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...

Laos Records Alarming Rate of HIV Infection Among Young People

A new report from UNAIDS, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, estimates that with 42 percent of HIV cases in Laos affecting people...

Disaster Emergency Is Underway in Asia and the Pacific, Warns New UN Study

The Asia-Pacific region has a narrow window to increase its resilience and protect its hard-won development gains from the socioeconomic impacts of climate change,...

MRC to Host Public Forum to Foster Openness, Participation and Cooperation

The Mekong River Commission (MRC) has opened registration for another milestone public forum, which will be highlighted by eagerly anticipated updates on topics such...

Myanmar Central Bank Will Issue Highest Denomination Banknote as Economy Suffers

BANGKOK (AP) — The Central Bank of army-ruled Myanmar will issue a new banknote worth twice as much as the current highest denomination, state-run...

Hun Sen’s Ruling Party Claims Landslide Win in Cambodian Election After Opposition Was Suppressed

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — The ruling party of Cambodia’s longtime Prime Minister Hun Sen claimed a landslide victory in Sunday’s general election, an...

Protesters in Bangkok Call on Senators to Approve Vote Winners’ Choice for Prime Minister

BANGKOK (AP) — Hundreds of people gathered Sunday in the Thai capital of Bangkok to demand that conservative senators stop blocking the naming of a...