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...

Thai PM Dissolves Parliament, Paving Way for National Elections

AFP - Thailand's Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul dissolved parliament on 12 December after three months in office, a royal decree showed, paving the way...

Myanmar Military Air Strike on Hospital Kills 31, On-site Aid Worker Says

AFP - A Myanmar military air strike killed more than 30 people at a hospital, an on-site aid worker said on 11 December, as...

Survivors Pick Up Pieces in Flood-Hit Indonesia as More Rain Predicted

By Marchio GORBIANO and Taris IMAN/AFP - Survivors in Indonesia were piecing back shattered lives Friday after devastating floods killed more than 1,750 people...

Laos-Vietnam Trade, Investment Surges as Leaders Eye USD 5 Billion Target

Trade between Laos and Vietnam reached USD 2.6 billion in the first ten months of 2025, a 50 percent rise from last year.  These numbers...

Malaysia Revives Search for MH370 in Bid for Answers

Malaysia will restart the search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 later this month, nearly 11 years after the aircraft vanished, the country’s transport...

Philippines Ready to Take Helm of 2026 ASEAN Chairmanship

By Alina Khai and Laotian Times - Malaysia’s 2025 Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) chairmanship delivered renewed momentum in economic integration and regional...