick with me. Because what it stands for is even richer.

🌾 What is This System?

So what exactly is the Salak Agroforestry System?

In Karangasem, one of the driest regions of Bali, around 2,800 farmers cultivate 12 local salak varieties, alongside coconuts, vegetables, and other crops.

So what makes it special?

First, integration.

This isn’t just about salak. Multiple crops grow together in one system, reducing dependence on a single harvest and lowering the risk of pests and disease.

Second, structure.

Taller canopy trees provide shade, while understory plants benefit from filtered sunlight, maximising land use and supporting diverse habitats.

Third, nothing goes to waste.

Every part of the salak plant is used.

All of this is rooted in Bali’s philosophies of Tri Hita Karana and Tri Mandala—ways of life that emphasise harmony between people, nature, and spirit.

The system is managed by local communities and protected by customary regulations known as awig-awig.

In short, this isn’t just farming.

It’s a way of life shaped by generations of ecological wisdom.

🌍 What This Means for Southeast Asia

With this recognition, Indonesia now joins a global network of heritage food systems across 29 countries, including Brazil, Italy, Kenya, Morocco, China, and more.

And the good news? Our neighbours, the Philippines and Thailand, are on the list too.

In the northern Philippines, the Ifugao Rice Terraces were recognised for their community-based management, guided by customary laws, social taboos, and traditions passed down through generations.

In Thailand, the Thale Noi wetland pastoral buffalo agro-ecosystem was recognised for its shared resource management, where survival depends on cooperation, collective rules, and sustainable use of wetlands.

These recognitions go beyond prestige.

Southeast Asia is home to many traditional farming systems, from rice terraces to agroforestry.

This recognition reinforces the role of agroecology and heritage-based farming as pathways toward:

• resilient,

• diversified, and

• culturally rooted food systems,

amid challenges, like:

• land conversion,

• climate change, and

• declining youth interest.

It also opens space for the exchange of traditional knowledge, ecological practices, and cultural values across countries.

And it reminds us of something important:

🎙️ Closing

For now, only three Southeast Asian countries are on the list, but this opens the door for many more agricultural systems across the region to be recognised.

Because these systems don’t just preserve tradition. They offer alternatives for the future.

I’m Akasha Viandri, and this has been The Southeast Asia Desk Weekly Dispatch Podcast, where we slow down the noise and follow the region’s compass.

If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to our newsletter at thesoutheastasiadesk.com

Subscribe now

and join us again next weekend for stories to linger over, one weekend at a time.

(AKS/RHZ)

🎣 Opening

Hello, and welcome to The Southeast Asia Desk Weekly Dispatch Podcast.

I’m Akasha Viandri. This is where we slow down the headlines and make sense of the stories shaping our region.

In this episode, we’re going to talk about FOMO.

I believe most of you already know this word.

But just in case, FOMO stands for Fear of Missing Out.

Basically, it’s a feeling of fear.

The fear of being left behind in experiences, information, or moments that others seem to be enjoying.

And I’m pretty sure you’ve experienced FOMO at least once in your life.

According to Dentsu’s APAC Consumer Navigator Q2 2025, more than 60 percent of Southeast Asian Gen Zs admit they feel pressured to keep up with online trends,

even when those trends don’t resonate with them personally.

Yet you still do it.

Why?

Because you’re afraid of missing the visibility and the validation that come with it.

🤔What is FOMO?

For example, you buy the orange iPhone 17 because it is cute and everywhere on social media.

Another example: you don’t actually want to attend a concert this weekend, but you still buy a ticket because everyone else will be there and you don’t want to miss the hype.

Last one, you buy Labubu, simply because Lisa from BLACKPINK has one

And everyone is chasing it

Don’t get me wrong, you can buy whatever you want, do whatever you want to do.

But the core of FOMO isn’t about the purchase itself.

It’s about the fear that quietly pushes you away from asking whether something actually matters to you.

😰 Scrolling and FOMO

So how does this happen?

There are many factors behind FOMO, but one stands out clearly: social media.

Algorithms now quietly influence how people dress, talk, and even how they think.

People want to be present on these platforms.

And whether they’re aware of it or not, they follow patterns that slowly turn into trends.

According to research by Meltwater and We Are Social in 2024, globally, people spend an average of 3 hours and 45 minutes daily on the internet via their mobile phones.

Meanwhile, for social media users in Southeast Asia far exceeds this average, like:

The Philippines is 5 hours and 30 minutes

Thailand 4 hours and 56 minutes

Malaysia 4 hours and 39 minutes

and Indonesia 4 hours and 32 minutes

UC Davis Health in Sacramento, California, said that the more you use social media, the more it can increase your dissatisfaction with your day-to-day life.

