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...

Laos Appoints Alounkeo Kittikhoun as ASEAN Special Envoy to Myanmar

Alounkeo Kittikhoun, a former minister in the Prime Minister’s Office and a veteran Lao diplomat, has been appointed as the new Association of Southeast...

Cambodian Critic Charged With Defamation Over Comments on Facebook

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — An outspoken critic of Cambodia’s government who was badly hurt by assailants four months ago has been arrested on...

Myanmar’s Military Government Pardons 10,000 Prisoners to Mark Independence Day

BANGKOK (AP) — Myanmar’s military government on 4 January pardoned nearly 10,000 prisoners to mark the 76th anniversary of gaining independence from Britain, but...

Thailand’s Aging Population Drives Lao Labor Market Across the Border

Thailand needs more workers, and the younger Lao population is all set to step in. As Thailand’s population gets older, new job opportunities emerge...

Ethnic Armed Group Battling Myanmar’s Military Claims to Have Shot Down Army Helicopter

BANGKOK (AP) — An ethnic minority armed group that is battling Myanmar’s military government said they shot down a helicopter believed to be on...

Thai Prime Minister Says Visa-Free Policy for Chinese Visitors to Be Made Permanent in March

BANGKOK (AP) — Thailand and China will soon implement visa-free entry for each other’s citizens, Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin said Tuesday. Chinese nationals will...