What hosting the APEC Summit means to Thailand 

This week, Thailand will get its moment under the sun when it hosts one of the major diplomatic events of the year — the APEC leaders’ summit — from Monday…

Read More
U.S. President Joe Biden speaks during the ASEAN – U.S. summit in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)

Biden pledges US will work with Southeast Asian nations

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — President Joe Biden promised Saturday that the United States would work with a strategically vital coalition of southeast Asian nations, telling leaders that “we’re going…

Read More

ASEAN reaffirms its 5-point consensus on Myanmar

ASEAN leaders have reaffirmed their 5-point consensus (5PC) and urged Myanmar to comply with the promises it made last April. In a joint statement, issued today (Friday), the leaders said…

Read More
A decorative gate is seen at Wat Phnom during the ASEAN summit held in Phnom Penh, Cambodia November 11, 2022. REUTERS/Cindy Liu

ASEAN agrees in principle to admit East Timor as 11th member

PHNOM PENH, Nov 11 (Reuters) – The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has agreed in principle to admit East Timor as the group’s 11th member, the bloc said in…

Read More
(File) Kao Kim Hourn, the Minister Delegate attached to the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia CHARLES PERTWEE / POOL / AFP

With ASEAN CSP status, ties with India will grow and strengthen further

Phnom Penh – India’s comprehensive strategic partnership (CSP) with ASEAN is expected grow and strengthen bilateral ties, according to a senior Cambodian official. Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, Minister Delegate attached…

Read More
(File) His Excellency Hun Sen, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia

Cambodia offers to host Russia-Ukraine talks during ASEAN summit

Cambodia has offered to use the upcoming ASEAN summit in Phnom Penh next week to host talks between Russia and Ukraine, according to a senior official of the Cambodian Foreign…

Read More
This handout picture taken and released on October 27, 2022 by the Association of Southeast Asia Nations (ASEAN) shows the Myanmar representative desk empty during the Special ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (SAFMM) at the ASEAN secretariat general building in Jakarta. (Photo by Handout / ASEAN / AFP)

ASEAN Foreign Ministers must not lose their way

Judging by the outcome of the special ASEAN foreign ministerial meeting in Jakarta on October 27th, the ASEAN foreign ministers have not done their jobs very well. They were supposed…

Read More
Flood waters surround a building following a heavy storm in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao, Philippines October 28, 2022 in this still image obtained from a social media video. Alizain A. Tahir/via REUTERS

Philippines’ death toll from Tropical Storm Nalgae climbs to 72

The Philippines has recorded 72 deaths from Tropical Storm Nalgae that caused floods and landslides in southern provinces, the country’s disaster agency said on Saturday. Maguindanao province was the most affected with…

Read More
In this photo released by Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Cambodian Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn, center, speaks during the special meeting of Southeast Asian foreign ministers at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Secretariat in Jakarta, Indonesia, Thursday, Oct. 27, 2022. (Galih Pradipta, Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs via AP)

ASEAN foreign ministers urge more progress in Myanmar crisis

Southeast Asian foreign ministers acknowledged Thursday that their efforts to bring peace to Myanmar haven’t succeeded and agreed to increase their determination to end violence in the country, where a…

Read More
This handout picture taken and released on October 27, 2022 by the Indonesian ministry of foreign affairs shows the foreign ministers of the Association of Southeast Asia Nations (ASEAN) countries attending the Special ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (SAFMM) at ASEAN secretariat general building, in Jakarta. Handout / INDONESIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY / AFP

ASEAN FMs open special meeting on Myanmar

Jakarta (Agencies) — Foreign ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) are meeting in Jakarta today to lay the groundwork for the group’s summit in Cambodia next month,…

Read More
(File) STR / AFP

Military interrogation centres in Yangon attacked

Two Myanmar military interrogation centres were bombed on October 12th, local news media reported. One was in Hlaing Township, on Bayintnaung Road, better known as the No.1 Bayintnaung Interrogation camp….

