Government
International relations
Cut-price overland trips Myanmar to Thailand grow in popularity
Growing numbers of Myanmar holidaymakers, including pilgrims to religious sites in Thailand, are finding that travelling cross-border by car is only half the price of going by air, travel agents are saying. The travellers are taking advantage of a border pass system that allows them to ...
China-Laos ties at historical high: Xi
Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks with Lao President Choummaly Sayasone on 31 August, saying China’s relations with the Southeast Asian country are at an all-time high. Choummaly is in Beijing to attend activities to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People’s ...
Construction begins on second Thai-Myanmar bridge
A groundbreaking ceremony was held on 30 August for the second Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge that will play a key role in the East-West Economic Corridor traversing continental Southeast Asia. Keep reading ...
Cambodian youths urged to prepare for ASEAN integration
Cambodian deputy prime minister and foreign minister Hor Namhong on 30 August urged youths, who represent about 35 percent of the country’s population, to prepare themselves for an ASEAN Community, which will become a reality by the end of 2015. Keep reading ...
Lao PM hails military ties with Vietnam
Lao Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong applauded effective co-operation between Vietnam’s and Laos’ armies, which has helped them build peaceful, stable borders. Keep reading ...
Fighting erupts between Bangladesh, Arakan Army
A skirmish erupted along the Bangladesh-Myanmar border on 26 August between the Border Guard Bangladesh and the Arakan Army ethnic armed group, resulting in the injury of one Bangladeshi border guard. Keep reading ...
Vietnam, Laos step up corruption fight
Vietnam’s Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong has asked the Commission for Inspection of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party Central Committee to closely co-ordinate and regularly share experience in inspections and anti-corruption work. Keep reading ...
ASEAN to have common driving license
The ASEAN regional forum mulls over issuing international driving licenses that will be valid in each of the 10 member countries, an official stated on 26 August. Keep reading ...
China oil rig to keep drilling in waters disputed with Vietnam
A Chinese oil rig at the center of last year’s standoff between China and Vietnam will continue drilling not far from Vietnam’s coast, China’s maritime safety authorities said on 25 August. The deployment of the $1 billion deepwater rig last year about 120 nautical miles off ...
New strategy for Japan, Mekong cooperation
Japan and four Southeast Asian nations along the Mekong River Basin – Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand – have approved a plan to speed up industrial development in the region. Keep reading ...
