Brunei - ASEAN RECORDS

Singapore now has the most powerful passport in the world

July 20, 2023July 21, 2023 admin News Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Vietnam

Singapore has the world’s most powerful passport in 2023. The recently released third quarter Henley Passport Index revealed a major shake-up, with Germany, Italy and Spain coming in second and Japan sharing the third rank with six other countries.

After evaluating all countries of the world, Henley creates a ranking of all the passports on the basis of the number of destinations their holders can visit visa-free with inputs from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), updating the report every quarter.

According to the release, Singapore passport holders get visa-free access to 192 countries out of 227 in the world. The nation has climbed over five ranks in the last ten years.

Just missing the top 10 mark, Malaysia made it to the 11th spot allowing passport holders to travel visa-free to 180 countries. Hong Kong shared the 17th spot with Andorra with visa-free access to 170 countries. Thailand ranked at 64th place with visa-free travel option for 79 countries. India took the 80th spot on the list with visa-free or visa-on-arrival travel option for 57 countries.

The weakest passport in the world is Afghanistan, with visa-free access to only 27 destinations.

The most powerful passports in the world, according to Henley Passport Index 2023.

Rank	Visa-free access to	Countries
1	192	Singapore
2	190	Germany, Italy, Spain
3	189	Austria, Finland, France, Japan, Luxembourg, South Korea, Sweden
4	188	Denmark, Ireland, Netherlands, UK
5	187	Belgium, Czech Republic, Malta, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Switzerland
6	186	Australia, Hungary, Poland
7	185	Canada, Greece
8	184	Lithuania, US
9	183	Latvia, Slovakia, Slovenia
10	182	Estonia, Iceland
11	180	Liechtenstein, Malaysia
20	166	Brunei
64	79	Thailand, Belarus, Lesotho
69	73	Indonesia, Tanzania
74	66	Philippines, Armenia, Cape Verde Islands
82	55	Cambodia, Vietnam, Guinea-Bissau, Mali
87	50	Laos, Turkmenistan
89	47	Myanmar, Ethiopia

Source: Henley Passport Index

Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Bridge

September 19, 2022March 30, 2023 admin Building & Structure, News Brunei, Sabah, Sarawak, Sultan Haji Omar 'Ali Saifuddien Bridge, The longest bridge

Great news! The longest bridge in ASEAN, spanning 26.3 kilometers, is now open to foreign vehicles that weigh no more than 3,500kg. The bridge’s management committee, jointly chaired by Brunei’s Ministry of Transport and Infocommunications and Ministry of Development, recently issued a statement to this effect. Please note that private and commercial foreign vehicles in class II and V weighing over 3,500kg are not permitted to use the bridge, except those that are comparable to Brunei vehicle classes I, III, IV, VI, and XII.

“Foreign vehicles weighing over 3,500kg are advised to use the Asean Highway 150 or AH150 (via Limbang) as usual,” the announcement stated. Road users are advised to strictly observe the 100km per hour speed limit for normal vehicles and 80km per hour for commercial vehicles on the bridge. The opening of SHOAS was long awaited by Sarawakians and Sabahans looking forward to shorten travelling distance between the two states via Brunei.

The bridge spans across the Brunei Bay, connecting Temburong District to Bandar Seri Begawan and was opened ahead of schedule on March 17, 2020. But due to the Covid-19 restrictions only citizens were allowed to commute between Temburong and the rest of the sultanate while foreigners were barred from entering the country.

Southeast Asia

March 27, 2021April 2, 2023 admin Nature, News Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laso, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Southeast ASia, Thailand, Vietnam

The Southeast Asian region is geographically situated between China to the north, India to the west, and the Pacific Ocean to the south and east. Interestingly, the term “Southeast Asia” only gained popularity during World War II; prior to this, the region was referred to by a variety of names including the East Indies, the Indochina region, and the Malay Peninsula. There are many fascinating facts about the countries in this region. 🇧🇳🇰🇭🇮🇩🇱🇦🇲🇾🇲🇲🇵🇭🇸🇬🇹🇭🇻🇳🇹🇱

🇧🇳 Brunei – One of the world’s smallest countries, Brunei is also one of the wealthiest due to its abundant oil and gas reserves.

🇰🇭Cambodia – Home to the impressive temple complex of Angkor Wat, Cambodia is known for its rich cultural heritage and fascinating history.

🇮🇩Indonesia – With over 18,000 islands and a diverse mix of cultures and languages, Indonesia is one of the world’s most complex and fascinating nations.

🇱🇦Laos – A landlocked country of stunning natural beauty, Laos is known for its traditional culture, delicious food, and friendly people.

🇲🇾Malaysia – A melting pot of cultures and religions, Malaysia is home to diverse landscapes, from the bustling city of Kuala Lumpur to the lush jungles of Borneo.

🇲🇲Myanmar – Formerly known as Burma, this country boasts an incredible cultural heritage, including the ancient city of Bagan and the iconic Shwedagon Pagoda.

🇵🇭The Philippines – An archipelago of over 7,000 islands, the Philippines is known for its beautiful beaches, friendly people, and rich history.

🇸🇬Singapore – One of the world’s most prosperous nations, Singapore is known for its clean streets, impressive skyline, and delicious street food.

🇹🇭Thailand – A land of golden temples, stunning beaches, and delicious cuisine, Thailand is one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations.

🇻🇳Vietnam – A country of incredible natural beauty and fascinating history, Vietnam is known for its stunning landscapes, delicious food, and friendly people.