ASEAN

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 Chinese-owned restaurant in central Vientiane, one of several wildlife enforcement operations carried out this year. On 18 May, officers from the Law Enforcement Network for Aquatic Animals, Wildlife and Forestry (LAO-WEN) inspected a restaurant in Chommany...

Bangkok Bar Fire Kills 27, Leaves Dozens Critically Injured

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

Vietnam, Philippines Reach Upper-Middle-Income Status as Laos Eyes 2035 Target

Vietnam and the Philippines have been reclassified as upper-middle-income economies by the World Bank,...

Lao Deputy PM Holds Talks in Myanmar to Deepen Bilateral Ties

Laos and Myanmar are moving to expand bilateral cooperation across multiple sectors following an...

At Least 19 Dead After 7.8-Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Southern Philippines

A powerful 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Mindanao in the southern Philippines...

ASEAN Rail Tourism Corridor Takes Center Stage at Mekong Tourism Forum 2025

Laos hosted the Mekong Tourism Forum 2025 in Luang Prabang from 24 to 27 June, spotlighting the proposed ASEAN Rail Tourism Corridor (ARTC) as...

Vietnam Approves New Law Allowing Foreign Spouses to Gain Citizenship Without Residency

Foreigners married to Vietnamese citizens will now be eligible for Vietnamese citizenship without having to meet previous residency, language, or financial requirements, following a...

Thai Political Crisis: What We Know

By Damon WAKE/AFP - Thailand's government is on the brink of collapse after a key coalition partner quit, leaving the kingdom facing yet another...

Public Calls for Thai PM’s Resignation After Leaked Call with Hun Sen Goes Viral

Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra is facing mounting public pressure to resign after a leaked phone conversation with Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen went...

Vietnam Lawmakers Approve Merging Provinces, Slashing Nearly 80,000 Jobs

AFP - Vietnam's National Assembly on 12 June approved plans to merge provinces and cities, slashing nearly 80,000 state jobs, as part of major...

China’s Aircraft Maker Seeks Majority Stake in Lao Airlines Amid Reforms

The Lao government is weighing a proposal from China’s Commercial Aircraft Corporation (COMAC) to acquire a controlling stake in Lao Airlines, part of a...