Regional news from Southeast Asia in English — ASEAN politics, economy and diplomacy, covered by Thai PBS World.
Southeast Asia is a treasure trove of many cultures. The region’s rich diversity can be seen in many of its time-honored cultures and traditions but many of these are rarely observed these days. In the midst of progress and modernity, the least we can do now is to preserve the legacies of our past and
Manila, Philippines – Catholic bishops in the Philippines are pitching in to seek divine relief from the extreme heatwave scorching the country, instructing their flock to recite special prayers for rain and lower temperatures. Rising temperatures have forced the government to shut down tens of thousands of schools over the past week, while increased demand has
Southeast Asia is a treasure trove of many cultures. The region’s rich diversity is clearly seen in many of its fascinating cultures and traditions, many of which are now sadly disappearing. Today, amid progress and modernity, preserving the legacies of our past is akin to learning how these have contributed to our evolution as a
Yangon, Myanmar – A Myanmar ethnic minority armed group has executed three of its personnel following a public trial held in a town captured from the military in January, media affiliated to the group has reported. Myanmar’s borderlands are home to an array of ethnic minority armed groups, some of which have been battling the military for decades
Myanmar junta troops have moved back into a vital border town they were ousted from by an alliance of ethnic rebels and anti-junta fighters this month, military sources told AFP Tuesday. The Karen National Union (KNU) and “People’s Defence Force” fighters ousted around 200 military soldiers from their positions in the lucrative trade hub of
A social media post, which is being widely discussed across several social media platforms in Thailand, claims that the popular ‘Labubu’ toys are based upon the Cambodian ‘Kala’ myth. The post begins “From Cambodia to Hong Kong; From Kala to Labubu” and states that the Labubu is a small “monster” and the flagship character of
Yangon, Myanmar – The Myanmar junta’s home minister has left for China for security talks with Beijing’s minister for public security, state media said Thursday. Lieutenant-General Yar Pyae left for China on Wednesday for a “working visit to discuss law enforcement and security cooperation from 24 to 29 April” at the invitation of Wang Xiaohong, according
The Rim Moei market near the Thai-Myanmar border in Mae Sot district of Tak, which is usually packed with shoppers and tourists, especially during weekends, has been eerily quiet since the flare-up in fighting between junta and rebel forces last week. Many shops in the market have closed due to the lack of customers. Thanatporn
A prolonged stalemate in fighting between the Myanmar military and ethnic armed groups for control of Myawaddy, a strategic Myanmar town bordering northern Thailand, could be a turning point that may pressure the warring parties to contemplate mediation, said Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Sihasak Phuangketkeow. Sihasak recalled that China in early January this year
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has cancelled his planned trip to Tak’s Mae Sot district, to assess the status of the civil war in Myanmar and its effects on the Thai side of the border. Deputy PM Prommin Lertsuridej revealed the cancellation without giving a reason. “The prime minister has assigned Foreign Minister Parnpree Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara
Jakarta, Indonesia – Indonesian authorities on Monday lowered the alert level of a remote volcano that erupted more than half a dozen times in the last week, while the nearest international airport reopened after being shuttered for days. Officials had warned the threat from the Mount Ruang stratovolcano in Indonesia’s outermost region was far from over
The anti-Myanmar junta National Unity Government (NUG) has appealed to all organisations and authorities to provide humanitarian assistance to the people of Myanmar fleeing the civil war in their country, to seek temporary refuge in Thailand. A statement, issued by the Foreign Ministry of the resistance forces yesterday, said that the NUG, its ethnic allies
