Feature

Lao Scholar Draws on History to Explore What Makes a Country ‘Great’

In many Lao communities, temples are among the cleanest places around. People sweep the grounds, tend to the gardens, and take care of the buildings. There is a shared understanding that these places are sacred, belong to everyone, and that caring for them is a collective responsibility. But why doesn't...

The Photographer Who Speaks for Laos’ Forests

In the forests of Laos, observation comes before words for Souksamlan “Toun” Laladeth. That idea...

Deported to Laos, US Returnees Find Their Way in an Unfamiliar Home

The men behind a barbecue grill in Vientiane speak English more easily than Lao. Some...

Seven Lao Artists Are Taking Life Advice From Cats

Cats spend much of their day sleeping, stretching in the sun, at times hunting,...

Young Lao Footballers Win International Titles as World Cup Fever Grows

While the FIFA World Cup dominates football headlines, a Lao youth footballers has returned...

‘Human Zoo?’ Chiang Mai Cafe Ignites Debate Across Social Media

A café in Chiang Mai, northern Thailand, has stirred heated debate on Thai social media after a doctor posted a photo of herself visiting...

“Ni Hao” or Not: When Misplaced Greetings Become a Flashpoint for Racism in Thailand

A simple greeting has sparked a complex debate in Thailand — is saying “Ni hao” to a Southeast Asian person, who isn’t Chinese, an...

Teen Girl’s Taxi Ride Turns into Nightmare: Harassment Case Reported

A 17-year-old Lao girl, identified only as Dao – a pseudonym to protect her identity, was reportedly harassed by a taxi driver on 19...

Silent Killing Fields 50 Years on From Khmer Rouge Atrocities

By Suy SE/AFP - Cambodia marked on 17 April the 50th anniversary of the Khmer Rouge's march into Phnom Penh, though survivors of its...

“Liquor Shop by the Cemetery”: Nong’s Bold Return as Voice for the Voiceless

An author holds the power to drive societal reform through fictional characters, raising awareness for those who cannot speak for themselves, becoming a voice...

Lao-American Rapper Hopii Turns Blessings into Bars

When “Sa Tu”, or "Sathu," is not only heard in the temple but echoed through pop rap music, it takes on new meaning. For Hope...