Thai beer heir opens up, Philippine ube’s ‘purple gold rush’: 7 Asia highlights

We have selected seven stories from the SCMP’s coverage of Asia over the past week that resonated with our readers and shed light on topical issues. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing.1. US touts regional ‘balance’ in missile sale to Singapore. What does it mean?A model of a Hellfire missile attached under the wing of an MQ-9 Reaper military drone during a demonstration in Chateaubernard, France. Photo: AFPWashington has recently approved a proposed US$22.3 million sale of additional Hellfire missiles to Singapore, with the US State Department declaring that the transfer and associated arms support “will not alter the basic military balance in the region”.2. Hong Kong’s loss is Malaysia’s gain in the housing marketKuala Lumpur at twilight. Hong Kong ranked as the third-largest source of applications last year under the Malaysia My Second Home long-stay visa scheme. Photo: Getty ImagesA small but increasingly visible cohort of Hong Kong buyers – from families and entrepreneurs to pre-retirees – are turning to Malaysia as a second base. They are drawn by lower property prices, larger homes, international schools, private healthcare and a familiar linguistic environment spanning Cantonese, Mandarin and English.3. Thai beer dynasty heir opens up about abuse, mother’s ‘ungrateful child’ lawsuitSiranudh “Psi” Scott, a fourth-generation member of the billionaire Thai family that founded the Singha beer brand, pictured in Bangkok last month. Photo: AFPFor most of his adult life, Siranudh “Psi” Scott kept a dark secret. Allegedly abused by his older brother as a teenager, he buried the trauma, chose to remain silent and – outwardly at least – carried on as a scion of one of Thailand’s most powerful families.4. South Korea’s World Cup loss spurs anger over ‘cartel’ of elites, favouritismWhen South Korea’s national football team returned home after their shock group-stage exit from the 2026 World Cup tournament, the fury of fans was not targeted at captain Son Heung-min or other players. It was aimed at head coach Hong Myung-bo.5. ‘Purple gold rush’: Philippine ube farming looks to cash in on craze“Ubi kinampay” is especially prized for its distinctive taste and aroma. Photo: Facebook/National Museum of the Philippines BoholGrown in Bohol province and nearby areas in central Philippines, ubi kinampay, dubbed the “Queen of Philippine yams”, is prized for its nutty, vanilla-like flavour and distinctive aroma. But supply is struggling to keep pace with surging demand, a shortfall felt even back home.6. Anwar vows Malaysia to pursue Jho Low over 1MDB despite potential US pardonPrime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on Friday said Malaysia would maintain its legal pursuit of Jho Low even if the fugitive financier were to receive a US presidential pardon.7. No free lunch: Indonesia’s Bali targets barter deals in immigration sweepTourists spend time at a beach in Kuta, Bali, Indonesia, on Wednesday. Photo: EPAIndonesia has intensified supervision of digital nomads, lifestyle influencers and travel content creators on the resort island of Bali, warning that even unpaid barter deals with local businesses would be classified as illegal work if they visit the country on tourist visas.Further Reading