Media OutReach
Southern Thailand Pioneers ‘De-Stress Economy’ at Pakk Taii Design Week 2025
One region primed to lead this movement is Southern Thailand. Across its 14 provinces, the region combines breathtaking landscapes, rich cultural heritage, distinctive local identities, diverse ways of life, and strong infrastructure to form the foundation of a new prototype: the “De-Stress Economy.” This forward-looking model places happiness at its core, harnessing creative city design and high-quality tourism, along with products and services that restore both body and mind. Its success will be measured not only by economic value, but also by feelings of safety, comfort, hope, and joy.
The Southern Region: A De-Stress Economy Sandbox
The “De-Stress Economy,” a new economic model focused on well-being and emotional comfort, is set to be piloted for the first time in Southeast Asia at Pakk Taii Design Week 2025 (PTDW2025), Southern Thailand’s annual creative festival now in its third year. Organized by the Creative Economy Agency (Public Organization), or CEA, in collaboration with public and private partners, creative communities, and local stakeholders, the festival will take place from 28 August to 7 September 2025, across Songkhla Old Town and Hat Yai under the theme “South Paradise.”
Far more than a creative showcase, PTDW2025 serves as a policy sandbox — a real-world testing ground for an economic model that puts well-being at the center. The goal is to establish a health and wellness economy that investors, entrepreneurs, and creatives across the region should not overlook.
To drive this new model, CEA has launched two flagship initiatives: the ‘South Market,’ a prototype platform for wellness-driven products and services, and the ‘Hero Product Incubator,’ designed to cultivate creative entrepreneurs from across all 14 southern provinces and scale innovations aligned with the De-Stress Economy. A centerpiece of the festival will be the exhibition “South De-Stress,” which spotlights the region’s rich culture, local wisdom, architecture, and landscapes — positioning Southern Thailand as a source of distinctive, globally competitive, and sustainable business opportunities.
Four Investment Opportunity Clusters in the Southern De-Stress Economy
For this new model, the 14 southern provinces have been grouped into four clusters — Calm, Relax, Energize, and Worry-Free — based on their suitability for living, investment, and tourism. These clusters are aligned with an “Emotional Value Proposition,” designed to meet the holistic quality-of-life needs of the new generation of consumers. The opportunities span across areas like quality tourism, creative lifestyles, the wellness industry, and sustainable businesses.
The potential of each cluster will be showcased through creative activities at PTDW2025, allowing participants to feel and explore how the happiness-driven economy can be realized in practice.
(1) Moment of Calm — Nakhon Si Thammarat, Narathiwat, and Phang Nga — This cluster emphasizes wellness and spiritual retreat businesses that link faith, craftsmanship, and positive energy.
- Nakhon Si Thammarat: As a ‘City of Faith’ or ‘Hip & Holy’ rooted in centuries of culture and belief, the city is ideal for investments in Spiritual Wellness & Retreat, and contemporary crafts that deeply connect local wisdom with personal experiences. Highlights include the exhibition “5 Merits + 1 Faith“ and immersive performance art blending light, sound, and spirituality.
- Narathiwat: A ‘Multicultural Border City’ known for its exquisite koleh boat artistry, Narathiwat is primed for contemporary lifestyle products and the halal industry as a soft power driver. Discover “Ask Yourself to Narathiwat Beyond,” a forum to explore the art, identity, and daily life of the province, while the photography exhibition “DIALOGUE” Ask Yourself to Buildings, Rivers, Boats, Forests, Mountains, Sea, and Sky, presents fresh perspectives on Narathiwat through a lens that encourages reflection and critical inquiry.
- Phang Nga: As a ‘New Hub in the Andaman Wellness Economic Corridor,’ its landscape is perfect for Healing & Aura Economy businesses, including Medical & Wellness Tourism with spas, yoga, sound therapy, and herbal medicine. This potential will be demonstrated through an immersive experience. “Jaroen Arn Pharmacy” presents storytelling-based healing with the power of stories and reading combined with workshops in yoga, sound healing, etc.
(2) The Art of Relaxing — Yala, Trang, Phatthalung, and Phuket — This cluster connects lifestyle, gastronomy, and fashion to cultural roots and new narratives.
- Yala: As the ‘Hub for Muslim Fashion,’ there is a fully integrated textile industry, ready to evolve into Malay-inspired fashion brands and fashion-tech products for the regional Muslim market. This potential will be showcased through “NAYU COUTURE,” a runway exhibition of contemporary Muslim fashion, complemented by talks and workshops designed to inspire the next generation.
