Regional news from Southeast Asia in English — ASEAN politics, economy and diplomacy, covered by Thai PBS World.
Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim arrived in Bangkok this morning (Thursday) for a two-day visit, during which he will discuss with Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha ways to strengthen Thai-Malaysian cooperation, including Malaysia’s role in facilitating the peace dialogue in southern Thailand. Anwar, who is making his first visit to Bangkok since becoming prime
Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim reiterated today (Thursday) that Malaysia is against the use of violence to resolve the conflicts in southern Thailand and pledged his government’s readiness to help in the peace process. “I came here with a clear message, that the government of Malaysia will not condone the use of violence
Preparations can be seen in Myanmar’s economic hub of Yangon, for the upcoming Union Day on February 12th. Soldiers were seen on patrol in their vehicles and posted at major traffic junctions and roads in the city. While most of the decorations for Union Day are concentrated along Pyay Road, as a celebration will reportedly
ASEAN has decided to establish an interim bureau to oversee the implementation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). According to a press statement, issued by Indonesia, the decision came during the ASEAN Coordinating Council meeting and ASEAN foreign ministers’ retreat in Jakarta on Friday and Saturday. The council meeting touched on the whole gamut
After the dramatic Cabinet shake-up over the past several weeks, Vietnam has been quick to restore confidence in its external relations with allies and friends, near and far. It is part of the country’s bamboo diplomacy, aiming to display pragmatism and independence in the foreign policy realm. It is surprising that Prime Minister Pham Minh
As the Myanmar crisis enters its third year, one trend is certain – things will get worse and bloodier. The military junta, headed by Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, has extended its emergency rule by another six months, after two years in power, citing the “extraordinary situation” that the State Administration Council has been facing.
Hundreds of Myanmar people rallied in front of the Myanmar Embassy in Bangkok to demand an end to violence in their home country, on the second anniversary of the military coup in 2021, which ousted the government of National League of Democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi. The demonstrators, many of them migrant workers in
The United States and the Philippines are expected to announce a deal Thursday that will give US troops access to another four military bases in the Southeast Asian nation, as the longtime allies seek to deter Chinese aggression in the region. The agreement to expand cooperation will be announced during a visit by US Defense
Singapore’s biggest public library opens its doors at One Punggol, with a promise to welcome everyone. It’s the country’s fourth regional library, but it aims to be the first fully inclusive one. Launching the Punggol Regional Library, Communications and Information Minister Josephine Teo joined young readers at the largest children’s section across Singapore’s public libraries.
As Myanmar enters the third year of fallout following the coup, led by Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, in over half of the country battles rage between the extant ethnic armed organisations, forces affiliated with the parallel National Unity Government (NUG) and the current military-led administration. In these two years, data collected by local media
The United States slapped fresh sanctions on Myanmar Tuesday, a day before the Southeast Asian country marks the second anniversary of a military coup that launched a violent campaign against democracy activists. The US Treasury placed sanctions on Myanmar Energy Minister Myo Myint Oo and the top two officials of the state-owned Myanma Oil and
Right behind San Sebastian Basilica, one of Manila’s most revered churches, a high-rise condominium is under construction, triggering a conflict between developers and conservationists. The unsavoury development also threatens to derail the Philippines’ bid to have the monument listed as a World Heritage Site and preserve the country’s heritage value. In some other ASEAN nations,
