Phontham Visapra

Lao Students in Limbo as US Freezes Visas, Tightens Travel Rules

The Laotian Times/AFP - President Donald Trump's sweeping new travel ban came into effect on 9 June immediately after midnight, barring citizens from a...

Laos Shakes Up Cabinet in Sweeping Reform, Names New Central Bank Chief

Laos has carried out a sweeping government reshuffle, replacing or reassigning nine ministers along with the governor of the central bank.  The move follows a...

Bulgaria on Course to Become 21st EU Member to Adopt Euro

On 4 June, the European Commission gave the green light for Bulgaria to adopt the euro next year, putting the Balkan country on course...

Thailand Tightens Border Checkpoint Controls Amid Cambodian Incursions, Gov Denies Closure

Last update on 7 June, 2025 at 3:46 PM As tensions escalate along the Thailand-Cambodia border, the Royal Thai Army has reportedly issued an order...

Eight Companies Vie to Renovate Luang Prabang International Airport

On 3 June, seven international and one local company submitted preliminary qualification documents for the Luang Prabang International Airport Improvement and Development Project, a...

Elegance in the English Tradition: Royal Ascot Ladies’ Day Returns to Vientiane

Vientiane is about to turn heads once again as one of the city’s most elegant and anticipated social events makes its grand return. The...

Thailand Calls Security Meeting as Border Talks with Cambodia Face Setback

As tensions persist along the Thailand–Cambodia border, Thai Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai has called a National Security Council meeting for 6 June. The move follows...

China Launches Multi-Entry ‘ASEAN Visa’ to Boost Regional Ties

China has introduced a new “ASEAN Visa” for citizens of the ten Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states and observer Timor-Leste, Chinese...

Trump Slaps New Travel Ban on 12 Countries; Partial Restriction on Laos

By Danny KEMP/AFP - On 4 June, US President Donald Trump signed a new travel ban targeting 12 countries including Afghanistan, Iran, and Yemen,...

South Korea’s President Lee Takes Power After Sweeping Election Win

By Hieun SHIN/AFP - South Korea's centre-left Lee Jae-myung was declared president Wednesday after winning a snap election, taking the helm of a nation...

Fake Facebook News Pages in Laos Mimic Real Media to Lure Victims in Online Scams

At first glance, everything looks real, the familiar logo, the breaking news post, the comments from local readers. But behind the page isn’t a...

Laos Records USD 14 Million Trade Surplus in April

Laos is showing signs of economic improvement in 2025, with a trade surplus, and declining inflation, Prime Minister Sonexay Siphondone shared during the government’s...

Vietnam to Introduce Lao Language in General Education Near Border Areas

Vietnam will begin offering Lao as one of eight foreign languages in its general education curriculum, starting with a pilot program in schools located...

Lao Government Warns Against Surrogacy Amid Rise in Illegal Cases

Lao authorities have issued a strong warning against all forms of surrogacy, stating that anyone involved could face up to 19 years in prison...