By Montira RUNGJIRAJITTRANON/AFP – Thailand’s former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was cleared on Friday of royal defamation charges, relieving a threat to his embattled political dynasty, which has dominated Thai politics for two decades.
Thai Ex-PM Thaksin Acquitted of Royal Insult Charges
Trip.com Group Connects Asia’s Travel Leaders with China’s Expanding Regional Tourism, Boosting Cross-Border Cooperation
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SHENYANG, China, Aug. 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The NIHAO! CHINA 2025 Asian Tour Operators’ concluded successfully, bringing together more than 100 leading tour operators from across Asia. Travel trade representatives from more than 10 countries participated in the programme. Participants experienced one of four curated tour routes across China, each highlighting the country’s diverse regional tourism strengths.
- Route 1: Scenic Landscapes Tour – Suzhou → Huangshan → Ningbo
- Route 2: Ancient Capitals & Culture Tour – Jinan → Anyang → Handan
- Route 3: Mountains & Rivers Discovery Tour – Zhangjiajie → Guilin → Changchun Route 4: Colourful Silk Road Tour – Quanzhou → Dunhuang → Zhangye
These immersive itineraries enabled international operators to engage directly with local tourism stakeholders, deepen their understanding of China’s rich product offerings, and gain a first-hand understanding of the opportunities within the country’s inbound travel market.
Over 100 leading tour operators from various Asian countries participate in a specialised itinerary across China
Organised by the Bureau of International Exchange and Cooperation of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, and co-hosted by Trip.com Group alongside 13 cities, the initiative created opportunities for attendees to discover new travel routes and strengthen regional collaboration in inbound tourism including cities in Shenyang, Changchun, Ningbo, Jinan, Handan, Suzhou, Huangshan, Quanzhou, Anyang, Zhangjiajie, Guilin, Zhangye, and Dunhuang.
The event highlighted the importance of regional collaboration as Asian inter-regional tourism grows. Trip.com Group’s data shows that inbound travel bookings to the Chinese mainland have surged by approximately 100% year-over-year, with top source markets including South Korea, Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia.
Benny Wang, Senior Vice President of Trip.com Group, provides insights on China’s inbound tourism at the Shenyang Inbound Tourism Conference
Serving as the culmination of Hearts Toward China, Together for a New Journey – NIHAO! CHINA 2025 Asian Tour Operators’ China Trip, the Inbound Tourism Conference was held on 21st August 2025, in Shenyang. Senior officials from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism opened the forum, setting the tone for a day focused on actionable partnerships and destination development.
Trip.com Group supported the programme with global marketing reach, multilingual operational services, and data-driven insights to transform opportunities into actionable tourism offerings. By amplifying destinations’ visibility and providing industry expertise, the Group helped ensure that the multi-day event delivered lasting outcomes for inbound tourism development.
About Trip.com Group
Trip.com Group is a leading global travel service provider comprising of Trip.com, Ctrip, Skyscanner, and Qunar. Across its platforms, Trip.com Group helps travellers around the world make informed and cost-effective bookings for travel products and services and enables partners to connect their offerings with users through the aggregation of comprehensive travel-related content and resources, and an advanced transaction platform consisting of apps, websites and 24/7 customer service centres. Founded in 1999 and listed on NASDAQ in 2003 and HKEX in 2021, Trip.com Group has become one of the best-known travel groups in the world, with the mission “to pursue the perfect trip for a better world”. Find out more about Trip.com Group here: group.trip.com.
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HKIVALAWYER.com Officially Launched｜The First Dedicated Debt Restructuring Legal Platform in Hong Kong
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 22 August 2025 – In today’s economic climate, both businesses and individuals are facing mounting debt pressures and an increasing need for restructuring solutions. To address this growing demand, HKIVALAWYER.com has been officially launched. This new platform is a joint initiative between hkfindlawyer.com and faatgo.com, bringing together a network of legal professionals specializing in debt restructuring. Its mission is to provide comprehensive, professional, and innovative solutions to help debtors navigate financial challenges and regain stability.
Core Vision: Integrating Legal Expertise for Greater Efficiency and Transparency
HKIVALAWYER.com connects renowned lawyers and law firms in Hong Kong who focus on a wide range of debt restructuring mechanisms, particularly IVA (Individual Voluntary Arrangements) and DRP (Debt Relief Plans). These two options are often the most effective for individuals struggling with multiple creditors or unsustainable repayment schedules, offering legally structured paths to manage or reduce debt.
Through the platform, users can benefit from:
- Convenient Search and Comparison: A one-stop hub to review different lawyers’ expertise, service focus, and track records in IVA and DRP cases.
- Professional Matching Services: Automated lawyer recommendations based on users’ financial situations and needs, ensuring that those considering IVA or DRP are connected to specialists with relevant experience.
