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 Constitutional Court Rules Srettha Thavisin’s Ministerial Status Invalid Over Ethical Reasons

The Thai Constitutional Court has ruled out Srettha Thavisin as the Thai Prime Minister.  The ruling, on 14 August, followed a petition from 40 senators...

Thai Court Dissolves Progressive Move Forward Party

Thailand's Constitutional Court has ruled to dissolve the opposition Move Forward Party (MFP), over its campaign to amend a royal insults law that protects...

Laos, Vietnam to Enhance Disaster Preparedness with Digital Innovation

Laos and Vietnam have formalized agreements to enhance disaster management capabilities by establishing data and communication centers. This initiative was solidified during a meeting on...

World Bank Suggests Steep Alcohol Tax for Vietnam Amid Rising Health Concerns

The World Bank has recommended that Vietnam adopt a 155 percent special consumption tax on alcoholic beverages, warning that the country's rising alcohol-related deaths...

Vietnam Seeks to Boost Coal Imports from Laos

The Vietnamese government is actively seeking solutions to enhance coal trade cooperation with Laos, addressing the challenges in the current coal trade between the...

South Korea Joins Forces with Mekong River Commission to Transform Mekong River Basin

The Mekong River Commission (MRC) has officially announced the Republic of Korea (ROK) as its newest Development Partner. In a move towards enhancing regional...