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...

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...

Indonesian Authorities Arrest 12 for Trafficking People to Sell Kidneys in Cambodia

Twelve suspects, including a policeman and an immigration officer, have been arrested in Indonesia on suspicion of human trafficking, said Indonesian officials on Thursday. The...