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...

Tropical Storm Kills Family of Five as Hits Philippines

AFP - Tropical Storm Fengshen killed a family of five Sunday as it ploughed across the Philippines' main island Luzon, police and disaster officials...

Thailand, Laos Set USD 11 Billion Trade Target by 2027, Eye New Infrastructure to Boost Border Economy

In his first official visit abroad as Thailand’s prime minister, Anutin Charnvirakul pledged to deepen economic ties with neighboring Laos by setting an ambitious...

Laos’ First Consultancy Leads ASEAN Diplomacy Program Engages 19 Nations

A youth-led Lao consultancy has made history as the first Lao team to lead a major regional diplomacy program.   The Element & Partners team guided...

Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia Strengthen Defense Ties Amid Trilateral Military Exercise

On 14 October, Vietnam’s Minister of National Defence, General Phan Van Giang, held high-level meetings in Laos with President Thongloun Sisoulith, Prime Minister Sonexay...

Thousands Stranded as Record Floods Submerge Vietnam Streets

By Tran Thi Minh Ha/AFP - Record floods submerged streets and inundated homes in Vietnam on 8 October, leaving tens of thousands of people...

SEA Games Mascot Redesign Sparks Debate Over National Identity

The redesign of the 33rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games 2025 mascot has stirred debate in Thailand, as organizers replaced the original seven colorful characters...