India’s aviation hub goal, Bangkok’s massive sinkhole: 7 Asia highlights

From India preparing to open two new airports to Bangkok’s massive sinkhole, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reporting

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Construction being carried out at the Navi Mumbai airport’s terminal building in India. Photo: YouTube/Infra Skyline

Published: 12:15pm, 30 Sep 2025Updated: 1:10pm, 30 Sep 2025

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. Can India’s aviation hub goal take off with 2 new airports to ease congestion?

India is preparing to open two major new airports near its capital and financial centre, a move that industry analysts say would help ease severe air traffic congestion and strengthen its position to become a global aviation hub.

2. Overtourism in Kyoto turns rite of passage into disappointment for Japan schools

Visitors crowd a street leading to Kiyomizu Temple in Kyoto, Japan. A 2024 study by the Kyoto city government found that 56.06 million people visited over the course of the year. Photo: Reuters

The crush of foreign visitors in Kyoto has become so overwhelming that some Japanese schools are abandoning the ancient capital as a destination for their class trips – a quiet but telling sign of how overtourism is reshaping life for local residents.

3. Massive sinkhole swallows cars, electricity poles near Bangkok hospital

Thai officials inspect a sinkhole in Bangkok on Wednesday. Photo: EPA

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