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 joins Earth Hour 2022

Laos will join people from over 190 countries around the world in observing Earth Hour by turning off lights for one hour on Saturday,...

Bride Capture Custom Under Scrutiny in Vietnam

The Vietnamese Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism has called for an end to the custom of bride kidnapping sometimes practiced by members of...

H&M Opens First Store in Cambodia

The first H&M clothing retailer opened in Phnom Penh last week with a celebration that featured celebrities and discounts. The Sweden-based franchise offers men’s,...

Myanmar-Thai Bridge Bombed, Interrupting Trade

A concrete bridge between Myanmar’s Myawaddy and Thailand’s Mae Sot was bombed on 11 March by an anti-junta group. The Nation Thailand reports that...

Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand Open to Free, Independent Travel

Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand have opened their countries to free, independent travel with a minimum of restrictions. Vietnam’s Ministry of Health announced this week that...

Rice Prices Rise in Asia Amid Stockpiling, Conflict

Global events including lockdowns and conflict have pushed rice prices upward across Asia. Rice prices in Asia rose this week on account of several situations,...