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MINISO Brings Christmas Cheer to Bangkok’s Siam Square with YOYO and Signature Characters, Closing Out a Standout Year in Thailand

BANGKOK, Dec. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — This Christmas, MINISO is bringing YOYO and a lineup of its popular characters to Bangkok’s Siam Square, creating a festive seasonal setting and marking the close of a strong year for the brand in Thailand. A series of Christmas-themed installations will remain in place across Siam Square’s pedestrian streets and at Thailand’s first MINISO LAND through the holiday period, running until January 4, 2026.  

MINISO and its proprietary IP YOYO bringing Christmas spirit to Siam Square, Bangkok
MINISO and its proprietary IP YOYO bringing Christmas spirit to Siam Square, Bangkok

Christmas in Thailand may come without snow, but this year, MINISO brings festive cheer to the heart of Bangkok. Its signature characters—YOYO, the Gift Bear, and DUNDUN—headline a 10-day holiday installation anchored by a 60-meter-long Christmas promenade. Featuring five themed photo spots, the route leads visitors from Siam Square to MINISO LAND, ending at a Christmas tree marked by MINISO’s iconic red wink. Inside the store, seasonal displays, limited-edition gifts, and wish cards await.

MINISO LAND at Siam Square with Christmas tree at entrance
MINISO LAND at Siam Square with Christmas tree at entrance

MINISO LAND in Siam Square marks the company’s first overseas debut of its new experiential store format. Opened in October, the store features a redesigned storefront and highlights the Zootopia product lineup. Since launch, it has drawn strong foot traffic from both local shoppers and tourists. The opening reinforced MINISO’s presence in Thailand, while the brand awareness built earlier in the year positioned the store as a natural hub for year-end holiday activations. Through immersive design, curated assortments, and campaign-led execution, MINISO continues to elevate the in-store experience for Thai consumers.

MINISO’s Gift Bear plush in Christmas edition
MINISO’s Gift Bear plush in Christmas edition

A Year of Joy: Retail Expansion and Brand Activity

Throughout 2025, MINISO continued to expand its retail footprint and delight Thai consumers with a combination of new stores, exclusive product launches and immersive brand experiences. The year kicked off in January with the opening of the brand’s first flagship store at Asiatique The Riverfront in Bangkok, and coincided with Thailand’s debut of MINISO’s Harry Potter merchandise collection.

MINISO store at Asiatique The Riverfront, Bangkok
MINISO store at Asiatique The Riverfront, Bangkok

In the following months, MINISO introduced multiple newly refreshed and flagship stores in key Bangkok locations, including Megabangna Mall, MBK Center, and The Mall LifeStore Bangkapi. Each opening showcased IP-themed products, and immersive displays, drawing strong foot traffic and social media buzz. The May launch at The Mall LifeStore Bangkapi marked the overseas debut of the Stitch GenZ Street Series vinyl plush, generating high shopper interest.

MINISO store at The Mall LifeStore Bangkapi, Bangkok
MINISO store at The Mall LifeStore Bangkapi, Bangkok

Beyond Bangkok, MINISO strengthened its presence in northern Thailand by establishing stores across key commercial destinations in Chiang Mai, including Central Festival Chiangmai, Central Chiangmai Airport, and MAYA Lifestyle Shopping Center. The expansion reflects the brand’s focus on delivering an elevated and refined store experience, while steadily extending its presence across Thailand.

MINISO store at Central WestGate
MINISO store at Central WestGate

MINISO’s growth strategy also emphasized engaging local consumers through popular IP collaborations. Throughout the year, the brand introduced over 15 new IP collections in Thailand—including Zootopia, Stitch, Harry Potter, and One Piece—alongside more than 5,000 new products.

By combining retail expansion with engaging retail experiences and campaigns, MINISO has positioned its stores as vibrant destinations for Thai consumers. The Christmas and New Year program, anchored by MINISO LAND and a festive promenade in central Bangkok, further strengthened the brand’s visibility and engagement during the holiday season, setting the stage for continued growth in 2026.

 

Luang Namtha Welcomes Nearly 1.3 Million Tourists in 2025, Surpassing Expectations

Kayaking in nothern Laos ' Laung Namtha Province. ({Photo credit: Luang Namtha News)

Luang Namtha Province has marked a successful year for tourism in 2025, welcoming a total of 1,290,192 visitors both international and domestic, an increase of 2.86 percent compared to the same period of 2024.

Somsawat Namintha, Deputy Head of the Department of Culture and Tourism of Luang Namtha Province, reported that among these visitors, 970,760 tourists entered via international checkpoints and 136,410 via the Laos-China Railway.

A major factor driving the province’s rise in tourist numbers was a series of vibrant cultural festivals. 

