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Thursday, February 20, 2025
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Myanmar Returns First Batch of Chinese Scam Workers to Thailand

AFP - On 20 February, Myanmar handed over the first batch of hundreds of Chinese scam center workers who are set to be repatriated through Thailand in the coming days. Thousands of foreigners are expected to be freed and returned from scam compounds in Myanmar in the coming weeks, starting with 600 Chinese over the next three days. The compounds run by criminal gangs are staffed by foreigners, many of whom say they were trafficked and forced to work running internet scams and swindling people around the world. Many of those involved are Chinese and Beijing has stepped up pressure on Myanmar and Thailand to shut the centers down. The Karen Border Guard...

Economy

National University of Laos to Expands Student Housing with New Dormitory Project

The National University of Laos (NUOL) has announced plans to expand student accommodations at its main campus in Dong Dok village, Vientiane. On 18 February, the university signed an agreement...

Champasack Plans to Upgrade the Million-Year-Old Volcano Tourist Attraction from District to Provincial Level

Champasack Province is planning an upgrade for one of its most unique tourist destinations: the Million-Year-Old Volcano in Paksong District.  The site, which includes three extinct volcanoes—Phu Sanak, Phu Kaothok,...

Sikhai-Sikeuth Highway Upgrade to Complete by March End

The paving of the northern section of National Road 13’s 6.3-kilometer Sikhai-Sikeuth highway in Vientiane is nearing completion and is expected to be finished by the end of March,...

Thailand Cracks Down on Foreign Teachers with Tourist Visas

Thailand has launched a crackdown targeting foreign teachers working with tourist or transit visas in an attempt to strictly enforce employment laws in the education sector.  The campaign, spearheaded by...

Empowering Laos’ Deaf Community Through Education and Employment

In Vientiane, a quiet revolution is taking place at local coffee shops where deaf individuals are not just serving coffee but also breaking down barriers and redefining the workforce.  More...

Lao-Swiss Collaboration: National University launches First ever Dam Safety Course for Next Generation of Experts

The first-ever dam engineering course in Laos was officially launched on 13 February, marking a significant milestone in the country’s efforts to enhance dam safety and technical expertise. This...

Travel

Champasack Plans to Upgrade the Million-Year-Old Volcano Tourist Attraction from District to Provincial Level

Champasack Province is planning an upgrade for one of its most unique tourist destinations: the Million-Year-Old Volcano in Paksong District.  The site, which includes three extinct volcanoes—Phu Sanak, Phu Kaothok, and Phu Katae—will undergo development to elevate the area from a district-level attraction to a provincial and even national-level tourist site. The three volcanic mountains, all rising over 1,000 meters above sea level, are ideal spots for hiking and eco-tourism, with each peak looking to the Bolaven Plateau. The area’s geological significance stems from its volcanic origins, dating back approximately 790,000 years ago, when a large meteorite (the largest known young meteorite impact) struck Earth, according to a research article about...

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...

Khammouane Sets Sights on Tourism Boom in 2025 with New Attractions, Eco-Friendly Initiatives

As 2025 kicks off, Khammouane Province is setting its sights on boosting tourism and drawing in more visitors this year. The province is ready to become a top spot for both local and international...

Health & Environment

Breaking the Cycle of Gender-Based Violence in Laos

A Silent Crisis Gender-based violence (GBV) is one of the most widespread human rights violations worldwide. In Laos, the statistics mirror global trends—about one in three women experience sexual, physical, or emotional violence. Yet, only one in ten seek help from authorities. A culture of silence, deeply ingrained in societal norms and patriarchal values, allows the cycle to continue. “Many survivors believe violence is just a part of life,” said Rattana Sioutoum, a technical officer at the Counseling and Protection Center...

Sport

Lao Cyclist Returns from Thailand with Strong Performance, Eyes 2028 Olympics

Lao cyclist Phoutthasone Inthamith has just returned from Thailand, where he earned a fourth-place finish in his latest competition. The 45-year-old athlete competed against over 800 participants and now hopes to qualify for...

Audience Invited to Try Martial Arts at Japanese Budo Event in Vientiane

On 25 January, Lao and Japanese martial artists gathered at the Budo Center to showcase the performance disciplines of  Kendo, Aikido, Karatedo, and Judo. The demonstration included a variety of training techniques, fighting...

Politics

Cambodia PM calls for ‘peaceful’ resolution to border temple row

AFP-Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet called on Wednesday for a "peaceful" resolution to a row with Thailand over a...

Taiwan Lists Laos Among High-Risk Travel Destinations Due to Fraud Rings

Taiwan has categorized Laos, Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar, and Cambodia as high-risk destinations due to their involvement in hosting fraudulent...

Thailand Protests Over Cambodian Women Singing at Border Temple

AFP—Thailand has formally protested to Cambodia after a group of Cambodian women was filmed singing a nationalist song at...

Japan Festival Celebrates 70th Anniversary of Japan-Laos Diplomatic Relations

Thousands of locals, residents and visitors have been treated to the sights, sounds and tastes of Japan at the...

Feature

Lao Cyclist Returns from Thailand with Strong Performance, Eyes 2028 Olympics

Lao cyclist Phoutthasone Inthamith has just returned from Thailand, where he earned a fourth-place finish in his latest competition. The 45-year-old athlete competed against over 800 participants and now hopes to qualify for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, the United States. The competition concluded on 16 February, where Laos’ Top Cycle Team, led by Phouthasack Hung Heuang, competed with four athletes.  “Each athlete has put in a lot of effort in this competition, despite the challenging circular cycling route and strong winds,” he said. “This achievement was beyond our expectations, and we will continue striving to create more opportunities to win in the future.” The event was part of the 44th Asian Road Cycling Championships, 31st Asian Junior Road Cycling Championships, and 13th Asian Para Road Cycling Championship 2025, with 27 countries participating. This competition served as a key qualifier for the 2028 Olympics. Phoutthasone secured third runner-up in the Men’s Athletic Individual Time Trial Master category (ages 45-49). “I am so proud to bring victory to Laos,” Phoutthasone said. “At first I thought that I was cycling for health, then I really tried to push myself to join the competition and...

Cambodia PM calls for ‘peaceful’ resolution to border temple row

AFP-Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet called on Wednesday for...

Taiwan Lists Laos Among High-Risk Travel Destinations Due to Fraud Rings

Taiwan has categorized Laos, Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar, and Cambodia...

Thailand Protests Over Cambodian Women Singing at Border Temple

AFP—Thailand has formally protested to Cambodia after a group...

Japan Festival Celebrates 70th Anniversary of Japan-Laos Diplomatic Relations

Thousands of locals, residents and visitors have been treated...