Phontham Visapra

Lao Court Sentences Man to Death for Meth Trafficking

On 27 August, the Xayabouly Provincial People’s Court sentenced a 29-year-old man to death after convicting him of trafficking methamphetamine and crystal meth. The...

Laos Starts New Academic Year Amid Worsening Teacher Shortage

As schools across Laos reopened on 1 September for the new academic year, Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone urged the public to embrace the new...

Cuba President Begins Trip to China, Laos, Vietnam

AFP - On 30 August, Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel announced that he had begun a tour of Asia, which will take him to China,...

Thai Court Sacks PM Over Cambodia Phone Call Row

By Montira RUNGJIRAJITTRANON/AFP - Thailand's Constitutional Court sacked prime minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and her cabinet on Friday over her handling of the country's border...

Dog Poisoning Crisis in Laos: One Man’s Fight for Justice

Dog poisoning has long been an issue in Laos, with cases of pets being poisoned and kidnapped continuing to put owners on edge.  On 12...

Lao Sets September Priorities to Strengthen Economy, Infrastructure

The Lao government has outlined its key priorities for September, focusing on stabilizing the economy, improving infrastructure, and maintaining national stability.  These decisions came during...

Vietnam to Evacuate 300,000 as Typhoon Kajiki Nears

AFP - On 24 August, Vietnam announced it plans to evacuate more than 300,000 people and has cancelled over a dozen domestic flights as...

Thai Ex-PM Thaksin Acquitted of Royal Insult Charges

By Montira RUNGJIRAJITTRANON/AFP - Thailand's former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was cleared on Friday of royal defamation charges, relieving a threat to his embattled...

Vientiane Records Over 600 Traffic Accidents, 100 Deaths in First Half of 2025

Vientiane Capital experienced a significant number of traffic accidents in the first six months of 2025, with authorities reporting more than 600 incidents and...

Thailand’s Ex-PM Thaksin Faces Verdict in Royal Insult Case

AFP - Thailand's former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra will learn his fate on Friday in a royal insult case that could see him jailed,...

PlayStation Prices Rise as US Tariffs Bite

AFP - On 20 August, Sony said it is bumping up the price of PlayStation 5 video game consoles by USD 50 in the...

AirAsia X Flight Diverted to Gimpo Amid Weather, Fuel Concerns

An AirAsia X flight bound for Seoul’s Incheon International Airport was forced to make an unscheduled landing at Gimpo International Airport on the evening...

Sick Thai Princess Suffers ‘Severe’ Blood Infection

AFP - The Thai king's eldest daughter, who has been gravely ill in hospital for more than two years, has suffered a "severe" blood...

Laos Hands Over Five Drug Suspects to Thailand

Laos has handed over five drug suspects to Thai authorities as part of ongoing efforts to combat cross-border drug crime. On 13 August, the five...