-
Tensions escalated along the Cambodia-Thailand border on September 17-18, with injuries reported on both sides during clashes over disputed territory. The violence follows a ceasefire after July's intense fighting, with both nations accusing each other of provocations and border encroachments amid ongoing sovereignty disputes.
-
Recent developments reveal ongoing political violence in Cambodia, including the murder of opposition figure Lim Kimya in Bangkok, and renewed border tensions with Thailand. Cambodia's government denies involvement, but the cases highlight regional instability and political repression. The story is current as of October 10, 2025.
-
Thailand's annual water buffalo festival in Chonburi highlights the animals' cultural significance, featuring races and beauty contests. The event reflects a shift from utilitarian farming to a celebration of buffaloes as symbols of heritage, supported by government initiatives amid declining populations and mechanization.
-
Princess Chulabhorn of Thailand has called for a permanent border wall with Cambodia amid rising tensions. She also proposed building bunkers for civilians, signaling a rare political stance from the royal family. The move follows recent armed clashes and regional instability, with the U.S. pushing for agreements at upcoming ASEAN summits.
-
President Trump will meet Chinese President Xi Jinping in Busan during the Apec summit, amid tense US-China relations over trade, fentanyl, and regional stability. The meeting aims to address key issues including trade disputes and border conflicts, with low expectations for significant breakthroughs.
-
A bus traveling from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh crashed into a canal in Kampong Thom, killing 16 and injuring others. The crash occurred early Thursday morning, with authorities citing driver fatigue as a likely cause. Rescue efforts are ongoing.
-
On October 14-15, 2025, US and UK authorities charged Chen Zhi, head of Cambodia's Prince Group, with wire fraud and money laundering tied to forced-labor "pig butchering" scams. The operation used trafficked workers in compounds to defraud victims globally, seizing 127,271 bitcoin worth $15 billion and freezing UK properties. Chen remains at large, facing up to 40 years in prison.
-
US and UK authorities have sanctioned Prince Holding Group and its chairman Chen Zhi, accusing them of operating a transnational criminal network involved in online scams, money laundering, and forced labor. The US seized over US$15 billion in bitcoin, and assets in the UK and Singapore have been frozen. The case highlights extensive allegations of fraud and exploitation across Southeast Asia.
-
On October 26, 2025, at the ASEAN summit in Kuala Lumpur, US President Donald Trump co-signed a ceasefire agreement between Thailand and Cambodia to end deadly border clashes. The deal includes military de-escalation, removal of heavy weapons, prisoner release, and ASEAN observer deployment. Despite the truce, core territorial disputes remain unresolved, and tensions persist amid trade negotiations and regional diplomacy.
-
A Cameroon-flagged tanker, the Falcon, was hit by an unknown projectile off Yemen, resulting in a fire and damage. The ship was abandoned at sea, with 24 crew evacuated and two fatalities. The incident follows recent attacks by Yemen's Houthi rebels, linked to regional tensions and ongoing conflicts.
-
President Trump is in South Korea for the APEC summit, where he expects to meet Xi Jinping to de-escalate trade tensions. Talks focus on tariffs, export controls, and US-China relations amid ongoing disputes over trade practices, rare earths, and technology restrictions. The outcome remains uncertain but signals a potential easing of tensions.
-
President Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping are set to meet in South Korea amid ongoing trade tensions, tariffs, and export restrictions. Both sides signal a tentative easing, with hopes for a short-term détente that could influence global markets and regional diplomacy. The meeting follows recent signals of cooperation and mutual interest.
-
Trade negotiations between the US and China have produced a framework that halts imminent tariffs and advances discussions on TikTok, rare earths, and agricultural purchases. Both sides aim for a summit in South Korea, with optimism tempered by caution over implementation and deeper strategic issues.
-
US President Donald Trump is in Southeast Asia for a series of summits, including ASEAN and APEC, aiming to boost economic ties, oversee a peace deal between Thailand and Cambodia, and meet Chinese President Xi Jinping. The trip highlights US-China rivalry and regional security concerns.
-
On October 24, 2025, Thailand's Queen Mother Sirikit, widow of King Bhumibol Adulyadej and mother of King Vajiralongkorn, died at 93 after a prolonged illness. The government declared a year-long mourning period with official guidelines for attire and public conduct. Despite the somber mood, tourism and public services continue, with cultural events proceeding in a subdued manner.
-
US and Chinese officials have made significant progress in trade talks in Malaysia, raising expectations for a deal between Trump and Xi Jinping at the upcoming APEC summit in South Korea. The discussions focus on avoiding tariffs and addressing China’s export controls, with both sides aiming to de-escalate tensions.
-
Recent diplomatic efforts have led to a temporary easing of trade tensions between the US and China, with preliminary agreements and high-level meetings in Asia. Leaders from South Korea, Japan, and Southeast Asia also made progress, boosting regional markets and optimism for future cooperation amid slowing regional growth forecasts.
-
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has announced her intention to nominate Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize, citing his efforts in brokering ceasefires and peace agreements. The move follows praise from US and Japanese officials, amid mixed domestic reactions and ongoing regional tensions.
-
On November 10, 2025, Thailand suspended a U.S.-brokered ceasefire with Cambodia after a landmine explosion injured Thai soldiers along their disputed border. Thailand accuses Cambodia of laying new mines, a charge Cambodia denies. The suspension halts prisoner releases and arms removal, casting doubt on the fragile peace brokered last month amid ongoing border tensions.
-
A Thai appeals court has approved the extradition of She Zhijiang, a Chinese-Cambodian national, to China. He faces charges related to illegal online gambling, scam networks, and money laundering. She was arrested in Bangkok in 2022 and has been detained since. The extradition will proceed within 90 days.
-
As of late November 2025, Myanmar's military and allied ethnic militias have intensified raids on online scam centers near Myawaddy, detaining over 12,500 foreigners and seizing thousands of devices. These operations target criminal networks linked to human trafficking and cyber fraud, amid international pressure and the recent extradition of scam kingpin She Zhijiang to China.
-
Thailand's King Vajiralongkorn visits China for his first official trip abroad since 2016, marking a significant shift in regional alliances. The visit emphasizes strengthening strategic cooperation, economic ties, and regional influence, amid ongoing border tensions and shifting US-China dynamics. The trip underscores China's growing regional influence and Thailand's balancing act.
-
Former President Trump announced he stopped a five-day border conflict between Thailand and Cambodia, crediting tariffs and diplomatic efforts. The dispute, rooted in territorial disagreements dating back over a century, remains unresolved despite a ceasefire reaffirmed last month. Recent clashes threaten to reignite tensions in the region.
-
Thailand has suspended its ceasefire with Cambodia after accusing Phnom Penh of laying landmines that injured Thai soldiers. The move follows recent border clashes and diplomatic tensions, with Thailand demanding an apology from Cambodia. The US has been involved in mediating, but trade negotiations remain suspended amid ongoing disputes.
-
Conservation efforts in London are underway to locate and protect the German hairy snail, a critically endangered species now confined to small areas along the Thames. Surveys aim to understand its distribution and inform habitat restoration, with the goal of securing its future and supporting broader biodiversity in the city.
-
Vietnamese rights activist Y Quynh Bdap, involved in advocating for Montagnard minorities, was handed over by Thai authorities to Vietnam. His whereabouts are now unknown, raising concerns over enforced disappearance and violations of Thai laws. Bdap denies involvement in violence and was convicted in absentia in Vietnam.