2. INDONESIA HAS NO CARDS TO NEGOTIATE WITH TRUMP ALONE: CHINESE ECONOMIST -- JAKARTA GLOBE

Indonesia does not have the cards to "individually" negotiate tariffs with the US government, according to a senior Chinese economist, citing that it would be best for Jakarta to join forces with other ASEAN economies in the talks.

LAOS 

1. LAO COFFEE, TEA EMERGING AS MAIN EXPORTS -- VIENTIANE TIMES 

About 6,400 people attended the International Coffee and Tea Day 2025 celebration in Vientiane, both commodities are key exports of the country. Over 25,000 households cultivate these crops, and they are the economic lifeline for about 310,000 families nationwide.

2. BOAT FESTIVAL ALONG MEKONG ENDS -- VIENTIANE TIMES 

Thousands of visitors watched the final of the annual Vientiane Boat Racing Festival, part of the celebrations marking the end of Buddhist Lent, on Wednesday. It is one of the major tourist attractions in the country.

PHILIPPINES

1. CYCLONE EXPECTED TO ENTER PAR BUT UNLIKELY TO AFFECT WEATHER -- PHILIPPINE NEWS AGENCY

Tropical Storm Nakri is expected to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) within the day, but is unlikely to affect the weather, a forecaster said on Thursday.

2. FILIPINOS SAFE FROM MAGNITUDE 6.7 QUAKE IN PAPUA NEW GUINEA : DFA -- PHILIPPINE NEWS AGENCY

The Philippines is closely monitoring the situation of Filipinos in Papua New Guinea after a magnitude 6.7 earthquake struck its second largest city Lae on Oct 7. In a statement on Wednesday, the Philippines' Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) reported that the Filipino community in Lae City and surrounding areas are safe from the tremor.

SINGAPORE

1. MORE WILL BE DONE TO SUPPORT TEACHERS, INCLUDING MANAGING WORKLOAD: DESMOND LEE -- THE STRAITS TIMES

To better support teachers, the Ministry of Education (MOE) and school leaders will find more ways to manage their workload and help them to grow professionally, said Education Minister Desmond Lee.

2. 'NOT FINANCIAL ADVICE': HOW NEW CONTENT CREATION GUIDELINES COULD SHAKE UP SINGAPORE'S FINFLUENCING LANDSCAPE -- CNA

When trading platform Octa wanted to run a marketing campaign in Singapore in 2024, it approached social media influencers to offer sponsored content.

THAILAND

1. BANK OF THAILAND KEEPS POLICY RATE UNCHANGED AT 1.50 PER CENT -- THE NATION

Sakkapop Panyanukul, Secretary of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), announced on Wednesday (October 8) that the committee decided to maintain the policy rate at 1.50 per cent, with a 5-2 vote. Two members advocated for a 0.25 per cent rate cut to 1.25 per cent.

2. MINISTRY PLEDGES TO REVIEW WEED LAWS -- BANGKOK POST

The Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) has pledged to review restrictive cannabis regulations following mounting pressure from the group "Writing Thailand's Cannabis Future," which has urged swift government action to revive the struggling industry.

VIETNAM

1. VIETNAMESE SPICE EXPORTS HIT RM5.5 BILLION --  VIETNAMPLUS

Revenue from Vietnam's pepper export exceeded RM5.5 billion (US$1.3 billion) in the first nine months of 2025, indicating a robust recovery in the global market. The United States remains the leading importer of the spice.

2. CONSTRUCTION MINISTRY ADOPTING DIGITALISATION --  VIETNAMPLUS

The Construction Ministry aims to fully digitise all key areas in the sector by 2030 to enhance efficiency. The Internet of Things infrastructure will lead the way for urban technical frameworks, smart transportation, smart cities and construction management.

-- BERNAMA