The Latest Breaking News on Asia

NAKHON PHANOM: Heartthrob actor-singer Pakin "Tono" Kumwilaisak is ready for his charity swim across the Mekong River to Laos on Saturday to raise funds for cash-strapped public hospitals, defying criticism and concern for his safety.

The new phase of the domestic tourism subsidy programme is being drafted with an additional 3-4 million hotel rooms, double the number in the fourth phase, which is scheduled to end this month, as the government aims to push GDP growth to 3.3% this year.

Tourism operators in Phuket are urging airlines to slash their prices as the island's image as an expensive destination is seen as harming travel opportunities, especially without the huge Chinese market, which accounted for 40% of business before the pandemic.

Retired Arkansas accountant Dora Jane Flesher wanted a postpandemic adventure off the beaten track. In Saudi Arabia she was mesmerized by ancient tombs carved into sandstone outcroppings in Al-Ula. She was less impressed by a museum featuring a collection of old TVs and touch-tone phones plus rocks from every U.S.…