This can impact self-esteem; that’s where FOMO comes in, because you think your friends and strangers are having more fun or living better lives than you are.

And this makes people constantly on social media, following trends, so they don’t miss out on what’s happening.

💸 FOMO Is Good… for Brands

For brands, this opens endless entry points for engagement.

Every moment becomes a potential connection.

Take the Philippines, for example.

Digital bank Maya launched a campaign redefining the black card, with a bold message about access and inclusion.

Or look at Coldplay’s tour, including several cities in Southeast Asia.

The tour was widely recognised for its sustainability, with stages built from lightweight, low-carbon, reusable materials, including recycled steel that could be reused or recycled after the tour.

In 2024, the Tourism Authority of Thailand collaborated with Pop Mart

for “Labubu Travels Thailand”, bringing a life-sized Labubu mascot to Bangkok

to explore landmarks and local culture.

Are these bad?

No. You can absolutely have them or be at those events; some even carry meaningful messages.

The stronger the FOMO, the higher the engagement.

In fact, they benefit from it.

But ask yourself, do you really need that?

The real impact is felt by you, and often by the people around you.

Because FOMO can lead to anything, including impulsive buying.

👀FOMO Is Bad, If…

So maybe you don’t really need the orange iPhone.

Maybe you could skip that concert weekend.

Maybe you don’t even like Labubu.

Maybe you are doing it for visibility and validation.

“But everyone needs visibility and validation!”

Yeah, you are right, and that’s normal.

But it becomes a problem when validation replaces identity.

Forbes reported that around 40 percent of millennials said social media caused them to spend money they didn’t actually have.

In Indonesia, the Financial Services Authority (OJK) received more than 18,000 complaints about illegal online loans by the end of the year. Nearly 74 percent of those cases involved young people aged 16 to 35.

And they say one reason is FOMO.

This is where FOMO leads not to fulfillment, but to temporary visibility and validation, and a long journey of debt.

🎙️ The Wrap

FOMO can be useful, in small doses.

It can motivate people to connect, to try new experiences,

to stay informed, or even to push themselves academically.

Maybe people around you are pursuing a master’s degree, you feel a bit of FOMO,

and that motivates you to pursue one too.

But FOMO becomes harmful when it becomes excessive, leading to stress, dissatisfaction, and an inability to enjoy the present moment.

So the key is simple:

Be enough.

Be mindful.

Don’t live only for the lens, live for the moment.

I’m Akasha Viandri, and this has been The Southeast Asia Desk Weekly Dispatch Podcast.

Where we slow down the noise and follow the region’s compass.

If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to our newsletter at thesoutheastasiadesk.com,

and join us again next weekend for stories to linger over, one weekend at a time.

(AKS/RHZ/QOB)

🎣 Opening

Hello, and welcome to The Southeast Asia Desk Weekly Dispatch Podcast.

I’m Akasha Viandri.

This is where we slow down the headlines and make sense of the stories shaping our region.

Knock, knock. Who’s there?

A question: Should Southeast Asia’s beloved multi-sport festival get… bigger?

Because Indonesia has just dropped a new idea on the table, “SEA Games Plus.”

Hmm. Interesting. Let’s hear the proposal.

📝 The Proposal

To understand this, we need to go back to the 2025 SEA Games in Thailand.

That edition sparked more than a few controversies.

From cheating scandals that led to a lifetime ban for a Thai e-sports athlete, officiating disputes in several sports, Cambodia’s withdrawal, and that’s not even the full list.

After all that, a thought surfaced: maybe the SEA Games need a refresh, and that’s where Indonesia comes in, with an unusual idea.

Indonesia’s Olympic Committee, led by Raja Sapta Oktohari, has proposed an expanded version of the Southeast Asian Games called “SEA Games Plus.”

Under this vision, the 11 member nations would open the competition to outsiders like Australia, New Zealand, Bhutan, and Fiji.

The aim?

To boost competition quality, rather than a rotating buffet of events,

and, quietly, to counter what it calls host-driven manipulation.

Ups!

But the point is, this could raise standards, create tougher competition, and better prepare for major international events, like the Olympics.

⚖️ The Struggle

Now, on the surface, this sounds exciting.

But here’s where it gets complicated.

First, identity.
The SEA Games have always been Southeast Asia’s festival.
Shifting toward Olympic-focused sports might improve global competitiveness,
but it could also sideline regional sports, the very events that give the Games their unique flavour.