- Transparent Information: Access to case studies, FAQs, and detailed comparisons of IVA, DRP, and other restructuring options, empowering debtors to make informed decisions with clarity.
Background: Responding to the Surge in Debt Restructuring Needs
With ongoing pressures from China’s property sector and a rise in corporate defaults, Hong Kong has seen an increase in high-profile debt restructuring cases such as Evergrande. These have exposed limitations in the city’s current legal framework. Experts point out that unlike London, New York, or Singapore, Hong Kong has yet to establish a comprehensive debt restructuring regime that provides temporary protection and streamlined restructuring procedures.
Against this backdrop, HKIVALAWYER.com was established to fill the gap—offering individuals and businesses credible, professional, and practical legal support, especially through IVA and DRP solutions.
Expected Benefits and Future Development
In the short term, the platform aims to achieve several key milestones:
- Expand its lawyer directory to include more specialists in IVA and DRP.
- Launch an online appointment and review system to build transparency and trust.
- Publish real success stories to enhance public understanding of how IVA and DRP can help restructure unmanageable debts.
In the long run, HKIVALAWYER.com seeks to collaborate with legislative bodies and industry associations to advocate for reforms in Hong Kong’s debt restructuring system, alleviating pressure on debtors, supporting businesses in distress, and contributing to economic recovery and social stability.
Hashtag: #HKIVALAWYER
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Vientiane Records Over 600 Traffic Accidents, 100 Deaths in First Half of 2025
Vientiane Capital experienced a significant number of traffic accidents in the first six months of 2025, with authorities reporting more than 600 incidents and 100 fatalities.
MALAYSIA SHOWCASES HEALTHCARE EXCELLENCE IN CAMBODIA, DRIVING MOMENTUM TOWARDS MYMT 2026
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Aug. 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC) proudly presents Malaysia Healthcare Week 2025 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, an initiative designed to strengthening healthcare ties between the two nations and position Malaysia as the medical tourism destination in the world.
Taking place from 19 to 22 August 2025, the event features a series of engagements including medical sharing sessions, business-to-business (B2B) meetings, public outreach programmes, and networking events with Cambodian stakeholders, healthcare facilitators, and the expatriate community. The programme brings together top Malaysian healthcare providers, including National Heart Institute (IJN), KPJ Healthcare Berhad, Sunway Healthcare Group, and OPTIMAX Eye Specialist Centre.
This initiative responds to the growing demand for quality healthcare among Cambodians, who are increasingly seeking treatment abroad. In 2024, Malaysia recorded a total of 1.6 million healthcare travellers, generating RM2.72 billion in revenue, a 21% increase from the previous year. Cambodia contributed 3,612 travellers, marking a 14.93% growth in comparison to 2023, highlighting its strong potential as an emerging growth market for Malaysia’s healthcare travel industry.
The programme will showcase Malaysia’s expertise in specialised treatments such as cardiology, oncology, orthopaedics, ophthalmology, and women’s health, while highlighting Malaysia’s integrative approach that combines modern medicine, wellness, preventive care, and Traditional & Complementary Medicine (T&CM).
Key highlights of Malaysia Healthcare Week 2025 in Cambodia include:
- Women’s Health: Prevention, Treatment & Recovery – An exclusive hi-tea session with the Ladies Community, including spouses of foreign ambassadors in Cambodia, aimed at sharing healthcare insights relevant to women.
- Experience Malaysia Healthcare Journey – Networking with the Malaysia Business Chamber of Cambodia (MBCC), Cambodian government officials, insurers, and the media to highlight Malaysia’s internationally accredited hospitals and seamless patient journey.
- Malaysia Healthcare: Trusted Destination for Quality Care – A dedicated B2B session with medical facilitators, travel agencies, and referral partners to foster long-term collaboration.
“Malaysia Healthcare Week in Cambodia is an important platform for us to bring Malaysia’s world-class healthcare services closer to Cambodian patients,” said Mr Lokman Izam Abd Aziz, MHTC’s Vice President of Marketing and Communications. “Our proximity, affordability, multilingual expertise, and international standards make Malaysia an ideal healthcare destination for both Cambodians and the country’s large expatriate community.”
As Malaysia moves towards the Malaysia Year of Medical Tourism (MYMT) 2026, MHTC continues to enhance its healthcare offerings, ensuring that international patients experience not only exceptional medical care but also Malaysia’s warm hospitality and unique cultural experiences.
MHTC remains committed to advancing Malaysia’s position as a global healthcare hub through strategic collaborations, integrating clinical excellence with tourism offerings, and delivering a seamless healthcare travel journey for patients from around the world.