Read More

Fed on eggs and beer, Vietnam’s oxen race in muddy festival

Their stomachs full of eggs, beer, and coconut water, Nguyen Van Liet’s prized white oxen streak ahead of their rivals to the cheer of tens of thousands of spectators in Vietnam’s…

Read More
Protesters take part in a demonstration escorted by fighters against the military coup in Sagaing Township in the Sagaing Division of Myanmar on September 7, 2022. (Photo by AFP)

Myanmar dissidents seek an ‘ASEAN-Plus’ forum to end crisis

Myanmar’s dissident groups have proposed the establishment of an ASEAN-Plus inclusive platform to engage all stakeholders in resolving the ongoing political crises in the military-ruled country, the United Nations Special…

Read More
Many analysts have pointed out that tensions between major world superpowers have intensified, which will further restrict international trade and prolong the high price of energy. (Photo by @tawatchai07)

Global headwinds could blow Thai economy off track 

The decelerating export growth in July has raised concerns that the outlook for Thailand’s economic growth may be bleak because of an increasingly likely global slowdown. The Thai economy grew…

Read More
Roslan RAHMAN / AFP

Singapore to repeal colonial-era law against gay sex

Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong announced Sunday the country will repeal a colonial-era law criminalizing gay sex, though he maintained that the government will continue to “uphold” marriage as…

Read More
Saifuddin Abdullah, Malaysia’s Foreign Minister (Photo by Reuters)

OPINION: ASEAN needs a well-rounded special envoy on Myanmar

By Kavi Chongkittavorn Malaysian Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah recently proposed that the special envoy of the ASEAN chair should be granted a tenure of more than a year and that…

Read More

Quote of the week

ASEAN special envoy Prak Sokhonn, who has made 2 trips to Myanmar since the coup, dampened expectations for major progress in the short term. The bloc decided that the Myanmar…

Read More

OPINION – ASEAN at 55: Alive and kicking

Against all odds and naysayers, ASEAN has survived for the past five and a half decades. The bloc has grown in terms of numbers and international profile. Given the current…

Read More
Photo by Romeo GACAD / AFP

ASEAN reaffirms One China Policy

In responding to recent cross-strait developments, ASEAN’s foreign minister has called for all parties to exercise maximum restraint, refrain from provocative action and to adhere strictly to the principles contained…

Read More

OP-ED: The story of a man who needs help but who will be hanged in Singapore

Nazeri bin Lajim, a 64-year-old Singaporean, has only hours left to live. Singapore intends to execute him in the early hours of Friday morning. His family was informed by the…

Read More

What’s behind the tight Thailand-US embrace?

The United States appears to be going all-out to get Thailand on board, ostensibly in its efforts to contain China. Visits to Bangkok over the past few months by senior…

Read More
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (left) and Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha (right). Photo: Thailand’s government

Thai PM, Chinese FM in talks on trade, investment and connectivity

Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held discussions today (Tuesday) at Government House on trade, economic cooperation, investment and greater connectivity between the two countries,…

Read More
Cambodian-US human rights advocate Theary Seng, dressed as Lady Liberty, is arrested by police after being found guilty of treason in her trial in front of the Phnom Penh municipal court on June 14, 2022. (Photo by Samuel / AFP)

Cambodia convicts opposition figures in mass trial

A Phnom Penh court convicted around 60 opposition figures including an outspoken US-Cambodian activist in a mass trial Tuesday as long-serving leader Hun Sen cracks down on dissent ahead of…

Read More
Photo by CAROLINE GROUSSAIN / AFP

Malaysia government agrees to axe mandatory death penalty

Kuala Lumpur (AFP) – Malaysia’s government said Friday it has agreed to abolish the mandatory death penalty, with campaigners welcoming the move but cautioning the country had failed to deliver on previous…

Read More
Cambodia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn addresses the 74th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019. (AP Photo/Richard Drew, File)

ASEAN special envoy to visit Myanmar later this month

ASEAN special envoy, Cambodia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn, will make his second trip to Myanmar, on June 29th and 30th, to follow up on the implementation…

Read More
General Zaw Min Tun, Spokesperson for Myanmar’s State Administration Council (SAC)

Myanmar sentences two politicians to death

Spokesperson for Myanmar’s State Administration Council (SAC), General Zaw Min Tun, has confirmed that four prisoners, two of whom are politicians, will be sentenced to death. The four include ex-NLD…