Second, keeping up.
With Pacific powerhouses joining in, the medal gap could stretch even further, especially for smaller countries.

Third, the bill.
More nations mean more logistics, more travel, more scheduling, and more costs.

You know, bigger games, bigger budgets.

All of which future hosts will have to carry.

🌏 Diverse Reactions

Reactions across Southeast Asia have been mixed.

Malaysia, set to host the 2027 edition, is cautious, stressing that any reform must be a collective decision, not a solo move.

The Philippines, appears more open. They are likely to host the proposed 2028 SEA Games Plus, with parallel youth games also planned in Manila.

Singapore has signaled interest in the conversation.

And the smaller nations?

They’re watching closely, aware that expansion could bring excitement, but also a more uneven playing field.

🎙️ The Wrap

And this is what makes the proposal so challenging.
Because this isn’t just about sports.

It’s a debate about cooperation and competition.
And about what Southeast Asia really wants from its flagship Games.

Add regional politics into the mix, and the decision gets even heavier.

And no, nothing has been decided yet.
This is still very much in the talking stage.

Which also means this won’t be an easy road. Or a short one.

Whatever the final outcome, whether it’s SEA Games Plus, SEA Games Reborn, SEA Games 2.0…. you name it, let’s hope it’s the right one.

A decision that brings victory not just for individual countries, but for Southeast Asia as a whole.

Because once we step onto a larger stage, whoever wins doesn’t just represent themselves.

They show the strength of Southeast Asia.

I’m Akasha Viandri, and this has been The Southeast Asia Desk Weekly Dispatch Podcast, where we slow down the noise and follow the region’s compass.

If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to our newsletter at thesoutheastasiadesk.com, and join us again next weekend for stories to linger over, one weekend at a time

(AKS/QOB)

🎣 The Hook

Hi! How was your sleep last night?

Was it enough? Or are you already craving more?

Some people see sleep as just another routine.

Others treat it as something enjoyable.

And if you’re coming from Southeast Asia, I get you.

Because people here don’t just sleep. They love sleep.

How do I know that? Let me tell you.

Hello, and welcome to The Southeast Asia Desk Weekly Dispatch Podcast.

I’m Akasha Viandri.

This is where we slow down the headlines and make sense of the stories shaping our region.

❤️ SEA’s Love for Sleep

So IKEA has just released IKEA Sleep Uncovered 2025, a global survey measuring attitudes toward sleep.

The study surveyed more than 55,000 respondents, across 57 IKEA markets worldwide.

And the results? Quite surprising.

Southeast Asia dominates the top five of the world’s most sleep-loving countries.

In other words, people here don’t just see sleep as a biological necessity,

they see it as something valuable and enjoyable.

Okay, now let’s take a look at the list.
Number one is Indonesia, with 73 percent of people saying they love sleep.
Second is Thailand, at 71 percent.
The Philippines comes in third, with 68 percent.
Singapore follows in fourth, at 66 percent.
And lastly, the only non–Southeast Asian country on the list, Egypt, with 65 percent.

So yes, my fellow Southeast Asians… we really do love sleep.

Some people love it so much that they’d rather sleep than go out.
And according to the survey, students, parents, and night-shift workers are even more likely to see sleep as a joy.

😴 We Need More Sleep, But Life Gets in the Way

But here’s the paradox.

Even though we love sleep, we don’t always get enough of it.

Take Indonesia, for example.
Despite ranking highest in valuing sleep, people are only getting an average of six hours and 36 minutes a night.

Well, that’s below the recommended seven to eight hours of sleep.

Thailand, Philippines, and Singapore face similar hurdles.
And this isn’t just a Southeast Asian issue.

Globally, there’s a gap between how much sleep we want and how much sleep we actually get, about one hour and twenty minutes.

That gap doesn’t come from nowhere.

It’s driven by modern life, like hustle culture, long working hours, stress and anxiety, and heavy nighttime gadget use that quietly pushes bedtime further and further back.

Financial pressure plays a role, too.

In fact, it plays a bigger role than many of us expect.

Because here’s the uncomfortable truth: sleep may be free, but good sleep is a luxury.

First, the survey shows that higher-income earners tend to sleep better than those on lower incomes.

Second, About 27 percent of financially insecure people wake up more than twice a night, compared to the global average of 19 percent.

Third the lower your income, the more likely you are to experience bad dreams or nightmares.

So yes, money can haunt your sleep.

🛌 How to Get Good Sleep

But don’t worry, there is some good news.

If you’re having trouble sleeping, you might want to start with something simple, like finding a partner.

