ASEAN

Miss Universe Dispute Leaves Six Southeast Asian Franchises in Limbo

The Miss Universe Organization is facing a major dispute just weeks before its 75th anniversary pageant, with contestants from six Southeast Asian countries caught in the middle. Laos, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia and Singapore could all be affected by a disagreement over who has the right to run their national...

Thailand Restores 30-Day Visa-Free Stay, Limits Visa-Free Land Entries to Twice a Year

Thailand has cut its visa-free tourist stay from 60 days back to 30 days,...

Laos Prepares For ASEAN Para Games With 12-Sport Bid

Laos is preparing to compete in 12 sports at the 14th ASEAN Para Games...

Bear Paws, Pangolin Meat Seized in Vientiane Restaurant Raid Amid Laos’ Wider Crackdown

Lao authorities have stepped up their crackdown on illegal wildlife trade after raiding a...

Bangkok Bar Fire Kills 27, Leaves Dozens Critically Injured

A fire late on Sunday night at a packed pub in Bangkok has killed...

India Seeks Expansion of Highway To Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam 

India is now looking to expand the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway to Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam, in order to increase connectivity of the region.  ASEAN Briefing...

Vietnam Orders Tech Firms to Store User Data Locally

Vietnam has ordered tech firms to store user data locally and establish local offices in a new move to tighten cybersecurity regulations. Reuters reports that...

Aung San Suu Kyi Sentenced to Six More Years in Prison

A court in military-ruled Myanmar convicted ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi on new charges Monday, adding a further six years to her prison...

Tri-Country Freight Train to Run through Malaysia, Thailand and Laos

The new tri-country freight train, or ASEAN express, between Malaysia, Thailand and Laos will begin operating in October of this year. The Star reports...

In Myanmar, Australian Pleads Not Guilty, Japan Calls For Videographer’s Release

Australian economist Sean Turnell, being held in Myanmar, has pleaded not guilty in closed courts to charges of violating the nation’s “official secrets act,”...

New Virus Detected in China Spread by Shrews

A new virus believed to be spread by shrews has affected nearly three dozen people in eastern China, according to a new report. The virus,...