Read More
This frame grab from Lao National TV video footage taken on October 16, 2021 via AFPTV shows the Lane Xang bullet train at the Vientiane Railway Station in Vientiane. – A new 6 billion USD Chinese-built railway line opens in Laos on December 3, bringing hopes of an economic boost to the reclusive nation, but experts are questioning the benefits of a project that has seen thousands of farmers evicted from their land. (Photo by various sources / AFP)

New Thai-Lao strategic impetus, rail connectivity

The Lao PDR has come a long way, from a land-locked nation to a land-linked hub. Since last December, with a high-speed train linking Southern China to Vientiane up and…

Read More

Representatives of 193 countries discuss disaster risk mitigation in Indonesia

About 5,000 representatives of governments, the private sector and civil societies from 193 countries are in Bali, Indonesia, to attend the 7th session of the Global Platform (GP2022), convened by…

Read More

New South Korean government’s new approach

In his inaugural speech, newly elected South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol was very succinct about his administration’s foreign policy agenda, which will focus on the promotion of a liberal democracy,…

Read More

ASEAN-US summit: Long on talk, short on substance

Only diplomatic platitudes in the joint vision statement plus a small financial package demonstrated the Joe Biden administration’s commitment to maintain momentum in the US’ Indo-Pacific strategy in Southeast Asia,…

Read More
(File Photo by Brendan SMIALOWSKI / AFP)

Thailand’s regional strategies revealed at the ASEAN-US summit

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-cha, speaking at the special ASEAN-US summit, revealed Thailand’s regional strategies, which will promote peace and resilience in the post-pandemic era. He outlined three priorities for the…

Read More
US President Joe Biden took part in the ASEAN-US Summit on the sidelines of the 2021 Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summits held online on a live video conference in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei. (Photo by Handout / ASEAN Summit 2021 / AFP)

US-ASEAN Summit needs concrete results to be more than a talkshop

The leaders of ASEAN countries will meet with US President Joe Biden in Washington D.C. on May 12-13 for a special summit to commemorate the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations…

Read More
Photo from www.asean.usmission.gov

Thailand and US begin two days of strategic talks in Washington DC

Thailand and the US began a two-day strategic discussion in Washington yesterday (Monday), to strengthen further their security partnership in creating a peaceful and prosperous region. The Thai delegation is…

Read More
Supporters of presidential candidate Ferdinand Marcos Jr., son of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, and his running mate Sara Duterte, daughter of President Rodrigo Duterte, wave flags during a campaign rally in Paranaque City, suburban Manila on May 7, 2022, days ahead of the May 9 presidential election. (Photo by Ted ALJIBE / AFP)

Marcos Jr eyes landslide as Philippines votes for new president

Batac City (AFP) – Millions of Filipinos thronged primary schools and other polling stations Monday to elect a new president, with the son of former dictator Ferdinand Marcos the favourite to win…

Read More
U.S. President Joe Biden participates virtually with the ASEAN summit from an auditorium at the White House in Washington, U.S. October 26, 2021. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

ASEAN seeks US support for peace efforts in Ukraine

ASEAN hopes the US will play a constructive role in backing an ASEAN effort to maintain peace and stability, to mitigate the negative impacts of the Ukraine conflict. Director General…

Read More

Cambodia begins construction of 1.5-bln-USD seaport in southwest province

Cambodia started to build a 1.5-billion- U.S. dollar logistics and multi-purpose seaport on Thursday in the southwestern Kampot province, aiming to enhance the kingdom’s logistics and transportation sector, officials said….

Read More
Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida inspects the honour guard at Government House in Bangkok on May 2, 2022, on his official visit to Thailand. (Photo by Lillian SUWANRUMPHA / AFP)

Japan’s reaffirms middle-of-the-road approach to diplomacy

During his three-nation visit to ASEAN member countries over the past five days, Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida demonstrated his country’s middle-of-the-road approach to diplomacy when it comes to special…

Read More
This general view shows the Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon on February 1, 2022. (Photo by AFP)

ASEAN will discuss humanitarian aid for Myanmar on May 6th

Cambodia, the current chair of ASEAN, is to hold a high-level consultative meeting on May 6th, to discuss ways and means ofproviding humanitarian assistance to Myanmar, according to an informed…

Read More

Indonesian navy arrests two crude palm oil smuggling foreign tankers

The Indonesian navy arrested two foreign-flagged tankers attempting to smuggle crude palm oil or CPO. The navy arrested mt world tanker on its way from Dumai in Riau province to…

