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...

Court Clears Way for Thai Parliament to Pick New Prime Minister 3 Months After Elections

BANGKOK (AP) — Thailand’s Constitutional Court cleared the way Wednesday for Parliament to vote for a new prime minister more than three months after...

Vientiane Speeds Up Revamp of Roads for ASEAN Chairmanship 2024

Authorities in Vientiane Capital are trying to wrap up the construction and repair of roads in the rainy season as part of preparations to...

Laos, Philippines Discuss Direct Flights to Boost Trade, Investment, Tourism

Foreign Ministers of Laos and the Philippines discussed the possibility of starting direct flights between the two countries to boost trade, investment, and tourism...

Malaysia Makes Owning LGBTQ+ Swatch Punishable by up to 3 Years in Jail

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — Malaysia’s government said Thursday that all Swatch products that contain lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer elements — including...

Laos Reviews Preparations for ASEAN Chairmanship at PM-led Meeting

Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone chaired a meeting attended by senior officials and ministers on Thursday to assess progress in the preparation for Laos' upcoming...

Social Media Users Doubt Authenticity of Lao Participant in Viral Video

Netpie? McDonut? Never heard these words before? You, like many others, might think that a woman posing as a Lao citizen in a video...