A new tourism tax is set to come into force in Thailand. Travellers will be charged 300 baht or S$11.80. Thailand is not the first country to impose this tax. Bali has imposed something similar and Japan is considering increasing its tourism tax to fund initiatives that address overtourism. Andrea Heng and Hairianto Diman assess the effectiveness of such tax and the impact it has on the tourism figures with Gary Bowerman, director, Check-in Asia and Asia Travel & Tourism Analyst See omnystud...
Mar 06, 2025•14 min•Season 9Ep. 354
Singapore has begun recruiting auxiliary police officers from five more countries, to meet rising security needs amid a shrinking local workforce. As of December, such officers have been recruited from Sri Lanka, Myanmar, the Philippines, India, and China. They form around 3% of the total auxiliary forces in Singapore. Andrea Heng and Hairianto Diman find out what this solution looks like in the long run with Claribel Low, Senior Analyst, Social Cohesion Research Programme, S. Rajaratnam School ...
Mar 06, 2025•10 min•Season 9Ep. 353
An article out on CNA.asia looks at the rise of home-based salons and their draw compared to the traditional brick-and-mortar shops. Andrea Heng and Hairianto Diman speak with Cleo Chang, owner, home-based eyebrow embroidery business on how she ensures and assures potential customers of the safety of her treatments, and her customer Stacy Chng on why she has decided on a home-based salon over a traditional shop. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Mar 06, 2025•14 min•Season 9Ep. 352
China’s largest bubble tea chain Mixue was off to a robust start on its trading debut, jumping as much as 47% at one point. The stellar start reinforces hopes for a strong year in new equity issuances by Chinese companies in Hong Kong. Andrea Heng and Hairianto Diman find out what makes Mixue such an attractive investment with Gary Ng, senior economist, Natixis See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mar 06, 2025•10 min•Season 9Ep. 351
Safafisalam Bohari Jaon is the programme director of MARA Mentoring, a platform that prepares undergraduates from the Malay-Muslim community to make the most of their career aspirations. Safa shares how his own career journey has been shaped by the invaluable support he received from his mentor, how he overcame his own challenges with self-esteem as a youth, and how he's helping others from the community do the same. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Mar 05, 2025•33 min•Season 9Ep. 350
During the Covid pandemic, tech entrepreneur Nigel Teo decided to launch an app — GoodHood.SG — to help neighbours rekindle the "kampung spirit". In helping those who have match their resources with those who need, Nigel has also found a deeper purpose for his talent and energy. Nigel shares the most meaningful lessons on life and entrepreneurship he's gained from his journey. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mar 05, 2025•33 min•Season 9Ep. 349
Living abroad long-term may challenge your Singaporean identity, as you navigate new cultures and environments. Singapore Today's Lance Alexander and Daniel Martin speak to Sharon Au, local actress and host - now based in Paris, France. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mar 05, 2025•30 min•Season 9Ep. 348
Singapore will consider caning scammers in some cases, in light of the serious harm they cause victims and financial losses hitting a record high last year. Singapore Today's Lance Alexander and Daniel Martin speak to Noelle Teoh, Associate Lawyer, GJC Law. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mar 05, 2025•18 min•Season 9Ep. 347
Singapore's core inflation has fallen to its lowest in more than three years but with inflation likely creeping up in the US and tit-for-tat tariffs, could that be a problem for Singapore going forward? Singapore Today's Lance Alexander speaks to Selena Ling, Chief Economist and Head of Treasury Research & Strategy at OCBC Bank. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mar 05, 2025•17 min•Season 9Ep. 343
In ‘Destination Anywhere’, Melanie Oliveiro finds out where Singaporeans can go to book a guided heritage trail that takes place on the grounds of a 5-star hotel that was formerly a British Army site on Sentosa island. Listeners will find out where on the Amara Sanctuary Sentosa compound they can view a petai tree that’s more than 120 years old; how to access two World War II air raid shelters; and the two blocks - now housing hotel rooms - where British army personnel and their families stayed....
