ASEAN

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, leaving Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, and Timor-Leste as the only ASEAN members still in the lower-middle-income category. The annual income classifications, released on 1 July, place seven of ASEAN's 11 members in the upper-middle-income bracket or higher....

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...

Lao Buddhist Organization Tightens Social Media Guidelines

The Lao Buddhist Fellowship Organization has issued new nationwide guidelines governing how monks use...

Thailand, Vietnam Target USD 25 Billion Trade Goal as Ties Enter ‘New Phase’

Thailand and Vietnam pledged deeper economic and security cooperation on 28 May as the...

Japan Foreign Minister Begins ASEAN Tour to Strengthen Ties Amid China’s Growing Influence

Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa is leading a delegation on a six-day trip to four ASEAN countries –Laos, Brunei, Vietnam, and Thailand – to...

Days Off in ASEAN: Which is the Most Holiday-Friendly Nation

As the festival season approaches, people across Southeast Asia are looking forward to spending quality time with family and unwind. But, when it comes to...

ASEAN and China Sign Agreement to Combat Gambling-Related Transnational Crime

Six ASEAN member countries—Laos, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, the Philippines, Malaysia—and China announced a plan of action on Tuesday to work together to combat gambling-related...

Climate Change and the Shift to Cleaner Energy Push Southeast Asia to Finally Start Sharing Power

Hanoi, VIETNAM (AP) — The urgency for Southeast Asian nations to switch to clean energy to combat climate change is reinvigorating a 20-year-old plan for the...

Lao PM Urges Boten SEZ to Improve Infrastructure and Attract More Tourists

Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone has met with operators of the Boten Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in northern Laos' Luang Namtha province to discuss...

Laos to Benefit From Singapore’s Renewable Energy Shift

As ASEAN countries ink deals to move away from fossil fuel consumption and toward renewable energy sources, Laos is set to benefit from this...