Cambodian sites of Khmer Rouge brutality added to UNESCO heritage list
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
South China Morning Post
9 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
Head to the hills: the best highland village destinations in Asia
Elevated Asian settlements offer dramatic landscapes, mesmerising vistas and farming techniques that have endured for generations. Rice is cultivated on steep terraces, homes are built to withstand severe weather and local traditions endure and even flourish far from the commotion of the city. Whether reached by winding road, forest trail or cable car, each of these six villages invites travellers to slow down, breathe deeply and experience ways of living shaped by altitude, heritage and a unique setting. Mae Kampong, Thailand The cool air around Mae Kampong, Thailand, makes it ideal for growing coffee. Photo: Shutterstock Mae Kampong is a breezy village nestled amid rolling hills about an hour's drive east of Chiang Mai , in northern Thailand. The cool mountain air makes it ideal for growing tea and coffee, which you can sample in local cafes. Community-based tourism plays a key role in village life, empowering villagers and preserving traditions, with visitors taking part in activities such as harvesting crops and tending livestock. As well as supporting local families, tourism income helps fund schools and infrastructure development. The village is powered by a micro-hydro station, reflecting its commitment to eco-friendly living. For holidaymakers in a hurry, day trips with a company such as Eco Tours Chiang Mai (1,300 baht/HK$315/US$40 per person, including return transport from Chiang Mai) offer a taste of rural living. If time permits, stay longer, perhaps at the Chom Nok Chom Mai Homestay (around 800 baht per night, per person). Mae Kampong reveals a slower rhythm and sense of calm once the day trippers have gone. Hundar, India
South China Morning Post
21 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
Is Japan's Osaka Expo failing? Visitor numbers disappoint at halfway mark
Halfway through its six-month run on an artificial island built atop a former landfill off the coast of Japan 's second city, the Osaka World Expo is falling short of organisers' expectations. More than 10 million people have visited the expo since its April opening – a symbolic milestone, but short of the pace required to reach the break-even threshold. Organisers estimate that 22 million visitors will be needed by the time the event closes in October for the expo to cover its costs. While the latest figures were touted as a sign of 'stable operations' by the top official overseeing the event, it's a far cry from the 28 million visitors that were projected in the lead-up to the opening. 'Every day recently we have welcomed more than 100,000 people to the expo,' Hiroyuki Ishige, secretary general of the Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition, told reporters on Monday. Mascots and expo staff pose for a photo in front of the Japan Pavilion at the World Expo in Osaka on July 3. Photo: Kyodo Despite acknowledging the shortfall, Ishige was still upbeat, highlighting the 'attractive contents' of the expo's pavilions, which represent 158 countries and regions, as well as exhibitions from seven international organisations.
South China Morning Post
a day ago
- South China Morning Post
Thailand pivots from China to Southeast Asia, Middle East tourists amid arrival decline
Advertisement 'The Middle East market is a supporting factor helping to boost tourism revenue as it currently has a growth of about 17 per cent to 18 per cent,' Tourism Authority of Thailand Governor Thapanee Khiatpaibool said on Monday. 'We need to increase the volume of arrivals from the Middle East and airlines.' The Tourism Authority lowered its 2025 foreign arrival forecast to 35 million, down from 40 million, due to weaker-than-expected Chinese tourism. Total revenue is projected at about 2.8 trillion baht (US$86 billion), consisting of 1.6 trillion baht from foreign visitors and the rest coming from domestic travellers. China sent 2.3 million visitors to Thailand in the first half of 2025, down from 3.4 million a year earlier, according to data from the Ministry of Tourism and Sports. The decline is linked to safety concerns. News of Chinese actor Wang Xing's kidnapping to Myanmar through Thailand and his subsequent rescue prompted a wave of Lunar New Year trip cancellations by mainland travellers. The Tourism Authority of Thailand lowered its 2025 foreign arrival forecast to 35 million, down from 40 million, due to weaker-than-expected Chinese tourism. Photo: EPA-EFE Attracting Chinese tourists remains a priority, but the agency is also targeting other markets, Thapanee said. Oceania and Southeast Asia are seen as pivotal for boosting demand and offsetting the drop in Chinese visitors.
