WTF is Up in Southeast Asia + Hong Kong

Why are Indonesians buying Bear Brand milk in bulk? It might not be for the reason you think. The dairy beverage has been touted as the shiny new cure for Covid-19, despite the Indonesian Medical Association's (IDI) advice that the drink provides the same nutritional benefits as regular milk. We talk to Coconuts Jakarta Managing Editor Andra Nasrie about the situation.

Other stories include:

Foreigners must now be vaccinated to fly into/out of Bali, but getting the jab is an issue | Residents ordered to evacuate after Bangkok factory blaze hurts dozens, kills 1 | Hong Kong man arrested after dog falls to its death from 19th floor apartment | Man in Tangerang slits toddler's neck after allegedly hearing 'whispers' | Man vs Wild: Orang Asli man pounced, clawed by tiger endures 15 hours of pain | Marcos ancestral home is going to become a tourist attraction - and the internet is having none of it | Those who complete Pfizer, Moderna vaccination may gather in larger groups around end-July | In Myanmar's prisons, detainees caught between pandemic and coup

The Coconuts Podcast delivers impactful, weird, and wonderful reporting by our journalists on the ground in eight cities: Singapore, Bangkok, Hong Kong, Manila, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Yangon, and Bali. Listen to headline news and insightful interviews on matters large and small, designed for people located in - or curious about - Southeast Asia and Hong Kong.

As Pride Month comes to a close, we had the opportunity to speak with Teo Yu Sheng this week. You might know him as the brains behind the Singapore-based queer brand Heckin Unicorn, whose quirky enamel pins and socks may confuse straight people at first glance. We chat with him about being queer in Singapore, getting inspiration for his LGBTQ-themed merchandise, and his recent collaboration with MTV on their #LoveBeyondGenres campaign.

Other stories include:

Bali's COVID-19 case spike isn't caused by people working from Bali: Sandiaga Uno | Thai sex workers protest shutdown with heels and panties | Taxi passengers tricked into handing HK$900 to driver in exchange for fake iPhone 'found' in back seat | Aceh woman collapses after receiving 100 lashes for premarital sex | Punk rocker Tom Delonge joins Malaysians reacting to prime minister's diarrhea | Facebook apologizes for 'handy' translation gaffe in Mandaue City post about PNoy's death | Durian fight: 11 nabbed for intruding protected area to pick fruits | COUP-VID: Myanmar caught between pandemic and takeover

The Coconuts Podcast delivers impactful, weird, and wonderful reporting by our journalists on the ground in eight cities: Singapore, Bangkok, Hong Kong, Manila, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Yangon, and Bali. Listen to headline news and insightful interviews on matters large and small, designed for people located in - or curious about - Southeast Asia and Hong Kong.

This week, we talked to voice actor Joshua Simon and producer Natasha Koster about AXN's first-ever crime thriller podcast titled Fey Hollow: The Fairy Tale Murders. The series is inspired by Grimm's fairy tales and features a cast of international artistes and homegrown talent from Singapore, including Lim Kay Tong, Naomi Yeo and DJ Joshua Simon. Listeners will get to choose how the eight-episode series ends, as there are two endings.

Other stories include:

People working from Bali (not via the gov't initiative) are driving up COVID numbers | Claws out: Animal groups check on House of Seafood's crabby walk stunt | Peckish elephant pokes into man's kitchen for midnight munchies (Video) | Urban warfare intensifies in Mandalay between security forces and civilians | Rizieq Shihab gets 4 years for misinformation in swab test controversy | Former PH President PNoy Aquino died today, and social media has strong feelings | Apple Daily to shut down Thursday, marking the end of an era for city's press freedoms | Sound of flight: Malaysia Airlines' ASMR audio reminds you what it's like to travel

The Coconuts Podcast delivers impactful, weird, and wonderful reporting by our journalists on the ground in eight cities: Singapore, Bangkok, Hong Kong, Manila, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Yangon, and Bali. Listen to headline news and insightful interviews on matters large and small, designed for people located in - or curious about - Southeast Asia and Hong Kong.

You read the title of this post, your jaw's still on the floor. We hope you'll pick it back up and listen to this exciting episode with Bob Ballard, the man responsible for discovering the wreck of the doomed vessel, amongst other lost wrecks. We got to chat with the legendary undersea explorer about his new hour-long special Bob Ballard: An Explorer's Life which features never-before-seen footage of his exciting life as an oceanographer.

