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...

Four Thai Bank Branches Discontinue Services in Laos

The Deposit Protection Office (DPO) of the Bank of Lao PDR announced this month that four Thai commercial bank branches in Laos have voluntarily...

ADB to Finance USD 45 Million Package to Strengthen Health Care Services in Laos

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a USD 45 million financing package to help strengthen quality health care in 16 districts across 10...

Divisive Thai Ex-prime Minister Thaksin Returns From Exile as Party Seeks to Form New Government

BANGKOK (AP) — Divisive ex-Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra returned to Thailand on Tuesday after years of self-imposed exile to face possible criminal penalties on...

Cambodian Parliament Approves Longtime Leader’s Son as Prime Minister as Part of Generational Change

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — The son of longtime autocratic Cambodian leader Hun Sen was approved by Parliament on Tuesday as the country’s new...

Thailand’s Pheu Thai Party Joins With Pro-military Parties in Coalition to Form New Government

BANGKOK (AP) — Thailand’s populist Pheu Thai party announced Monday that it plans to form a new government with an 11-party coalition that includes...

Laos, Cambodia Launch Cross-Border QR Code Payment System

The 13th multilateral meeting between the Bank of Laos and the National Bank of Cambodia was held in Vientiane Capital last Friday to discuss...