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...

Luang Prabang Dam Developer Shares Progress With Mekong Countries

The Lao government welcomed a Mekong River Commission delegation last week to showcase the development progress of its third Mekong mainstream hydropower project. While...

Thai Court Acquits 5 Who Were Accused of Blocking Queen’s Motorcade During 2020 Protests

BANGKOK (AP) — A court in Thailand on Wednesday acquitted a student activist and four other people of impeding the motorcade of the country’s...

Cambodian Leader Hun Sen, Huge Facebook Fan, Says He Is Jumping Ship to Telegram

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, a devoted and very active user of Facebook — on which he has posted everything from photos...

Laos Supports Timor-Leste in Strengthening Capacity for ASEAN Accession

Various ministries and organizations in Laos held a capacity-building workshop for Timor-Leste, ahead of its accession to ASEAN, which took place from 26-30 June. The...

Pro-govt Ethnic Militias in East Myanmar Shift Loyalty to Join Fighters Against Military Rule

BANGKOK (AP) — Units of an ethnic militia in eastern Myanmar that is nominally part of the military have switched sides, allying themselves with...

US Aircraft Carrier Makes Rare Vietnam Port Call as Countries Compete for Favor in SE Asia

BANGKOK (AP) — An American aircraft carrier was due to make a port call in Vietnam on Sunday — a rare visit by one...