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...

Indonesia, Thailand Race to Find Missing as Flood Toll Tops 600; Laos Sends Condolences

AFP and Laotian Times - Indonesian and Thai authorities raced on Sunday to clear debris and find hundreds of missing people as the death...

Thailand, Indonesia Begin Clean-up After Massive Floods Kill Hundreds

By Alfath Asmunda/AFP - The death toll from devastating floods and landslides in Southeast Asia climbed past 400 on Saturday as clean-up and search-and-rescue...

Thai Police Apologize for AI-Modified Flood Relief Image

AFP - Thai border police have apologised for publishing an AI-modified image showing flood relief rescuers in combat gear and wielding automatic weapons in...

Over 100 Bodies Recovered in Hat Yai Flood; Identification Efforts Underway

On 27 November, the National Police Headquarters said more than 100 bodies have been recovered after the catastrophic floods in Hat Yai, Songkhla Province....

Pink Elephants March for Thailand’s Late Queen Mother

AFP - On 27 November, eleven pink painted elephants marched through Bangkok, bowing in unison outside the Grand Palace in a lumbering tribute to...

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...