Regional

Lao Buddhist Organization Tightens Social Media Guidelines

The Lao Buddhist Fellowship Organization has issued new nationwide guidelines governing how monks use social media, highlighting growing concerns about online conduct as digital platforms become increasingly embedded in religious life. The notice, issued on 2 June, also applies to other religious practitioners including novices, white-robed male devotees, and white-robed...

Five Survivors Rescued from Xaysomboun Cave, Search Continues

Five villagers trapped inside a flooded cave in Xaysomboun province have now been brought...

International Cave Diving Experts Join Xaysomboun Rescue Mission as Two Villagers Remain Trapped

International cave diving specialists from several countries are joining rescue efforts in Xaysomboun as...

Thailand, Vietnam Target USD 25 Billion Trade Goal as Ties Enter ‘New Phase’

Thailand and Vietnam pledged deeper economic and security cooperation on 28 May as the...

Laos Deports 46 Foreign Nationals Amid Crackdown on Scam Networks

Lao authorities handed over 46 Chinese nationals to Chinese officials on 26 May following...

Laos Ready to Compete at 33rd SEA Games in Thailand, Targeting at Least Five Golds

The Lao National Olympic Committee announced on 5 December that Laos will send its athletes to compete in the 33rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games,...

Over Half a Million Evacuated in Cambodia, Thailand During Border Clashes

More than 500,000 people have fled their homes to safety in Thailand and Cambodia since the start of a reignited border conflict, both governments...

SEA Games to Open in Thailand After Chaotic Build-up

By Matt SURRUSCO/AFP - The Southeast Asian Games officially open in Bangkok on 8 December, against a backdrop of chaotic organization, with fresh border...

Laos–Vietnam Railway Construction to Begin in 2026, Operations Targeted for 2030

Construction of the first railway linking Laos and Vietnam is scheduled to begin in 2026, with the line expected to become operational by 2030,...

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...