Myanmar junta to free 5,864 prisoners under amnesty
Myanmar's military government will release 5,864 prisoners, including 180 foreigners, under an amnesty marking the Southeast Asian nation's independence day, state media said on Saturday (Jan 4).
Asian news from Burma
Thailand's visa waiver for Chinese tourists under fire after string of crimes
BANGKOK — Thailand's visa waiver programme for Chinese nationals has come under scrutiny after the high-profile alleged kidnapping of a Chinese actor and similar crimes stoked worries over tourism and security.
Thailand under pressure to revise Chinese tourists’ visa-free travel to combat crime
The Thai government has come under increasing pressure to tweak its visa-free policy for Chinese visitors to combat transnational crime rings run by mainlanders in a bid to protect the tourism-dependent kingdom’s image.
Myanmar deports over 50,000 scam centre workers to China amid crackdown
Myanmar’s ruling junta said on Tuesday it had deported to China more than 50,000 people suspected of involvement in online scam operations since October 2023, as it made a rare call to neighbouring countries to intervene.
Malaysia urges Asean to adopt AI to help tackle rising digital threats
Malaysian ministers have urged Asean to look to artificial intelligence (AI) to help combat rampant online fraud by organised crime gangs, which are raking in billions of dollars each year.
China says it brokered a ceasefire between Myanmar army and an ethnic rebel group
BANGKOK (AP) — Myanmar’s military government and a major ethnic rebel group in the country’s northeast have signed a formal ceasefire agreement, mediator China said Monday.
Myanmar military, minority armed group agree ceasefire, China says
BEIJING — The Myanmar military and the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) signed a formal agreement for a ceasefire that began on Saturday (Jan 18), China's foreign ministry said, halting fighting near the border of both countries.
Asean tells Myanmar junta peace, not election, is priority
LANGKAWI, Malaysia — Southeast Asian nations told Myanmar's military government on Sunday (Jan 19) its plan to hold an election amid an escalating civil war should not be its priority, urging the junta to start dialogue and end hostilities immediately.