🎣 Opening

🎙️ 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.

Let me ask you something.

✈️ Have you ever opened a visa application form… and immediately felt tired?

📄 The bank statements.
📅 The interview slots.
📂 The endless documents.

And then there’s that one friend who casually says:

💬 “Oh, I don’t need a visa.”

Ughhh, so annoying… 😩

But here’s the thing.

In Southeast Asia, your passport can quietly determine:

🌍 where you can travel,
🎓 where you can study,
💼 where you can work,
✨ and sometimes… how easily you can dream bigger.

Because, according to the 2026 Henley Passport Index, Southeast Asia is experiencing a massive passport divide.

📉 And the gap is bigger than many people realize.

🌏 The Big Picture

🏆 At the very top sits Singapore.

Its passport is now officially the strongest in the world, with visa-free access to 192 destinations. 🌐

That means Singaporeans can travel to most countries without lengthy paperwork, embassy appointments, or approval anxiety. 😌

Meanwhile, elsewhere in Southeast Asia?

The experience looks very different.

Countries like 🇱🇦 Laos, 🇰🇭 Cambodia, 🇻🇳 Vietnam, and 🇲🇲 Myanmar still face major visa restrictions globally.

Myanmar currently sits near the bottom of the regional rankings, with access to only 42 destinations. 📉

And that’s not just a travel inconvenience.

It reflects something bigger:

🤝 diplomatic influence,
💰 economic trust,
🌍 and global mobility.

🌏 Southeast Asia’s Growing Passport Gap

Because a weak passport acts like a hidden tax.

💸 A tax on opportunity.

For many Southeast Asians, international travel isn’t just about booking a ticket.

It means:

💳 expensive visa fees,
📑 complicated applications,
⏳ uncertainty,
🚫 and high rejection risks.

And that affects more than tourism.

🎓 It affects students applying overseas.
💼 Professionals attending conferences.
🚀 Entrepreneurs trying to expand globally.

That proves that mobility shapes access.

And access shapes opportunity. 🔑

📊 Southeast Asia’s Three Tiers

The rankings now reveal a kind of hierarchy inside Southeast Asia itself.

🥇 Tier One: The Global Elite

🇸🇬 Singapore
🇲🇾 Malaysia
🇧🇳 Brunei

These passports offer mobility levels comparable to many Western countries. 🌍

A Malaysian traveler, for example, can visit cities like London or Paris relatively easily. ✈️

🥈 Tier Two: The Middle

Countries like:

🇹🇭 Thailand
🇮🇩 Indonesia
🇵🇭 The Philippines

still face restrictions, despite having large economies and growing regional influence.

Indonesia, for instance, ranks only 64th globally, despite being Southeast Asia’s largest economy. 📉

🥉 Tier Three: The Restricted Tier

Then there are countries like:

🇻🇳 Vietnam
🇰🇭 Cambodia
🇱🇦 Laos
🇲🇲 Myanmar

where visa barriers remain significantly higher.

And for citizens there, global mobility often depends heavily on financial resources. 💵

💸 The Wealth Factor

Because here’s the uncomfortable truth.

In the world of passports…

💰 money changes everything.

For wealthy individuals, visa barriers become much easier to bypass.

🏡 Some can obtain residency through investment programs, often called “golden visas.”

📄 Others face fewer problems simply because embassies are more comfortable approving applicants with strong financial records.

So while a weak passport slows down the average traveler…

💳 wealth can act like a shortcut through the system.

💡 Why This Hits Home

And this creates an interesting contradiction inside ASEAN.

🤝 Southeast Asia often talks about regional unity and integration.

But in reality?

🌏 Not everyone in the region moves through the world equally.

A Singaporean can plan a spontaneous Europe trip. ✈️

Meanwhile, a young professional from Vietnam or the Philippines may spend weeks gathering paperwork for the exact same destination. 📑⏳

Same region.

Very different realities.

🎙️ The Wrap

So this story isn’t really about passports.

It’s about:

🌍 mobility,
🔑 access,
⚖️ and inequality in a globalized world.

