Last week, the Vientiane Province government counseled 65 locals who were caught burning forest land in Phou Phanang National Bio-Diversity Conservation Area to reeducate and raise awareness on the harmful long-term effects of illegal logging and deforestation.
ASEAN Vows Support in Tackling Cross-Border Haze Pollution
During his visit to Thailand on Thursday, ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn pledged to assist in addressing the transboundary haze pollution that is affecting several member countries of ASEAN.
Vientiane Residents Block Road with Drainage Pipes to Speed up Repair

Residents of Chanthabouly District in Vientiane Capital, have resorted to using concrete drainage cement pipes to block a road in hopes of expediting the repair process.
Array’s Next-Gen Algorithmic Stablecoin System: Built on Self-Developed AI Algorithms

Array is a full-chain protocol for decentralized asset management that aims to build the next-gen algorithmic currency systems through AI, allowing Web3 to break free from the cycles of volatility while still enjoying shared wealth creation. The Array team believes that “AI, as one of the core technologies, plays a crucial role in building algorithmic currency systems.”
Through self-developed AI algorithms, the Array team operates based on the Polygon Network public chain, adopts the dual token economic model ($ARA/$USDR), and creates original complex code and contract invocation logic, simplifying the complex steps of application interaction, bringing more composability to applications. Its trading operations are conducted on-chain, with open and transparent contracts and full open source.
Optimizing Liquidity with AI Algorithms
The Array team believes that in order to maximize benefits, pledging $ARA to obtain staking rewards and corresponding $USDR (with 400% over-collateralization) is the way to go. However, this leads to insufficient $ARA liquidity. To address this issue, the platform has developed a self-developed Liquidity Curve contract, which provides liquidity support for the platform. Through a complex algorithm that releases small amounts of $ARA to the market multiple times, this not only increases the bottoming fund pool but also creates opportunities and convenience for more people to participate in the project.
Array uses AI algorithms to achieve certain security and interoperability to ensure the safety of users’ digital assets and transactions, such as encryption technology, firewalls, etc. Users can easily connect traditional fiat currencies and cryptocurrencies, making fund transfers and transactions more accessible.
It is worth mentioning that this model not only allows seamless switching between traditional and cryptocurrencies but also further promotes the popularity and use of digital assets in the traditional financial system. It provides multiple guarantees for users and is expected to redefine the entire stablecoin industry.
Hashtag: #Array
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Thailand Set to Welcome 20 Million Visitors During Songkran Festival

After a three-year hiatus, the popular Songkran (Pi Mai) Festival will be celebrated in Thailand this April, with more than 20 million visitors expected to attend the festivities.
Sgcarmart Introduces New Financing Initiative for Used Cars
A new fully-digital ‘Smart Loan’ service for used car buyers

