Top 10 Southeast Asia Business News (Last 48 Hours)

Here are the top 10 most up-to-date and trending business news items focused on Southeast Asia from the last 48 hours (approximately January 13–15, 2026). These are compiled from recent reports on investments, economic developments, tourism surges, and industry shifts in countries like Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Singapore.

1. Thailand expects at least $29 billion in investment applications in 2026, driven by foreign interest in data centers, digital services, and electronics amid global supply chain shifts.

2. Indonesia’s ride-hailing sector faces major changes under a draft presidential decree, with millions of drivers set for increased financial and social benefits, potentially impacting platform profitability.

3. Singapore Exchange (SGX) plans to launch Asia government bond futures in 2026, covering bonds from India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, and Thailand to boost regional capital markets.

4. Thailand sees a strong early-2026 tourism surge, welcoming over 1.1 million international visitors in the first 11 days and generating about $1.59 billion in revenue, led by Malaysia, China, and Russia.

5. Southeast Asia’s tourism sector is eyeing a record-breaking year in 2026, with countries like Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, and Singapore benefiting from visa policies, major events, and infrastructure upgrades.

6. Indonesia plans to end diesel imports in 2026 as the Balikpapan refinery comes online, supporting energy self-sufficiency and reducing import dependency.

7. Vietnam’s economic transformation is advancing with institutional reforms and per capita income growth of 9.3% in 2025, signaling strong momentum into 2026.

8. Malaysia is accelerating Industry 4.0 and digital manufacturing initiatives to position itself as a high-tech industrial hub in Southeast Asia.

9. Global funds are returning to Southeast Asian stocks in late 2025 and early 2026, with inflows positioning the region as a key focus amid cheap valuations and diversification needs.

10. Southeast Asia’s digital economy exceeded $305 billion in 2025, growing 15% year-on-year, driven by video commerce, digital finance, and AI adoption across major markets.

These stories highlight ongoing trends in investment inflows, energy transitions, tourism recovery, and digital growth across the region amid global economic shifts. For the most current updates, check sources such as Reuters, Bloomberg, Nikkei Asia, and local outlets.