- Trang: As a ‘City of Multicultural Food,’ it is primed for growth in gastronomy business and food & root branding that elevates local ingredients into global stories. The exhibition “Trang O-cha” presents visitors to savor the profound flavors and narratives of Trang’s cuisine.
- Phatthalung: ‘Strong in Local Agriculture under the BCG Model,’ particularly rice varieties, the province has the potential to develop health, beauty, and specialty food products under the “Rice and Growth” concept. The “Tam RICE – Tam-Hrai?” exhibition showcases rice as a cultural emblem and a driver of global opportunity.
- Phuket: ‘Evolving beyond Tourism into a Wellness MICE and Global Rehabilitation Space,’ Phuket caters to digital nomads and international retirees a world-class lifestyle. The festival will feature exhibitions and activities that prompt new questions about Phuket’s possibilities.
(3) Place of Energize — Krabi, Songkhla, and Surat Thani — This cluster focuses on creative experiences and adventure tourism that inspire and engage multiple generations.
- Krabi: As a ‘Land of ‘Ancient Nature and History,’ Krabi is ideal for investment in Edutainment, Geo-Tourism, and learning-based experiences. The “Cave Calls: A Thousand-Year Journal Waiting to Be Discovered” exhibition explores ancient geological wonders while blending science and local wisdom in all ages.
- Songkhla: A ‘Cultural and Creative Connector City’ with strong heritage districts, museums, and contemporary artist networks, Songkhla is primed for co-creation spaces, design retail, and creative events. Its showcase, “Mermaid Song.exe,” captures the intergenerational voices of Songkhla.
- Surat Thani: Known as ‘A Festival and Entertainment Destination,’ harnesses the vibrancy of Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, and Koh Tao as stages for Beach Festivals, Music Culture, and Sportainment. Under the concept of “Fancy & Party Me,” the festival will feature music festivals and creative event gatherings with local and international artists, installations from recycled materials, workshops, and kids’ zones – showcasing its dynamic blends of celebration and creativity.
(4) Stage of Worry-Free — Chumphon, Ranong, Satun, and Pattani — This cluster highlights minimalist inspirations, ecological tourism, and sustainability innovation.
- Chumphon: As a ‘Coastal Province Rooted in Blue Economy and Marine Conservation Tourism,’ it fosters immersive soundscape experiences and sustainable research-tourism through the “Beneath Chumphon’s Waves” program. This vision comes to life in the “Sailing Sounds of the Sea” exhibition and the “Creative Sounds from the Sea” workshop, where participants can listen, explore, and transform the ocean’s rhythms into healing creativity.
- Ranong: Known as a ‘City of Slow Living, Forest Bathing, and Wellness Retreats,’ it is surrounded by nature and a planned land bridge to connect the Gulf of Thailand and Andaman Sea, it’s a prime location for a western eco-city. The “Rare-Nong” exhibition will offer an immersive experience that lets visitors soak in the year-round rainy-city atmosphere and a rare sense of peace.
- Satun: A ‘Global Geopark with a Strong Local Fishing Culture,’ it is suited for sustainable food processing, cultural tourism, and sustainable food security platforms. The “Satun Folk & Fine” exhibition and one-day trip activity highlight community-based living and marine culture.
- Pattani: Emerging as a ‘Center for Climate Tech and the Circular Economy,’ Pattani is ideal for green startups, eco-innovation, and regional disaster preparedness learning centers. The “Coping with the Present: Environment and Alternative Materials” talk will spark dialogue about a sustainable future, while the “WAQAF – A Space for Contemporary Coexistence” exhibition will present a model for designing public spaces that balance culture, resources, and people.
All four clusters reflect the South’s geographical, cultural, and infrastructural strengths, making the region an attractive destination for investment in the wellness economy. The Global Wellness Institute reports that the global wellness market was valued at over $5.6 trillion in 2024 and is growing at an average rate of 8.6% per year, particularly in the areas of wellness tourism, mental wellness, and creative experiences.
PTDW2025 is more than a creative festival — it is a ‘platform for opportunity’ for investors, entrepreneurs, and creatives to launch pilot projects, discover local talent, and forge policy and business collaborations that deliver sustainable economic and social impact. The event will feature a diverse range of programs, including exhibitions, performance art, talks, workshops, creative markets, etc.