The survey shows that people who sleep with a partner tend to have higher sleep scores than those who sleep solo.

And if that feels like a big step, relax. You can start small.

Try keeping regular bedtimes and wake-up times.
Create a cosy, clutter-free space with dim lighting.
Stay physically active during the day.
You know small habits are creating a big impact.

Because sleep really does matter.

The gap between valuing sleep and failing to get enough will lead to a health issue.

Harvard Medical School recommends adults get at least seven hours of sleep a night.
Missing that target consistently affects memory, mood, and long-term health.

And according to findings presented at the World Sleep Congress 2025, chronic sleep deprivation costs the region billions of dollars each year in lost productivity and higher healthcare costs.

But too much sleep isn’t the answer either.
Oversleeping comes with its own set of problems, from metabolic issues to heart disease.

🎧 The Wrap

So now you know more about sleep.

Will it make you love it even more?

Just be careful, sleep works a lot like love.

Too much or too little, and things can go wrong

I’m Akasha Viandri, and this has been The Southeast Asia Desk Weekly Dispatch Podcast. where we slow down the noise and follow the region’s compass.

If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to our newsletter at thesoutheastasiadesk.com, and join us again next weekend for stories to linger over, one weekend at a time

🎣 The Hook

Check, check, one, two…

Ehmmm

Attention, Ladies and gentlemen

We have an important update

Jakarta has officially beaten Tokyo as the world’s largest city.

And for the first time in 25 years, Tokyo has to take off its crown.

On the other side, Asia dominates the top ten, and Southeast Asia is very much part of that story

But the question is

Is this a moment to celebrate, or a reason to worry?

Hello and welcome to The Southeast Asia Desk Weekly Dispatch Podcast.

I’m Akasha Viandri.

This is where we slow down the headlines and make sense of the stories shaping our region.

Did you hear the announcement? That’s insane

So how did this happen?

🏆 The “Winner” list

The United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, specifically, its Population Division, just released The World Urbanization Prospects 2025.

This is the 22nd edition of a report the UN has been publishing since 1963.
So yes, they’ve been watching this for a very long time.

In this report, they reveal the world’s megacities.

It sounds impressive.

The UN defines a “megacity” as an urban area with 10 million people or more.

But what it really means is simple: most populous.

Back in 1975, there were only eight megacities.

Today? That number has quadrupled to 33.

And here’s the fun part: 19 of them are in Asia.

Asia dominates the top ten. Literally, nine out of ten cities.

I’ll show you the leaderboard:

Number one is Jakarta, Indonesia, with close to 42 million people.

Second comes Dhaka, Bangladesh, nearly 37 million.

Tokyo drops to third with 33.4 million.

And at number four, Cairo, Egypt, the only non-Asian city in the top ten.

Then come New Delhi in India, Shanghai and Guangzhou in China, Manila in the Philippines, Kolkata in India, and lastly, Seoul in South Korea.

But not every win comes with a good prize.

This surge isn’t driven by economic opportunity alone.

Climate displacement, rural migration, and affordability crises are pushing millions into major Asian cities.

Prize ❌ Challenge ✅

Let’s zoom in on our top three: Jakarta, Indonesia; Dhaka, Bangladesh; and Tokyo, Japan.

Jakarta, for one, is quite literally sinking.

Every year, parts of the city sink between one and fifteen centimeters.
Rising sea levels could submerge up to 25 percent of the city by 2050.

Add flooding, waste management problems, air pollution, you name it.

At the same time, the cost of living keeps rising, while wages struggle to keep up.
Low-income workers have taken to the streets in protest.
And infrastructure? It’s being pushed to the breaking point.

Dhaka faces similar pressures, made worse by climate-driven migration from flood-prone rural areas.

Meanwhile, Tokyo faces a different set of challenges, like sky-high property prices, relentless congestion, an aging population, and the constant risk of a major earthquake beneath the city.

These challenges are more likely to happen in some Southeast Asian countries as well, since they’re also on the megacity list, like Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, and Singapore.

Their growth may be slower and more controlled, but they’re not immune to climate stress.

⭐ Can cities overcome this?

So governments are under pressure to work harder and work smarter.

In Indonesia, one solution on the table is moving the capital to Nusantara to ease Jakarta’s burden.

The buildings are there

Oh don’t forget the famous Garuda statue.

Some people say it looks like Batman’s head. Others say Lord Voldemort’s home. Some even say Jack from Oggy and the Cockroaches.

They said that. Not me.

But progress has been slow, especially under the current administration.

So for now, we cross our fingers and wait.
Because the future is still a mystery, and yes, that includes this new capital city.