Because in today’s economy, the ability to move freely across borders is increasingly tied to:

🎓 education,
💼 business,
🤝 networking,
🚀 and opportunity itself.

And right now, Southeast Asia is moving at two very different speeds.

Some countries travel with near-frictionless freedom. ✈️✨

Others are still stuck navigating visa walls. 🚧

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

Subscribe now

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

Have you ever wondered? What makes people move across countries today?

💼 Better jobs? Definitely.

💸 Cheaper living costs? Of course.

🌴 A lifestyle that feels more flexible and meaningful? Absolutely.

And increasingly, many people are finding all of that in Southeast Asia.

From beach towns in Indonesia to major cities in Thailand and Malaysia, the region is becoming one of the world’s biggest hubs for digital nomads and remote workers.

Let’s talk about Southeast Asia’s growing role in the future of work.

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 the Southeast Asia region.

🌏 Southeast Asia’s Rise as a Digital Nomad Hub

Before the pandemic, remote work was mostly seen as a perk.

Now, for millions of people around the world, it has become a lifestyle.

💻 As companies embraced flexible work systems after COVID-19, many professionals began looking beyond traditional office cities.

And Southeast Asia quickly stood out.

So, why?

Because the region offers something difficult to resist:

💸 Relatively low living costs
📶 Strong internet infrastructure
☕ Expanding coworking and cafe culture
🌆 Diverse lifestyles from mega-cities to tropical coastlines

Countries across the region are also adapting.

📄 🇹🇭 Thailand introduced the Destination Thailand Visa, while 🇲🇾 Malaysia launched the DE Rantau Nomad Pass to attract long-term remote workers.

And specific cities are becoming major digital nomad hubs.

🇮🇩 Bali remains one of the world’s most famous remote-work destinations, especially in Canggu and Ubud, where coworking spaces, cafes, and wellness culture have become part of everyday life.

🇹🇭 Bangkok attracts remote workers looking for fast-paced city living, efficient transportation, and endless food and cafe options.

🇲🇾 Kuala Lumpur offers a more structured and corporate-friendly environment, supported by modern infrastructure and widespread English usage.

🌊 Meanwhile, 🇻🇳 Da Nang is emerging as a rising star, combining beachside living with a growing startup and tech scene at a lower cost than many established hubs.

🌿 And for those seeking a slower pace, 🇹🇭 Chiang Mai continues to attract freelancers and independent creators with its relaxed atmosphere and deeply connected nomad community.

For many remote workers, Southeast Asia is no longer just a travel destination.

🏡 It’s becoming a place to live, work, build businesses, and create long-term communities.

🎯 The Wrap

So what does this tell us?

Southeast Asia is no longer only competing in tourism.

🌐 The region is increasingly becoming part of the global future-of-work economy.

Remote workers bring spending, business activity, and international networks into local communities.

And Southeast Asia offers something many professionals are searching for:

⚖️ Flexibility
💸 Affordability
✨ Quality of life

All in one place.

The future of work may not belong to one office or one city anymore.

And Southeast Asia is positioning itself right at the center of that shift.

What do you think?

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

Subscribe now

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

There’s this one moment when you wake up before the sun rises.

You arrive at the starting line, check your shoes, your bib number — ready.

Somewhere between nerves and excitement, you tell yourself all those training sessions will pay off

And when the air horn blows, you start running.

That’s more or less what marathon race looks like.

In marathons, people run for fitness, for personal goals, or sometimes, just to keep up with the trend.

But marathon culture has quietly grown into something much bigger than that.

It moves money.
It drives tourism.

And Southeast Asia may have more potential in this space than many realise.

Let’s take a closer look.

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 Southeast Asia region.

🏃 The Global Marathon Trend

Let’s start this episode with some numbers.

The number of people signing up for marathons continues to grow year by year.

And one example of that is the London Marathon, one of the Abbott World Marathon Majors.

More than 1.33 million people entered the public ballot for the 2027 London Marathon, with 300 thousand of them coming from outside the UK.

That’s nearly double the number of applications for the 2024 edition, a new record!

So, why are so many people signing up?

Long story short, running is one of the easiest sports to start.

