National government

Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation U Myint Hlaing came under pressure from constituents on 23 September over allegations land had been taken from farmers and placed in his wife’s name. But the minister, who has previously been linked to large land grabs during his time as a regional military ...

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has assigned his deputy Prawit Wongsuwon to oversee the selection of members for the National Reform Steering Assembly and new constitution drafting committee while he attends the United Nations General Assembly. Speaking after a cabinet meeting on 22 September, Gen Prayut said he ...

The New York Times has said that its local printer in Thailand has refused to print its Asia edition because it featured an article on the ailing king. The paper said the printer found the front-page article “too sensitive”. The entire newspaper for 22 September, however, can ...

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has unveiled a new strategy to build “a people’s state” to bring together the state, the people and businesses for the long-term sustainable development of the country.   The prime minister said the Pracha Rat (people’s state) strategy aims to strengthen the country’s ...

Indian Vice President Hamid Ansari arrived in Laos on 17 September on a two-day visit. He will hold extensive talks with the Laotian leadership to deepen bilateral ties especially trade links as part of India’s Act East policy. Mr Ansari was received by Vongsavath Boupha, Minister to ...

Visiting Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said on 17 September that Vietnam will strive to develop balanced and sustainable trade with China. Chinese enterprises are encouraged to increase investment in infrastructure and interconnectivity projects in Vietnam, said Nguyen Xuan Phuc at the China-Vietnam Economic and ...

Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli on 17 September met with leaders from Thailand, Myanmar and Laos ahead of an annual expo and business summit between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in southwest China. They will attend the 12th China-ASEAN Expo and the China-ASEAN Business and Investment ...

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe pledged on 15 September that his country will extend 100 billion yen ($835 million) in loans for Vietnam to boost the Southeast Asian economy’s infrastructural development, as Tokyo and Hanoi aim to strengthen ties on the economic and security fronts. Keep reading ...

India’s Vice-president Hamid Ansari will be travelling to two key South-East Asian countries, Cambodia and Lao People’s Democratic Republic, with which India has cultural and religious links dating back centuries, but are currently perceived to be closer to India’s strategic rival China. Ansari, who begins his ...

Vietnam’s Communist Party chief will embark on a four-day visit to Japan on 14 September, seeking not only investment opportunities but geopolitical assurances as China continues its aggressive maritime posturing, according to experts. Nguyen Phu Trong will also become the first party leader to have visited ...