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...

Thailand’s Caretaker Government Criticized for Holding Meeting to Discuss Military-Ruled Myanmar

BANGKOK (AP) — Thailand on Monday will host a meeting of neighboring countries to discuss the violent political deadlock in Myanmar, an initiative that...

Expanding Cyber Scam Hubs Target Southeast Asia’s Vulnerable Workers

Industrial-scale cyber scam hubs are increasing across Southeast Asia, with workers from various countries being tricked into forced labor, and working in “prison-like” conditions. In...

Ha Long Bay Tourism Hit by Power Shortages During Peak Season in Vietnam

Hospitality businesses in Vietnam's popular northern town of Ha Long report mass cancellations of hotel bookings during this peak season due to power outages. Hotels...

Lao Woman Arrested in Thailand for Trafficking 14-Year-Old

A team of police from Thailand's Anti-Trafficking in Persons Division (ATPD) arrested a Lao national at a karaoke bar in Narathiwat province, Thailand, last...

Lao-Korean Pokémon Player to Compete at Pokémon World Championships in Japan

A Lao-Korean Pokémon player will compete in the upcoming Pokémon World Championships in Japan from 11 to 13 August this year.  21-year-old Jong Dae Jong,...

Lao President: Laos-China Railway an Opportunity, Not a Debt Trap

Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith spoke out about the Laos-China Railway and the country's debt burden at the Nikkei Future of Asia conference. In an interview...