Read More

Indonesia to lift the ban on palm oil export when domestic market well supplied

President Joko Widodo has ensured that the ban on the export of cooking oil and its raw materials will be lifted only if the cooking oil supply in the market…

Read More

Myanmar immigration building near Thai border car bombed Saturday night

A car bomb exploded at the Myanmar immigration building, on the approach to the First Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge, opposite Thailand’s Mae Sot district of Tak province, setting fire to the…

Read More
Relatives wait in front of the Insein Prison for the release of prisoners in Yangon on April 17, 2022. (Photo by STR / AFP)

One year on from ASEAN consensus, Myanmar no closer to peace

Myanmar’s military junta has failed to normalize conditions in the strife-torn country following a subdued water festival punctuated by violence and an unpopular plan to reopen for tourism. Meanwhile, ASEAN…

Read More

Fuel shortages in Myanmar lead to a scramble at petrol stations

On the morning of April 19th, a wave of panic hit Myanmar citizens as rumours of fuel shortages went viral on social media. The rumours started following a supposed internal…

Read More

ASEAN-US special summit is scheduled for May 12-13

After several rounds of negotiations over the dates for the second special ASEAN-US summit, both sides have now agreed to meet in Washington DC on May 12th and 13th, 2022,…

Read More
Photo by Romeo GACAD / AFP

Opinion: Expansion of NATO will impact ASEAN

The Russia invasion of Ukraine has changed the security balance in Europe forever and this will have a long-term ripple effect around the world. Already, key European members have pledged…

Read More

Ties that bind – 75-years of Thai-Indian relations

The logo commemorating the 75th anniversary of Thai-Indian ties is highly symbolic. On the left is the Thai Pha Khao Ma (the Thai-style sarong or longyi) interwoven with the sari,…

Read More

Plane carrying banknote paper expected to arrive in Myanmar

Myanmar local media reports that a plane, containing materials to print Myanmar Kyat banknotes, is due to arrive in Nay Pyi Taw tonight (Wednesday). Khit Thit News Media cites sources…

Read More

ASEAN special envoy Prak to meet Ko Ko Gyi, UN representatives in Yangon

On the second day of their three-day visit to Myanmar, the ASEAN special envoy and delegates are scheduled to meet with selected stakeholders in Yangon today (Tuesday), according to a…

Read More

Special ASEAN-US summit postponed until May

The second special ASEAN-US summit, which was scheduled to take place on March 28th and 29th, has been postponed until new dates can be arranged in May, according to Thailand’s Deputy…

Read More

Malaysia to re-open for tourists after two-year COVID-19 closure

Malaysia will re-open to all vaccinated tourists from April 1, authorities said Tuesday, joining a growing number of countries removing restrictions in an attempt to live with Covid. The tourism-reliant Southeast Asian country, known for its…

Read More
Dr. Suriya Chindawongse, Permanent Representative of Thailand to the United Nations

At UN, Thailand votes to condemn Russia’s aggression in Ukraine

During the 11th Emergency Special Session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA), Thailand has joined 140 countries voting in favour of the resolution to condemn Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, while…

Read More
Rescuers look for survivors from search boats after a vessel carrying tourists capsized in the waters between Cu Lao Cham island and Hoi An on Vietnam’s central coast on February 26, 2022 killing at least 13 people. (Photo by Hoang Sa / AFP)

13 dead after tourist boat sinks in Vietnam

At least 13 people were killed and four others missing after a tourist boat capsized Saturday in bad weather off the coast of Hoi An, a world heritage-listed Vietnamese city,…

Read More

ASEAN expresses “deep concern” over Russia’s attack on Ukraine

ASEAN is “deeply concerned” over the evolving situation and hostilities in Ukraine, according to a statement released Saturday, after Russian troops began military assaults on key Ukrainian cities. “We call…

Read More
Police officers help to evacuate patients after a magnitude 6.2 earthquake damaged a local hospital in West Pasaman, in Indonesia’s West Sumatra province on February 25, 2022. (Photo by IDENVI SUSANTO / AFP)

