[Post 685] Launching My Floating Farm: What Will The Locals Think? | Growing Wild: Project Castaway - Part 3/3

Summary

11 months ago Chris came up with an ambitious idea of constructing a floating farm at sea.

Travelling to different coastal communities globally, he and his team of students from the National University of Singapore and Institute of Technical Education talked to fisherman, farmers, marine ecologists and environmental scientists. 

From pen to paper, ideation to fabrication, they refined their design over and over again. Now it’s make or break time - in 30 days, they have to construct and launch Project Castaway in the waters off Bum Bum Island in Semporna, Malaysia. 

And launching it is not the biggest test – convincing the locals in Bum Bum Island to take it on is!

[Post 684] Why Thailand is seen as a haven for Chinese retirees

Summary

Chinese silver tourism has been on the rise and some retirees have adopted a “migratory bird” lifestyle, heading south to warmer destinations to escape China’s harsh winters.

CNA speaks to some of these retirees who have chosen Chiang Mai, Thailand as the place to spend their golden years. 

[Post 683] How will Trump’s tariffs affect jobs, wages and prices in Singapore? | Deep Dive podcast

Summary

The sweeping Trump tariffs are a signal that a new world order is taking shape and one that may affect wages and jobs in Singapore. 

Education Minister Chan Chun Sing tells Steven Chia and Otelli Edwards what the government plans to do and why he doesn't lose sleep over things he cannot control.

[Post 682] Asia Addresses Ageing Population Issues: Singapore, China, Taiwan | CNA Correspondent

Summary

Asia has some of the world’s longest life expectancies but living longer is not always a blessing. Loneliness and illness among the elderly are problems facing society. Can new technology offer the answer? 

From Singapore, Krystal Chia examines the rise of longevity clinics and how the region’s rapidly ageing population has accelerated the development of the longevity economy. In Shanghai, Tan Yew Guan looks at the issues of loneliness among the elderly and what unique challenges China faces with its ageing population following rapid urbanisation in recent decades. In Taiwan, Victoria Jen finds out what the island is doing to deal with worsening labour shortages as it becomes a superaged society this year. 

[Post 681] Thai Street Hawker Makes Restaurant-Style Omakase For As Cheap As US$0.60 | Lunch With Us: Bangkok

Summary

Cancer patient Chuntana introduces us to a one-of-a-kind street hawker in Bangkok, who serves not only humble pork noodles, but also restaurant-standard omakase meals from his van.

Customers name the price – anywhere from 20 baht (US$0.60) to his most lavish order yet,10,000 baht (US$298) -- and Chatree Suksumit, better known as Chef Ah, creates his special menu. It’s all cooked out of his humble modified food van, and can be tailored to special dietary needs.

Chef Ah was at Suphapong Alley 1 in Nong Bon when we met him – but the metropolitan authorities’ clean-up of Bangkok’s streets is threatening hawkers like him, who have been forced to move. 

[Post 680] How Do You Know When It’s Time To Quit, Stay Or Switch Your Job? | Money Mind | Career

Summary

How do you know when it's time to quit, stay, or switch your job? Sona Remesh is joined by Shulin Lee, founder and managing director, Aslant Legal; Felix Tan, co-founder and CEO, Skilio; and Rohan Sylvester, talent strategy advisor, Indeed. This discussion was filmed at Career Forward 2025.

[Post 679] Urban Farmer Vs Ocean: What To Grow On The Sea (& How?) | Growing Wild: Project Castaway - Part 2/3

Summary

When it comes to agriculture, urban farmer Chris Leow is in his comfort zone. But when it comes to aquaculture, he quickly realises that he’s a little out of his depth. 

“Project Castaway” - Chris’ ambitious plan to create a floating farm out at sea has gained momentum. He’s assembled a team of students from the National University of Singapore and Institute of Technical Education. 

Together, they’re starting to figure out what crops could survive on the ocean and how the floating farm should look like. Now they need to solve the question of aquaculture. What creature species do they rear underwater and why? They also find scout a suitable location near Singapore for the floating farm.