Phontham Visapra

ASEAN Summit in Malaysia Highlights 0% US Tariff, Regional Cooperation, Myanmar

The 47th ASEAN Summit, held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from 26–28 October, brought together leaders from Southeast Asia and partner countries to discuss trade,...

Leaders Tackle Regional Conflicts, Expansion on First Day of ASEAN Summit

Laotian Times, Isabelle Leong and Jan Hennop/AFP - Southeast Asia’s leaders gathered in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on 26 October, marking the start of the two-day...

Laos Signs UN Cybercrime Convention to Boost Digital Security

Laos has formally joined the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime, signaling its commitment to global cooperation in combating cyber threats and advancing its digital...

Year-Long Funeral Starts for Thailand’s Former Queen Sirikit

Thousands of grieving Thai royalists lined the streets of Bangkok on 26 October, saluting a procession bringing former queen Sirikit's body to lie in...

East Timor Formally Joins ASEAN as 11th Member

East Timor joined the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) bloc as its 11th member state on 26 October, after 14 years of...

Lao Ambassador Appointed as Personal Representative of President Thongloun to Francophonie

On 21 October, Kalamoungkhoune Souphanouvong, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Laos to France, presented his credentials to Louise Mushikiwabo, Secretary-General of the International Organization...

Four Dead in Xieng Khouang Linked to Illegal Gold Mining

Xieng Khouang Province has reported four deaths in 2025 related to illegal gold mining, highlighting ongoing safety and regulatory issues in the region. The...

Myanmar Scam Center Raid Sends Hundreds Fleeing to Thailand

More than 600 people fled one of Myanmar's most notorious scam centers and crossed into Thailand, a Thai provincial official told AFP on 24...

Thai Minister Resigns After Alleged Scam Center Links

AFP - On 22 October, Thailand's Deputy Finance Minister resigned following allegations linking him to Cambodia-based cyber scam centers. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul ordered Vorapak...

Thailand’s Ex-PM Paetongtarn Quits as Party Leader

AFP - Thailand's recently removed Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra resigned on Wednesday as leader of the party founded by her father, former Prime Minister...

Laos’ Foreign Minister Concludes Visit to Brunei, Pledges Stronger Partnership

Laos’ Foreign Minister Thongsavanh Phomvihane concluded his official visit to Brunei from 19 to 22 October. On 20 October, Thongsavanh and his delegation paid a...

Japan to Provide USD 4.5 Million to Accelerate UXO Clearance in Southern Laos

UPDATED - Japan has pledged USD 4.5 million to support efforts to remove unexploded ordnance (UXO) in the southern provinces of Champasack, Salavanh, and...

Japan Makes History with Appointment of First Woman Prime Minister

AFP - Sanae Takaichi, a staunch conservative who admires Margaret Thatcher, became Japan's first woman prime minister on Tuesday, but analysts say her rise...

Thailand Tops Global Ranking as the World’s Best Food Destination in 2025

Thailand has been named the world’s top country for food this year, taking the number one spot in Condé Nast Traveler’s 2025 Readers’ Choice...