Users on Chinese social media app Xiaohongshu asked if it was safe to travel to Thailand while a Hong Kong singer-actor canceled his Bangkok concert.

Southeast Asian foreign ministers are gathering for their first meeting this year under the regional bloc’s new chair, Malaysia, seeking a breakthrough over Myanmar’s drawn-out civil war and territorial disputes in the South China Sea.

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- The leaders of Japan and Laos agreed Tuesday to upgrade their bilateral relations to a "comprehensive strategic partnership," as Tokyo tries to strengthen cooperation with Southeast Asia to uphold a rules-based order amid China's rise.

Hegseth, a former Fox News personality, was taking questions from Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) when she challenged him to share his knowledge about even just one member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN.

The leaders of Japan and Laos met Tuesday to discuss deepening bilateral ties, as Tokyo seeks to work even more closely with Southeast Asia to ensure a rules-based order in the region amid China's rise.

BOKEO PROVINCE, Laos -- A historic discovery of Buddha statues and other valuable artifacts in Laos has sent tourists from near and far to a small village in Southeast Asia's Golden Triangle, with hopes of seeing remnants of what some believe are from an ancient lost city.

Wang Yi told ASEAN ambassadors that scamming poses “serious threats to the vital interests of citizens from China and other countries.”

The Southeast Asian country has lagged behind Vietnam and Thailand when it comes to tourism but the government hopes new hotels, roads and a train system will put Laos on visitors’ lists. Select an option below to continue reading this premium story.

Singapore, Malaysia and Brunei hold the most powerful passports in Southeast Asia in the latest ranking released by British global citizenship and residence advisory firm Henley & Partners.

Hong Kong officials engaged in discussions with Thai counterparts to repatriate citizens ensnared in illegal work across Southeast Asia. The talks were prompted by a recent case involving human trafficking.

A joint law enforcement operation involving China and five Southeast Asian countries last year resulted in the cracking of over 160 cases, primarily related to telecom fraud, and the arrest of more than 70,000 suspects, according to a report by China Media Group on Tuesday.

For government critics in Southeast Asia, fleeing abroad does not necessarily mean safety. Thailand is growing particularly dangerous for foreigners seeking protection.