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...

Laos Appoints Alounkeo Kittikhoun as ASEAN Special Envoy to Myanmar

Alounkeo Kittikhoun, a former minister in the Prime Minister’s Office and a veteran Lao diplomat, has been appointed as the new Association of Southeast...

Cambodian Critic Charged With Defamation Over Comments on Facebook

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — An outspoken critic of Cambodia’s government who was badly hurt by assailants four months ago has been arrested on...

Myanmar to Join ASEAN Tourism Forum in Vientiane Amidst Ongoing Civil War

Amidst an ongoing civil war between the military government and its civil opposition, Myanmar is pushing ahead with efforts to revitalize its tourism sector...

Laos Charts Course for Growth in 2024 with Tourism Focus, Infrastructure Overhaul Amidst Economic Challenges

As 2023 nears its conclusion, Laos continues to face economic challenges, including surging inflation, a scarcity of labor, and an expanding trade deficit. In...

Order of Rising Sun, Gold, Silver Star Conferment Ceremony for Alounkeo Kittikhoun, Former Minister to Lao PM Office

Alounkeo Kittikhoun, Former Minister to the Prime Minister’s Office of Laos has been presented with one of Japan’s highest civilian honors, the Order of...

Thailand Readies for Same-Sex Marriage in Wake of Papal Decision, Sparking Hope in Lao LGBTQ+ Community

As the Roman Catholic Church navigates varied reactions to Pope Francis' recent approval of same-gender marriages, Thailand is on the verge of making history...