Two dead as 6.2-magnitude earthquake strikes Indonesia’s Sumatra

At least two people died when a 6.2-magnitude earthquake rocked Indonesia’s Sumatra island on Friday, with residents shuttling loved ones to safety as buildings crumbled around them. The quake came…

Read More

ASEAN envoy seeks Myanmar junta blessing to meet its opponents

PHNOM PENH, Feb 17 (Reuters) – A special Southeast Asian envoy to the crisis in Myanmar on Thursday said he was seeking to visit the country next month and appealed…

Read More

Thailand to attend Indo-Pacific Forum in Paris

Thailand will join 57 other countries from the Indo-Pacific region to discuss a range of issues related to defence and security, digital connectivity and transnational issues, such as climate change…

Read More

Myanmar to skip ASEAN ministerial meeting, Cambodia says

Cambodia said on Tuesday that Myanmar had confirmed its absence from this week’s meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), a day after its ruling military criticised neighbours…

Read More
Aileen Tan Shau Hwai conducting research on giant clam. (Photo by Zulfigar Yasin)

Op-Ed: Empowering Women in Ocean Science is Crucial to Environmental Recovery Efforts in Asia-Pacific

Like many of her male counterparts who regularly endure long and exhausting ocean research expeditions, the braving of challenging environs makes for a typical workday for Aileen Tan Shau Hwai,…

Read More

Philippines kicks off chaotic election campaign season

The race to lead the Philippines kicked off Tuesday, with the son and namesake of former dictator Ferdinand Marcos the favourite to succeed authoritarian firebrand Rodrigo Duterte and return his clan to…

Read More
Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) and Chinese President Xi Jinping pose for a photograph during their meeting in Beijing, on February 4, 2022. (Photo by Alexei Druzhinin / Sputnik / AFP)

Putin-Xi summit: strong support for ASEAN centrality

It must be the first time that the leaders of Russia and China have met exclusively and mentioned ASEAN during their discussion. Annually, each of them held bilateral meetings with…

Read More

Myanmar’s U Chan Aye to attend ASEAN retreat

Myanmar will send U Chan Aye, Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs, to attend the upcoming ASEAN ministerial retreat in Phnom Penh, according to an informed source in Phnom Penh. The…

Read More
Photo from thailand.prd.go.th

ASEAN and EU leaders plan to meet in Brussels in December

To mark the 45th anniversary of ASEAN-EU relations, their leaders are planning a summit in Brussels in December, according to an informed diplomatic source, who asked not to be identified….

Read More
Photo by Romeo GACAD / AFP

ASEAN retreat set for 16-17 February

ASEAN foreign ministers will hold their first informal meeting under the new chair on February 16th and 17th in Phnom Penh in a hybrid format, allowing virtual participation, according to…

Read More
US President Joe Biden / AFP

Biden sends letter to ASEAN assuring them of US commitment

Last week, US President Joe Biden sent a letter to ASEAN leaders assuring them that the proposed special US-ASEAN summit is still on the agenda, according to a highly placed…

Read More

Opinion – Biden’s second year could be worse

For the Asia region, it is better to look ahead to the second year of the Biden administration. A review of the past 12 months is unlikely to bring cheer…

Read More

Singapore PM backs continued exclusion of Myanmar junta from ASEAN meetings

SINGAPORE, Jan 15 (Reuters) – Singapore’s leader said the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) should continue excluding Myanmar’s junta from its meeting until it cooperates on an agreed peace…

Read More

Cambodia shelves first ASEAN meeting over attendance ‘difficulties’

Cambodia said on Wednesday it had postponed a meeting of foreign ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) scheduled for next week, because some ministers had expressed “difficulties”…

Read More
This screengrab provided via AFPTV and taken from a broadcast by Myanmar Radio and Television (MRTV) in Myanmar on March 2, 2021 shows Myanmar’s Foreign Minister Wunna Maung Lwin taking part in virtual meeting of foreign ministers and representatives of countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in capital Naypyidaw. (Photo by Handout / various sources / AFP) / —–EDITORS NOTE — RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE – MANDATORY CREDIT “AFP PHOTO / Myanmar Radio and Television

Myanmar’s FM to attend Jan 19 retreat

Myanmar’s Foreign Minister Wunna Maung Lwin will attend the ASEAN ministerial retreat in Siem Reap on January 18-19 in person, according to a highly placed source. The source said that…