These included the Akha Swing Festival, Hmong New Year, Rocket Festival, and Boat Racing Festivals in Nalae and Viengphoukha districts, which drew both domestic and international visitors and generated over USD 40 million in revenue.

Key highlights of 2025 also featured the Forest Trekking and Boat Trip Festival in the Nam Ha National Protected Area, which promoted sustainable tourism and environmental conservation. In addition, Luang Namtha enhanced its international profile by participating as the “City of Charm” at the 22nd China-ASEAN Expo 2025 in Nanning, China, in September.

In addition, the province earned two ASEAN-standard awards for excellence in Community-Based Tourism (CBT) and public sanitation. Strategic projects included designating the Luang Namtha Paddy Fields as a cultural and tourism site.

Currently, Luang Namtha has 433 tourism business units, with total investment exceeding LAK 504 billion (about USD 23 million ). Provincial authorities have focused on inspecting and regulating services, particularly improving the central provincial market and ensuring compliance with standards to guarantee service quality.

Looking ahead, the province aims to attract 1,441,568 visitors in 2026, generating around USD 45 million in revenue, while continuing to enhance sustainable tourism development.

Asian Development Bank Approves Funds for Forestry Restoration Project in Laos

Forest Landscapes and Local Livelihoods in Lao PDR - (Picture by AllTrails)

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved USD 10 million in funding for the Responsible Forestry Project Phase I in Laos. The package includes a USD 5 million concessional loan from ADB’s ordinary capital resources and a USD 5 million grant.

The project aims to tackle forest degradation, enhance climate resilience, and support the livelihoods of forest-dependent communities in Bolikhamxay, Khammouane, and Vientiane Capital.

ADB emphasized that public funding alone is insufficient to reverse the damage, highlighting the need for increased private investment in forest restoration, tree planting, and conservation-focused ecotourism.

Phase I will focus on identifying existing challenges and preparing technical and feasibility studies for Phase II. It will also promote collaboration among relevant stakeholders to develop commercial plantations and conservation initiatives.

The project is expected to strengthen institutional capacity and create opportunities for local communities to participate in forestry activities while benefiting economically from sustainable forest management.

Forests cover approximately 62 percent of Laos and provide employment for more than 65 percent of the workforce. However, unsustainable practices have caused widespread degradation, resulting in economic losses estimated at nearly 19 percent of the country’s gross domestic product each year.

Laos Section of Laos-China 500kV Power Interconnection Reaches 80 Percent Completion

This photo is used for representational purpose only.

The Lao section of the Laos-China 500-kilovolt (kV) power interconnection project has reached 80 percent completion, one of the country’s most important cross-border energy infrastructure projects in northern Laos.

Vilaxay Xayluangsy, a technical officer from Electricité du Laos Transmission Company Limited (EDL-T) under the Construction Department, confirmed the milestone during an interview with Lao state media on 19 December at Namor 3 Power Station in Namor district, Oudomxay Province.

The project is being developed in two phases. EDL-T is responsible for the Lao section, while China Southern Power Grid (CSG) manages the Chinese section, which includes a 145-kilometer, 500kV transmission line from Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture to the Lao border.

This interconnection is expected to support major renewable energy developments in northern Laos, including the 1,000-megawatt solar power project in Oudomxay Province, which was inaugurated on 13 December. Phase I of the solar facility is projected to generate 1.7 billion kilowatt-hours annually, with electricity transmitted to China’s Yunnan Province through the new interconnection.

Beyond these bilateral benefits, the project will enhance power system stability, facilitate clean energy exports, and strengthen Laos’ electricity connections with neighboring countries, including Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Myanmar.

Once completed, the Lao government said the Laos-China 500kV interconnection will be a cornerstone in its plan to position the country as a regional clean energy hub in the Lancang-Mekong region.

Project Background

Construction of the Lao section began in late February 2025, following an official launch ceremony in Vientiane Capital. The project is expected to be completed by April 2026, with full operations scheduled to commence later that year.

The Lao section encompasses Oudomxay and Luang Namtha provinces and includes construction of a new 500kV substation in Namor district. 

This substation will connect to Xishuangbanna in Yunnan Province, China, via a 183.5-kilometer cross-border transmission line.

Once operational, the interconnection will enable two-way power assistance of up to 1.5 million kilowatts and facilitate transmission of approximately 3 billion kilowatt-hours of clean electricity annually, enough to power millions of households for an entire year.

Georgian Railway Modernization Project Officially Put into Operation, Adding a New Highlight to the Belt And Road Initiative

TBILISI, Georgia, Dec. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — On December 25th, Beijing time, Georgian Railway Modernization Project constructed by China Railway 23rd Bureau Group Co., Ltd., is officially put into operation. After 13 years of hard work, this major achievement of ChinaGeorgia cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative has injected strong impetus into the transportation upgrade and economic development of Georgia, and also demonstrated the outstanding capabilities of Chinese infrastructure enterprises in the overseas railway market.

