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Thailand Closes Famous Maya Bay Indefinitely to Save Coral Reef From Tourists

Maya Bay, a small beach on Thailand's Phi Phi Leh Island, has been a popular tourist destination since it appeared in the 2000 film The Beach starring Leonardo DiCaprio.

in Asia

Taiwan Considers Opening Citizenship to Skilled Southeast Asian Workers

To address an aging population and loss of skilled workers to more affluent neighbor nations, Taiwan is debating policies that would make it easier for skilled workers from Southeast Asian countries t...

in Asia

Grab, Uber Fined $9.5m in Singapore Over 'Anti-Competitive' Merger

The Grab and Uber merger from this past March led to an investigation over competition infringement conducted by Singapore's competition watchdog.

in Asia

Bangkok Banned Street Vendors Last Year. Now, Merchants Are Fighting Back.

Last year, Bangkok's military junta imposed a ban on street vendors on the grounds of maintaining the city's "order and hygiene."

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South Korea Imposes Ban on Sale of Coffee in Schools

The ban will be applied for both students and teachers.

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KFC Bans Straws for All In-House Diners in Hong Kong and Macau

The move is the latest in a wave of Asian initiatives to combat plastic waste. 

in Asia

Chinese Bride Abandons Wedding Shoot to Give First-Aid to Traffic Victim

Like thousands of other Chinese couples, Xie Dan and her husband celebrated their wedding on August 18 — the day after Chinese Valentine's Day.

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After Jakarta, Bangkok Is the Next Asian City That's Sinking Too Fast

Bangkok is one of three cities — along with Venice and New Orleans — which are sinking ten times more quickly than sea levels are rising.

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High-Profile Chinese Monk Accused of Coercing Nuns Into Sex

The monk in question is currently the abbot of Longquan Monastery and the head of the Buddhist Association in China.

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Vietnam Open to Collaborating With China to Save ‘Hoan Kiem Turtles’

The collaboration might be the only way to save a species facing extinction.

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Laos Dam Bursts, Displacing Thousands, Claiming at Least Two Dozen Lives

A collapsed hydroelectric dam in a remote region of Laos on July 23 severely floods villages and leaves thousands homeless.

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China's Chili-Eating Competition Is a Hot Slobbering Mess

Last year's winner consumed 15 chilies in just one minute.

in Asia

South Korean Women Stop Spending Money a Day Every Month to Protest Sexist Ads, 'Pink Tax'

In a bid to send a strong message to conglomerates and advertisers about gender-based price discrimination in South Korea, an online campaign calling for a spending strike by women was launched last w...

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Channel Your Rage the Healthy Way at Japan's Annual Table-Flipping Contest

Have you ever been so emotional, you felt like flipping a table fully laden with dinner, sending a clamor of glasses, plates and food careening across the room?

in Asia

[Photos] Under the Sea: Singapore Artist Depicts Life After Ocean Level Rises

The surrealistic set of photos showcases both the dire future of low-lying cities and mankind’s amazing adaptability in the face of extreme climate shift.

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Thailand Will Launch Durian Into Space to Promote Thai Cuisine

The infamous Southeast Asian fruit will be launched into space as part of the Thai Space Research Agency’s “Thai Food to Space” project.

in Asia

In Myanmar, Human Hair Is a Lucrative and Noble Industry

Today, Myanmar is one of the major suppliers of human hair for countries around the world. The niche trade fits comfortably within in Burmese religious traditions and provides income for thousands of ...

in Asia

China and India Are Outsourcing Emissions to Poorer Countries Like Vietnam: Report

As China and India ready ambitious reforms to enhance their efforts to combat climate change, large corporations are responding by looking to offshore their operations to lower-wage nations.

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Adidas, Uniqlo and Nike Factories Are Leaving China for Vietnam

Vietnam now produces twice as many Adidas shoes as China, according to company filings.

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At a High School in China, Top Students Are Rewarded With Raw Pork

Is stationery falling out of fashion?