Top News Headlines In Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand & Vietnam: June 19, 2026

INDONESIA 

1.FM SUGIONO PUSHES INDONESIA-RUSIA NUCLEAR POWER PARTNERSHIP -- ANTARA

Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono has called for strategic cooperation with Russia to develop nuclear energy technology to achieve national energy self-sufficiency within the next three years.

2.PRABOWO APPROVES RP100.1 TRILLION FOR SUMATRA DISASTER RECOVERY -- ANTARA

President Prabowo Subianto has approved the allocation of Rp100.1 trillion (US$5.6 billion) for post-disaster recovery in Sumatra, which will be disbursed over a three-year period through government ministries and agencies.

LAOS

1.LUANG PRABANG TOP EARNING TOURIST DESTINATION -- VIENTIANE TIMES 

Luang Prabang City welcomed over 800,000 visitors during the first four months of 2026. It aims to attract about 2.3 million visitors and generate US$1.3 billion (RM5.4 billion) in tourism revenue this year.

2.ILLEGAL VEHICLE IMPORTS ON THE RISE -- VIENTIANE TIMES 

During a  nationwide campaign to tackle illegally imported and improperly used vehicles, authorities resolved 32,457 cases involving cars and motorcycles. Vehicle smuggling, the sale and use of vehicles not registered with the Customs Department, remains a challenge. 

MYANMAR

1.INVITING CHINESE INVESTORS INTO AGRI SECTOR -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR 

The government is inviting Chinese entrepreneurs to invest in the agriculture and livestock sectors. Myanmar is strategically located between the world’s populous countries, such as India, China and Bangladesh. 

2.SCHOOL DROP-OUTS TO CONTINUE STUDIES -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR 

An evaluation exam will be held to encourage youth who have dropped out for various reasons to return to school. Students aged seven to 15 who have been out of school will have the opportunity to re-enrol and continue their studies.

PHILIPPINES

1. CYCLONE LIKELY TO ENTER  PHILIPPINES ON SATURDAY- PHILIPPINE NEWS AGENCY The low pressure area (LPA) outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) has developed into a tropical depression, the weather bureau said Friday.   

2.   365 NAGA CITY FAMILIES SECURE LAND TENURE VIA MORTGAGE PROGRAMME -- PHILIPPINE NEWS AGENCY   A total of 365 families are set to achieve security of tenure as the Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC) and the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) turned over checks to the local government unit (LGU) for land acquisition on Thursday.  

SINGAPORE

1. SINGAPORE WELCOMES US-IRAN AGREEMENT TO END MILITARY OPERATIONS IN MIDDLE EAST, REOPEN STRAIT OF HORMUZ - CNA

Singapore welcomes the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the United States of America and Iran to cease all military operations in the Middle East and establish a framework for further negotiations on outstanding issues, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said on Thursday .

2. BUILD POLITICAL SUPPORT GLOBALLY FOR MORE MOMENTUM ON CLIMATE ACTION: PRESIDENT THARMAN --  THE STRAITS TIMES

Governments worldwide need to build up political support for greater momentum in climate action, said President Tharman Shanmugaratnam.

THAILAND  

1. BANG NA-TRAT RISES AS BANGKOK'S NEW EASTERN CBD AS CITY PLAN AND MEGA-PROJECTS RESHAPE CORRIDOR -- THE NATION

Bang Na-Trat Road is emerging as Bangkok’s next major business and lifestyle district, backed by the draft city plan, future Silver Line, rising land prices and major mixed-use investments.

2. OFFICIAL OFFER ADVICE TO PREVENT PANIC BUYING OF FUEL -- BANGKOK POST

Policymakers should prioritise managing public sentiment during potential energy crises, warning that panic buying can be more disruptive than actual fuel shortages, says an energy analyst.

--BERNAMA