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...

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...

Vietnam National University to Cut Bachelor’s Degree Duration to Three Years

Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU-Hanoi) aims to introduce a new undergraduate model, reducing the standard study duration from four to three years, starting in...