Mar 05, 2025•17 min•Season 9Ep. 346
In ‘Culture Club’, Melanie Oliveiro speaks with American F&B businessman John Kunkel, the Founder of US-based 50 Eggs Inc. Kunkel will talk about the culture of today’s food industry that led him to set up close to 20 restaurants including his first Asian outpost, Yardbird Southern Table & Bar in Singapore. Kunkel will recall his first foray into F&B as a teen dishwasher and decades later, how the name of his F&B empire 50 Eggs Inc. was inspired by a Paul Newman movie. Kunkel wil...
Mar 05, 2025•30 min•Season 9Ep. 345
In ‘Made in SG’ Melanie Oliveiro speaks with three designers who’ll be selling their unique creations – from decorative homeware to unisex clothing and sustainable fashion - at Boutiques Singapore, one of Southeast Asia’s most popular design and shopping events; with the Spring-Summer edition coming up from 21 – 23 March 2025. Rachel Liou from Rock Daisy, Jenevieve Woon from JENEVIEVE Studio and Goh Zi Qi from ATOM will talk about their journeys so far: from design ingenues to running their own ...
Mar 05, 2025•30 min•Season 9Ep. 344
Certificate of Entitlement premiums closed mostly higher in the latest bidding exercise on Wednesday (5 March). Singapore Today's Lance Alexander and Daniel Martin speak to automotive industry veteran and consultant, Say Kwee Neng. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mar 05, 2025•15 min•Season 9Ep. 342
In recent years, the trend of eyelash extensions done in a salon has helped many women brighten their eyes. But a local beauty brand hopes to wean off the addiction to eyelash extensions. Cheryl Goh speaks with Shermaine Tan, founder of Hana Dolly to tell us more about Hana Dolly’s innovative Do-It-Yourself extensions. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mar 05, 2025•19 min•Season 9Ep. 341
Singaporeans love their bubble tea, so could a tea chain with no toppings capture the market? Cheryl Goh speaks to Ethan Keng and Lee Wenxi, the co-founders of Origin Teahouse, who believe the natural aroma of their tea leaves will let their drinks speak for itself. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mar 05, 2025•16 min•Season 9Ep. 340
According to PLB Research data, the number of executive condominium (EC) units resold for at least $1 million in gross profit more than doubled to 38 in 2024, from 15 in 2023. Andrea Heng and Hairianto Diman look at the probability of the EC resale market and how it stacks up against the condo resale market with Prof Sing Tien Foo, Provost's Chair Professor, Department of Real Estate Business School, NUS See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Mar 05, 2025•14 min•Season 9Ep. 339
A massive wildfire in northeastern Japan has expanded, putting more homes at risk. Some 2,000 firefighters from across the country have been deployed to O-funato city in Iwate Prefecture to battle the blaze that has been raging for more than five days. Andrea Heng and Hairianto Diman examine the possible triggers of the fire in that area with Samuel L. Manzello, Visiting Professor, Institute of Fluid Science, Tohoku University See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Mar 05, 2025•9 min•Season 9Ep. 338
The US's top three trading partners China, Canada and Mexico are rolling out retaliatory levies on a wide range of products. Observers say the tit-for-tat moves have consequences for consumers, economies and financial markets. Does this spell the beginning of a trade war? Andrea Heng and Hairianto Diman find out from Dr John Donaldson, Assoc Professor of Political Science, School of Social Sciences, SMU See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Mar 05, 2025•14 min•Season 9Ep. 337
A New York Times article reported that while coffee prices are at a 50-year high, producers are not celebrating. They have to contend with the high production costs and the unstable supply of coffee beans due to the erratic climate conditions. Andrea Heng and Hairianto Diman speak with Ahmad Hidayat, Founder, Kopiboy.sg to learn more about the impact of the rising prices. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mar 05, 2025•11 min•Season 9Ep. 336
In ‘Destination Anywhere’, Melanie Oliveiro speaks with Singaporean Master Sake Sommelier, Ow Yang Jian Hao, about his travels around Japan working directly with breweries and trying the many rich varieties of sake there. He’ll describe his trips to Kobe, Tokyo & Kyoto and talk about the recommended places for sake in these regions. Jian Hao will also highlight traditional and modern-day trends: from the kimoto style of sake brewing - which is the second-oldest brewing method - to how artifi...