Read More
Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Sen (R) shaking hands with Myanmar military chief Min Aung Hlaing (L) during a dinner in Naypyidaw. An Khoun SamAun / National Television of Cambodia (TVK) / AFP

Hun Sen’s trip to Myanmar cut short while meeting with unhappy locals

On January 7th, 2022, Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Sen became the first national leader to visit Myanmar’s junta chief, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing. Before Hun Sen even set foot…

Read More

ASEAN-Japan ties – The next chapter

Japan has launched multi-pronged initiatives aimed at promoting ASEAN-Japan relations, taking it from a development to a co-creation partner, according to Japan’s Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, Koichi Hagiuda….

Read More
This handout photo taken and released by National Television of Cambodia (TVK) on January 7, 2022 shows Myanmar military chief Min Aung Hlaing waving as he meets with Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Sen in Naypyidaw. (Photo by An Khoun SamAun / National Television of Cambodia (TVK) / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE – MANDATORY CREDIT “AFP PHOTO / National Television of Cambodia (TVK) ” – NO MARKETING – NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS – DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS

Myanmar’s junta invites resistance forces to join ceasefire talks

The military junta in Naypyidaw has asked the country’s resistance forces to join ceasefire talks and to work together to deliver effective humanitarian assistance to the needy people of Myanmar….

Read More
Cambodia’s Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn attends the 14th ASEM Foreign Ministers’ Meeting at the Royal Palace of El Pardo near Madrid on December 16, 2019. (Photo by Javier Lizon / POOL / AFP)

ASEAN endorses Prak Sokhonn as special envoy

ASEAN senior officials have endorsed Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn as the new ASEAN special envoy, according to a highly placed source. The source said that…

Read More

Major geopolitical challenges in 2022 ‘too big’ for Thailand to handle

As host of Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summits and Myanmar crisis resolution, Thailand faces major challenges of superpower rivalry and ASEAN centrality in 2022. However, seasoned diplomats fear this Thai…

Read More
A healthcare worker wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) takes a swab sample to test for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Jakarta, Indonesia, December 16, 2021. REUTERS/Ajeng Dinar Ulfiana

Indonesia to give booster shots to public from Jan 12 as Omicron spreads

JAKARTA, Jan 3 (Reuters) – Indonesia will begin giving COVID-19 booster shots to the general public from January 12, health minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin said on Monday, as the Omicron…

Read More
Aerial view shows the flooded neighbourhood Taman Sri Muda in Shah Alam, which is one of the worst hit areas in Selangor state, Malaysia, December 21, 2021. REUTERS/Ebrahim Harris

Malaysia to spend $335 million for flood relief

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 29 (Reuters) – Malaysia will provide 1.4 billion ringgit ($334.93 million) in cash aid and other forms of relief for those devastated by severe floods this month,…

Read More
People fleeing due to fighting between the military and the Karen National Union (KNU) cross a river in Karen state, along the Thai-Myanmar border, on December 25, 2021. STR / AFP

New UN Myanmar envoy says ‘deeply concerned’ by escalating violence

The new United Nations special envoy to Myanmar on Monday said she was “deeply concerned” by escalating violence in the country and called for a new year ceasefire between the…

Read More

Thailand book place in AFF Suzuki Cup final

Thailand booked their place in the AFF Suzuki Cup final for a ninth time in 13 attempts after they held defending champions Vietnam to a goalless draw on Sunday in the…

Read More
People fleeing due to fighting between the military and the Karen National Union (KNU) board a boat in Karen state, along the Thai-Myanmar border, on December 25, 2021. STR / AFP

Save the Children says two Myanmar staff missing after burnt remains found

Save the Children said two of its Myanmar staff were missing on Saturday, after the charred remains of more than 30 people were found, in an attack a monitoring group and local media blamed on junta troops. Myanmar has been in chaos since the February coup,…

Read More

PM orders humanitarian aid for some 4,000 people fleeing fighting in Myanmar

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has instructed local officials in Thailand’s western border province of Tak to provide humanitarian aid and temporary shelter to about 4,000 people fleeing the fighting in…

Read More
Dato’ Sri Ismail Sabri bin Yaakob (Photo by FAMER ROHENI / Malaysia’s Department of Information / AFP) / —–EDITORS NOTE — RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE – MANDATORY CREDIT “AFP PHOTO / MALAYSIA’S DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION / FAMER ROHENI” – NO MARKETING – NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS – DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS

