World

Japanese Arrivals to Laos Jump 36 Percent Amid Renewed Tokyo Tourism Push

Laos welcomed 23,133 Japanese tourists in the first six months of 2026, a 36 percent jump from the same period last year, as the country ramps up tourism promotion in Japan. The Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism reported that Japanese arrivals have climbed steadily since 2022, rising from 6,848...

Prime Minister Calls for Tighter Oversight of Boten SEZ Amid Development Challenges

Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone has called for stronger management of the Boten Special Economic...

Laos-China Railway Trade Surges as Cross-Border Freight Hits New Highs

Trade along the Laos-China Railway continued to grow sharply in the first half of...

Van Crash in Thailand Kills Two Lao Nationals, Injuries 12

A passenger van carrying 14 Lao nationals crashed and caught fire in Thailand's Roi...

Laos Border Checkpoints Report Strong Revenue Growth in First Half of 2026, Exceed Targets

Laos’ international border checkpoints collected strong state budget revenue in the first half of...

Thai Journalist Apologizes for Failure to Recognize Lao PM

Thai newscaster Sophon Ong-karn has apologized for a gaffe during live television yesterday during which he failed to recognize the Prime Minister of Laos,...

Biden Hails “New Era” of US-ASEAN Ties at Washington Summit

US President Joe Biden said on Friday that the first summit held in Washington with leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)...

Eleven Bodies Found at Thai Excrement Cult Temple

A police raid on a bizarre cult temple located on public land in Chaiyaphum Province in Isan, Thailand, has led to the discovery of...

Beauty Company Aims to End Forced Haircuts in Thailand

US beauty company Dove, a long-time proponent of body positivity, has launched a campaign to end forced haircuts in Thailand. The campaign aims to...

Covid and Conflict Complicate Fruit Supply Across Southeast Asia

China’s zero-Covid policy for imports has disrupted the Thai exportation of durian crops, while coffee farmers in Vietnam have resorted to growing avocados and...

Cambodian PM Suggests Myanmar allow ASEAN Talks with Suu Kyi

Cambodian Prime Minister and ASEAN chair Hun Sen has suggested that the Senior General of Myanmar, Min Aung Hlaing, should permit ousted leaders Aung...