Southeast Asia

China’s Flash Points in Asia Persist Despite Network of Crisis Hotlines

A growing network of crisis-defusing telephone hotlines between China and other Asian countries shows Beijing’s intent to strengthen those relations but does not resolve the wider disputes that could spark conflict, analysts believe. 

Elephant in the Room: Thai Family Gets Repeat Mammoth Visitor

Some families living in a jungle may be fearful of things going bump at night, but for one household in Thailand, the sight of an elephant rummaging through their kitchen was not a total shock.

Duterte Threatens to Arrest Filipinos Who Refuse COVID Vaccination

President Rodrigo Duterte, who is known for his public outbursts and brash rhetoric, said in televised remarks Monday night that he has become exasperated with people who refuse to get immunized amid a health crisis then help spread the coronavirus.

EU Imposes New Sanctions on Myanmar

The European Union announced Monday a fresh round of sanctions against Myanmar military officials, the third since the junta seized power in a February coup.

4 ‘Terrorists’ Killed in Clash Between Myanmar Soldiers and Anti-Coup Militia, Junta Says

A statement says security forces were met with small arms fire and grenades during a raid on a house in the country’s second-biggest city. In addition to the four dead protesters, whom the junta described as “terrorists,” 20 members of the raiding party were injured, while eight others were arrested

Russia and Myanmar Junta Leader Commit to Boosting Ties at Moscow Meeting

Nikolai Patrushev, the secretary of Russia's Security Council, and Myanmar's junta leader committed to further strengthening security and other ties between the two countries at a Moscow meeting on Monday.

China Bids for Friends in Southeast Asia as US Influence Grows

China is showing new interest in working with Southeast Asian countries in the disputed resource-rich South China Sea as its superpower rival, the United States, gains diplomatic momentum under President Joe Biden, analysts in Asia say.

Vietnam to test high-risk groups in largest city

Vietnam plans to test high-risk groups in its largest city for the coronavirus and imposed more restrictions Monday to deal with a growing COVID-19 outbreak.

Malaysia PM says parliament could reconvene by September

Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin on Tuesday said parliament could reconvene by September at the earliest, providing the average number of new daily coronavirus infections falls to under 2,000.

Thai PM sorry for COVID-19 vaccination delays

Thailand's prime minister apologised and took the blame on Tuesday for coronavirus vaccination delays, while thousands of private companies and public organisations raced to secure doses imported by a royal-backed academy.

ICC seeks to probe Philippines’ crackdown on drug crime