Georgian Railway Modernization Project Officially Put into Operation, Adding a New Highlight to the Belt And Road Initiative
Georgian Railway Modernization Project Officially Put into Operation, Adding a New Highlight to the Belt And Road Initiative

The railway is located in central Georgia, starting from the city of Zestaponi and ending in the city of Khashuri, with a total length of 43.911 kilometers. It serves as the “main artery” for transportation between the east and west of the country. The project involves the upgrading and renovation of existing lines as well as the construction of new ones, covering multiple fields such as line design, civil engineering construction, power supply, communication systems, and station facilities. The construction was particularly challenging due to the complex geological conditions, with key tasks such as tunnel excavation, high slope embankment protection, and bridge beam installation all faced with significant obstacles. The construction team of China Railway 23rd Bureau Group Co., Ltd. adopted a “lean and efficient” management model, flexibly adjusted the construction plans, deepened cooperation with local enterprises, and relied on technological innovation to overcome a series of technical difficulties. They strictly adhered to safety standards throughout the process to ensure the smooth progress of the project.

During the construction period, the project management actively fulfilled its social responsibilities, providing employment for approximately 1,000 local workers. This not only has helped local people increase their income but also enabled them to acquire professional skills through technical training, which allows them to participate in and witness the development and changes of their hometowns.

This project is the largest railway project newly built and successfully put into operation in Georgia. As an important part of the “Trans-Caspian International Transport Corridor”, the official operation of the project is of great significance for enhancing the overall transportation capacity of Georgian railways, promoting logistics transportation between China and Europe, and driving regional economic development. The average travel efficiency from Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia, to the western Black Sea port thus will increase by 37%, and the annual freight capacity will double. This will not only promote the industrial upgrading of Georgia and the development of the regions along the line but also strengthen the trade connection and cooperation with neighboring countries.

Cross-Border Email Becomes an Operational Imperative: How Coremail Helps Thailand Enterprises Navigate Global Communication Challenges

BANGKOK, Dec. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — As enterprises across Thailand and Southeast Asia accelerate their global presence, email reliability is no longer just an IT metric, it is the lifeline of day-to-day operations.

Many growing organizations face similar challenges. Legitimate business emails are often delayed or rejected due to IP blacklisting, disrupting daily operations. Efforts to build in-house overseas relay infrastructure frequently bring high costs but limited gains, as static routing cannot adapt to congestion, outages, or submarine cable disruptions. Meanwhile, cross-border phishing and malicious emails are increasingly sophisticated, bypassing basic filters and creating heightened security and compliance risks.

Intelligent Overseas Relays Address Both Stability and Security

To bridge this gap, Coremail, a global leader in secure email solutions, offers its Secure Email Relay. By deploying intelligent forwarding nodes across multiple regions, Coremail ensures that mission-critical data reaches its destination regardless of network volatility.

“Email remains the backbone of international business,” said Leihua Chen, CEO of Coremail. “By stabilizing overseas delivery and strengthening protection against external threats, we aim to help organizations operate more smoothly and support their regional expansion.”

Resilient Global Routing for Stable Cross-Border Delivery

With more than 50 smart relay nodes deployed worldwide, Coremail dynamically selects optimal delivery paths for each email. Traffic is automatically rerouted away from congested regions or disrupted nodes, ensuring fewer bounce-backs, lower latency, and consistent delivery across markets.

Intelligent SDN–DNS Routing for Higher Efficiency and Lower Costs

Powered by patented SDN routing and DNS-based link matching, Coremail optimizes routing decisions based on destination and message type. This enables faster, more predictable cross-border delivery while lowering the operational cost and complexity of maintaining in-house relay infrastructure.

CAC Anti-Spam Engine: 99.8% Filtering Accuracy for Overseas Threats

To address rising cross-border security risks, Coremail’s CAC cloud anti-spam engine blocks up to 99.8% of spam and phishing attempts originating overseas, while maintaining a false-positive rate below 0.02%. This strengthens the security posture of existing email platforms and helps protect enterprise IP reputations.

Today, more than 20,000 enterprises worldwide use Coremail’s Secure Email Relay to address cross-border email challenges. For organizations operating across multiple markets, reliable and secure email delivery is increasingly recognized as essential infrastructure for sustaining growth and managing operational risk.

