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...

Myanmar Junta Airstrike Kills 22 at School: Witnesses

AFP - A Myanmar junta airstrike hit a school Monday, killing 22 people, including 20 children, witnesses said, despite a purported humanitarian ceasefire called...

Myanmar Junta Chief Meets China’s Xi for First Time: State Media

AFP - Myanmar's junta chief met China's president for the first time since seizing power, state media reported on 10 May, the highest-level meeting...

Gunfire Near Lao-Thai Border Leaves Two Lao Soldiers Dead, Bullet Strikes Thai Home

Tensions are rising along the Thai–Lao border following a deadly armed clash on 3 May that left two Lao soldiers dead and sent stray...

Singapore Ruling Party Wins Election in Landslide

By Satish Cheney/AFP - Voters have handed Singapore's long-time ruling party a landslide election victory, offering Prime Minister Lawrence Wong a clear mandate to...

Mekong Communities at Risk as Arsenic Levels Soar in Northern Thai Rivers, Researcher Found

Arsenic levels up to 19 times higher than safety limits have contaminated rivers feeding into the Mekong, putting downstream communities across Southeast Asia at...

Lao Runner Lodkeo Inthakoumman Wins Double Gold at Singapore Open 2025

Lodkeo Inthakoumman, a leading long-distance runner from Laos, captured two gold medals at the 85th Singapore Open Track & Field Championships, held from 24–25...