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...

Southeast Asian Nations Express ‘Deep Concern’ Over US Tariffs

By Rebecca BAILEY and Isabelle LEONG/AFP - Southeast Asian leaders expressed "deep concern" over US tariffs Tuesday, as they held a summit with China...

Laos Economy Shows Signs of Recovery Amid Fiscal Pressures

Laos’ economy is showing signs of recovery amidst a debt repayment peak, persistent inflation, and structural challenges, the World Bank warns in its latest...

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...