News
Tusk thieves threaten Vietnam’s fast dwindling domesticated elephants
Several mahouts have been taking turns to look after a 20-year-old male elephant around the clock since it had a tusk almost cut off by some thieves on 14 July. “We used to be worried about elephants accidentally getting caught in traps set by poachers in ...
Over US$180 million invested at That Luang Marsh project, Laos
Over US$180 million has been spent so far on building infrastructure facilities and condos at That Luang Marsh Specific Economic Zone (SEZ) in Vientiane, officials in charge of the project have said. Construction began in December 2012, with the US$1.6 billion project being developed as a ...
Myanmar officials use social media to fight flood rumours
Local government officials are turning to social media in an effort to share information on the flooding situation in upper Myanmar – and head off rumours of impending dam overflows and other catastrophes. The government has traditionally used state media, both print and broadcast, to share ...
8 fishing 'slaves' pulled from Thai boat in PNG
Authorities in Papua New Guinea have rescued eight fishermen held on board a Thai-owned refrigerated cargo ship, and dozens of other boats are still being sought in response to an Associated Press report that included satellite photos and locations of slave vessels at sea. Two Myanmar ...
Sagaing village’s electric ambitions drown in flooding
Sagaing Region’s flooding has quenched villagers’ dreams of electric power. The heavy rains and rising rivers have drowned at least 10 people, broken down bridges and dams, stranded road and rail passengers, driven hundreds from their homes and swept away entire villages. In addition, they have ...
Myanmar activists press Chinese mining firm for answers
Local activists have again failed in their bid to get a major Chinese mining company to answer questions about its involvement in mining activities in Sagaing Region. Ko Tint Aung Soe, a representative of the Myanmar Alliance for Transparency and Accountability in Sagaing Region, told The ...
7-Eleven to invade Vietnam
Japanese retail giant Seven & i Holdings Co said it has decided to open 7-Eleven convenience stores in Vietnam, where convenience store users are expected to increase with economic growth. Keep reading ...
All 23 people aboard crashed Lao helicopter confirmed dead
All 23 people on a Lao military helicopter that crashed earlier this week while traveling to northern Laos have been confirmed dead, military officials and state media said 30 July, though the cause of the accident remains unknown. Air traffic control in Vientiane lost contact with the ...
Thailand wants to buy submarines from China, US wary of growing relationship between military junta and Beijing
The Royal Thai Navy claims it urgently needs more submarines to compete with other Asian countries. The assistant commander made the claim aimed at persuading a skeptical public that the nation should invest in its military in a white paper sent to reporters, the Bangkok Post ...
Megaprojects biggest risk seen
Fund managers estimate the Stock Exchange of Thailand index will hover between 1,350 and 1,559 points this year, with public investment in infrastructure projects the biggest risk factor. The big question is whether the government will be able to invest in infrastructure projects as planned, said ...