Belt and Road
Thriving on China's Belt and Road, Laos border town ditches kip for yuan
But rail cargo still weak due to zero-COVID while debt to Beijing looms large
Laos
The Big Story
Asia's scamdemic: How COVID-19 supercharged online crime
Internet predators are often the prey in Thailand's lawless border zones
The Big Story
Asia's ticking debt bomb: Sri Lanka crisis sounds alarm bells across region
Disaster looms in Laos, Bangladesh and elsewhere as China seems reluctant to take losses on Asian loans
Cryptocurrencies
Thailand and Vietnam emerge as ASEAN crypto trading hot spots
Each country logs over $100bn transactions in a year, topping Singapore
Opinion
Laos' financial crisis can be an opportunity for reform
Country's previous growth trajectory was not sustainable
Asia Insight
Laos' debt pressure raises specter of a China vassal state
Echoes of Sri Lanka on the Mekong as muzzled public seethes over economic woes
Energy
Singapore opens taps on renewable-energy imports with Laos deal
Far-reaching strategy stretches to Australian desert, but carries risks
Supply Chain
Laos grabs for Russian lifeline as it fights fuel shortage
But cheap fuel risks steep foreign policy price for neutral Vientiane
Economy
Laos faces public backlash as economy teeters toward default
Debt crisis triggers rare anger against communist leaders on social media
Life
Bangkok's king of clubbing plots fresh projects
Lao impresario Sanya Souvanna Phouma returns to his roots
Technology
Laos launches first homegrown messaging app
Rollout raises concerns of increased government surveillance
Transportation
Laos' logistics vision for ASEAN: All rails lead to Vientiane
Government eyes capital as link from Southeast Asia to China
Ukraine war
ASEAN faces 'collateral damage' from Ukraine war's Europe impact
From Singapore to Thailand, spillover threatens COVID-hit economies anew
Life
Wildlife trade poses long-term health threat in pandemic era
Disease and viruses are fated to recur
The Big Story
Asia's femtech revolution: the quest for better women's health
Underserved by mainstream health care, women from India to Japan turn to technology
Interview
U.S. needs careful Mekong strategy to counter China: expert
Mekong Institute executive director says region is key focus for superpowers
International relations
China-Laos railway begins with limited service
Southeast Asia's first high-speed link to stop at Chinese border for now
Belt and Road
China-Laos high-speed railway set to roll through COVID cloud
Southeast Asian country's rising infections reduce pomp of Friday's launch
International relations
Chinese developer provokes ire in Laos with 100-meter Buddha statue
Locals who follow another sect protest structure set to become capital's tallest
Opinion
States can no longer turn a blind eye to jailed human rights defenders
Urgent issue concerns every United Nations-member state
