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...

Hundreds of Myanmar Troops, Civilians Flee Across Thai Border

AFP - More than 500 civilians and soldiers fled conflict in Myanmar and crossed into Thailand on Saturday after an assault by ethnic fighters...

Vietnam Jails 30 People for Graft Worth USD 45 Million

A court in Vietnam on 11 July jailed 30 people including several former senior officials over graft that cost the state USD 45 million,...

Cambodia to Pass Laws Allowing for Citizenship to Be Stripped

AFP - Cambodian lawmakers amended the constitution 11 July paving the way for people charged with foreign collusion to be stripped of their citizenship,...

The Real Fertility Crisis? Young People are Denied Choice

On World Population Day, UNFPA Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific, Mr. Pio Smith calls for systems that empower young people across the region to...

Thailand Drops Casino Legalization Plans After PM Suspended

AFP - Thailand's cabinet on 8 July dropped a bill to legalize casino gambling, a flagship project of the faltering ruling party, which last...

Marco Rubio to Attend ASEAN Meeting in First Asia Trip

AFP - US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will make his first trip to Asia since taking up his post, traveling this week to...