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Thailand Urges Laos to Reconsider Sanakham Hydropower Dam Location

Thailand has formally called on Laos to reconsider the proposed location of the Sanakham Hydropower Project, planned between Xayaburi and Vientiane province of Laos, citing serious concerns over potential environmental and social impacts that could affect communities along the Mekong River. On 30 April, Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Economy and Society, Prasert Jantararuangtong, speaking at the first Thai National Mekong Committee meeting of 2025, confirmed that Thailand will submit official documentation to the Lao government and the project’s developer.  The request urges a review of the dam’s siting to minimize cross-border environmental impacts and preserve relations among Mekong River Commission (MRC) member states.  Thailand's objections center on key...

Economy

Thailand Urges Laos to Reconsider Sanakham Hydropower Dam Location

Thailand has formally called on Laos to reconsider the proposed location of the Sanakham Hydropower Project, planned between Xayaburi and Vientiane province of Laos, citing serious concerns over potential...

Laos Seeks Solutions to Address New United States Tariff Hikes

Laos' exports to the United States are expected to face significant impacts following the recently announced tariff increases, prompting the Lao government to seek urgent solutions. Xaybandith Rasphone, Vice President...

Japan Honors Sonexay Siphandone with Order of the Rising Sun

On 29 April, the Japanese government announced that Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun is conferred on Sonexay Siphandone, Prime Minister of Laos Examples of his major...

Laos Expands Vocational Training to Curb Labor Shortage

The Lao government will introduce new vocational education programs in the 2024–2025 academic year as part of efforts to modernize education and address labor shortages through improved human resource...

Laos, Vietnam Inaugurated Wharf No.3 to Boost Trade

On 28 April, Wharf No. 3 at the Lao-Viet International Port was officially inaugurated in the Vung Ang Economic Zone, Ky Anh township, Ha Tinh Province, Vietnam, in a...

Vietnam to Establish English as Second Language by 2035

Vietnam is set to establish English as the second language for all general education students by 2035, with full implementation continuing through 2045.  This plan, which was first announced on...

Travel

Luang Prabang Surges Past Tourism Goals with Over 1.1 Million Visitors, Fueling Economic Growth

Luang Prabang experienced a tourism boom in the first quarter of the year, generating USD 584,665,369 million in revenue, marking a 162 percent increase in tourist numbers compared to the same period last year. Between January and March, the province welcomed 1,167,581 visitors, including 459,091 domestic travelers and 708,490 international tourists.  This represents a significant increase of 722,679 visitors year-over-year, according to Soudaphone Khomthavong, Director of the Luang Prabang Provincial Information, Culture and Tourism Department. In 2024, Luang Prabang saw a total of over 2.3 million tourists, far exceeding its original target of 900,000. This influx played a key role in driving the province’s GDP to LAK 3,989 billion (approximately USD 183...

Luang Prabang Earns Global Recognition for Sustainable Tourism

Laos’ popular world heritage town of Luang Prabang has clinched third place in the Green Destinations Top 100 Story Awards for “Destination Management” at the Internationale Tourismus-Börse (ITB) in Berlin, Germany, on 4...

Vientiane Launches Sustainable Tourism Initiative with Innovative Technology for Growth

The Lao government has announced plans to boost tourism in Vientiane Capital with the theme "Vientiane's Sustainable Tourism," The initiative aims to incorporate innovative technologies into tourism management and create new attractions for...

Health & Environment

Thailand Urges Laos to Reconsider Sanakham Hydropower Dam Location

Thailand has formally called on Laos to reconsider the proposed location of the Sanakham Hydropower Project, planned between Xayaburi and Vientiane province of Laos, citing serious concerns over potential environmental and social impacts that could affect communities along the Mekong River. On 30 April, Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Economy and Society, Prasert Jantararuangtong, speaking at the first Thai National Mekong Committee meeting of 2025, confirmed that Thailand will submit official documentation to the Lao government and...

Sport

Lao Runner Lodkeo Inthakoumman Wins Double Gold at Singapore Open 2025

Lodkeo Inthakoumman, a leading long-distance runner from Laos, captured two gold medals at the 85th Singapore Open Track & Field Championships, held from 24–25 April 2025.  The 30-year-old dominated the women’s long-distance events, clocking...

Laos Climbs the Ranks in Asian Grassroots Football

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has officially upgraded the Lao Football Federation to Silver Level Membership in 2025. Currently, with this upgrade from the 2019 Bronze, the Lao Football Federation becomes the 11th Silver...

Politics

Laos Seeks Solutions to Address New United States Tariff Hikes

Laos' exports to the United States are expected to face significant impacts following the recently announced tariff increases, prompting...

Lao Troops Join Vietnam’s Parade Marking Fall of Saigon

Tran Thi Minh Ha/AFP - On 30 April, the Lao People's Army joined Vietnamese troops in a parade to...

Japan Honors Sonexay Siphandone with Order of the Rising Sun

On 29 April, the Japanese government announced that Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun is conferred...

Thailand-Cambodia Crime Pact Shouldn’t Undermine Human Rights, Says Right Group

Thailand and Cambodia’s new agreement to combat transnational crime must not come at the expense of human rights, Human...

Feature

Lao Runner Lodkeo Inthakoumman Wins Double Gold at Singapore Open 2025

Lodkeo Inthakoumman, a leading long-distance runner from Laos, captured two gold medals at the 85th Singapore Open Track & Field Championships, held from 24–25 April 2025.  The 30-year-old dominated the women’s long-distance events, clocking 18:17 minutes in the 5,000-meter race and 38:58 minutes in the 10,000-meter event—both marking her season-best times. “These wins mean so much to me and hopefully inspire young athletes in Laos to pursue their dreams,” Lodkeo told The Laotian Times. The Singapore Open, organized annually by Singapore Athletics (SA), brings together top local and international athletes across various track and field disciplines, serving as both a platform for emerging talent and a qualifier for major international competitions. This latest triumph marks Lodkeo’s second double-gold at the Singapore Open, having previously won both distance events in 2023. She was joined this year by three fellow Lao athletes—Sorsy Phomphakdi, Lamphone Xayyathee, and Jenjila Khounlivong—who also competed at the event. From Rural Beginnings to National Stardom Lodkeo’s athletic journey began in the southern Lao province of Champasack. At just 15 years old, she began training in track and field, and by 2010, she was already making a name for herself, representing Xanasomboun district and...

Laos Seeks Solutions to Address New United States Tariff Hikes

Laos' exports to the United States are expected to...

Lao Troops Join Vietnam’s Parade Marking Fall of Saigon

Tran Thi Minh Ha/AFP - On 30 April, the...

Japan Honors Sonexay Siphandone with Order of the Rising Sun

On 29 April, the Japanese government announced that Grand...

Thailand-Cambodia Crime Pact Shouldn’t Undermine Human Rights, Says Right Group

Thailand and Cambodia’s new agreement to combat transnational crime...

Vietnam Pledges USD 3 Million Hospital for Laos During State Visit

Vietnamese President Leung Cuong made a donation of a...

Landis+Gyr Announces FY 2024 Financial Results

CHAM, Switzerland, May 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Landis+Gyr...

Landis+Gyr Announces FY 2024 Financial Results

CHAM, Switzerland, May 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Landis+Gyr...