News
Cannabis seized at airport in Laos capital
Authorities in Laos are continuing their investigations into illicit smuggling after dried cannabis weighing some 15 kg bound for Europe via parcel mail was identified by Lao Customs officials at Wattay International Airport in capital Vientiane, local media reported on 7 October. Keep reading ...
Indonesian Govt pushes joint ASEAN efforts on illegal fishing
Almost a year after placing a ban on renewals of licenses for large, foreign-built fishing vessels, the Indonesian Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry is devising a post-moratorium national plan of action that will focus on strengthening Indonesia’s maritime policies in the context of regional integration. Keep ...
Flooding in Prachin Buri

After two days of rain the Prachin Buri river overflowed and flooded the old market of Kabin Buri Municipality in Kabin Buri district early on 6 October, reports said. Keep reading ...
Vietnamese PM approves waterway transport projects

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has released a decision approving waterway infrastructure policies expected to boost the sector’s growth. Domestic waterway transportation plays a vital role in transporting goods and passengers across Vietnam. It creates millions of jobs, but the Ministry of Transport said Government support ...
TPP offers Vietnam opportunities

Trade ministers from the 12 Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) member countries reached final consensus on the world’s largest free trade agreement at Atlanta, the US, on 5 October. After ending negotiations on the TPP deal, all TPP countries will review legal procedures to prepare for the official ...
Thai PM calls for regional haze cooperation

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has ordered the Foreign Ministry to work closely with neighbouring countries to tackle the chronic haze problem gripping Southeast Asia. Short- and long-term solutions are needed to deal with the smog caused by slash-and-burn farming on Sumatra Island in Indonesia, Gen Prayut ...
12 Pacific nations agree to historic TPP trade accord

Twelve Pacific rim countries sealed the deal late 5 October (Thailand time) to create the world’s largest free trade area, with implications for Thailand and for world trade in the 21st century. Working around the clock for days past their deadline, haggard trade ministers announced they reached ...
YCDC outlaws extensions to public housing
Residents at Yangon’s affordable housing projects will be punished if they attempt to enlarge their apartments by building extensions. Keep reading ...
Haze reaches southern Thailand, rises beyond safety levels

The haze from forest fires in Indonesia has reached southern Thailand, with smoke from the dust particles rising above safety levels in Songkhla province’s Hat Yai district. Songhkla Governor Songpol Sawasditham on 5 October set up a war room to combat the impact of the haze ...
Unauthorised fees plague Vietnam's bus terminals

Transport enterprises are concerned about fees that they have to pay for their operations at bus stations. A driver of a transport enterprise operating on the Ha Noi-Thai Nguyen route, who decline to give his name, said besides fixed fees like entrance fee and parking fee, ...