In the wake of rising car prices and the surge in COE premiums, demand for used cars has declined by up to 15% since the beginning of 2022, as evidenced by Sgcarmart’s transaction data. This has led to a build up of used car dealer inventory.
Sgcarmart’s Smart Loan aims to benefit both dealers and buyers, by boosting inventory turnover through the provision of attractive interest rates and lower monthly repayments. As a launch promotion, buyers can enjoy incredible savings on monthly repayments with an interest rate 2.28%^ plus $1,700 worth of perks, including a $500 cashback and an exclusive KINTO membership program.
Sgcarmart Smart Loan is a revolutionary car-financing initiative that ensures a seamless buying experience offering below-market interest rates, fast and actual approval, with exceptional customer service. Used car buyers can also compare their total savings if they take a car loan with Sgcarmart against other financial institutions with the online savings calculator.
For more information on Sgcarmart Smart Loan, please visit
www.sgcarmart.com/car_loan
For more information on KINTO membership, please visit here.
^Promotional terms and conditions apply.
Hashtag: #Sgcarmart #SgcarmartSmartLoan #DigitalSmartLoan #SgcarmartFinancialServices #CarLoans #CarFinancing
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About Sgcarmart
Sgcarmart is Singapore’s #1 car platform. With over 30,000 listings, it offers the largest database of new and used cars, with an average of 10 cars sold every hour, helping to drive approximately 70% of all second-hand car transactions in Singapore. The platform receives more than 1.6 million users every month, offering the highest level of support for drivers with its suite of value-added car ownership & transactional services.
Cinese International Announces 2022 Annual Results
Endeavors to sustain travel-related business and explore new opportunities with strategic deployment
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 3 April 2023 – Air ticket consolidator, travel business process management services provider and travel products services provider Cinese International Group Holdings Limited (“Cinese International”, collectively with its subsidiaries, the “Group”; stock code: 1620) has announced its annual results for the year ended 31 December 2022.
Total revenue of the Group was approximately HK$45.8 million for the year ended 31 December 2022 (2021: HK$55.8 million). Gross profit increased by approximately 35.5% year-on-year to approximately HK$22.5 million in 2022. Overall gross profit margin of the Group increased by approximately 19.5 percentage points, from approximately 29.7% in 2021, to approximately 49.2% in 2022, which was primarily attributable to the increase in the gross profit margin of the air ticket distribution segment.
Loss decreased by approximately 81.8% to approximately HK$13.8 million for the year ended 31 December 2022 (Loss for the year in 2021: HK$75.8 million), primarily due to the increase in gross profit of the Group; the turnaround in expected credit losses (“ECLs”) allowance on financial assets of HK$43.3 million from the approximately HK$39.3 million provision of ECLs allowance made in 2021, hence reversing ECLs allowance by approximately HK$4.0 million in 2022; and a one-off net provision of Departure and Deemed Disposition Taxes of approximately HK31.4 million in 2021 as income tax expenses.
Ms. Mariana Kou, Chairperson and Executive Director of Cinese International, said, “The Group’s performance in 2022 continued to be impacted by the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic, but to a lesser extent as compared to 2021. We saw continuous recovery in the travel industries with vaccination rates climbing and travel restrictions relaxing worldwide. At that, the Group recorded an increase in transaction volume and revenue of its air ticket distribution services and travel business process management services in 2022 against 2021. We have continued to explore new business opportunities to widen our income streams for sustainable development.”
During the year, the Group drew on its knowledge and experience from being a travel services provider to explore new business opportunities. It signed a non-legally binding memorandum of understanding in early 2022 with a travel services provider in the Greater Bay Area in relation to potential travel business cooperation. The Group commenced its cooperation with the said travel services provider in September 2022 to avail travel-related services in the Greater Bay Area and further developed its business operations in the Greater Bay Area since 2023 following the ease of the CoVID-19 pandemic. Accordingly, the Group expects to generate revenue for the travel products and services segment in 2023.
The air ticket distribution business segment experienced a remarkable recovery in 2022, despite the continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Segmental revenue increased by approximately 54.1% year-on-year to approximately HK$11.4 million in 2022. Such increase was mainly attributable to the increase in transaction volume of air tickets sales and gross sales proceeds generated from air tickets sales, thanks to the continuous recovery of the travel industries with vaccination rates rising and travel restrictions relaxing worldwide. As at 31 December 2022, the Group had ticketing authority for more than 150 airlines and private fare deals with around 70 airlines, including top airlines based in Canada, the United States and China.
The travel business process management segment covers air ticket transaction processing, customer contact, BSP/ARC settlement and reconciliation, software development, and travel licensing and compliance, plus other administrative matters for customers. Segmental revenue generated from travel business process management rose by approximately 23.1% year-on-year to approximately HK$32.0 million in 2022. Such increase was mainly attributable to increase in transaction volume as travel industries continuously recovered amid the COVID-19 pandemic coming under better control. The Group will continue to expand its customer base by initiating sales efforts targeting travel agents that share similar profile and market positioning as its existing customers.
Prospects
Air travel demand is off to a very healthy start in 2023, which bodes well for the continued and steady industry recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. It is expected that the airline, travel and tourism industries worldwide would be gradually recovered with steady demand for travel and increasing flight number. In addition to more countries relaxing or even cancelling their quarantine restrictions, airlines of different countries are increasing their number of destinations and passenger demand and bookings are also on the rise. In particular, the Group has resumed providing package tours in the first quarter of 2023. The Group therefore believes that the travel industries as a whole, are improving, which will in turn create business opportunities for the Group.
Ms. Kou concluded, “We will continue to establish the Group’s presence in the travel industries of the Greater Bay Area with our newly entered travel business corporate arrangement mentioned above. We will continue to deploy business strategies with a view to sustain the Group’s travel related businesses and endeavor to explore suitable business opportunities from time to time in the travel consultancy, healthcare, hospitality and other potential service industry by leveraging our knowledge and experience, so as to create business synergy, enhance earning capability and potential, and bring value to shareholders.”
Hashtag: #CineseInternational
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Experience the Charm and Comfort of Kyoto with the Grand Opening of Travelodge Kyoto Shijo Kawaramachi.

