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...

Laos Leads Regional Climate Dialogue at ASEAN Climate Change Conference

On 14 May, Laos hosted the 5th ASEAN Climate Change Partnership Conference (ACCPC) in Vang Vieng.  This year’s conference aims to strengthen ASEAN’s collective leadership...

Vietnam’s Vingroup Eyes Multi-Million Dollar High-Speed Rail Project

AFP - Vietnam's biggest conglomerate, Vingroup, said Friday it had submitted a proposal to build the country's multi-billion-dollar high-speed railway from Hanoi to Ho...

Cambodia’s Biggest Airport to Open in July, Ending Pochentong’s 70-Year Run

Cambodia is preparing to open the USD 1.5 billion Techo International Airport (TIA) on 10 July, with final checks underway and construction now 96...

Lao-Thai Border Inspection Wraps Up Amid Recent Tensions

Lao and Thai authorities completed their 2025 annual joint border inspection on 11 May in Paktha District, Bokeo, a region recently affected by cross-border...

Thai Man Arrested for Smuggling Baby Orangutans

AFP - Thai police have arrested a man suspected of smuggling two baby orangutans into the kingdom, they said Thursday, in a case linked...

Vietnam Revives Nuclear Power Plans in New Energy Pact with Russia

Vietnam is reigniting its nuclear energy ambitions through a new partnership with Russia, as both countries agreed to accelerate talks on building nuclear power...