ASEAN

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 Chinese-owned restaurant in central Vientiane, one of several wildlife enforcement operations carried out this year. On 18 May, officers from the Law Enforcement Network for Aquatic Animals, Wildlife and Forestry (LAO-WEN) inspected a restaurant in Chommany...

Bangkok Bar Fire Kills 27, Leaves Dozens Critically Injured

A fire late on Sunday night at a packed pub in Bangkok has killed...

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,...

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...

Thailand Launches First Tokamak in Southeast Asia, as Major Milestone in Clean Energy Research

Thailand launched the first tokamak device in Southeast Asia on Tuesday with the help of Chinese scientists, marking a milestone in the development of...

Thailand’s Divisive Ex-prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra Readies Return During Political Turmoil

BANGKOK (AP) — As Thailand grapples with the unexpectedly difficult task of naming a new prime minister, the most controversial former holder of 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...