BANGKOK (AP) — East and Southeast Asia are awash in record amounts of methamphetamine and other synthetic drugs, the U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime said in a new report on 28 May. It traced their source largely to the cross-border region known as the Golden Triangle where Thailand, Myanmar, and Laos meet.
East, Southeast Asia Had Record Methamphetamine Seizures Last Year. Profits Remain in Billions
Laos Gears Up for First Digital Population, Housing Census in 2025 With Pilot Test
Laos is preparing to conduct its 5th Population and Housing Census (PHC) in March 2025, with a pilot test set to take place in Vientiane Capital, Houaphanh, Bokeo, and Sekong provinces. This will be the first digital census in Laos and aims to provide a detailed account of the total population, including residents in remote areas, and gather information on their living conditions.
Introducing VIPEXTRA.com: The Most Attractive and Rewarding Membership Club in Asia
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 31 May 2024 – In the ever-evolving world of beauty, staying ahead of trends and accessing the best products and services can be challenging. BXG Group has risen to this challenge with the launch of VIPEXTRA.com, an innovative digital platform poised to redefine beauty shopping and services in Asia. This premier online beauty haven is set to become the most attractive and rewarding membership club in the region, specifically designed for discerning beauty enthusiasts in Hong Kong, Macau, and Mainland China.
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The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About BXG Group
BXG Group is a leading name in the beauty industry, renowned for its commitment to excellence and innovation. With a portfolio of powerhouse brands and a passion for enhancing beauty experiences, BXG Group continues to set the benchmark for quality and customer satisfaction in the beauty world.
Nam Theun 2 Power Company Boosts Lao Government Revenue with Significant Tax Contribution
Nam Theun 2 Power Company handed over more than USD 15 million in income taxes from its electricity production in 2023 to the Lao government. Additionally, the company has made an advance payment of over USD 3.8 million for the first quarter of 2024.
Lao Nationals Apprehended in Vietnam For Drug Smuggling
Local border guards in Quang Tri Province, in north-central Vietnam, on 23 May, intercepted five individuals from Laos attempting to transport narcotics through the La Lay International Border Gate in Dakrong District.
Luang Prabang Approves New Economic Zone for Tourism, Economic Growth
Luang Prabang is set to launch a new economic zone for the development of ecology, agriculture, and tourism at a 7,693-hectare site in Luang Prabang City and Xiengngeun district.
On 23 May, during the 1st Ordinary Session of the Luang Prabang Provincial People’s Council (Series 2), local authorities in Luang Prabang approved two draft agreements to outline the plan. However, a start date and an estimated cost for the project are yet to be disclosed.
According to local media, the primary goal of the scheme is to enhance tourism and foreign investors to Luang Prabang. The project also aims to improve agricultural production and enhance agricultural exchanges in the region.
Meanwhile, the officials have delineated the rights and provisions for people affected by the economic zone’s construction, including the expected compensation for those impacted by the project. During the meeting in Luang Prabang, the provincial Natural Resources and Environment Department further provided the participants with feedback and clarifications.
Before approval, the scheme underwent thorough scrutiny by the People’s Council of Luang Prabang province, ensuring that the preparation processes complied with the Law on Legislation and the Law on Land Allocation.
Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra Will Be Indicted for Royal Defamation, Prosecutors Say
BANGKOK (AP) — Thai prosecutors said on 29 May former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra will be indicted for defaming the monarchy, three months after he was freed on parole on other charges.
Thaksin will not yet be indicted because he had filed a request to postpone his original appointment on Wednesday with proof that he has COVID-19, Prayuth Bejraguna, a spokesperson for the Office of the Attorney General, said at a news conference.
The attorney general’s office scheduled a new appointment for Thaksin’s indictment on June 18, Prayuth said, adding that Thaksin will also be indicted for violating the Computer Crime Act.
The law on defaming the monarchy, an offense known as lese majeste, is punishable by three to 15 years in prison. It is controversial not only because critics consider it harsh, but also because they charge it is used for political purposes to punish government critics.
Thaksin was ousted by a military coup in 2006. His opponents then had accused him of disrespecting King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who died in 2016. Thaksin’s ouster set off years of struggle between his supporters and his opponents, who were generally staunch royalists. The political polarization led to unprecedented public debate about the monarchy’s role, which sharpened when student-led protests for greater democracy took the the streets in 2020.
Thaksin had been in self-imposed exile since 2008, but returned to Thailand in August last year to begin serving an eight-year sentence on charges related to corruption and abuse of power. He was released on parole in February from the hospital in Bangkok where he spent six months serving time for corruption-related offenses.
On his return, he was moved almost immediately from prison to the hospital on grounds of ill health, and about a week after that King Maha Vajiralongkorn reduced his sentence to a single year. Thaksin was granted parole because of his age — he is 74 — and ill health, leaving him free for the remainder of his one-year sentence.
Thaksin’s return was interpreted as part of a political bargain between the Pheu Thai Party, the latest in a string of parties that he has supported, and their longstanding rivals in the conservative establishment to stop the progressive Move Forward Party from forming a government after its victory in last year’s general election.
But shortly after his return, the attorney general’s office said it had revived an investigation into whether Thaksin almost nine years ago violated the law against defaming the monarch.
Thaksin was originally charged in 2016 with violating the law for remarks he made to journalists when he was in Seoul, South Korea, a year before that, but the investigation could proceed only after he was presented with the charge in person in the hospital in January, officials said. Thaksin had denied the charges and submitted a statement defending himself.
Prosecutor’s spokesperson Prayuth said there is enough evidence for the attorney general to indict Thaksin. He said the prosecutors have already prepared their statement and documents to present to the court next month.
Malaysia Pledges Support to Elevate Industrial, Commercial Standards in Laos
Malaysia has pledged its support to enhance industrial and commercial standards in Laos to promote trade between the two nations.
This commitment was reiterated during a meeting in Vientiane on 28 May between Malaysia’s Deputy Minister of Investment, Trade, and Industry, Liew Chin Tong, and Malaysian Ambassador to Laos, Edi Irwan Mahmud, with the Lao Minister of Industry and Commerce, Malaythong Kommasith, according to Lao state media.
Malaysia agreed to help Laos elevate its commercial and industrial practices through the Standard and Industrial Research Institute of Malaysia (SIRIM Berhad). This initiative is part of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and bilateral cooperation between the two countries.
The move aims to bolster support by enhancing the capacity of Lao technicians and young officials and by establishing technical coordination points for industrial and trading principles.
During the meeting, both sides discussed creating a strategic cooperation plan to strengthen guidelines and measurement efforts. The two parties also considered drafting a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to formalize this cooperation, focusing on technical upgrades, capacity building, technical upgrades, and sharing information on industrial benchmarks.
Additionally, plans were also discussed for developing a quality-measurement database system, transitioning it to a digital format, providing training to enhance database management, and organizing educational tours to share insights into administrative management, inspection management, and product quality assurance.
Malaysia has supported Laos in its role as the chair of ASEAN this year. Notably, bilateral trade and investment between the two countries have been on the rise, with two-way trade reaching USD 241.7 million in 2022.
Malaysia’s investments in Laos span various sectors, including energy, wood processing, construction, finance, banking, hospitality, mining, and agriculture. This makes Malaysia the fifth largest foreign investor in Laos.
While China, Thailand, and Vietnam continue to play dominant roles in trade and investment in Laos, Malaysia, along with South Korea, France, Hong Kong, and the Netherlands, is becoming more active in the region.
