TOP NEWS HEADLINES IN LAOS, MYANMAR, THAILAND & VIETNAM : APRIL 5

LAOS 

1.LAO MARKS MINES AWARENESS DAY -- LAOTIAN TIMES

Laos commemorated the  International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action on April 4 - promoting awareness of the dangers of landmines and unexploded ordnance (UXO). Laos is one of the most bombed countries in history during the Second Indochina War.

2.NEW FEE FOR FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSIT -- LAOTIAN TIMES

Bank of Laos announced that transfers between foreign currency deposit account holders will incur charges ranging from RM4.45 (US$1) to RM135  (US$30) per transaction. This new regulation will be effective from April 5. 

MYANMAR

1.BIMSTEC VITAL FOR BUILDING REGIONAL TRADE -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR

State Administration Council Senior General Min Aung Hlaing said the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) is vital to promote trade and investment in the region. He urged members to expedite the BIMSTEC Free Trade Agreement. 

2.EARTHQUAKE DEATH TOLL EXCEEDS 3,000 -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR

The death toll following the earthquake that struck Myanmar on March 28 reached 3,354, while 4,850 were injured and 220 are missing. Rescue teams from Myanmar and international organisations have rescued 653 survivors trapped under debris and recovered 656 bodies so far.

THAILAND

1. BANGKOK DECLARES END OF DISASTER SITUATION, EXCEPT FOR COLLAPSED BUILDING AREA -- THE NATION 

Search and rescue operations are still ongoing at the construction site of the SAO building in Chatuchak District.

2. PICHAI SOUNDS ALARM ON US TRADE SURPLUS -- BANGKOK POST Thailand needs to quickly reduce its trade surplus with the US by any means possible, says Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira.

VIETNAM

1. VIETNAM READY TO CUT TARIFFS TO ZERO -- VIETNAM NEWS

Vietnam's Party General Secretary To Lam said during a telephone conversation with United States President Donald Trump on Friday that Vietnam is prepared to negotiate reducing import tariffs on American goods to zero. This statement follows after  Trump imposed 46 per cent reciprocal tariffs on goods from Vietnam.

2. HOUSING FOR 700 UNDERPRIVILEGED FAMILIES -- VIETNAMPLUS 

The Ministry of Public Security plans to build 700 homes for underprivileged communities in Bac Lieu province, aiming to improve housing quality in the Mekong Delta region. Currently, Bac Lieu has 1,760 households that require housing assistance.

-- BERNAMA