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...

China Identified as Most Influential Economic Power in Southeast Asia, Survey Finds

A recent survey of nearly 2,000 respondents from the 10 ASEAN countries has identified China as the most influential economic power in the region. The...

Forging Forward: ASEAN, EU Launch Blue Book 2024-2025

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the European Union (EU) launched the ASEAN-EU Blue Book 2024-2025 at the ASEAN Headquarters in Jakarta...

Mekong Tourism Forum 2024 Sets Stage for 2025 Tourism Event in Luang Prabang

The Mekong Tourism Forum (MTF) 2024 kicked off on 25 April in Lijiang, China, under the theme "Visionary Journeys: Redefining Tomorrow’s Travel." This prominent...

Australia Strengthens Partnerships with Laos, ASEAN

Australia’s ASEAN Senior Official Michelle Chan visited Vientiane this week on a mission to further strengthen Australia’s partnerships with Laos and ASEAN. Last month’s ASEAN-Australia...

Lawmakers in Thailand Overwhelmingly Approve a Bill to Legalize Same-Sex Marriage

BANGKOK (AP) — Lawmakers in Thailand’s lower house of Parliament overwhelmingly approved a marriage equality bill on Wednesday that would make the country the...

US Special Adviser on Disability Rights Visits Laos to Promote Inclusion, Policy Integration

Sara Minkara, the Special Adviser on International Disability Rights at the United States (US) Department of State, led a delegation on a visit to...