For media inquiries and further information, please contact:
Mohamad Shahizam Fauzi
Head, Communications
+603 8776 6168
shahizam.f@mhtc.org.my
Siti Hamidah Mohd Najib
Senior Executive, Communications
+603 8776 6168
hamidah.m@mhtc.org.my
About Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council
Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC), founded in 2009 and operating under the purview of Ministry of Health (MOH) Malaysia, is tasked with developing and nurturing the “Malaysia Healthcare” brand. MHTC enhances, coordinates and promotes Malaysia’s healthcare travel industry by fostering industry collaborations and establishing valuable public-private partnerships both domestically and internationally. Working with 82 MHTC member hospitals across Malaysia, MHTC aims to elevate the healthcare travel industry through an active ecosystem, a robust “Malaysia Healthcare” brand, and strategic market initiatives. The “Malaysia Healthcare” brand aspires to position Malaysia as the premier global healthcare destination. As a significant export service, Malaysia’s healthcare travel industry plays a vital role in the nation’s economy.
Agoda Launches AI-Powered Bot to Instantly Answer Hotel Questions
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SINGAPORE, Aug. 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Digital travel platform Agoda has officially launched the Property AMA (“Ask Me Anything”) Bot, an AI chatbot designed to provide instant answers to travelers’ hotel-specific questions. This innovation aims to help users make quicker, more confident booking decisions by cutting through the clutter and delivering precise information in seconds.
Since the successful soft launch, the Property AMA Bot quickly gained popularity, answering over 30,000 hotel-related questions per day. Every day, millions of travelers visit Agoda to explore accommodation options, compare amenities, and find the perfect stay for their trip. While Agoda’s property pages are packed with details, answers to simple yet relevant questions like “Is there parking available?” or “What’s the quality of the breakfast?” can sometimes be hidden in a sea of descriptions and reviews. A connection between Agoda’s systems and advanced language model, ChatGPT, enriched with live property data, ensures the Property AMA Bot provides up-to-date responses.
Agoda’s users were already able to contact property owners directly via a messaging system, but property response rates and times varied. The Property AMA Bot builds on this by offering real-time, reliable responses to enhance user confidence. The tool is available on any property page, and on all Agoda platforms: desktop, mobile web, and app.
“Helping travelers get the answers they need, when they need them, is central to building trust in our platform and delivering even more value to customers,” said Idan Zalzberg, Chief Technology Officer at Agoda. “The Property AMA Bot reduces uncertainty by answering questions instantly, which in turn leads to a smoother, more satisfying booking experience.”
With the launch of the Property AMA Bot, Agoda is taking a transformative step toward more responsive and user-friendly booking experiences. Travelers can now enjoy a more seamless journey from browsing to booking, supported by Agoda’s commitment to making travel simpler, faster, and more personalized.
Explore Agoda’s offerings, including over 5 million holiday properties, 130,000 flight routes, and 300,000 activities, all in one booking. Visit Agoda.com or download the Agoda mobile app for the best deals.
Celebrate Mooncake Festival 2025 with The Westin Surabaya’s Premium Mooncakes
SURABAYA, Indonesia, Aug. 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The Mid-Autumn Festival 2025 is approaching, bringing with it the timeless harmony of Chinese heritage beautifully intertwined with the rich cultural tapestry of the Indonesian archipelago. This year’s celebration holds even greater significance as it coincides with the 75th anniversary of Indonesia–China diplomatic relations, a milestone that highlights the enduring bonds of friendship and cultural exchange between the two nations.
Mid-Autumn Festival 2025, The Westin Surabaya
To mark this special season, The Westin Surabaya proudly presents its handcrafted Mooncake Festival 2025 collection to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival 2025 on 6 October. This annual festival, also known as the Festival Kue Bulan, is a cherished tradition symbolizing reunion, gratitude, and togetherness, now elevated with the hotel’s premium mooncake hampers.
This year’s The Westin Surabaya mooncake collection is packaged in an exclusive geometric handbag box, combining modern design with timeless sophistication. Available in pastel, green, and red, the limited edition handbag is versatile and can be used as a handbag, shoulder bag, or clutch, making it both a keepsake and a statement piece.
The highlight of Mooncake Festival 2025 collection by The Westin Surabaya is the Black Charcoal Golden Naiwong Custard, featuring a rich golden custard center wrapped in deep black charcoal pastry. This signature flavor perfectly blends luxurious taste with striking presentation.
The collection also includes a variety of flavors to suit every preference. For the health-conscious, The Westin Surabaya mooncake hampers offer low sugar mooncake choices such as White Lotus and Red Bean. timeless For rich and aromatic flavors, there’s Pandan and Green Tea mooncake. Adventurous palates will love the Yam Taro Lotus, Golden Naiwong Custard, and Black Sesame mooncake, which give a modern twist to traditional recipes.
