World

Laos Collects USD 12 Million in Digital Taxes From Global Tech Companies

Laos has collected approximately USD 12 million in digital taxes from global technology companies since introducing its digital tax system in late 2024, according to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Santiphab Phomvihane. The tax applies to foreign digital service providers without a physical presence in Laos, including Microsoft,...

China Reservoir Collapse Comes as Laos Prepares for Rising Rivers and Flood Risks

Floods in southern China have killed two people and forced nearly 48,000 residents to...

Myanmar’s Leader Wraps First ASEAN Visit in Laos, Signs Mekong Dam Study

Myanmar's recently elected President, Min Aung Hlaing, who seized power in the 2021 military...

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,...

Laos, South Korea Sign USD 1.1 Million in Agriculture Deals

Laos and South Korea have sealed two new agriculture deals worth more than USD...

United States Plans to Hit Southeast Asian Solar Imports with Tariffs as High as 3,400 Percent

On 21 April, the United States Department of Commerce announced its final decision in a major trade investigation targeting solar imports from four Southeast...

Thailand Reviews Visa-Free Entry Amid Concerns of Illegal Stays, Drop in Chinese Tourism

Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has ordered a review of the country’s visa-free entry scheme following reports of foreign nationals overstaying their visits and...

Foodpanda to Cease Operations in Thailand, Parent Company Announces

Foodpanda will cease its operations in the country on 23 May, its German parent company Delivery Hero announced on 23 April.  The decision is a...

Lao Deputy Calls for Climate, Trade Cooperation

Laos’ Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Maithong Thammavongsa reaffirmed Laos’ commitment to strengthening regional cooperation and accelerating climate action at the 81st session of...

US Judge Orders Preliminary VOA Funding Restoration in Blow to Trump

RFA REAX/AFP - A judge on Tuesday ordered President Donald Trump's administration to restore funding to Voice of America and other US-funded media, saying...

“Ni Hao” or Not: When Misplaced Greetings Become a Flashpoint for Racism in Thailand

A simple greeting has sparked a complex debate in Thailand — is saying “Ni hao” to a Southeast Asian person, who isn’t Chinese, an...