And social media has turned running into something shared.

People post their pace, collect medals, and upload race-day photos online.

Eventually, it becomes a trend.

And yes, a bit of FOMO probably helps too. But if that gets people to care more about their health, why not?

The benefit? Health, of course.

But beyond that, there’s also big money involved.

Hugh Brasher, the chief executive of London Marathon Events, told the BBC they are exploring the possibility of expanding the marathon into a two-day event.

And if that happens, organisers estimate it could generate more than 400 million pounds in economic and social benefits, while raising over 150 million pounds for charities.

That’s serious money.

And it doesn’t stop at the race itself.

Many international runners extend their stay, turning race weekend into a holiday.

And that is where sports tourism begins to emerge.

According to UN Tourism, the global sports tourism market was valued at around 609 billion US dollars in 2023, and is projected to grow by 16 percent by 2030.

And marathons are clearly part of that.

And that brings us to Southeast Asia.

🏞️ Southeast Asia’s Marathon Tourism Potential

Southeast Asia may not host a World Marathon Major, at least not yet.

But the region is home to a growing number of races recognised by World Athletics.

But this is not about labels or tiers.
You can always Google those later.

What’s more interesting is how Southeast Asia offers something else: unforgettable race experiences.

And it’s not difficult to see why.

Imagine running past ancient temple complexes, with Angkor Wat, the world’s largest religious monument, standing in the background.

Rice fields, local villages, cultural performances along the route.

It might even make you feel like you can run more than 42 kilometres.

A completely different experience.

High-altitude trails.

Dense bamboo forests.

Mountain ridges stretching into the distance.

Just breathtaking.

And these are just a few examples.

💰 The Money

And that experience translates into economic impact.

Take the Maybank Marathon, for example.

The 2025 edition is estimated to have contributed around 170.8 billion rupiah to Bali’s economy during the event period.

That figure increased by around 45 billion rupiah compared to the previous year.

The reasons include higher participant numbers, increased spending, and longer stays from runners arriving from more than 50 countries.

Local businesses in Bali also reportedly saw their revenue increase by an average of 56 percent during the event.

Singapore tells a similar story.

The Singapore Marathon is projected to contribute around 36 million US dollars to the country’s economy.

That’s just… wow

🎧 Closing

People may come for the race. But they often stay for the experience.

So perhaps marathon races today are no longer just about crossing the finish line.

And while marathon racing in Southeast Asia is still developing,

the region has real potential to carve out its place: offering race experiences shaped by breathtaking scenery, culture, and atmosphere.

And that’s what moves money.

And eventually, the economy.

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

Subscribe now

Global coffee production continues to rise, reflecting steady growth in the sector (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)

🎧 Opening

Can you guess what connects people today?

A shared frustration with government? Of course!

Old memories? Maybe.

The same hobbies? Possibly.

Those conversations do create connection, but often, they’re driven by one simple thing: coffee. The quiet connector that lets conversations flow.

Let’s talk about coffee and its huge potential in Southeast Asia, shall we?

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.

🌏 Southeast Asia’s Coffee Potential in the Global Market

“Let’s grab a coffee and tell me everything”

“Oh, I haven’t had my coffee today, let me grab one before the next meeting”

“This weekend, it’s just me, my coffee, and a good book.”

Sounds familiar, right?

Coffee is that extra energy in a day full of chaos, and a quiet companion when things slow down.

And beyond the cup, there’s a growing potential, especially in Southeast Asia.

According to the International Coffee Organization, global coffee consumption reached around 175 million 60-kilogram bags in the 2024–2025 season.

And production isn’t far behind, with the United States Department of Agriculture estimating global output at around 178 million 60-kilogram bags in 2025.

And a large share of that comes from just a few countries.

Around 73 percent of global production is concentrated among the top five producers: 🇧🇷 Brazil, 🇻🇳 Vietnam, 🇨🇴 Colombia, 🇮🇩 Indonesia, and 🇪🇹 Ethiopia.

See? Two of the world’s top five producers are from Southeast Asia.