Malaysian PM to visit Thailand December 28-30

Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Ismail Sabri bin Yaakob is scheduled to make an official visit to Thailand, from December 28th to 30th, according to an informed government source. The…

Read More
Cars are seen in flood water caused by heavy rain in Kuala Lumpur early on December 19, 2021. Arif Kartono / AFP

Floods in Malaysia displace more than 30,000 people

More than 30,000 people were evacuated from their homes in Malaysia on Sunday as the country battles some of its worst flooding in years. The tropical Southeast Asian nation often…

Read More

Myanmar warned as mortar shell lands in Thailand’s Mae Sot, where Karen people seek shelter

The Thai military lodged a protest note with the Myanmar government, via the local Thai-Myanmar Border Committee (TBC) yesterday (Thursday), over the landing of a mortar-type shell on Thai soil…

Read More
(From L to R) Vietnam’s President Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Communist Party general secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, National Assembly Chairperson Vuong Dinh Hue and Vietnam’s Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh pose for a photograph before the start of the opening session of the newly-elected 15th National Assembly’s first parliament session in Hanoi on July 20, 2021. (Photo by Nhac NGUYEN / AFP)

Analysis: Vietnam’s new diplomatic impetus

Vietnam has come a long way since it began its “Doi Moi” (renewal) 35 years ago. Now, fresh from serving as a two-year non-permanent member of United Nations Security Council,…

Read More
Cambodia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn addresses the 74th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019. (AP Photo/Richard Drew, File)

Cambodian foreign minister named ASEAN’s new special envoy to Myanmar

Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Sen on Wednesday said he will appoint his country’s foreign minister, Prak Sokhonn, to be the Association of Southeast Asian Nations’ special envoy to Myanmar, beginning January…

Read More
Olaf Scholz of the Social Democrats reacts after he was elected new German Chancellor in the German Parliament Bundestag in Berlin, Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2021. The election and swearing-in of the new Chancellor and the swearing-in of the federal ministers of the new federal government will take place in the Bundestag on Wednesday. (Photo/Stefanie Loos)

New German government and the regional impacts

The new “traffic light” coalition government in Germany will have to perform a major Houdini act, should it decide to take a radical departure from its predecessor’s foreign policy, especially…

Read More
Myanmar Foreign Minister Wunna Maung Lwin

Myanmar’s Foreign Minister to visit Phnom Penh

Myanmar’s Foreign Minister Wunna Maung Lwin will fly to Cambodia’s capital tomorrow (Tuesday) to pay a one-day courtesy call on the new ASEAN chair, according to an informed but unnamed…

Read More
An area is seen covered in volcanic ash at Sumber Wuluh village in Lumajang on December 5, 2021, after the Semeru volcano eruption that killed at least 13 people. JUNI KRISWANTO / AFP

  Indonesia volcano eruption kills 13, dozens injured

 The death toll from a sudden, spectacular eruption of Indonesia’s Mount Semeru has risen to 13, disaster officials said Sunday, as rescuers searched villages blanketed in molten ash for survivors….

Read More

Singapore, Malaysia reopen busy land border for vaccinated travellers

Singapore and Malaysia re-opened one of the world’s busiest land borders on Monday, allowing vaccinated travellers to make the crossing after nearly two years of closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The sudden…

Read More

Laos hopes for economic boost from Chinese-built railway

A new $6 billion Chinese-built railway line opens in Laos this week, bringing hopes of an economic boost to the reclusive nation, but experts are questioning the benefits of a…

Read More
President Joe Biden listens as he meets virtually with Chinese President Xi Jinping from the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington, Nov. 15, 2021. The Biden administration has invited Taiwan to its upcoming Summit for Democracy, prompting sharp criticism from China, which considers the self-ruled island as its territory. The invitation list features 110 countries, including Taiwan, but does not include China or Russia. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File)

Analysis – Democratic strategy of divide and rule

Finally, the list of 110 countries invited to attend the two-day “Summit for Democracy” on December 9th and 10th has been released. 21 countries in the East Asia Pacific region are among…

