Asia & Philippines news

The day's most relevant stories from the Philippines and Asia's major countries. Links to original sources.

🇹🇭 Thailand•Technology•Oct 20, 2026

Samsung Wallet adds Rabbit Card for BTS, select MRT lines

Samsung users in Bangkok can now use their smartphones to tap through BTS Skytrain gates with a Rabbit Virtual Card stored in Samsung Wallet, removing the need to carry a physical transit card. The feature is being rolled out starting today, October 20, and also supports the MRT

🇹🇭 Thailand•Technology•Oct 19, 2026

Phuket eyes AI system to keep tourists safe

Phuket officials are considering an AI safety system to identify potential threats to tourists, issue early warnings, and help government agencies respond faster to emergencies. The proposal was discussed on Saturday, October 17, but no budget or launch date has been announced. P

🇹🇭 Thailand•Technology•Sep 19, 2026

Thailand pauses data-centre approvals while it writes new minimum standards

Thailand has temporarily stopped approving and building data centres while it rewrites the rules for the industry. The pause covers projects already under way and those waiting for a decision. Deputy Prime Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas says projects already under way and those a

🇹🇭 Thailand•Technology•Sep 17, 2026

Woman travels to Chiang Mai for love, finds her ‘pilot’ was AI

She travelled alone from Lampang expecting to meet a pilot called Chai. Officers found her at the terminal, contacted her son and arranged her journey home. The story Woman travels to Chiang Mai for love, finds her ‘pilot’ was AI as seen on Thaiger News.

🇹🇭 Thailand•Technology•Sep 16, 2026

Weak AI and data centre rules could expose Thai data, party spokesperson warns

Sasikarn Watthanachan says some Thai data centre firms hold the country’s biggest stores of personal data and can already open the door to foreign shareholders. The story Weak AI and data centre rules could expose Thai data, party spokesperson warns as seen on Thaiger News.

🇹🇭 Thailand•Technology•Sep 13, 2026

Government pushes Thai gaming industry after gamescom success

A Thai trade delegation negotiated 270 million baht in deals at gamescom 2026 in Cologne, Germany, ahead of gamescom asia x Thailand Game Show 2026. The story Government pushes Thai gaming industry after gamescom success as seen on Thaiger News.

🇹🇭 Thailand•Technology•Sep 3, 2026

Apple delays iPhone 18 Pro Max preorders to September 12

Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max and a new iPhone Ultra at an event on September 9, but preorders may not open until September 12, three days later than usual. Apple typically opens preorders the Friday after its keynote, which this year would be S

🇹🇭 Thailand•Technology•Aug 31, 2026

TH-AI Passport goes live for 5 million Thais

Thailand’s Ministry of Digital Economy and Society opened the TH-AI Passport platform to registered users today (August 31), starting at 9am, following a pre-registration period that ran from August 19. The scheme provides eligible users with free access to premium AI tools on th

🇹🇭 Thailand•Technology•Aug 29, 2026

Thailand’s AI passport hits 1.3 million sign-ups before it even launches

Thailand’s government AI programme has drawn 1.3 million sign-ups in under a fortnight, and it has not formally launched yet. The TH-AI Passport opens officially on Sunday, August 31, after a pre-registration window that began on August 19. The scheme gives Thai users a single po

🇹🇭 Thailand•Technology•Aug 25, 2026

Thailand performs its first robotic telesurgery, linking Bangkok and Korat hospitals

Thailand carried out its first robotic telesurgery on August 24. Surgeons in Bangkok operated on a patient more than 250 kilometres away in Nakhon Ratchasima. Public Health Minister Pattana Promphat presided over the opening at Nopparat Rajathanee Hospital, the Government Public

🇹🇭 Thailand•Technology•Aug 20, 2026

Google plans to move all Pixel production out of China by 2027

Google is reportedly preparing to end production of its Pixel phones, watches and wireless earbuds in China by 2027. The work would shift to Vietnam and India instead. The plan was first reported by Nikkei Asia, which said Google has told suppliers of the timeline. Google itself

🇹🇭 Thailand•Technology•Aug 19, 2026

Thailand’s AI Passport is now open: free access to 30 AI tools for Thai nationals

Thailand’s Ministry of Digital Economy and Society has launched the TH-AI Passport, a government programme that gives Thai nationals free access to a centralised AI platform called AiPASS. The AI Passport registration opened on August 19, 2026, and the platform will go live offic

🇹🇭 Thailand•Technology•Aug 14, 2026

Thailand talks child safety with Roblox, eyes Digital ID checks

Thailand’s Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (DES) yesterday, August 13, held online talks with the gaming platform Roblox on improving child safety and proposed linking the country’s national Digital ID to user accounts to verify identity and age. Digital Economy and Socie

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