Together, 🇻🇳 Vietnam and 🇮🇩 Indonesia produce around a quarter of the world’s coffee and export about the same share.

⚡ The Region’s Coffee Potential

Within the region, Southeast Asia’s coffee market continues to grow steadily.
And while 🇻🇳 Vietnam ranks higher globally in production, Indonesia leads the region.

It’s followed by 🇹🇭 Thailand, 🇻🇳 Vietnam, 🇵🇭 the Philippines, 🇲🇾 Malaysia, and 🇸🇬 Singapore.

So, why is that?

First, 🇮🇩 Indonesia clearly has the capacity in terms of production.

But it’s not just about supply.

🇮🇩 Indonesia is also the most populous country in Southeast Asia and many people here love coffee.

That demand shows up clearly.

There are now around 460 thousand coffee shops across the country.

And brace yourself…

It’s the highest in the world based on data from the Global Point of Interest database as of November 2025.

Even 🇨🇳 China in second place, has fewer than 200 thousand.

Other Southeast Asian countries are also climbing.

🇻🇳 Vietnam ranks fourth globally, with around 132 thousand coffee shops.

🇹🇭 Thailand follows, with nearly 97 thousand.

And the 🇵🇭 the Philippines ranks ninth, with around 60 thousand.

🎯 The Wrap

So what does this tell us?

Southeast Asia is no longer just part of the global coffee supply chain.

We’re becoming a key player in how coffee is consumed.

Production and consumption are beginning to align.

And that creates something powerful.

Not just connections between people, but momentum in the economy as well.

And when the economy moves well, people tend to live better.

What do you think?

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.

Hello, welcome back 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.

Okay, real quick—how’s your weekend going?

I hope it’s been a good one.

And maybe… what you actually need isn’t only a better mood,
Maybe you need a change of place.

So today, I’m taking you around Southeast Asia.
Because some of the cities here…?
They’re not just good for a quick getaway…
They’re actually starting to beat cities around the world.

Yeah—globally.

So, who knows, by the end of this episode, you might already be planning your next escape.

🌏 Southeast Asia Is Having A Moment

So here’s the thing.

According to the Time Out World’s Best Cities Index 2026,
Southeast Asia isn’t just climbing rankings—it’s booming!

We’re talking real momentum. Real numbers.

Cities across 🇹🇭 Thailand, 🇸🇬 Singapore, and 🇻🇳 Vietnam
are pulling in millions of visitors—not just because they’re “cheap” or “pretty”… you know what I mean.

But because they offer something deeper—culture, lifestyle, and experiences that actually feel real.

And right now?
That’s exactly what people are looking for.

Be honest… aren’t you too?

🌃 The Cities Everyone’s Talking About

Let’s break it down.

1.🇹🇭 Thailand — where the culture meets chaos (in the best way)
If you love energy, this is going to be your place.

Street food at midnight.
Nightlife that doesn’t sleep.
Festivals where the whole city feels alive.

🇹🇭 Thailand welcomed around 33 million international visitors in 2025—one of the highest in the region.

And Bangkok? Ranked #8 globally.
Still one of the most visited cities in the world.

It’s loud, vibrant, a little chaotic…
But that’s exactly the charm.

2.🇸🇬 Singapore—clean, polished, and kinda futuristic✨
Ranked #23, and honestly… not surprising.

Singapore is that city that just works.

Everything is efficient.
Everything feels safe.
Everything looks like it came from the future.

But yeah… It’s expensive. No debate here.

Still—if you’re into iconic architecture, cultural diversity, and a super seamless city life…

🇸🇬 Singapore is that city.

3.🇻🇳 Vietnam—the creative underdog rising fast🚀

Now this one’s exciting.

Vietnam is booming—like, seriously booming.

Around 21 million international visitors in 2025.
And cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are rising fast.

• Hanoi (#25) → culture, hidden cafés, slow mornings by Hoan Kiem Lake

• Ho Chi Minh City (#38) → fast-paced, high-energy, where history meets modern life

The vibe?

Creative. Dynamic. A little raw—but in a good way.

This is where tradition and ambition collide.

💡 Why This Hits Home

So… why are these cities suddenly outperforming global giants?

