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...

Chinese Men from Laos Rescued in Thailand After Ransom Kidnap

Seven Chinese men were lured from Laos to Chanuman district, Amnat Charoen, Thailand, with false promises of high-paying jobs before being rescued by Thai...

MRC Secretariat Welcomes New Leadership

Busadee Santipitaks has officially taken on her role as the first female and fourth Riparian Chief Executive Officer of the Mekong River Commission (MRC)...

Love Wins in Thailand: Country Celebrates First Day of Equal Marriage

Laotian Times/AFP - On 23 January, Thailand marked a historic milestone as its same-sex marriage law officially came into effect, with the LGBTQ+ community...

Thai Cabinet Approves Controversial Casino Bill

Bangkok, THA/AFP - Thailand's cabinet approved a controversial bill on Monday to legalize gambling in designated "entertainment complexes" to boost tourism and create jobs. The...

Covid-Like Virus Rises in China, Experts Say Not to Worry

In December 2024, China saw a rise in respiratory infections, particularly among children under 14, due to human metapneumovirus (HMPV), according to CBS News....

Top TikTok Trends from Southeast Asia in 2024

This year, TikTok exploded across the internet like never before. As 2024 comes to a close, the social media world is also bidding farewell...