As the saying goes, “In the next economy, well-being is the new era.” In the decades ahead, well-being will emerge as a powerful value and the defining soft power of the 21st century. Experience this transformation at Pakk Taii Design Week 2025, taking place 28 August – 7 September 2025, 11.00 – 21.00 hrs, in Songkhla Old Town and Hat Yai, Songkhla Province. Discover the untapped potential of all 14 southern provinces from fresh perspectives, and find your own equation for happiness in the “South Paradise” experience.
For more details, please visit www.pakktaiidesignweek.com or follow us on FB/IG: pakktaiidesignweek.
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About Creative Economy Agency (Public Organization), or CEA
Creative Economy Agency (Public Organization), or CEA, is a dedicated government agency tasked with fostering creativity as a key driver of the creative economy. CEA focuses on developing various creative industries and encouraging the manufacturing sector to adopt creative approaches to enhance product and service value, thereby elevating Thailand’s global competitiveness.
Signals Plan to Make Malaysia Regional Compliance Hub
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 11 February 2026 – XTransfer, the world’s leading B2B cross-border financial platform, was honoured to be invited to join the Malaysia Economic Forum (Forum Ekonomi Malaysia 2026). Bill Deng, Founder and CEO of XTransfer, shared insights on how Malaysia can accelerate technology application and innovation to help micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) scale exports under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), during FEM 2026’s panel discussion, “Made by Malaysia: Accelerating Technology Applications & Innovation”.
Bill was honoured to join YB Tuan Liew Chin Tong, Deputy Minister of Finance of Malaysia, and Mr Ooi Ching Liang, Senior Director of Engineering at SkyeChip, for a discussion focused on strengthening high-growth, high-value industries, advancing R&D commercialisation, increasing productivity and competitiveness, and supporting MSMEs in global value chains.
Drawing on XTransfer’s work with MSMEs across markets, Bill noted that many Malaysian businesses are “able to export,” but face persistent barriers to scaling exports. The most common issues are trust, compliance, and scale, which often surface as payment delays, repeated documentation requests, FX uncertainty, and working capital pressure as orders grow.
“For B2B SMEs in foreign trade, the biggest constraint isn’t demand. It’s the operational complexity behind cross-border payments, foreign exchange, and compliance,” Bill said. “In particular, AML requirements can be difficult for both traditional banks and SMEs to manage efficiently, creating friction that slows down legitimate trade.”
Bill highlighted a structural shift in global trade flows from a single dominant corridor to non-U.S., intra-Asia, and broader South–South routes. This trend is increasingly clear in real SME transaction patterns. Bill shared, “In 2025, XTransfer’s average collection amount from Asia, Africa, and Latin America grew by 106% year-on-year, with Africa exceeding 270%, Latin America reaching 94%, and ASEAN reaching 82%.” YB Liew noted the trend and thinks it is a direction Malaysia should pursue.
XTransfer also said it plans to establish Malaysia as its regional compliance centre, citing Malaysia’s strong geographic and time-zone advantages, a mature regulatory environment, availability of talent in compliance and risk operations, and cost efficiency. “Malaysia gives us the talent, governance environment, and regional proximity to scale compliance as intra-Asia and emerging-market trade accelerates,” Bill added.
Hashtag: #XTransfer #Malaysia #SMEs #13MP #FEM2026
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As the lunar calendar turns its final pages, China enters a period of joyful anticipation known as Xiaonian, or Little Chinese New Year. Often celebrated as the Festival of the Kitchen God, it marks the official start of the “busy year” – a traditional term for the intense, joyful period of preparing food, cleaning homes, and shopping for the upcoming Spring Festival.
The Spring Festival is a deeply significant time for family reunion. In 2024, UNESCO inscribed the “Spring Festival, social practices of the Chinese people in celebration of the traditional Chinese New Year” onto the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
While daily routines continue to evolve, they remain anchored in rituals that provide a sense of normalcy and meaning. It is perhaps no wonder that in a climate of uncertainty, traditional Chinese lifestyles are finding a new audience beyond the country’s borders, with the Spring Festival chief among those unique traditions that are fast becoming a shared human experience.