Because travel has changed.

It’s not about ticking off landmarks anymore.
It’s about how a place feels.

People want experiences like:

• live like a local

• find hidden spots

• stay longer, not just visit

And Southeast Asia delivers all of that—without losing its identity.

You get world-class experiences…
without losing the soul of the place.

And the balance?
That’s rare.

🌱 The Bigger Shift

Zooming out a bit—this isn’t just about tourism.

This is about how cities compete globally now.

We’re seeing a shift:

• from luxury → to value-for-money experiences

• from big attractions → to cultural ecosystems

• from fast travel → to slow, meaningful journeys

Even smaller cities—like Chiang Mai—are starting to rise.

And creative industries?
Food, film, art, coffee culture…

They’re becoming major drivers of tourism.

So yeah—this isn’t just a trend.
It’s a transformation.

🎯 The Wrap

So… back to your weekend.

If it hasn’t been great,
Maybe that’s your sign.

Not to fix the weekend, but to rethink where you spend the next one.

Because across Southeast Asia,
there are cities waiting—not just to be visited…
but to be felt.

And who knows?
Your next favorite place
might be closer than you think.

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,
don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter at thesoutheastasiadesk.com,

Subscribe now

Join us again next weekend—and maybe… in a different city.
For stories to linger over—one weekend at a time.

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

I’m Vila Marescotti.

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

Okay, real talk.

Have you ever…
Stayed up until 3 AM binge-watching K-pop variety shows? Or…

fought for concert tickets like your life depends on it — even when the price is… honestly, a bit insane?

Refreshing the page. Waiting. Stressing. So that you could buy yourself a ticket.

Yeah… same.

But here’s the thing. It’s not just you.

Across Southeast Asia, millions of fans are doing the exact same thing.

Streaming. Voting. Trending hashtags. Buying albums.

For years, we’ve been K-pop’s loudest audience.

But now?

Something is changing.

Because Southeast Asia is no longer just watching the K-pop dream.
We are starting to live it.

🎤 The Shift

Southeast Asia is no longer just consuming K-pop.

It’s shaping it.

More and more idols debuting on the global stage are coming from this region.

From 🇹🇭Thailand, 🇮🇩Indonesia, 🇻🇳Vietnam, the 🇵🇭Philippines…

The crowd is no longer just in front of the stage. We’re on it.

And this raises a bigger question.

As lineups become more global… Can K-pop still be called “Korean” pop?
Or is it becoming something more global?

🌏 The Big Picture

Now this? This is not just a random coincidence.

Back in 2008, Nichkhun from 2PM debuted as a Thai idol —
a rare moment at the time.

But then came artists like:

• Lisa from BLACKPINK

• BamBam from GOT7

• Minnie from (G)I-DLE

They didn’t just succeed.

They changed expectations.

What used to be an exception
became a part of the system.

🌐 Why Southeast Asia Matters

And here’s why this region is so important.

Southeast Asia isn’t just a fanbase.

It’s an engagement powerhouse.

Fans here don’t just listen.

They organize.
They stream strategically.
They vote — hard.

Countries like 🇮🇩Indonesia are now among the top K-pop markets in the world.

And agencies are paying attention.

Because strong fandom doesn’t just create the hype.

It builds long-term influence.

❤️ Why This Hits Home

But beyond the numbers…

This is about representation.

Take Lisa from BLACKPINK.

She didn’t just become a global star.

She showed that someone from Southeast Asia
can reach the very top.

And once that door opens?

Others follow.

Now we’re seeing:

• Dita Karang (Ex-Secret Number member)

• Carmen (Hearts2Hearts member), the first Indonesian idol under SM Entertainment

And more to come.

Across the region,
The path is becoming real.

⚖️ What’s Changing

This also shifts how we define K-pop itself.

It’s no longer just about nationality.

It’s about the system — training, production, discipline.

At the same time, the industry still needs to stay culturally Korean.

So now it faces a balancing act:

How do you stay Korean while becoming global?

🎙️ The Wrap

So, this story isn’t just about music.

It’s about identity.

