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...

Lao National Dies in Thailand-Cambodia Border Conflict

Houng Jorasa, a Lao national, lost her life during violent clashes between Thailand and Cambodia that erupted on 24 July near the disputed Ta...

Cambodia, Thailand Agree to Extend Peace Pact

Laotian Times/AFP - Thailand and Cambodia agreed on 7 August to extend a shaky ceasefire deal that followed five days of deadly hostilities along...

Thai, Cambodian Border Remains Calm as Diplomatic Talks Continue

The situation along the Thai-Cambodian border remained calm on the morning of 5 August, coinciding with ongoing General Border Committee (GBC) meetings between Thailand...

Death Toll Rises in Thai-Cambodian Clashes Despite Ceasefire Call

By Suy Se with Montira Rungjirajittranon in Bangkok/AFP - Thailand and Cambodia clashed for a third day on 26 July, as the death toll...

Dozens Dead in Vietnam After Ha Long Bay Tourist Ferry Sinks

By ran Thi Minh Ha/AFP - Rescuers were desperately searching for five people still missing on Sunday after 37 were killed when a boat...

Cambodia Targets Cross-Border Crime with Mass Arrests, Signs Pact with Laos to Combat Scams, Drug Trafficking

Cambodian authorities have arrested more than 1,362 individuals, including hundreds of foreign nationals, in a sweeping 20-day crackdown on online scam operations across seven...