Mar 04, 2025•16 min•Season 9Ep. 332
In ‘Culture Club’, Melanie Oliveiro explores the current global culture of International Women’s Day, which is one celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women all around the world. Author, leadership speaker, and executive coach, Mette Johansson, will also address the importance of amplifying diverse female voices at the workplace and how this tends to bring about significant benefits – including improved innovation, creativity and problem-solving abilities. Na...
Mar 04, 2025•31 min•Season 9Ep. 331
In ‘Made in SG’, Melanie Oliveiro speaks with fitness entrepreneur, Jay-Hykel Jailani, who’s also the owner & head coach of Limitless Performance Gym. Jailani will talk about how and why he set up the gym & corresponding physiotherapy centre at the new lifestyle destination KADA. He’ll also explain how the gym is equipped with artificial intelligence tools for the benefit of its members. Jailani – who has business in his blood - will also explain why he wants to build a community through...
Mar 04, 2025•26 min•Season 9Ep. 330
Minister of State for Health Rahayu Mahzam said in parliament yesterday that children who are reported by their parents for vaping will not be fined. Singapore Today's Lance Alexander and Daniel Martin discuss this further with Lydia Lim, a mom of two teenagers, PEAKS Psychologist, Management Consultant with Research Communication International and Chief Psychologist & Co-Founder of GetConnected.SG — a parenting app for parents to better understand parent-child dynamics. See omnystudio.com/l...
Mar 04, 2025•16 min•Season 9Ep. 335
Singapore is on track to meet its solar power deployment target of at least two gigawatt-peak (GWp) by 2030. Singapore Today's Lance Alexander and Daniel Martin speak to Professor Lee Poh Seng, Executive Director of the Energy Studies Institute, at the National University of Singapore. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mar 04, 2025•10 min•Season 9Ep. 334
Singapore’s manufacturing sector grew last month but it was at a slower pace due to an ease in new orders, new exports, factory output and employment. So could things get more grim going ahead? Singapore Today's Lance Alexander speaks to Alvin Liew, Senior Economist, UOB. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mar 04, 2025•17 min•Season 9Ep. 333
In ‘Destination Anywhere, Melanie Oliveiro speaks with Katherine Goh, managing editor and co-founder of Asia 361, an online lifestyle publication designed with Asians in mind. Goh will talk about her trip to Nepal’s picturesque Mustang district and the breathtaking sights she took in after recovering from altitude sickness. In Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, Goh talks about the Instagrammable Hill of Crosses and the popular dishes she ate which included "zeppelins" or potato dumplings. See om...
Mar 04, 2025•19 min•Season 9Ep. 319
In ‘Culture Club’, Melanie Oliveiro speaks with two members from Singaporean post-hardcore band Faraday. Faraday’s vocalist, Danial, and guitarist, Risda, will discuss how they craft their music and especially how they did so for their latest single, “Morpheus”, inspired by Neil Gaiman’s The Sandman. Faraday will also talk about how they reach out to new fans – in particular how “Grief’s Embrace”, their breakout single, found new audiences thanks to social media platforms like TikTok. See omnyst...
Mar 04, 2025•30 min•Season 9Ep. 318
In ‘Made in SG’, Melanie Oliveiro speaks with author, Yao Shih Lien, known affectionately as Dr. Lotus, about his latest book “Waterlily in Bloom”. The 172-page guide – complete with colour pictures – helps those new to waterlilies understand how to plant and maintain this freshwater flowering plant. Yao will also talk about waterlily’s rich history and diverse varieties and how to solve common problems like pests, health issues and environmental challenges. Joining him, is former Dr Lotus inter...
Mar 04, 2025•31 min•Season 9Ep. 317
New research reveals that more than one third of social media conversations about money mentioning parents, children and spouses contain negative sentiment. Why is it such a sensitive subject, and how does it impact our financial decisions? Cheryl Goh speaks with Joel Carpenter, Chief Executive Officer at St. James’s Place Singapore, a financial service provider to find out more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mar 04, 2025•16 min•Season 9Ep. 328
Retail supermarket, Giant, has teamed up with The Food Bank Singapore on a food drive, ‘Share Giant Blessings’, to provide Halal food items to underprivileged Muslim families during the Ramadan and Hari Raya period. Cheryl Goh speaks with Dr Arthur Chin, Executive Director of The Food Bank Singapore, and how you can help when grocery shopping. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mar 04, 2025•17 min•Season 9Ep. 329