For years, Southeast Asia was defined by
fans in the crowd, holding lightsticks.

Now?

We’re seeing something different.

Artists from this region, standing under the spotlight.

From Bangkok to Jakarta,
from Manila to Hanoi—

Southeast Asia is no longer just watching the K-pop dream.

We are living it.

And maybe the real question now is:

Who’s next?

I’m Vila Marescotti,
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 now

subscribe 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 Vila Marescotti.

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

Let me start with a simple question.

When was the last time you used English?

Maybe to send an email.
Or to join a meeting?
Even just to watch a YouTube tutorial.
Or even just scroll through social media.

Now here’s the thing.

For many people across Southeast Asia,
English is no longer just a school subject.

It’s becoming a daily tool.

And increasingly…
a deciding factor.

Because across the region, something subtle but powerful is happening.

English is quietly turning into
infrastructure.

📡 Why This Matters

A recent global survey by ETS highlights just how important this shift is.

90% of employers say English proficiency is critical to organizational success.
And 92% say it matters more today than it did five years ago.

That’s a big jump.

And it tells us something important.

In today’s economy, shaped by digital work, global trade, and artificial intelligence.
Language is no longer optional.

It’s foundational.

🌏 The Big Picture

So, what’s driving this shift across Southeast Asia?

There are three big forces at play.

1️⃣ Globalized Workplaces

Southeast Asia runs on connectivity.

Supply chains stretch across 🇻🇳 Vietnam, 🇹🇭 Thailand, and 🇲🇾 Malaysia.

Startups expand from 🇸🇬 Singapore to 🇮🇩 Jakarta.

And all of this depends on one thing: a shared language.

English makes collaboration faster, smoother, and more efficient across borders.

Without it, everything slows down.

2️⃣ The AI Effect

You might think AI reduces the need for language skills.

But actually, it’s doing the opposite.

According to the survey, 81% of employers say AI increases the need for English proficiency.

Why?

Because most AI tools — from prompts to documentation — operate in English.

So, to use AI effectively, workers don’t just need technical skills.

They need to understand, interpret, and communicate in English.

3️⃣ Competition for Talent

As Southeast Asia attracts more global investment, competition is getting tighter.

The report finds that 86% of employers believe companies without strong English skills are at a disadvantage.

So, this isn’t just about communication.

It’s about competitiveness.

🇮🇩 Why This Hits Home

For 🇮🇩 Indonesia, this shift is especially important.

With a workforce of more than 140 million people,
and a rapidly growing digital economy,
the country has huge potential.

But there’s a catch.

That potential depends on how well Indonesian talent can
connect with the global market.

According to the survey:

• 100% of Indonesian employers say English is more important today than five years ago

• And 87% say lacking English skills creates a competitive disadvantage

In other words:

Talent alone is no longer enough.

It needs to be understood globally.

⚖️ What’s at Stake

So, what’s really at stake here?

More than just individual careers.

English proficiency can influence whether a country can:

• Attract international investment

• Join global supply chains

• Adopt new technologies like AI

• Compete in knowledge-based industries

In a region like Southeast Asia —
where economies are deeply connected to the world —

Communication isn’t just a skill.

It’s leverage.

💡 The Bigger Meaning

Here’s the bigger shift.

In the past, infrastructure meant
roads, ports, and power plants.

Today, it also includes something less visible.

Language.

Because language is what connects:

• talent to opportunity

• businesses to global markets

• and ideas to execution

English, in this sense, is becoming
the invisible system that keeps everything moving.

🎙️ The Wrap

So, this story isn’t really about learning a language.

It’s about how Southeast Asia positions itself in the global economy.

Because as the region moves deeper into the AI era
and becomes more interconnected,

the question is no longer:
Does English matter?

That question has already been answered.

The real question is:
How fast can Southeast Asia catch up?

I’m Vila Marescotti,
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 now

subscribe 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.

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.

Pizza Hut China even launched durian pizzas in 2024.

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

Tiktok failed to load.

Enable 3rd party cookies or use another browser

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

Tiktok failed to load.

Enable 3rd party cookies or use another browser

🌏 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)