Regional

Timor-Leste Moves to Join Cluster Munition Ban at Vientiane Conference

Timor-Leste has taken a formal step toward joining the Convention on Cluster Munitions, signing a declaration of accession in Vientiane on 15 September during the treaty’s Third Review Conference. Foreign Minister Bendito dos Santos Freitas signed the Declaration of Accession, and handed to Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister...

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...

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...

Thai, Cambodian Border Remains Calm as Diplomatic Talks Continue

The situation along the Thai-Cambodian border remained calm on the morning of 5 August, coinciding with ongoing General Border Committee (GBC) meetings between Thailand...

Thailand, Cambodia Trade Accusations Ahead of Key Border Talks

Tensions are rising along the Thailand-Cambodia border as both sides trade accusations of military provocations ahead of the General Border Committee (GBC) meeting from...

Thai-Cambodian Cyberwarriors Battle on Despite Truce

By Nattakorn Ploddee with Suy Se in Phnom Penh/AFP - Thailand and Cambodia may have reached a ceasefire to halt their bloody border clashes,...

Laos, Myanmar Stuck at 40% Tariff Rate as US Reciprocal Trade Regime Takes Effect

The United States' updated reciprocal tariff regime officially took effect today, hitting several Southeast Asian economies with a range of steep new import taxes.  Despite...

Thailand Firework Factory Explosion Kills Nine

An explosion from a fireworks factory in Suphan Buri Province has left nine people dead and two others seriously injured, with authorities still searching...

Thailand Says Cambodia Breaks Truce Again as Phnom Penh Denies Allegations, Calls for International Monitors

Tensions have flared once again along the Thailand-Cambodia border as both countries trade accusations over the violation of a newly brokered truce agreement.  An “immediate...