Regional

Seven-Year-Old Becomes Laos’ Youngest Internationally Rated Chess Player

Seven-year-old Bounthiengtham “Jayson” Sengphachan has already done something no Lao chess player his age has done before. The young player from Vientiane Chess Academy recently became the youngest Lao player to receive an official FIDE Rapid rating, a ranking based on performance in faster-paced chess games, scoring 1503 after a...

Thailand’s HIV Cases Pass 550,000, Laos Reports Rising Infections Among Young People

Thailand has recorded 557,993 cumulative HIV cases, health authorities say, even as new infections...

Laos, Vietnam Set USD 4 Billion Trade Goal as Economic Ties Grow

Laos and Vietnam are pushing to take their economic partnership to the next level,...

Former MRC Chief Anoulak Kittikhoun Named First Lao Head of Mekong Institute

Former Mekong River Commission (MRC) Chief Executive Officer Anoulak Kittikhoun has been appointed Executive...

Lao Police Arrest Two Nationals in Cross-Border Heroin Investigation

Two Lao nationals have been arrested in Laos as part of a growing cross-border...

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,...

Myanmar to Accept Thai Baht as Currency Weakens

Myanmar is to accept the Thai Baht as currency for border trade amid fears over the strength of the US Dollar and the effect...

Thai Snap Election Proposed for November

Elections could be held in Thailand later this year as a result of a proposed dissolution of the Thai parliament. Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand,...