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...

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...