Other stories include:

Kerobokan prisoners killed, hospitalized after downing disinfectant to get drunk | Crypto Amulets: Monk-blessed NFTs enter the blockchain in Thailand | 'YOLO': Hong Kong police accidentally promotes drugs in anti-substance abuse campaign | Judge knocks 6 years off corruption convict's 10-year sentence because she's a woman | Human rights groups condemn poster portraying Rohingya migrants as a threat | Travelers with fake Covid-19 tests should be arrested, Duterte says | Cutout standee saga: People's Association loses out on 'constructive dialogue' by canceling meeting, says Malay bride | Independent media 'sluts' and 'whores,' Myanmar military spokesman says on state TV

The Coconuts Podcast delivers impactful, weird, and wonderful reporting by our journalists on the ground in eight cities: Singapore, Bangkok, Hong Kong, Manila, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Yangon, and Bali. Listen to headline news and insightful interviews on matters large and small, designed for people located in - or curious about - Southeast Asia and Hong Kong.

After twelve episodes, we've finally reached the penultimate episode of The Apprentice: ONE Championship Edition, with Venezuelan Jessica Ramella emerging the winner. There's a reason she's been given the nickname "Lady Mcgyver". We sat down with the superstar to find out what drives her tenacity, and how tanning beds fit into the plan.

Other stories include:

You can now take your pre-wedding photos at Bali's Ngurah Rai airport | University chat group rating female students' sexiness reignites debate on misogyny | International school student, 13, arrested for allegedly assaulting female classmate in toilet | Indonesians could get 4.5 years in prison for insulting the president on social media under proposed Criminal Code revision | Lim Kit Siang urges amnesty for undocumented migrants after 156 detained, sprayed disinfectant | Is Home Buddies causing a sudden Irish Spring shortage? | Ngee Ann Polytechnic suspends racist lecturer who confronted interracial couple in viral video | Myanmar contestant Suu Khin wins coveted white apron in 'Masterchef: Legends'

The Coconuts Podcast delivers impactful, weird, and wonderful reporting by our journalists on the ground in eight cities: Singapore, Bangkok, Hong Kong, Manila, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Yangon, and Bali. Listen to headline news and insightful interviews on matters large and small, designed for people located in - or curious about - Southeast Asia and Hong Kong.

Ever taken a wedding pic so good it was *checks notes* ...taken and made into a cardboard standee for a public event? That's exactly what happened to Singaporean Sarah Bagharib, whose picture with her husband in full marital garb was blown up for a Hari Raya Aidilfitri event without permission. We sat down with her to unpack the situation.

Other stories include:

Authorities investigating viral 'porn villa' videos shot in Bali | Serbia says racist taunt of Thai player wasn't disrespectful | Free riders: MTR to give away 500 annual passes with unlimited trips to incentivize jabs | Woman in East Java bites off neighbor's thumb in fight during chili harvest | Purple rain: Malaysian fans deliver 200+ McDonald's BTS meals to healthcare workers, children | Pinoy BTS ARMY groups adopt 8 humpback whales in boy band's name | SOTA teacher denies sexual misconduct allegations, plans to take legal action | Myanmar football player flashes three-finger salute at World Cup qualifiers in Japan

The Coconuts Podcast delivers impactful, weird, and wonderful reporting by our journalists on the ground in eight cities: Singapore, Bangkok, Hong Kong, Manila, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Yangon, and Bali. Listen to headline news and insightful interviews on matters large and small, designed for people located in - or curious about - Southeast Asia and Hong Kong.

Artists across the world have been instrumental in promoting the three-finger salute as a symbol of resistance in response to the coup, spawning initiatives such as the Raise Three Fingers campaign. It calls on creatives from all over the world to submit their art as a show of solidarity with anti-coup protesters, and to highlight the atrocities caused by the insurrection. To date, it has over 1,500 artworks from 45 different countries, and we speak with featured artist Ohn Mar Win to find out more.

