Residents of two South Korean islands have been ordered to evacuate as North Korea fires more than 200 artillery rounds into the sea near a tensely defended maritime border, according to military officials.
South Korea Evacuates Border Islands Yeonpyeong, Baengnyeong as North Korea Fires Into Sea

Annual Celebration Marks 21 Years of King Fa Ngum’s Statue
The statue of King Fa Ngum not far from the Mekong River in Vientiane continues to cast its gaze over the land it once ruled. Erected in 2003, the statue celebrated its 21st year on 5 January.
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 they apparently included just a small proportion of the thousands of political detainees jailed for opposing army rule.
Social Media Users Call for Boost in Safety Measures Amidst Tourism Growth
Laos was known to be one of the safest countries in Southeast Asia, but things seem to have taken a slightly different turn in recent years. With an increasing influx of foreign visitors, a rising concern about the country’s crime rate has emerged, echoing through various voices on social media.
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 for foreign workers, especially from neighboring countries.
“We lack laborers, and the only way to fill the gap is to import workers from nearby countries,” Decha Pruekphathanarak, the deputy permanent secretary at the Thai Ministry of Labor, said at a conference organized by the International Organization for Migration on 17 December.
In response to increasing requests from companies for more migrant workers, Thailand has taken steps to facilitate their entry into the country. The government recently granted a stay extension to migrant workers from Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam until 20 January, 2024, while they go through the work permit application process.
Specifically, for workers under a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Thai government and Laos, Myanmar, and Cambodia, the deadline for their stay extension has been moved to 30 April, 2024, from the initial date of 31 December, 2023.
This move comes at a crucial time as Laos grapples with an economic downturn, high inflation, and currency depreciation over the past year. The challenging economic conditions have made the prospect of working in Thailand more appealing for Lao migrant workers.
One driving factor behind the increasing migration from Laos is the low wages in the country. Despite some incremental increases, these wages have struggled to keep pace with the continued depreciation of the local currency. As a result, workers in Laos are actively seeking employment opportunities in other countries, contributing to the growing demand for migrant labor in Thailand.
“The current economic situation in Laos is dire, and the pay is low. There are many more benefits here as a laborer in Thailand, where I can earn up to THB 500 (USD 14.25) per day,” Saengphet Xayasane, a Lao laborer working in Udon Thani, Thailand, told the Laotian Times in a previous interview.
This remains true today, as Laos’ minimum wage remains at LAK 1,600,000 (USD 83).
Further making the move to Thailand even more appealing is the Lao government authorizing and facilitating workers to pursue temporary employment abroad in countries such as South Korea, Thailand, and Japan through legal channels and programs.
Somsay Ouanphilalay, a consultant attached to the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, however, suggests otherwise, suggesting that such schemes usually include short-term employment for workers to acquire more skills and return to Laos to implement what they learned overseas.
Thailand’s declining birth rate since the 1960s, combined with Laos’ current economic recession, leaves the Lao labor market with limited options. With low wages and high living costs, the labor market in Laos may continue to witness a trend of migration to neighboring Thailand. This migration reflects not only economic considerations but also the pursuit of skill development, with workers aiming to contribute to Laos’ development upon their return.
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 a resupply mission in a combat zone in the northern state of Kachin on 3 January.
Laos’ SEZs Surge with Major Investments, Fueling Economic Growth Amid Lingering Concerns for Worker Safety
Laos experienced a slight economic upswing in 2023 as approximately 178 companies funneled investments into Special Economic Zones (SEZs) across the country, generating over 3,600 job opportunities for both local and international workers.
Myanmar to Join ASEAN Tourism Forum in Vientiane Amidst Ongoing Civil War
Amidst an ongoing civil war between the military government and its civil opposition, Myanmar is pushing ahead with efforts to revitalize its tourism sector in 2024, and it plans to start on 22-27 January by showcasing its potential at the upcoming ASEAN Tourism Forum in Vientiane, Laos.