“This year, we proudly present our Mid-Autumn Festival 2025 mooncake collection with playful colors while maintaining elegance. The stylish geometric handbag is not just packaging, but a versatile accessory for any occasion,” said Faisol Amin, Assistant Director of Food & Beverage at The Westin Surabaya.
Mooncake Festival 2025 collection by The Westin Surabaya is priced from IDR 728,000++, containing four premium baked mooncakes, the limited edition handbag box, and an exclusive greeting card. Perfect as a Mid-Autumn Festival gift for family, friends, or business partners in Surabaya and beyond.
To reserve your mooncake set, contact us at +62 (031) 2971 0000, or via WhatsApp at +62 812 3351 8156 or +62 812 3454 6298. Orders can also be placed through our website at www.westinsurabaya.com.
About Westin® Hotels & Resorts
Westin Hotels & Resorts, hospitality’s global leader in well-being for more than a decade, empowers guests to transcend the rigors of travel while on the road through the brand’s Six Pillars of well-being: Sleep Well, Eat Well, Move Well, Feel Well, Work Well, and Play Well. At more than 240 hotels and resorts in over 40 countries and territories, guests can benefit from distinct wellness experiences including the brand’s iconic and award-winning Heavenly® Bed, signature WestinWORKOUT® offerings such as its 24/7 Fitness Studios, WestinWORKOUT Routes, and its versatile Gear Lending program featuring the latest in recovery and strength training from Hyperice and Bala, delicious and nutritious menu offerings on their Eat Well menu, and more. For more information, please visit www.westin.com and stay connected on X, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook. Westin is proud to participate in Marriott Bonvoy®, the global travel program from Marriott International. The program offers members an extraordinary portfolio of global brands, exclusive experiences on Marriott Bonvoy Moments and unparalleled benefits including free nights and Elite status recognition. To enroll for free or for more information about the program, visit marriottbonvoy.com
About Marriott Bonvoy®
Marriott Bonvoy, Marriott International’s award-winning travel program and marketplace, gives members access to transformative, eye-opening experiences around the corner and across the globe. Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio of more than 30 extraordinary hotel brands offers renowned hospitality in the most memorable destinations in the world. Members can earn points for stays at hotels and resorts, including all-inclusive resorts and premium home rentals, as well as through everyday purchases with co-branded credit cards. Members can redeem their points for experiences including future stays, Marriott Bonvoy Moments™, or through partners for luxurious products from Marriott Bonvoy Boutiques®. With the Marriott Bonvoy app, members enjoy a level of personalization and contactless experience that allows them to travel with peace of mind. To enroll for free or for more information about Marriott Bonvoy, visit marriottbonvoy.com. To download the Marriott Bonvoy app, go here. Travelers can also connect with Marriott Bonvoy on Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok.
Mount Taishan has ranked first in the country in terms of search popularity for seven consecutive months
TAI’AN, China, Aug. 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — This is a report from the Shandong office of Hong Kong Business Daily. On August 13, Maidian Research Institute, a well-known research institution in China’s cultural and tourism industry, released the Top 100 List of 5A Scenic Spot Brands in July 2025. Mount Taishan Scenic Spot ranked first in the Top 10 5A Scenic Spot Search Index in July 2025, which is the seventh consecutive month that Mount Taishan Scenic Spot ranked first in China.
The Maidian brand index MBI (scenic park brand) mainly analyzes the brand’s communication power on the Internet and mobile Internet from four dimensions: search index, comment index, operation index and media index. According to the analysis, in July, Mount Taishan’s search, comment, media and operation index in 5A scenic spots showed a month on month growth trend.
Mount Taishan is the first world cultural and natural heritage and world geological park. In the eyes of Chinese people, it is not only a natural mountain, but also a “cultural mountain” and “spiritual mountain”. It is known as the epitome of Chinese history and culture and the symbol of the Chinese national spirit.
In recent years, Mount Taishan Scenic Area has taken South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan and other Southeast Asian countries or regions as breakthrough points to deeply explore and expand overseas markets and carry out targeted marketing and promotion. At the same time, we will increase communication and cooperation with local travel agents, continue to expand the high-end customer market, and optimize the customer source structure.
In the future, Mount Taishan Scenic Spot will focus on giving play to Mount Taishan’s resource characteristics and brand advantages, aiming to build Mount Taishan into an international first-class tourist resort and cultural and tourism health highland with strong core competitiveness, great international influence, high tourist satisfaction, strong sense of public happiness, and beautiful and pleasant ecology, continue to improve the quality of tourism services, effectively promote Mount Taishan’s tourism to continue heating up, and the number of tourists continues to rise.
