Nordic News, Business and Life in Asia
Around 100 Scandinavians and friends of the Nordics are expected to gather at Bangkok Island Pier on March 28 before setting sail on what organisers describe as a very Nordic …
After a decade, Viking Boat Party returns to Bangkok Read More
Thailand’s plan to cut visa-free stays from 60 to 30 days is now being reviewed again, Bangkok Post reports. Foreign Affairs Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow said the caretaker government is reassessing …
Thailand reconsiders 60-day visa-free stay after local complaints Read More
Sweden’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Maria Malmer Stenergard presented on 18 February the Statement of Foreign Policy for 2026. Maria Malmer Stenergard said Asia-Pacific security and Europe’s security are becoming …
Sweden sets sharper China and ASEAN focus in 2026 foreign policy statement Read More
The widely discussed reduction of Thailand’s visa-free stay has now moved from speculation to decision. The Thai government has confirmed that the permitted stay under the visa-exemption scheme will be …
Thailand confirms visa-free stay will be reduced to 30 days Read More
Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer Nio recorded weak sales across Europe in January, with particularly sharp declines in Nordic markets, according to EV. In Norway – Nio’s first European market – …
Chinese EV maker Nio struggles in Nordic markets Read More
Danish news outlet, Ekstra Bladet, reports that the Patong shooting on Phuket may be connected to a criminal dispute in Denmark. The outlet says the case could relate to a …
Danish media links Patong shooting in Phuket to Danish gang conflict Read More
A post dated 16 February 2026 set out FAQs on China’s visa-free entry arrangements for ordinary passport holders. The guidance says citizens of 50 countries can enter visa-free for up …
China’s embassy releases guidelines on updated visa-free entry policy Read More
Sweden’s White Pearl Technology Group AB (WPTG) said on 16 February it has signed a letter of intent to acquire Saltycustoms, a corporate merchandise, design and digital fulfilment company with …
White Pearls signs LOI in Malaysia and Singapore Read More
As darkness fell over Bangkok, Scandinavians and Thai guests filled the Danish Embassy’s garden for an open-air night of Nordic cinema at the 2026 Nordic Film Festival. Friday the 13th …
Hundreds gathered at the Danish Embassy: Here’s what happened after sunset Read More
A man was shot and killed in the Patong area of Phuket on 7 February, according to Thai police reports from the incident. Police said the shooting happened in daylight …
Swedish Foreign Ministry confirms death after Patong shooting in Phuket Read More
Chinese New Year 2026 begins on 17 February and marks the start of the Year of the Horse. Across China and in several Nordic cities, public events, themed dinners and …
Chinese New Year: What you can experience in China and the Nordic countries Read More
There has undoubtedly never before been a more vibrant time for Swedish-Vietnamese trade relations than now. Swedish investments into Vietnam, paired with various bilateral collaborations, are at an all-time-high, and …
Modernising the heritage and deepening the trade relationship key goals for Swedish Ambassador Johan Ndisi Read More
Buttons rise from the desk like skyscrapers in a city landscape. The jog wheels rotate in rhythm with the volume. Lights glimmer, drinks spill, and people crowd the dance floors. …
From Sweden to Taiwan; Martin’s journey to DJing Read More
Vietnam’s central province of Gia Lai says it will help Sweden’s Syre secure direct renewable power purchases. Syre is developing a large polyester recycling complex designed to run on 100% …
Vietnam’s Gia Lai province backs Sweden’s Syre on renewable power deals Read More
China has significantly reduced planned tariffs on dairy imports from the European Union, lowering rates from as high as 42.7 percent to a final range of 7.4 to 11.7 percent, …
China slashes tariffs on Danish-Swedish dairy giant Arla Read More
Guests from the Nordic community in Bangkok were invited to the opening ceremony of the Nordic Film Festival at the Royal Danish Embassy in Thailand on Thursday night on 12 …
Nordic Film Festival opens at Royal Danish Embassy in Bangkok Read More
Thailand is preparing to roll back one of its most generous entry policies. The government plans to reduce visa-free stays from 60 days to 30 days for citizens of 93 …
Big change for nordic travellers: Thailand plans to cut visa-free stay Read More