Diverse traditions, shared aspirations
In a prelude to the broader celebrations, Xiaonian, observed on February 10 and 11 this year, kickstarts a focused period of preparation. According to ancient lore, families offer Zaotang, or sticky “Kitchen Candy,” to the Kitchen God to ensure he delivers a favorable report on the household’s conduct before he ascends to the heavens. This lighthearted tradition marks the beginning of several symbolic rituals aimed at welcoming a fresh start.
A key element of this transition is donning new clothes. In Chinese culture, the New Year represents a moment when “all things are renewed,” and wearing new garments symbolizes shedding the “dust” or misfortunes of the past to embrace auspicious energy for the year ahead. Alongside this personal renewal, families nationwide engage in “sweeping the dust,” a deep-cleaning ritual to purify the home and prepare it for new blessings.
Whereas these practices are universal, celebratory flavors vary by geography. In the north, families traditionally gather over steaming plates of dumplings, whereas in the south, the menu often features sweet rice cakes (Niangao) and glutinous rice balls (Tangyuan).
As Mao Qiaohui, a researcher at the Institute of Ethnic Literature at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, explains, these variations highlight the inclusive nature of Chinese civilization.
“Although folk customs differ between different regions across China, this diversity reflects the cultural pluralism within the Spring Festival tradition,” she notes. “Different regional identities contribute to a shared pursuit of harmony and reunion.”
The vitality of these traditions is also evident in local craftsmanship. In northern regions like Shandong and Henan, artisans are currently making Huamo, decorated steamed buns, featuring horse designs for the upcoming zodiac year. Meanwhile, in Shuozhou, Shanxi Province, intangible heritage inheritors are carving spirited stallions onto traditional gourds. These creations reflect the regional diversity of the festival and a collective desire for progress in the year ahead.
Cultural dialogue: From global stage to daily life
The festive atmosphere is reflected further in preparations for the Spring Festival Gala (Chunwan), produced by China Media Group.
Recent rehearsals show performances meshing traditional Chinese culture with international artistry. One performance piece combines the wooden clog dance of the Hani and Lisu ethnic groups with the rhythmic tap of Spanish Flamenco and Hungarian folk dance. And with global stars like Jackie Chan and Lionel Richie on the bill, the Gala’s stage is set to become a stage for the world to come together.
The reach of the gala has expanded far beyond a domestic audience. Through the “Spring Festival Gala Prelude” events held in the United States, Russia, France, Italy, and several African nations, the program has become a gateway to Chinese New Year customs and cultural exchange.
This interest extends beyond art and into the lives of people worldwide, as seen in the #BecomingChinese trend. This phenomenon features international social media users adopting elements of Chinese daily life – such as keeping a thermos of hot water handy, wearing quilted indoor slippers or practicing mindful movement with Baduanjin exercises.
The festival is no longer a distant event but a gateway to Chinese lifestyle, rooted in ancient wellness wisdom and constantly updated by modern convenience, and the first step to a journey of exploration into a culture that values ritual, safety and hospitality.
Whether through global broadcasts or shared daily habits, the Spring Festival increasingly strengthens a sense of cultural empathy between China and the rest of the world.
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Hashtag: #CGTN
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Media OutReach
De Beers Group and Assouline Celebrate the Launch of “A Diamond Is Forever: The Making of A Cultural Icon 1926-2026”
Hashtag: #DeBeersGroup #NaturalDiamonds #diamonds #ADiamondIsForever #Assouline
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About De Beers Group
Established in 1888, De Beers Group is the world’s leading diamond company with expertise in the exploration, mining, marketing and retailing of diamonds. Together with its joint venture partners, De Beers Group employs more than 20,000 people across the diamond pipeline and is the world’s largest diamond producer by value, with diamond mining operations in Botswana, Canada, Namibia and South Africa. Innovation sits at the heart of De Beers Group’s strategy as it develops a portfolio of offers that span the diamond value chain, including its jewellery houses, De Beers Jewellers and Forevermark, and other pioneering solutions such as diamond sourcing and traceability initiatives Tracr and GemFair. De Beers Group also provides leading services and technology to the diamond industry in the form of education and laboratory services via De Beers Institute of Diamonds and a wide range of diamond sorting, detection and classification technology systems via De Beers Group Ignite. De Beers Group is committed to ‘Building Forever,’ a holistic and integrated approach for creating a better future – where safety, human rights and ethical integrity continue to be paramount; where communities thrive and the environment is protected; and where there are equal opportunities for all. De Beers Group is a member of the Anglo American plc group. For further information, visit www.debeersgroup.com.
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