Regional news from Southeast Asia in English — ASEAN politics, economy and diplomacy, covered by Thai PBS World.
During the Prayut government’s 9-year administration, foreign policy played an indispensable role in pivoting Thailand on geopolitical landscape. After the coup in May 2014, the country was cursed and sanctioned by the West. With patience and persistence, Thai diplomacy has helped to restore the country’s international confidence and resilience. All along, Thailand has been walking
The Philippines and Australia shored up their security and economic alliance Friday with the signing of a strategic partnership, as they seek to counter China’s growing regional influence. The agreement was finalised following a meeting between Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Manila. Albanese’s visit, which marks the first bilateral
The new government is expected to pursue a foreign policy focused on yielding economic dividends, with proactive diplomacy targeted at securing more market access around the globe. The government of Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin might reposition the country’s stance to better cope with geopolitical conflicts and competitions. The issue of economy is important for foreign
In a church on the edge of Thai capital Bangkok, dozens of Vietnamese refugees sing at a joyful service, sharing a moment of respite from their lives in fear of arrest or deportation. Not a signatory to the UN Refugee Convention, Thailand does not distinguish between refugees and other migrants, and thousands of people live
After spending some time at an undisclosed ministerial residence in the capital following her transfer to house arrest in July, Myanmar’s leader Aung San Suu Kyi is now reportedly back in prison, said senior members of her National League for Democracy party. Irrawaddy online reported that it’s not known when the regime sent her back
Jakarta – ASEAN leaders have welcomed Luxembourg’s intention to accede to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC), Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi told a press conference after yesterday’s retreat (Tuesday). Luxembourg will become the 55th signatory to the 1976 treaty, which serves as the code of conduct in ASEAN. Each year,
Jakarta—Asean’s leaders have agreed to form a troika to maintain the handling of the Myanmar quagmire due to the current protracted situation, according to the Asean statement released yesterday During the retreat on Tuesday, the leaders reviewed and discussed the situation in Myanmar and agreed that the Asean Five Point Consensus (5PC) remains relevant as
Jakarta, Indonesia – The Philippines is ready to chair ASEAN in 2026 instead of Myanmar, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said Tuesday, as the bloc wrestles with how to engage with the country’s junta rulers. Myanmar has been ravaged by deadly violence since a 2021 military coup deposed Aung San Suu Kyi’s government and unleashed a
Jakarta, Indonesia – Southeast Asian leaders met in Indonesia on Tuesday to seek a united voice on the years-long Myanmar crisis and tackle rifts over China’s growing assertiveness in the South China Sea. Myanmar has been ravaged by deadly violence since a 2021 military coup deposed Aung San Suu Kyi’s government and unleashed a bloody
Jakarta – ASEAN will accord Japan a comprehensive strategic partnership (CSP) at the ASEAN summit on Wednesday, according to a diplomatic source. The ASEAN leaders will make the announcement of Japan’s new status at the ASEAN-Japan summit on September 6th. The source said that Japan has made remarkable progress and contributed significantly to the development
Jakarta—The Thai delegation to the Asean summits will be headed by Sarun Charoensuwan, Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs as newly elected Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has not yet take an oath and deliver a policy address to the Parliament, according to a high-level informed source.The source, who asked not to be named, said Sarun will
Hundreds of Malaysian tourists were stranded at the Thai-Malaysian border checkpoint in Sadao district, Songkhla province on Saturday night, after Malaysian immigration officials closed the checkpoint at 11pm. The closure of the checkpoint left about 200 cars and buses, heading back to Malaysia, stranded on the Thai side of the border. A Thai PBS reporter
