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...

As Air Pollution Worsens, Bangkok Residents to Work From Home

Authorities in Thailand have advised residents of Bangkok to work from home and wear respirator masks outdoors amid rising air pollution. Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt...

Opium Poppy Cultivation Surges in Myanmar Since Military Coup

Opium poppy cultivation in Myanmar increased significantly after the military coup of 2021 as a result of farmers being forced to produce the crop...

Thai PM Condemns VIP Police Escort Service

Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chano-o-cha has spoken out against police officers who provide fast-tracked immigration and escort services to Chinese tourists. Speaking on Wednesday at...

Laos, Japan Plant Cherry Blossom Trees in Houaphanh

The governments of Laos and Japan planted 150 cherry blossom trees on Tuesday in Viengxay District, Houaphanh Province, to celebrate and strengthen relations between...

Lao Students Participate Cultural Exchange Program in Japan

Ten students departed from Laos to Japan on Tuesday to participate in cultural exchange program, JENESYS 2022, supported by the Government of Japan. The program,...

UNESCO to Consider Listing Songkran as Thai Cultural Heritage

The Songkran festival has been included by UNESCO in a tentative list to be considered as Thailand's intangible cultural heritage. The country now has four...