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Experienced Handler Dies After Lions Attack in Front of Zoo Visitors

A veteran zookeeper was fatally mauled by lions at an open zoo in Bangkok around 11:00 a.m. on 10 September. The victim, Jian Rangkarasamee, had over 20 years of experience working in wildlife. According to reports, the incident occurred when the man stepped out of a vehicle inside the lion enclosure. After turning his back, reportedly to pick up something he had dropped, one lion, positioned approximately 10 meters away, launched a sudden attack, dragging him to the ground and biting him. Within moments, three to four additional lions joined in and began mauling him. Numerous tourists were present at the time. Eyewitnesses said they initially mistook the interaction for play,...

Economy

Luang Prabang to Build Ring Road Connecting UNESCO City, Chomphet District

Luang Prabang authorities have launched a major infrastructure project to build an 80-kilometer ring road connecting Luang Prabang City with Chomphet District. They held a signing ceremony on 9...

Laos to Boost Digital Skills with USD 9.9 million Support from South Korea

Laos is set to accelerate its digital transformation with support from the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), which has pledged USD 9.9 million to train civil servants and strengthen...

Second Phase of Mekong Flood Barrier Project Nears 90 Percent Completion

The second phase of the Mekong River Erosion Prevention and Development Project in Vientiane Capital is now 89.3 percent complete, as of early September, according to the Department of...

Laos Reaffirms Interest in Joining BRICS, Deepens Ties with Russia

Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphadone has reaffirmed Laos’ interest in joining BRICS, a key alliance of emerging economies, stating that the country is currently in the process of studying...

Laos Grants Land to South Korea for Tourism Project in Phonhong

The Lao government has granted 500 hectares of land to South Korea’s Oriental Pearl Company Limited to develop a modern, full-cycle tourism hub in Phonhong District, Vientiane Province. The signing...

Plans Advance for New Vientiane-Nong Khai Railway Bridge

Laos, Thailand, and China are discussing plans to advance the construction of a new Vientiane-Nong Khai railway bridge crossing the Mekong River. The trilateral meeting, held on 5 September in...

Travel

Vientiane Prepares for BRT Launch with New Parking Rules

Vientiane authorities implemented new no-parking regulations along sections of the capital’s Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridor ahead of its September debut. No-parking rules are now in effect along Nongbone Road, from the French Embassy-Mahosot Hospital intersection to the three-way junction in front of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, near the Vientiane Cabinet Office.  To accommodate commuters and nearby businesses, the Vientiane Department of Public Works and Transport advised on 29 August that motorists use designated car parks at Khuadin Market, Talatsao (Morning Market), and other authorized parking areas. Officials say this marks the first phase of broader enforcement, with further no-parking zones to be introduced gradually along the corridor. The BRT system...

ASEAN Rail Tourism Corridor Takes Center Stage at Mekong Tourism Forum 2025

Laos hosted the Mekong Tourism Forum 2025 in Luang Prabang from 24 to 27 June, spotlighting the proposed ASEAN Rail Tourism Corridor (ARTC) as a key initiative to boost regional travel and connectivity. Held...

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

World Suicide Prevention Day: Lao Expert Urges Early Support as Challenges Remain

Today, 10 September, marks World Suicide Prevention Day, and like in most corners of the world, in Laos, death by suicide remains a major public health concern. Yet, recent figures suggest a gradual decline.  In 2021, the World Bank reported a suicide mortality rate of 4.6 per 100,000 people.  World Life Expectancy recorded 390 suicide deaths in 2020, representing 0.97 percent of all deaths that year, with an age-adjusted rate of 5.98 per 100,000.  The Global Economy noted a rate of 5.4...

Sport

Laos Announces 33 Sports for 12th National Games

The Ministry of Education and Sports has confirmed that 33 sports will be contested at the 12th National Games, set to take place in Vientiane Capital from 15 to 25 November. Minister of Education...

Thailand Requests Cambodia to Reduce Athlete Delegation for 33rd SEA Games Amid Safety Concerns

Thailand, host of the 33rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, requested Cambodia to limit its athlete delegation to no more than 200 due to safety concerns. On 21 August, during the Chefs de Mission Seminar...

Politics

Laos Reaffirms Interest in Joining BRICS, Deepens Ties with Russia

Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphadone has reaffirmed Laos’ interest in joining BRICS, a key alliance of emerging economies, stating...

Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel Concludes State Visit to Laos

Cuban President and First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba, Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, concluded...

Lao President Thongloun Wraps Up China Visit with Focus on Friendship, Future Cooperation

Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith concluded a four-day visit to China from  3 to 6 September, during which he attended...

Türkiye Rolls Out Cold Storage, Vocational Training Initiatives in Laos

On 27–28 August, the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) launched two key initiatives in Vientiane Capital, including two...

Feature

World Suicide Prevention Day: Lao Expert Urges Early Support as Challenges Remain

Today, 10 September, marks World Suicide Prevention Day, and like in most corners of the world, in Laos, death by suicide remains a major public health concern. Yet, recent figures suggest a gradual decline.  In 2021, the World Bank reported a suicide mortality rate of 4.6 per 100,000 people.  World Life Expectancy recorded 390 suicide deaths in 2020, representing 0.97 percent of all deaths that year, with an age-adjusted rate of 5.98 per 100,000.  The Global Economy noted a rate of 5.4 per 100,000 in 2019, down from a peak of 6.9 per 100,000 in 2000. Although gender-specific data is scarce for Laos, worldwide trends indicate that men are more likely to die by suicide than women.  Mental health professionals point to early recognition of warning signs, such as withdrawal, sudden mood changes, and expressions of hopelessness, as key to prevention. Struggle of a Student Abroad For Seng, a 25-year-old from Nongtang village in Sikhottabong district, Vientiane Capital, the struggle became real while studying agriculture in Russia. Surrounded by foreign classmates and unable to connect, he felt increasingly isolated.  “Being the only Lao student in my program made me feel like I didn’t belong to the point where...

Laos Reaffirms Interest in Joining BRICS, Deepens Ties with Russia

Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphadone has reaffirmed Laos’ interest...

Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel Concludes State Visit to Laos

Cuban President and First Secretary of the Central Committee...

Lao President Thongloun Wraps Up China Visit with Focus on Friendship, Future Cooperation

Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith concluded a four-day visit to...

Türkiye Rolls Out Cold Storage, Vocational Training Initiatives in Laos

On 27–28 August, the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency...

Acting Thai Government Moves to Dissolve Parliament

By Thanaporn PROMYAMYAI/AFP - Thailand’s acting prime minister has...