Regional news from Southeast Asia in English — ASEAN politics, economy and diplomacy, covered by Thai PBS World.
Myanmar’s military-backed government has rejected the ASEAN’s renewed call for the unconditional release of detained former leader Aung San Suu Kyi and dismissed the need for the organization’s special envoy on Myanmar, according to the foreign affairs ministry.
Myanmar’s President Min Aung Hlaing co-chaired the opening of the Thailand-Myanmar Business Forum 2026 yesterday, at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center (QSNCC), proposing to position Myanmar as a strategic ‘land bridge’ connecting three regions, while inviting Thai businesses to invest in energy, electric vehicles and major infrastructure.
Foreign ministers of Thailand and Myanmar will jointly visit the site of toxic contamination in a river along their shared border to assess the situation and accelerate efforts to resolve the problem.
Myanmar President Min Aung Hlaing will begin an official visit to Bangkok tomorrow, with observers hoping that the bilateral talks will mark a turning point in addressing long-running shared challenges, including migrant labour, border security and transboundary pollution.
Myanmar President Min Aung Hlaing began a two-day official visit to Thailand on Thursday at the invitation of Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, with the two countries expected to strengthen cooperation on border trade, security, labour and energy.
Thailand and Indonesia have agreed to strengthen cooperation in the halal industry through the development of regional and global value chains as part of their strategic partnership.
Son of detained Myanmar democratic leader Aung San Suu Kyi has welcomed the recent meeting between his mother and the head of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), describing it as "an important first step" that has given him hope.
Myanmar's detained former leader Aung San Suu Kyi met with a representative of the International Committee of the Red Cross on Monday (August 3), a spokeswoman for the Myanmar government said, amid concerns over the health of the 81-year-old.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul is leading a high-level delegation on an official visit to Indonesia today and tomorrow, the first by a Thai prime minister in 15 years, potentially heralding a new chapter in Thailand’s pro-active foreign policy aimed at building a closer relationship and strategic partnership with Indonesia.
A Malaysian pilot who tested positive for meth, MDMA and cocaine after flying a passenger plane to Indonesia risks the death penalty for allegedly smuggling more than 70,000 ecstasy tablets in his suitcase, officials said Friday.
Myanmar's President Min Aung Hlaing on Friday criticised ASEAN for discriminating against Myanmar, dismissing the regional bloc's "Five-Point Consensus" peace plan as he outlined his government's plans for the war-torn Southeast Asian country nearly four months after taking office.
The EU on Thursday imposed sanctions on an alleged head of a crime syndicate that operated in Cambodia and an armed Myanmar group over cyberscams targeting victims worldwide.
