Government
System of government
Party advises Youth Union on its political role
The Party Central Committee has called on the Lao People’s Revolutionary Youth Union’s (Youth Union) committees at all levels to uphold their political responsibilities and actively implement the Party’s directives, to ensure today’s youth develop strong political attributes. Member of the Politburo and Party Central Committee ...
Laos touts 40 years of stability, but critics decry debt, corruption and poverty
President Choummaly Sayasone marked 40 years of communist rule in Laos on 2 December touting the stability and security of his landlocked Southeast Asian nation, but some Laotians lamented their country’s corruption, rising debt and dependence on China and Vietnam. 2 December marked 40 years since the communist ...
Thailand printers withhold NY Times edition over king article
The New York Times has said that its local printer in Thailand has refused to print its Asia edition because it featured an article on the ailing king. The paper said the printer found the front-page article “too sensitive”. The entire newspaper for 22 September, however, can ...
Thai PM launches 'people's state' policy
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has unveiled a new strategy to build “a people’s state” to bring together the state, the people and businesses for the long-term sustainable development of the country. The prime minister said the Pracha Rat (people’s state) strategy aims to strengthen the country’s ...
Thailand constitution: Military's council rejects draft
A council appointed by Thailand’s military rulers has rejected a controversial new constitution drafted after last year’s coup. A new committee must now be appointed to write another draft, further setting back elections. The draft has been widely criticised, in particular a clause which enables a 23-member ...
Funding shortfalls hinder new development bodies
Lack of funding is impeding a new – and potentially significant – mechanism for decentralising social services, a recent study has found. The Asia Foundation study, “Municipal Governance in Myanmar: An Overview of Development Affairs Organizations”, was released on 1 September. The findings focus on development ...
Hanoi celebrates 70th anniversary of National Day
A series of photos show how the capital city and its people mark the country’s historic day on 2 September 2015. Keep reading ...
Ieng Thirith, Khmer Rouge ‘First Lady,’ dies at 83
Ieng Thirith, who was among Pol Pot’s inner circle during the rule of the Khmer Rouge as the regime’s social affairs minister, died on 22 August in Pailin province, where her family remains influential. She was 83. Keep reading ...
Myanmar sets historic general election date
Myanmar will go to the polls on 8 November in its first open general election in 25 years, officials say. Reform in Myanmar has been under way since 2010 when military rule was replaced by a military-backed civilian government. The ruling USDP faces a head-to-head contest with ...
