World

Lao Migrant Workers Send Home USD 500 Million in First Seven Months of 2026

Lao migrant workers sent an estimated USD 500.7 million back to Laos during the first seven months of 2026, according to the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare.  The ministry shared the figures during a labor migration meeting in Vientiane on 22 September. Employment Department Director General Anousone Khamsingsavath said...

Vietnam Emerges as Laos’ Second-Largest Foreign Investor with USD 8 Billion in Projects

Vietnam has become Laos's second-largest foreign investor, with more than 400 projects worth a...

Laos, China Launch Digital Payment Link For Cross-Border Transactions

Laos and China have launched a new digital payment link that allows Chinese visitors...

Miss Universe Dispute Leaves Six Southeast Asian Franchises in Limbo

The Miss Universe Organization is facing a major dispute just weeks before its 75th...

Laos, Thailand Move Forward With Plans for New Friendship Bridge Linking Vientiane, Loei

Laos and Thailand are studying a possible new Friendship Bridge linking Vientiane Province with...

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...