Our hotel offers guests a comfortable and convenient stay in the heart of Kyoto. Our guest rooms have been well-received by customers for their comfortable sleep in our beds and pillows, as well as our range of amenities, including bathtubs, wide desks suitable for work, and high-quality rooms with excellent views. Our hotel focal point is the modern comfort essentials, including high-speed Wi-Fi and coin-operated laundry facilities, which are especially convenient for long-stay guests. Our staff can speak multiple languages and are always available to assist you with any questions. As an ideal base for individual travellers exploring the city of Kyoto, and a peaceful oasis to recharge after a long day of sightseeing, Travelodge Kyoto Shijo Kawaramachi ensures an exceptional experience, whether you are here for business or leisure.

From the entrance to the room, experience Kyoto through our interior
- Standard single: 1 single bed (for 1 person): 13 square meters
- Standard Queen: 1 queen bed (for 1 person) 13 square meters
- Superior Queen: 1 queen bed (for 2 people) 15 square meters
- Superior Twin: 2 single beds (for 2 people) 15 square meters
- Deluxe twin: 2 single beds (for 2 people) 17 square meters
- Friends & Family Triple: 3 single beds (for 3 people) 26 square meters
- Accessible Room: 2 single beds (for 2 people) 22 square meters
Indulge in the taste of our in-house restaurant: Kamakura Pasta
Travelodge Kyoto Shijo Kawaramachi is proud to offer guests an exceptional dining experience at the hotel’s first-floor restaurant, featuring the highly sought-after “Fresh Noodle Specialty Kamakura Pasta” for breakfast. This popular restaurant has been widely acclaimed in various media outlets such as TV programs and websites, and offers a diverse range of Japanese and Western dishes. Guests can indulge in a delicious spread of delicacies, carefully crafted to cater to every palate and preference.
Travelodge Kyoto Shijo Kawaramachi is committed to providing our guests with the best possible stay, including a complimentary state-of-the-art fitness gym, exclusive to our foreign-affiliated hotel. Our modern gym is equipped with the latest machines and equipment to keep you fit and energized throughout your stay.
We are now accepting reservations on our official website and through travel agency partners with a special opening fee, starting at just 6,375 yen (tax included).
Indulge in a longer and more immersive stay in Kyoto with our Long Stay Package. Book five or more consecutive nights and save more!
Sign up for our loyalty program “Travelodge Cashback” and earn up to 5% cash back credits. You can use the credit towards your next stay at any Travelodge Hotel in Asia, including our sister hotels Travelodge Honmachi Osaka, Travelodge Sapporo Susukino, Travelodge Nagoya Sakae, and future Travelodge locations across Japan. Plus, enjoy additional perks such as early check-in and late check-out. Start earning rewards with every stay today!
Hashtag: #TravelodgeHotelsAsia #TravelodgeAsia #TravelodgeKyotoShijoKawaramachi
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Travelodge Hotels Asia
Travelodge, a world-renowned brand with a legacy of over 80 years, offers experiential hospitality options that emphasizes on “Comfort, Convenience and Connectivity”. As part of our business expansion, we have established an independent presence in Asia. Travelodge Hotels Asia. Our hotels in Asia feature a range of amenities that vary by location but are designed to provide guests with a comfortable and convenient stay with the following features:
- Snooze: Comfortable bedrooms with power showers and high-quality bedding
- Social: A communal space that to eat, socialize, and work
- Spin: Self-service laundromat
- Stream: Complimentary high-speed internet Wi-Fi
- Service: Warm, sincere and friendly service
- Smart mart: Convenience store in and around the hotel
Travelodge Hotels Asia has a long-standing commitment to rigorous cleaning protocols. Our Essentially Safer Program has raised the standard even higher to provide you with peace of mind in today’s world.
For media inquiries please contact Sa Pornthip at sa.pornthip@travelodgehotels.asia