In Japan, the government is offering financial support to people willing to move out of Tokyo and settle in rural areas

To reduce density and address labor shortages.

Because let’s be honest, people move to cities for a reason

Cities are hubs of economic and social development.

And today, cities are home to about 45 percent of the world’s 8.2 billion people.

But rapid urban growth also brings real risks to infrastructure, to social equity, and to environmental sustainability.

So back to the question, is this something to cherish, or to worry about?

The answer is both.

Research shows that dense cities can actually help fight climate change through better land use, walkable streets, urban forests, green roofs, and smarter public transport.

This means governments have to step up, to build cities that are sustainable and inclusive,

where people can live comfortably, with affordable homes, reliable public transport, clean water, sanitation, healthcare, you name it

🎧 The Wrap

As Li Junhua, UN Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs says

“Urbanization is a defining force of our time. When managed inclusively and strategically, it can unlock transformative pathways for climate action, economic growth, and social equity.”

I’m Akasha Viandri, and this has been The Southeast Asia Desk Weekly Dispatch Podcast, where we slow down the noise and follow the region’s compass.

If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to our newsletter at thesoutheastasiadesk.com, and join us again next weekend for stories to linger over, one weekend at a time.

(AKS/QOB)

🎣 The Hook ⭐

Let’s talk about home.

Simply, home means a place where you live.

Emotionally speaking, home is where the heart is, said a random coffee cup.

And if you follow your heart, then your home can be everywhere, including Southeast Asia.

Numbers have proven that Southeast Asia is the second home for foreigners to live, because of its affordability

But how about the people who really live in the country? Do they live comfortably?

Hello and welcome to The Southeast Asia Desk Weekly Dispatch Podcast.

I’m Akasha Viandri.

This is where we slow down the headlines and make sense of the stories shaping our region.

💸 SEA is Affordable for Expatriates?

So, in this episode, we’re talking about affordable living in Southeast Asia, particularly in Indonesia, for long-stay foreign workers, such as expatriates and digital nomads.

Who says it’s affordable?

Well, the 2025 Expat Insider study by InterNations surveyed over 10,000 expats from 172 nationalities.

And the result?

Vietnam was crowned the world’s most affordable country for expats, for the 5th straight year.

Survey participants were asked to rate their satisfaction with their financial situation and the general cost of living, and to indicate whether their disposable household income was sufficient to lead a comfortable life in their country of residence.

If that sounds like a mouthful, here’s the summary: Southeast Asia is a wallet-friendly region to live in.

Other Southeast Asia countries are also on the list, like Thailand on the 5th, Indonesia on the 6th, the Philippines on the 7th, and Malaysia on the 9th.

How about Singapore? That’s a different animal.

Still, half of ASEAN made the top 10.

And another group of long-stayers agrees, digital nomads.

The digital-nomad boom strengthened after the pandemic, especially in Indonesia, Thailand, and Malaysia, all of which now offer longer-stay visas for remote workers.

According to 2019 data from ASEAN Post and Nomad List, the big 4 of digital nomad destinations: Bali, Indonesia, attracted around 4,000 digital nomads; Chiang Mai, Thailand, had more than 1,600 digital nomads; Bangkok, Thailand, with around 500 digital nomads; and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, with nearly 150 digital nomads.

Fast-forward to 2025, and those numbers have doubled.

Bali alone is projected to host over 9,000 digital nomads this year.

What is their reason? The answers vary, from scenery to culture, but the essential one is affordability.

🪙 The Economic Impact

So what can we expect from all of this?

Well, for one thing, it is a bigger contribution to the economy.

When more long-stayers choose a place to live, it often leads to more businesses opening, more jobs available, and higher economic returns for local communities.

Take Bali, for example.

There’s no precise data on the impact of long-stayers alone, but together with other tourists, they make a significant contribution to the island’s economic growth.

Bank Indonesia estimates that Bali’s economy in 2025 will reach the upper limit of 5.0 to 5.8 percent, with 41% of that growth coming from the tourism sector, and the rest from agriculture, the creative economy, and investment.

It’s expected to continue rising in 2026 and 2027.

Another example is Thailand.

According to a government statement, they want to engage long-stayers more actively in local activities.

Why? Because the returns are huge.

From January to November 2025, Thailand welcomed more than 28 million foreign tourists, generating about 1.3 trillion baht, or roughly 40.6 billion US dollars.

Sounds great, doesn’t it?

🧭 What We Miss

But here’s the part that we miss.