Australian Shipbuilder Austal has started building a new high-speed ferry for Sweden’s Gotlandsbolaget at its shipyard in Cebu, Philippines. The vessel is called Horizon X. It is planned to operate …
Swedish ferry project starts in the Philippines Read More
Chinese authorities have filed charges against Leon Wang, who previously led AstraZeneca’s operations in China, Reuters reported. Wang was taken into custody in October 2024 during investigations into the company’s …
Former AstraZeneca China head Leon Wang charged Read More
Finland’s Ministry for Foreign Affairs and its missions provided consular services to about 245,000 Finnish people in 2025, the ministry annouces in a press release. The ministry’s 24/7 service was …
Finnish foreign ministry releases 2025 report Read More
Craft Sportswear has opened its first flagship store in China, establishing a permanent retail presence in Shanghai, according to International Services Shanghai. The Swedish endurance sports brand opened the store …
Swedish sportswear brand Craft opens first flagship store in China Read More
Sweden’s Ambassador to Vietnam, Johan Ndisi, and a delegation from SYRE met Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính on 6 February. The Swedish Embassy in Hanoi said the talks focused on …
Swedish Ambassador meet with Vietnamese Prime Minister Read More
Thailand has dropped nine places to 116th in the 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), with its score declining slightly from 34 in 2024 to 33 out of 100 in 2025, …
Thailand slips further behind Nordic countries in corruption ranking Read More
Sweden and the Philippines have signed a grant agreement to help develop national standards for buses used in public transport in the Philippines, according to Manila Bulletin. The agreement involves …
Sweden and the Philippines sign grant agreement on bus standards Read More
Sweden will introduce stricter requirements for people applying for Swedish citizenship, including a longer residency period, income thresholds, and language and culture tests, according to Reuters. The changes will be …
Sweden tightens citizenship requirements Read More
Thailand’s healthcare system is under growing pressure, and the issue is now appearing more clearly on the bilateral agenda between Thailand and Sweden. This was reflected last week, when the …
An ageing society is reshaping Thailand’s healthcare priorities Read More
The Swedish Institute has opened applications for its SI Scholarship for Global Professionals for master’s studies in Sweden. The application window runs until 25 February 2026. The scholarship covers one- …
Swedish Institute opens master’s scholarship for applicants from international students Read More
In Nordic democracies, election night usually brings clarity. Votes are counted, winners are declared, and within hours the political direction is clear. In Thailand, the first morning after an election …
Thailand heads for coalition talks after election Read More
Ambassadors from Finland and Sweden were among diplomats from more than 20 countries who recently visited Catanduanes, an island province in the eastern Philippines, as part of an effort to …
Nordic ambassadors discover hidden Philippine island in rare diplomatic visit Read More
On Thursday 6 February, Vietnam–Sweden Uong Bi Hospital in Quang Ninh province, which was established in the early 1980s with assistance from Sweden, donated 200 Tet (Lunar New Year) gift …
Vietnam–Sweden Uong Bi Hospital donates Tet gifts to patients in Quang Ninh Read More
The Philippines and Sweden signed a grant agreement on 5 February to develop national bus standards. Swedfund will fund technical and performance standards for public utility buses, including minibuses. The …
Philippines and Sweden sign grant to raise national bus standards Read More
Thai police have arrested a Swedish man in Phuket in connection with the alleged sexual assault of a Swedish woman, following a report filed earlier this week, Thaiger reports. The …
Swedish man arrested in Phuket over alleged sexual assault Read More
Nordic Film Festival will take place again next week in Thailand, according to the embassies of Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden. The festival has been held in previous years and …
Nordic Film Festival in Bangkok returns Read More
As questions linger over the situation along the Thailand-Cambodia border, Thai authorities have moved to reassure European partners – including Denmark, Sweden, Finland and Norway – about safety conditions in …
