China bubble tea chain Mixue surges over 40% on debut

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 AnalystSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 of International Studies, Nanyang Technological UniversitySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.

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, NatixisSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.