For more information, please visit: www.coremail.co.th

Life-space’s Patented Strain LPB27 Featured in Nature Supplement, Highlighting World-Class R&D Strength

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Dec. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The Nature supplement highlights research exploring the potential of LPB27 and Bifidobacterium breve 207-1 in supporting digestive and metabolic health. Both strains have already been successfully integrated into multiple Life-space products and are highly favored by consumers globally.

The inclusion of Life-space’s proprietary strains in a Nature publication underscores the brand’s robust scientific capabilities. Currently, the Life-space Global Microbiome Center manages an end-to-end research ecosystem encompassing strain isolation, genome sequencing, in vitro testing, and animal studies.

A Decade of Expertise in Microbiome

With over 10 years of experience in probiotic R&D, Life-space remains committed to a consumer-centric approach. The brand focuses on personalized health needs across the entire life cycle—developing targeted probiotic solutions for infants, children, adults, seniors, and women during pregnancy and lactation.

Building a Full-Link R&D System with a Global Talent Pool

The scientific team at the Life-space Global Microbiome Center comprises experts from world-class universities and authoritative institutions, including the University of Aberdeen, Wageningen University, Sun Yat-sen University, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and IFREMER (French Research Institute for Exploitation of the Sea).

Collaborating with over 50 international research organizations and leading strain suppliers, Life-space ensures that every step—from strain screening and functional validation to production—is rooted in rigorous science to guarantee product efficacy and safety.

From functional strains and formula combinations to sensory evaluation, raw material control, dosage form innovation, and “Live-bac” packaging technology, Life-space has constructed a comprehensive R&D infrastructure. In the highly competitive probiotic industry, such deep vertical integration remains a rare competitive advantage.

Multi-Dimensional Innovation Reaches New Heights

Life-space has achieved significant milestones in proprietary strain development, including multiple PCT international patents and the industrial application of “star” strains. In terms of product innovation, the brand has launched high-survival tablets and synergistic formulas, with numerous technical achievements published in authoritative international journals.

Zhe Xiaolei, Head of R&D at the Life-space Global Microbiome Center, stated:

“We have successfully commercialized several self-developed strains. Among them, LPB27 is a flagship strain capable of high-activity colonization and repairing the intestinal basement membrane.”

The recognition by Nature is a testament to Life-space’s years of specialized dedication to probiotics. Moving forward, Life-space will continue to leverage its full-link scientific research system to build a technical moat, consistently safeguarding consumer health worldwide.

 

Life-space’s Patented Strain LPB27 Featured in Nature Supplement, Highlighting World-Class R&D Strength

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Dec. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The Nature supplement highlights research exploring the potential of LPB27 and Bifidobacterium breve 207-1 in supporting digestive and metabolic health. Both strains have already been successfully integrated into multiple Life-space products and are highly favored by consumers globally.

The inclusion of Life-space’s proprietary strains in a Nature publication underscores the brand’s robust scientific capabilities. Currently, the Life-space Global Microbiome Center manages an end-to-end research ecosystem encompassing strain isolation, genome sequencing, in vitro testing, and animal studies.

A Decade of Expertise in Microbiome

With over 10 years of experience in probiotic R&D, Life-space remains committed to a consumer-centric approach. The brand focuses on personalized health needs across the entire life cycle—developing targeted probiotic solutions for infants, children, adults, seniors, and women during pregnancy and lactation.

Building a Full-Link R&D System with a Global Talent Pool

The scientific team at the Life-space Global Microbiome Center comprises experts from world-class universities and authoritative institutions, including the University of Aberdeen, Wageningen University, Sun Yat-sen University, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and IFREMER (French Research Institute for Exploitation of the Sea).

Collaborating with over 50 international research organizations and leading strain suppliers, Life-space ensures that every step—from strain screening and functional validation to production—is rooted in rigorous science to guarantee product efficacy and safety.

From functional strains and formula combinations to sensory evaluation, raw material control, dosage form innovation, and “Live-bac” packaging technology, Life-space has constructed a comprehensive R&D infrastructure. In the highly competitive probiotic industry, such deep vertical integration remains a rare competitive advantage.

Multi-Dimensional Innovation Reaches New Heights

Life-space has achieved significant milestones in proprietary strain development, including multiple PCT international patents and the industrial application of “star” strains. In terms of product innovation, the brand has launched high-survival tablets and synergistic formulas, with numerous technical achievements published in authoritative international journals.

Zhe Xiaolei, Head of R&D at the Life-space Global Microbiome Center, stated:

“We have successfully commercialized several self-developed strains. Among them, LPB27 is a flagship strain capable of high-activity colonization and repairing the intestinal basement membrane.”

The recognition by Nature is a testament to Life-space’s years of specialized dedication to probiotics. Moving forward, Life-space will continue to leverage its full-link scientific research system to build a technical moat, consistently safeguarding consumer health worldwide.