ASEAN

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, leaving Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, and Timor-Leste as the only ASEAN members still in the lower-middle-income category. The annual income classifications, released on 1 July, place seven of ASEAN's 11 members in the upper-middle-income bracket or higher....

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...

Lao Buddhist Organization Tightens Social Media Guidelines

The Lao Buddhist Fellowship Organization has issued new nationwide guidelines governing how monks use...

Thailand, Vietnam Target USD 25 Billion Trade Goal as Ties Enter ‘New Phase’

Thailand and Vietnam pledged deeper economic and security cooperation on 28 May as the...

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...

Regional Operation Disrupts USD 20 Million Transnational Scam Syndicates, Thousands of Bank Accounts Frozen

Authorities across Asia have arrested more than 1,800 individuals as part of a sweeping operation targeting transnational scam networks, according to the Hong Kong...

Vietnam Abolishes Two-Child Policy Amid Declining Birth Rate

Vietnam has officially ended its long-standing two-child policy as the country grapples with a falling birth rate and a rapidly ageing population. On 3 June,...