Regional news from Southeast Asia in English — ASEAN politics, economy and diplomacy, covered by Thai PBS World.
Yangon, Myanmar – Ethnic minority fighters clashed with Myanmar’s military on a major trade route to Thailand on Friday, blocking traffic and sending people fleeing, residents and local media said. Fighters from the Karen National Union (KNU) fought with the military at dawn in the town of Kawkareik in eastern Karen state, according to local media
Manila, Philippines – An elderly elephant has died in a Philippine zoo, an official said Wednesday, after a failed global campaign to relocate her to an animal sanctuary. Mali had been a popular attraction at Manila Zoo, where animal rights activists say she was kept for decades in “solitary confinement” in a concrete enclosure. Before her death on Tuesday, the
The Secretary General of ASEAN, Dr Kao Kim Hourn will pay a three-day visit from 28-30 November to Lao in preparation for its ASEAN Chairmanship in 2024, according to the Asean Secretariat.With the invitation from Foreign Minister Saleumxay Kommasith, Dr Kao will lead an ASEAN Secretariat delegation consisting of officials from the three Community Pillars
Yangon, Myanmar – Three Chinese navy ships have arrived in Myanmar for joint drills with its navy, the country’s junta said, as a border conflict strains ties between the Southeast Asian nation and its most important ally. A destroyer, frigate and a supply vessel carrying hundreds of sailors arrived at Thilawa port on Monday ahead of “naval security exercises
Shanghai – China’s military will begin “combat training activities” from Saturday on its side of the border with Myanmar, it said on social media, a day after a convoy of trucks carrying goods into the neighbouring Southeast Asian nation went up in flames. The incident, which Myanmar state media called an insurgent attack, came amid
Jakarta, Indonesia – Indonesia on Friday said it had hosted “positive” talks with the main sides of the Myanmar conflict in a bid to kickstart a stuttering peace process almost three years after a military coup deposed the country’s democratically elected government. The archipelago nation is this year’s chair of the regional Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)
Myanmar anti-coup fighters were battling the military for control of a state capital, both sides said on Tuesday. Clashes across Myanmar have entered a fourth week, sparked by a surprise offensive against the military by an alliance of ethnic minorities along a swathe of territory near the China border. The offensive has galvanised other opponents
A total of 266 Thais, many of whom were lured to work in Myanmar with promises of attractive pay, but were forced to work for Chinese-operated online scam gangs in Laukkai township in Shan state, were flown back to Bangkok early this morning. Two AirAsia and Lion Air flights were chartered by the Thai Foreign
Lao Ministry of Foreign Affairs has officially launched its Asean chair’s logo, website, and theme for 2024, according to Lao National Radio. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Saleamxay Kommasith chaired the ceremony with all concerned ministries and agencies in preparation for the incoming Asean chair, which will commence on January 1, 2024. The 44th
Yangon, Myanmar – Fighters from a Myanmar ethnic minority said Tuesday they had surrounded a town controlled by pro-military militia near the China border where hundreds of foreigners, including Thais, are feared to be held working in online scam compounds. Fighting has raged across Myanmar’s northern Shan state for more than two weeks after an
The incoming ASEAN chair, Laos, will hold its foreign ministerial retreat on 28 and 29 January in Luang Prabang, according to informed diplomatic sources. The retreat will be the first of hundreds of meetings during the Lao chairmanship throughout 2024, after the new chair launches its action plans and deliverables. The retreat, in the country’s former capital,
South China Sea – As a Philippine Coast Guard rubber boat carrying journalists sped towards Filipino troops on a grounded navy vessel in the disputed South China Sea, three Chinese speed boats gave chase. The high-seas pursuit near Second Thomas Shoal in the Spratly Islands on Friday ended when Philippine Navy inflatable speed boats deployed from
