Asia News Wrap: Thailand gets third government in two years, and more

Here are a few stories from around Asia you may have missed this week.

Thailand's new cabinet sworn in 

Thailand's new Prime Minister, Anutin Charnvirakul, and his Cabinet were sworn in on Wednesday, marking the country's third government in two years. The prime minister and 35 ministers took the oath of allegiance before King Maha Vajiralongkorn in a traditional ceremony at the royal palace in Bangkok.

Anutin's conservative Bhumjaithai Party will lead a minority government, pushing former prime minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra's Pheu Thai Party into the opposition. He has pledged to dissolve Parliament within four months of delivering the policy statement, as part of a deal with the opposition People's Party, which supported his bid for premiership without joining the coalition. The dissolution will pave the way for an early election to be held within 60 days.

Super Typhoon Ragasa wreaks havoc in East Asia killing more than 20

Super Typhoon Ragasa caused significant casualties and damage in China's Taiwan region. Ragasa, the 18th storm of the 2025 Pacific typhoon season and the strongest of the year, left at least 17 people dead, 18 injured and several missing, according to the disaster response center on Wednesday. Earlier, it swept through the Philippines, killing seven.

The storm then struck Guangdong Province in southern China, making landfall in Yangjiang City on Wednesday and causing severe flooding and widespread destruction. Hong Kong International Airport was closed for 36 hours before reopening on Thursday morning. The city also reopened businesses, transportation, and some schools after Ragasa lashed the financial hub.

Bangladesh sees its worst single-day surge in dengue cases and deaths this year

Dengue cases are rising rapidly across Bangladesh, with health officials reporting the highest single-day increase in both deaths and hospital admissions this year. Twelve people died on Sunday, and 740 new patients were hospitalized with the mosquito-borne disease, according to the Directorate General of Health Services. So far this year, dengue has claimed at least 179 lives and infected nearly 42,000 people nationwide. With hospitals overwhelmed and infections continuing to increase, doctors fear the crisis could worsen in the coming weeks.

Seoul begins self-driving shuttle bus along main street

South Korea's capital, Seoul, has launched a self-driving bus named Cheonggye A01. The city's metropolitan government announced on Tuesday that Autonomous A2Z has officially begun operating the bus, which uses domestic technology. Two buses will run along a nearly 5-kilometer route. They will operate 11 times daily on weekdays at 30-minute intervals between 10 a.m. and 4:50 p.m. Rides are initially free, with fares set to begin in the second half of next year. The bus interior includes amenities such as a large display showing the self-driving status and route information.

Timor-Leste to become ASEAN's 11th member

Timor-Leste is set to join the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as its 11th member in October, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced during a visit to the country on Tuesday. The accession will be formalized at a summit of world leaders in Kuala Lumpur, Anwar confirmed. Malaysia currently holds the chair of the Association. "The accession of Timor-Leste to ASEAN will be of immense benefit to us all," Anwar told a press conference after meeting with Timor-Leste's president, Ramos-Horta, in the capital, Dili.

(COVER: Anutin Charnvirakul (C), the New Prime Minister and the new Cabinet at the Government House, on September 24, 2025, in Bangkok, Thailand. /CFP)