In 2024, we put the spotlight on the region's climate victims and on a pygmy hippo from Thailand gone viral, Moo Deng. Criminal gangs largely operating out of Myanmar, Laos, and Cambodia -- dateline "Scambodia" -- have defrauded billions of dollars from victims worldwide. Despite growing visibility, Asia's enslaved cyber scam victims earn the distinction of worst year in Asia, with sadly far too little hope for escape and rescue in sight. Good Year: Asia's 'Bamboo Economic Tactics'Resilience was in full display across Asia's slowing but still growing economies at year-end. Here's to a better, safer and more peaceful year for all in Thailand and around the region and world in 2026.

Source: Bangkok Post December 30, 2025 00:08 UTC