Politics

Laos National Assembly President Xaysomphone Phomvihane Dies at 69

Xaysomphone Phomvihane, President of Laos’ National Assembly and one of the country’s most senior political figures, has died aged 69, officials announced on 8 August. Lao authorities said Xaysomphone's body was taken to National Assembly Hall No. 6, where official funeral preparations are underway. According to state media, Laos will...

Laos, Vietnam Set USD 4 Billion Trade Goal as Economic Ties Grow

Laos and Vietnam are pushing to take their economic partnership to the next level,...

Trade, Energy, Tourism Drive Laos-Vietnam Economic Ties Past USD 1.3 Billion

Trade between Laos and Vietnam reached USD 1.305 billion during the first six months...

Laos Formalizes Shanghai Cooperation Organization Dialogue Partner Status

Laos has strengthened its regional ties after formally confirming its status as a Dialogue...

Railway Expansion, Education Reform Among Key Issues at National Assembly

Expanding the railway to southern Laos, rolling out a new school system, reducing poverty,...

Myanmar Military Government Offers Cash Rewards to Defectors

BANGKOK (AP) — Myanmar’s military government is urging people fighting against its rule to surrender their weapons, offering a cash reward if they do...

Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone Attends 42nd ASEAN Summit

Prime Minister Sonexay Siphadone led the Lao delegation at the 42nd ASEAN Summit in Indonesia and participated in other related meetings on 9-11 May. During...

ASEAN Leaders to Agree to Cooperate in Fighting Cyber Scams

LABUAN BAJO, Indonesia (AP) — Southeast Asian leaders have agreed to tighten border controls and law enforcement and improve public education to fight criminal...

New Thai Govt. Likely to Decriminalize Multi-Billion Dollar Sex Industry

Sex workers in Thailand are hopeful that the 14 May general election will see a new government come to power that will help decriminalize...

Laos Urges ASEAN to Tackle Issues of Poverty Alleviation and Food Security in Region

The Lao Minister of Information, Culture, and Tourism has urged ASEAN members to help the region tackle poverty and food security, during the 29th...

Divisive Thai Ex-pm Vows to Return From Exile After Polls

BANGKOK (AP) — Thailand’s self-exiled former prime minister said Tuesday he wants to return home by July, making his declaration less than a week...