🌏 Storms, Students, and Surging Trade — This Week in Southeast Asia
From typhoon evacuations to booming exports, here’s what shaped the region this week
Your curated wrap-up from The Southeast Asia Desk.
🌪️ Typhoon Kajiki Forces Mass Evacuations
Communities across the Philippines and parts of Vietnam faced large-scale evacuations as Typhoon Kajiki swept through the region. With heavy rainfall and strong winds, the storm disrupted transport, damaged infrastructure, and underscored Southeast Asia’s growing vulnerability to climate disasters. Read more
💰 Cross-Border QRIS Hits Rp166 Trillion
Indonesia’s cross-border QR payment system (QRIS) has reached a staggering Rp166 trillion in transactions. The milestone highlights Southeast Asia’s accelerating digital integration, making regional payments smoother for travelers and businesses alike. Read more
🥭 Southeast Asia’s Durian Boom Gains Global Bite
Long seen as the “king of fruits” locally, durian is now becoming a billion-dollar export crop. Demand from China and other markets is transforming rural economies across Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia — but raising concerns over sustainability and land use. Read more
👩🔬 Southeast Asian Students Join Arctic Expedition
Sixty-six students from 21 countries — including Indonesia, Vietnam, and Myanmar — joined Russia’s Icebreaker of Knowledge voyage to the North Pole. The expedition gave young Southeast Asians a unique window into nuclear and space science, placing the region’s students on the global frontier of research. Read more
🏆 Southeast Asia Makes History at the U.S. Open
Athletes from the region broke new ground at this year’s U.S. Open, showcasing Southeast Asia’s growing presence in global sports. From tennis courts to track records, the achievements highlighted the region’s talent on the world stage. Read more
🧸 When Toys Do More Than Play
From easing hospital anxiety to supporting childhood learning, toys are proving to be more than entertainment. A LEGO MRI scanner kit, now reaching Southeast Asian hospitals, is helping children turn fear into confidence in medical settings. Read more
🎶 Weekend Brew: Tomorrowland Comes to Thailand
The iconic Belgian music festival Tomorrowland will debut in Thailand, marking its first-ever Asian edition. With pulsating beats and massive crowds expected, it’s set to transform Southeast Asia’s music tourism scene. Read more
✨ Stories to linger over, one weekend at a time.
(QOB)