Socio-Economic Development

Vientiane Completes New 9.3-Kilometer Mekong Embankment

On 1 July, Vientiane officially opened a new 9.3-kilometer stretch of Mekong riverfront featuring parks, walking and cycling paths, sports facilities, and flood protection infrastructure following the completion of Phase II of the Mekong River Integrated Management Project. The new embankment extends from Wat Nak village in Sisattanak District to...

Laos Raises Tax-Free Income Threshold Under New Personal Income Tax Rules

Laos has officially raised the monthly income exempt from personal income tax from LAK...

Laos Reports Economic Growth as Inflation Slows to 7.4 Percent in June

Laos recorded 5 percent economic growth in the first half of 2026, while inflation...

Laos Restores Higher Fuel Excise Taxes as Emergency Relief Measures End

On 24 June, Laos reinstated higher excise taxes on fuel, restoring regular gasoline tax...

Japan Approves USD 2.3 Million Scholarship Grant for Lao Civil Servants

Japan has approved JPY 378 million (USD 2.3 million) in scholarship funding to support...

Laotian Eye: Faster Times At Pi Mai As Culture, Continuity, Change Collide at Lao New Year

Thailand knows the time of year as Songkran. Cambodia has Chol Chnam Thmey. Myanmar marks the occasion with Thingyan. In Laos, Boun Pi Mai. Also Known...

Tokyo 2020’s Road: Para-Swimmers Dive In As All Laos Meet Proves Milestone En Route Toward National Teams, Paralympic Dreams

With just some 500 days or so to go to the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, inclement weather did not stop swimmers including prospective Lao...

Future Electric: EV Destiny Driving Rapidly Towards Laos

Promising prospects for electric vehicles (EV) in Laos as an agreement signed between power producer ລັດວິສາຫະກິດໄຟຟ້າລາວ EDL and electric-powered vehicle proponents EVLao, The Laotian Times reports. Looking to...

Laos Criminalizes Animal Abuse in Updated Penal Code

Laos has added a new section to its penal code that criminalizes animal abuse. This section appears in the latest version of the country’s penal code,...

Lumberings & Longings: Trials, Tales As Domesticated Elephants, Handlers Adjust to A New Era in Laos

Like wildlife in biological hotspots worldwide, Laos' wild and domesticated elephants alike are facing a time of rapid and significant change, amid increased man-made developments...

Climate Change: Taming the Waters in Laos’ Xayaboury Province

Helping farmers in their efforts to adjust to climate change in Laos' Xayaboury Province alongside Lao government partners, The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) was active back...