Government
National government
China promises to shore up border as foreign minister’s trip ends
Foreign Minister Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has ended her five-day trip to China, returning to Yangon on August 21st. The visit, which came after an invitation from China’s Premier Li Keqiang, was Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s first major overseas trip since the National League ...
Environmentalists’ objections convince Shan parliament to reconsider building site
The speaker of the Shan State legislature has pledged to reconsider the location for the construction of a new regional parliamentary building after environmental activists voiced objections to the proposed site in the state capital of Taunggyi. Those in opposition to the plan launched a signature ...
ASEAN still has much to accomplish, FM Retno says at bloc's 49th anniversary
Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno L.P. Marsudi said the Association of Southeast Asian Nations still has much to accomplish in the future as the regional bloc celebrated its 49th anniversary on August 15. Speaking during the celebration at the offices of the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta, Retno said she believes ...
Vietnam gives top priority to relationship with Laos: President
The Party, State and people of Vietnam always give highest priority to consolidating and enhancing the time-honoured friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation with Laos, President Tran Dai Quang told visiting Vice Chairman of the Lao National Assembly Somphan Phengkhammy on August 15. For his part, ...
MPs and human rights commission spar
Parliamentarians criticised the Myanmar National Human Rights Commission on 28 July, while discussing a report, about the commission’s work over the last year. The commission has been working to get human rights curriculums in primary schools and law schools across the country. Amyotha Hluttaw MP U ...
ASEAN deadlocked on South China Sea after Cambodia blocks statement
Southeast Asian nations failed to find common ground on maritime disputes in the South China Sea on July 24 after Cambodia stuck to its demand the group make no reference to an international court ruling against Beijing in a statement, diplomats said. ASEAN is now facing ...
ASEAN and the logic of collective action
The ten member states of ASEAN aspire to “One Vision, One Identity, One Community.” Their foreign ministers meeting in Laos this July demonstrated again how far the distance is between goal and reality. Like the European Union, the regional organization of Southeast Asia is pulled ...
Banks expect up to 5m low-income earners to register for welfare
The government Savings Bank, Krungthai Bank and the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives expect 3 million to 5 million low-income earners will sign up for state welfare when registration opens from tomorrow to August 15. Those eligible are Thai citizens aged 18 years and ...
Ties with Vietnam ‘strong’
Bilateral relations between Thailand and Vietnam have come to a peak recently, opening a new chapter to bring mutual benefit, but rival sentiments may cause negative impacts, panellists said on 12 July. Speaking at a seminar on “Enhancing Vietnam-Thailand Relations for Common Prosperity, Sustainable Development and ...
Govt to meet again with armed Kokang groups
The government is planning to meet with the three armed ethnic groups from the Kokang region that had been excluded from last year’s so-called nationwide ceasefire agreement, according to government peace negotiator U Hla Maung Shwe. The three groups have been fighting the Tatmadaw since ...