Border concerns lead to review of Nordic travel advisories Read More
Two IKEA Malaysia co-workers, Fatin Badrul Hisham and Nurul Fatihah Binti Rosli, won the global IKEA Talents food contest on 4 February. They took the title with a stuffed fried …
IKEA Malaysia duo wins global IKEA Talents food contest in Sweden Read More
Sweden is using the Taipei International Book Exhibition (TIBE) to highlight the legacy of Pippi Longstocking and promote Swedish children’s literature to Taiwanese readers. The Swedish booth previously marked Pippi …
Pippi Longstocking in Taipei Read More
Alcohol sales were banned nationwide in Thailand last weekend in connection with the parliamentary election. This weekend, the same restrictions will once again be in force, according to the Royal …
Alcohol ban returns this weekend ahead of Thailand election Read More
Taiwan will step up technology cooperation with Sweden in semiconductors, quantum technology, AI, drones and robotics. The plan was outlined at a bilateral research workshop in Yilan on 30 January. …
Taiwan and Sweden expand joint research in chips, AI and drones Read More
The Vietnam–Sweden Health Partnership Forum was held in Stockholm in late January, co-organised by the Vietnamese Embassy and Karolinska Institutet. The event brought together government, research and healthcare representatives to …
Vietnam and Sweden mark 50 years of health research ties at Stockholm forum Read More
The Vietnamese Embassy in Sweden hosted a large cultural gathering in Malmö on February 1st, using the event to strengthen ties between Sweden and Vietnam and to highlight the role …
Vietnam uses culture to strengthen ties with Sweden Read More
Pasig City inaugurated its Innovation for Circular Economy hub on 26 January 2026. The hub targets waste recovery, recycling, and green jobs. Mayor Vico Sotto led the opening with local …
Nordic envoys join launch of Pasig City circular economy hub in the Philippines Read More
The Republic of Singapore Air Force has selected the Swedish-made Saab Giraffe 1X radar to replace its existing Portable Search and Target Acquisition Radar (PSTAR). RSAF chief Maj. Gen. Kelvin …
Singapore selects Sweden’s Saab Giraffe 1X radar for low-level air defence Read More
A group of eight parliamentarians from seven European countries arrived in Taiwan on 1 February for a six-day visit, Taiwan’s Central News Agency reported. The delegation includes lawmakers from Lithuania, …
Parliamentarians from seven European countries begin six-day Taiwan visit Read More
Police in Patong, Phuket, Thailand are investigating an alleged sexual assault report by a 26-year-old tourist from Sweden, local media reports. Police said the woman filed a complaint around 6pm …
Patong police investigate rape report by Swedish tourist Read More
Finland is considering restrictions on children’s access to social media platforms, drawing inspiration from Australia’s recently introduced ban, as concerns grow over the impact of digital platforms on young people. …
Finland looks to Australia as debate grows over banning children from social media Read More
Vietnam values its long-standing friendship with Sweden and welcomes increased Swedish investment, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said during a meeting in Hanoi with Sweden’s Ambassador to Vietnam Johan Ndisi …
Vietnam welcomes planned Swedish circular textile investment Read More
Norwegian and Swedish recycling technology companies will play a central role in Singapore’s new nationwide Beverage Container Return Scheme, which launches on 1 April and is expected to handle more …
Nordic recycling technology powers Singapore’s bottle return system Read More
A Sweden-based non-profit organisation has urged the European Union to impose travel bans and asset freezes on 14 Hong Kong government and Hong Kong Police Force representatives over alleged human …
Sweden-based NGO urges EU sanctions against Hong Kong officials over protest abuses Read More
Former Philippine lawmaker Zaldy Co is facing an arrest warrant in the Philippines in connection with alleged graft and malversation tied to a 289 million peso flood-control project in Naujan, …
Wanted filipino ex-lawmaker Zaldy Co “found” in Sweden Read More
The Thailand and Nordic countries Innovation Unit (TNIU) is a relatively new Thai embassy-based initiative that aims to strengthen cooperation in areas such as innovation, sustainability and green transition between …
A Nordic-Thai innovation unit is exploring new possibilities of embassy cooperation Read More