ASEAN factories face closures and layoffs as war-driven cost shock spreads
MONDAY, JUNE 01, 2026
Factories across Southeast Asia are shutting down and cutting jobs as the Iran war drives up raw-material, energy and shipping costs, exposing widening pressure on SMEs and traditional manufacturers despite strong electronics exports.
ASEAN’s AI hub race raises growth hopes — and risks for workers, SMEs and the environment
SUNDAY, MAY 31, 2026
Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand are accelerating investment in AI, semiconductors and data centres, but ASEAN’s AI boom is also fuelling concerns over job losses, inequality, energy demand, water stress and a possible tech bubble.
Gen Y leads first-day registrations for Thais Help Thais Plus as 24.4m sign up
TUESDAY, MAY 26, 2026
Gen Y participants aged 31–45 formed the largest group registering for Thais Help Thais Plus 60/40 on the first day, as total public sign-ups reached 24.4 million.