Quoting CNA, observers and activists say that the surge in long-stayers, here digital nomads, has led to overtourism and soaring property prices in many parts of the world.

And the numbers back it up.

In 2024, Phuket, Thailand, saw property prices jump 8%; Langkawi, Malaysia, recorded a 4% rise; and Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia, climbed up to 15.1%.

Let’s zoom in on Bali.

Local said, before the digital-nomad boom, most tourists stayed in hotels or hostels.

But now?

Remote workers want privacy and space, so villas have become the new norm.

And that changes everything.

Landowners who have money are converting rice fields into villas.

Those who can’t?

Many ended up selling their land to local and foreign investors, especially during the pandemic.

And here’s the kicker: infrastructure hasn’t kept up.

Roads and drainage are struggling.

The result?

More traffic, more flooding, more strain on local communities.

And this is only a small part of what locals feel.

And besides, one reason long-stayers say Southeast Asia is ‘affordable’ is because they’re earning in dollars, euros, or pounds.

With those currencies, you can live like a queen or a king in many Southeast Asian countries — including Indonesia.

The 2025 average minimum wage across all provinces in Indonesia is around 3.3 million rupiah, and expatriate salaries can be seven to ten times that amount, or even more.

Another example is a digital nomad from the US, interviewed by Business Insider.

He lived in Bali for almost four years, earning about 140,000 dollars a year, roughly 2 billion rupiah.

He said things were getting more expensive, like rental costs.

But honestly? With that income, you can still live very comfortably here.

No offense.

📩The Wrap

So whose fault is this?
Honestly… I’m not here to blame anyone.

It’s complex, with many elements involved.

And it’s certainly not the fault of the long-stay foreign workers.

But the government…
Please, do more

If long-stay foreign workers can live comfortably here, ask yourself..

Can you build a comfortable life in your own country?

I’m Akasha Viandri, and this has been The Southeast Asia Desk Weekly Dispatch Podcast, where we slow down the noise and follow the region’s compass.

If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to our newsletter at thesoutheastasiadesk.com, and join us again next weekend for stories to linger over, one weekend at a time.

(AKS/QOB)

Hello and welcome to The Southeast Asia Desk Weekly.

I’m Akasha Viandri.

This is where we slow down the headlines and make sense of the stories shaping our region.

In this episode, we’re gonna talk about a dream.

A dream of living long, comfortable lives, for us and Mother Earth.

🎣 The Hook

To make that dream real, in December 2015, almost every country signed the Paris Agreement, pledging to limit global warming by cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 43 percent by 2030.

Including Indonesia? Of course, along with the rest of ASEAN.

But how far do we need to go to keep that promise?

And how essential is it, really?

🌍 It is essential

To answer that, picture a day from the moment you wake up until you go back to sleep.

First, you hear your alarm ring. Then you take a hot shower in the morning.

You’re ready to go, don’t forget to fill up your car!

Now you’re at the office. You heat up your lunch in the microwave.

Let’s just skip the working part, okay?

You charge your phone and bla bla bla… and then you head home and go to sleep.

Every step of your daily routine runs on fossil fuels, oil, gas, and coal, which still power about 80 percent of global energy demand.

This energy built our modern world, but it’s finite.

In the next 60 to 100 years, it could be gone. And I tell you, that’s like the blink of an eye.

To add to the tension, it also has a high environmental cost.

And what is the cost? the carbon they leave behind.

Greenhouse gases, especially carbon dioxide, trap heat in our atmosphere and drive climate change.

So, if the world wants to keep the Paris promise, we have to cut fossil-fuel use, invest in renewable energy, and create an economy powered by green industry and cleaner air.

🌱 The potential

Can we do it? Of course. The potential is there, and it’s massive

The block has more than 7,000 gigawatts of renewable energy from solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal sources.

Indonesia could be the cornerstone of that future, holding roughly 3,600 gigawatts of renewable potential.

The country even ranks second in the world for geothermal capacity, behind the United States and just ahead of the Philippines.

✨Three, two, one… and go

So, ASEAN has set some goals.

First, according to the ASEAN Centre for Energy, the bloc is targeting a 23 percent share of renewable energy in total primary energy supply by 2025, and raising that to over 70 percent by 2050.

In the near future, ASEAN’s renewable capacity is expected to grow from around 125 gigawatts in 2025 to about 178 gigawatts by 2030

To align with that vision, Indonesia has pledged net-zero emissions by 2060.

In the coming years, the country is going all in on adding 69.5 gigawatts of power capacity, with about 61 percent, or 42.6 gigawatts, coming from renewable sources.