Other stories include:

Bali officials reproach media for reporting man's death was due to COVID-19 vaccine | Lizard blood may treat cancer, COVID-19: Thai researcher | This ad for a 'helper's bed' in a luxury home is a stark reminder that Hong Kong needs to do better | Bekasi rape suspect has 'good intention' to marry victim: lawyer | 'DurianKimchi' YouTubers sorry for calling Iban dress 'dirty cloth' | Days after two brutal murders, LGBTQ rights groups hold rally for the SOGIE Equality Bill | Singapore Muslims demand action over poll on female religious teachers deserving a 'gangbang' | Rights groups slam junta's arrest of American journalist working in Myanmar

The Coconuts Podcast delivers impactful, weird, and wonderful reporting by our journalists on the ground in eight cities: Singapore, Bangkok, Hong Kong, Manila, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Yangon, and Bali. Listen to headline news and insightful interviews on matters large and small, designed for people located in - or curious about - Southeast Asia and Hong Kong.

Love it or hate it, it looks like cryptocurrency is here to stay. But what on earth is it? With names like Unobtanium and Ethereum sounding like terms straight from The Matrix, crypto newbies may be a little lost. We sought the help of Raman Shalupau, crypto expert and Founder and CEO of Crypto Jobs List, the web's largest directory for jobs in cryptocurrency and blockchain.

Other stories include:

Indonesian man arrested for mocking Palestine says he meant to insult Israel | Get vaccinated, get a side of fries free at Thai McDonald's | Hong Kong restaurant surprises quarantinees with pizza delivery | 7 y.o. girl believed to be possessed by monster killed in exorcism | Shipping container becomes makeshift morgue at Sungai Buloh Hospital as COVID deaths rise | Boat carrying COVID vaccines sinks off Quezon province after hitting concrete post | Singapore Art Museum wants your butt to crack Singapore's 'demure' image | Thuzar Wint Lwin won national costume prize at Miss Universe. Her message won the world.

The Coconuts Podcast delivers impactful, weird, and wonderful reporting by our journalists on the ground in eight cities: Singapore, Bangkok, Hong Kong, Manila, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Yangon, and Bali. Listen to headline news and insightful interviews on matters large and small, designed for people located in - or curious about - Southeast Asia and Hong Kong.

Oooof. This week, we speak with Coconuts Manila Associate Editor Rachel Malaguit about the priest from Pampanga that's been accused of... less than priestly behavior. A video showing a man recounting one of the 10 Commandments to the reverend has been making the rounds on social media and it's quite the sight to behold.

Other stories include:

Thailand to decide fates of 3 Myanmar journalists who fled persecution | Canadian man deported from Indonesia over 'disrespectful' tantric orgasm event | Police investigating alleged racist attack on woman walking in Choa Chu Kang | Man arrested after using water gun to threaten staff at moneylending shop | President Jokowi under fire for promoting Kalimantan roast pork dish for Lebaran | Hundreds come forward with stories of sexual harassment in schools: 'SaveTheSchoolsMY' creator | No-quarantine entry to Thailand via Phuket starts in July for the vaccinated

The Coconuts Podcast delivers impactful, weird, and wonderful reporting by our journalists on the ground in eight cities: Singapore, Bangkok, Hong Kong, Manila, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Yangon, and Bali. Listen to headline news and insightful interviews on matters large and small, designed for people located in - or curious about - Southeast Asia and Hong Kong.

Calling all hopheads! This week, we chat with Mikkeller Bar Singapore's Sylvester Fedor about all things craft beer, and the smallest Mikkeller bar yet. Grab an ale and hear all about the new-gen hawker's recommendations for food-craft beer pairings (it's a thing!).

Other stories include:

Forbes accused of encouraging modern-day colonization after telling readers to 'quit day job' and move to 'cheap islands' like Bali | Hundreds of Khlong Toei residents get jabbed after virus erupts in riverside quarter | Drunk foreigner steals taxi near Lan Kwai Fong, drives to Wan Chai | Drastic COVID-19 surges seen in 7 Indonesian provinces ahead of Eid holiday | Thousands turn up for first dose of AstraZeneca vaccine in Malaysia | Canadian beauty queen calls out racist Filipino fans | Woman confronts Muslims dining, eating non-halal food in public during Ramadan | World rallies on 'Global Myanmar Spring Revolution Day'

The Coconuts Podcast delivers impactful, weird, and wonderful reporting by our journalists on the ground in eight cities: Singapore, Bangkok, Hong Kong, Manila, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Yangon, and Bali. Listen to headline news and insightful interviews on matters large and small, designed for people located in - or curious about - Southeast Asia and Hong Kong.