Read More

US democracy summit is ‘pure politics’ – FM Don

Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai on Thursday dismissed the “Summit for Democracy” to be hosted by the US and to which Thailand was not invited as “nothing more than pure politics.”…

Read More
In this photo provided by An Khoun Sam Aun/Ministry of Information of Cambodia, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, center, attends during an online opening session of the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Thursday, Nov. 25, 2021. Hun Sen on Thursday welcomed leaders of Asian and European nations to the 13th biennial Asia-Europe Meeting, held virtually and postponed from last year due to the coronavirus pandemic. (An Khoun Sam Aun/Ministry of Information of Cambodia via AP)

Thai PM says multilateralism is key, as Cambodia hosts Asia-Europe Summit

Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, in his capacity as ASEAN Coordinator, said at the 13th Asia-Europe (ASEM) Summit hosted by Cambodia today (Thursday) that Thailand believes that multilateralism is the…

Read More
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen gestures as he joins an online meeting of the ASEAN-China special summit at Peace Palace in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Monday, Nov. 22, 2021. – An Khoun SamAun/National Television of Cambodia via AP

Cambodia to host 13th Asia-Europe Summit

Cambodia will be hosting the two-day Asia-Europe (ASEM) summit later this week, focusing on the post-COVID-19 socio-economic recovery and strengthening multilateralism. The chair has not invited Myanmar’s Senior General Min…

Read More
Chinese President Xi Jinping with ASEAN leaders in a virtual summit on November 22, 2021. Photo courtesy of the Chinese Embassy in Bangkok.

Analysis: Xi outlines future ASEAN-China ties

Attending the ASEAN-China summit for the first time in the three decades of their relations this morning, China’s President Xi Jinping made a strong impression on the ASEAN leaders in…

Read More
REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins/File Photo

Xi tells Southeast Asian leaders China does not seek ‘hegemony’

BEIJING, Nov 22 (Reuters) – Chinese President Xi Jinping told leaders of the 10-country Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) at a summit on Monday that Beijing would not “bully”…

Read More
Photo by Handout / OFFICE OF THE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF DEFENCE SERVICES / AFP)

Myanmar’s Min Aung Hlaing not invited to Special ASEAN-China summit

Myanmar’s military leader, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, will not be invited to attend the special virtual ASEAN-China summit, commemorating the 30th anniversary of their relationship, on November 22nd, according…

Read More
This handout photo taken and released on April 24, 2021 by the Indonesian Presidential Palace shows Myanmar junta leader Min Aung Hlaing (L) being greeted during his arrival at Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta international airport in Tangerang, to attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit on the Myanmar crisis. HANDOUT / INDONESIAN PRESIDENTIAL PALACE / AFP

Op-Ed: Will Myanmar’s military junta soften up?

Just a few days after being sentenced to 11 years in prison, American journalist Danny Fenster was freed to go home. It was the first clear indication that Naypyidaw is…

Read More
Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte arrives with daughter Sara Duterte-Carpio to attend the enthronement ceremony of Japan’s Emperor Naruhito in Tokyo, Japan October 22, 2019. Carl Court/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo

Duterte’s daughter joins Marcos as running mate in Philippines presidential election

MANILA, Nov 16 (Reuters) – Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s daughter agreed on Tuesday to be running mate of Ferdinand Marcos Jr in next year’s presidential election, her spokesperson said, confirming…

Read More
Model, actor and singer Paing Takhon wears a traditional Chinese outfit while holding a sign during a demonstration against the military coup in front of the Chinese embassy in Yangon on February 11, 2021. (Photo by AFP)

Dissident actor has no expectation of release from Myanmar prison

Of the many artists and entertainers arrested in the months following the February coup in Myanmar, one of the best-known faces is the rising star Paing Takhon.  A model, an…

Read More
A UNICEF ‘U-report’ survey of over 13,000 children and young people in ASEAN member states shows only 5% report feeling safe online overall, with 1 in 5 saying that cyberbullying worries them the most, in terms of online safety.

OP-ED – Cyberbullying among us – online violence directed at our young

Shreya Singh, a 21 year-old college student in New Delhi, has spoken courageously about being the target of online harassment after someone set up a fake Facebook account in her…

Read More

Page 3 of 5

Login

Welcome! Login in to your account

Remember me Lost your password?

Lost Password