Second, ASEAN also needs to cut fossil-fuel imports and invest more aggressively in solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal.

Third, the paperwork. Governments must streamline regulations and licensing so renewable projects actually attract investors.

Because here’s the truth: all of this takes money.

The International Energy Agency estimates that the Asia-Pacific region must triple its investment in renewable energy.

Meanwhile, Indonesia’s Chamber of Commerce estimates 3.8 trillion US dollars in renewable-energy investment opportunities, about 4 percent of GDP from 2025 to 2050.

Do we need to worry? Nope.

What is the point of having siblings if they don’t help each other?

ASEAN needs to act like siblings, like family.

That means working more closely as a region and getting the private sector on board, so clean energy projects can grow.

📩 The Wrap

This will be a long journey

Not to mention that one of the original initiators of the Paris Agreement, the United States, has been a bit wishy-washy…

withdrawing, rejoining, and withdrawing again in 2025.

ASEAN, and the rest of the world, must stay the course.

So our next generation won’t have to daydream about a comfortable life.

They will simply live it.

I’m Akasha Viandri, and this has been The Southeast Asia Desk Weekly Dispatch, where we slow down the noise and follow the region’s compass.

If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to our newsletter at thesoutheastasiadesk.com, and join us again next weekend for stories to linger over, one weekend at a time.

(AKS/QOB)

Hello and welcome to The Southeast Asia Desk Weekly.

I’m Akasha Viandri.

This is where we slow down the headlines and make sense of the stories shaping our region.

Recently, there has been talk that President Prabowo plans to restrict certain online games, after several incidents involving students that ended in tragedy.

Prabowo’s argument is familiar, games have a negative impact and they influence the behaviour of the younger generation.

Well, it’s no surprise, games often end up being the scapegoat.

🎣 The Hook

Let’s start with a quick snapshot.

Indonesia is one of the most game-obsessed countries in the world.

Take a look around you, wherever you go, while you are minding your own business, you will find some people playing games.

Yeah’s only one or two, you say.

But if you put it all together, gamers across all the islands, the number is massive.

We are talking over 192 million gamers here. Surprised? Me too.

By 2025, the domestic gaming market is projected to reach 2.5 billion US Dollars.

That is huge, we are giant game players. But we are not a game-making powerhouse.

Local developers capture only a tiny slice of that pie. You can barely taste it.

This is because most of the games Indonesians love are published and controlled by big foreign companies, accounting 99.5% of market revenues.

One of the major players, Tencent’s Level Infinite even calls us “a growth goldmine”

🧭 The Story of Challenges

Let’s imagine this. It’s almost midnight.

A team of Indonesian developers is still in front of their screens, fine-tuning a character, fixing annoying bugs. With the passion they have, they keep going while facing obstacles.

First, funding.

So while players are on “easy mode,” local studios are trying to develop a game on “hard mode.

Many depend on personal savings or foreign funding, if they are lucky, to just keep the lights on.

Second, Talent gaps.

The creativity is there, but deep technical expertise, especially in programming, production, and project management, is still in short supply.

Third, a frequent regulation flux.

Even so, thank God that our government has stepped out of spectator mode and introduced a new Presidential Regulation, treating gaming as a strategic industry.

✨The “Growing Goldmine”

Despite the worries, a report says Indonesia is “on track” to lead a force in the gaming scene, if developers, investors, and government bodies all play in the co-op multiplayer mode.

The first goal? Protect your own base while pushing forward, like your favorite mobile legends match, but in a good way.

Agate International, Indonesia’s largest studio and a regional leader in game development, has its co-development project, Rifstorm, listed among the 50 most-played games on Stream Next Fest 2025.

I guess we really are on track, aren’t we?

And how can we ignore this potential?

The gaming industry is ranked as the sixth-highest growth potential in Indonesia’s creative economy subsector.

Indonesia’s esports scene continues to soar through competitions, gaining more recognition and becoming more inclusive.

📩 The Wrap

Another important element in developing Indonesia’s gaming industry is the gamer.

So next time you see local games, give it a try, and leave some feedback, so we can grow this industry together.

I’m Akasha Viandri, and this has been The Southeast Asia Desk Weekly, where we slow down the noise and follow the region’s compass.

If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to our newsletter at thesoutheastasiadesk.com and join us again next weekend for stories to linger over, one weekend at a time.

(AKS/ELS)

Hello and welcome to The Southeast Asia Desk Weekly — I’m Akasha Viandri, and this is where we slow down the headlines and make sense of the stories shaping our region.

Today, we’re talking about football — and not just any football.

🎣 The Hook

Imagine this: It’s 2034. The stadium lights in Bangkok flicker to life. Kuala Lumpur’s Bukit Jalil roars with fans. And Jakarta’s GBK shakes like a drum.

The dream? Southeast Asia, united — hosting the world.

That’s the image leaders have been selling. But here’s the question:

Is the FIFA–ASEAN Cup really a new era for regional unity… or just a redundant sequel no one asked for?

🧭 The Story

Let’s rewind.

ASEAN first floated the dream of hosting a World Cup as a bloc more than a decade ago.

It was ambitious — maybe too ambitious.

Ten countries, multiple currencies, and wildly different infrastructure standards.

FIFA smiled politely — and moved on.

Fast-forward to 2025, and the conversation is back — but with a twist.

Sounds good on paper.

It could boost tourism, infrastructure, and yes, ASEAN’s image as a cohesive sporting region.

But skeptics point out… we already have something called the *AFF Cup* — run by the ASEAN Football Federation — and it’s beloved.

So… what’s the point of adding another layer?

⚽ The Politics Behind the Pitch

This is where the story gets interesting.

Because this isn’t just about football — it’s about soft power.

FIFA wants to expand its influence in emerging markets.

And ASEAN governments? They love the optics of unity — especially when the world is watching.

For Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, and Malaysia — co-hosting a FIFA event means legitimacy, global branding, and diplomatic capital.

But for smaller members — like Laos, Cambodia, or Brunei — the benefits are less clear.

It could deepen the gap between “big football” and the rest.

And let’s be honest — mega-events have a history.

They bring short-term buzz, but also long-term bills.

Ask Brazil. Ask South Africa. Ask Qatar.

💭 So What Does It Really Mean?

Maybe the FIFA–ASEAN Cup isn’t about finding the best football.

Maybe it’s about testing ASEAN’s ability to act as one — to prove that “One Vision, One Identity, One Community” isn’t just a slogan.

But if it becomes another top-down initiative — led by politicians, not players —

then it risks becoming just another acronym in ASEAN’s long alphabet soup.

Still, it’s hard not to feel a bit of hope.

Because if there’s one thing that unites Southeast Asia — it’s football.

Not policy, not summits, not communiqués — but the sound of a stadium erupting in collective joy.

📩 The Wrap

So, as FIFA and ASEAN hammer out the details, maybe the real question isn’t if this cup will happen — but whether it will matter.

I’m Akasha Viandri, and this has been The Southeast Asia Desk Weekly — where we slow down the noise, and follow the region’s compass.

If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to our newsletter at thesoutheastasiadesk.com and join us again next weekend, for stories to linger over, one weekend at a time.

(AKS/QOB)

Southeast Asia is one of the world’s most dynamic, complex, fast-changing, and deeply interconnected regions. Yet, its stories are too often complicated or ignored.

The Southeast Asia Desk was established to address this concern.

We strive to deliver in-depth analysis, on-the-ground reporting, and clear, balanced perspectives on the politics, economics, security, and cultural shifts that are shaping the region’s future.

In an age of endless headlines and rush takes, we believe in journalism that slows down, digs deeper, and connects the dots. Our work hopefully brings you closer to what is really happening, providing context and clarity for policymakers, academics, business leaders, and curious readers alike.

From breaking news that barely scratches the surface to content churn driven by algorithms, today’s media landscape too often prioritizes virality over veracity.

Emerging from Indonesia, one of the region’s most vibrant yet underreported democracies, The Southeast Asia Desk seeks to spotlight the nuance of this vast archipelago and its neighboring countries with care.

Each edition, each episode, is a dispatch, not a scroll. Our goal is not to flood inboxes or feeds, but to earn trust, one report at a time.

Nurtured by journalists, researchers, and observers from within the region, our model embraces the practice of “one dispatch at a time.”

Each release, whether audio, video, or written, is carefully edited, fact-checked, and deeply situated in the local context.

The Southeast Asia Desk was founded as a deliberate counterpoint, a slow, steady, and deeply regional voice committed to verification-first storytelling, curated dispatches, and human-scale journalism.

Our content ecosystem begins with daily angles, newsletters, and podcasts —formats that facilitate intimacy and control —and will expand into a public knowledge archive through our website.

If you value sharp analysis, compelling narratives, and a deeper understanding of how this region fits into the global story, you are in the right place.

We do not chase the 24-hour news cycle. We design our own rhythm.

At the core of it all: a compass pointed toward context, not clicks.

Curating the region, one dispatch at a time.

On behalf of the editorial team

Welcome to our desk.

The Southeast Asia Desk.