opinion

Lower Fuel Prices Bring Relief, But Many Eye EVs as Living Costs Rise

UPDATED on 12 June at 11PM with a correction on the number of provinces covered by EV stations Fuel prices in Laos have declined steadily over the past two months, bringing some relief to motorists as inflation and transport costs ease. But for many households, fuel remains a major expense,...

LAK 210 Million Tequila Bill Puts Laos Night Out in Viral Spotlight

A single receipt forwarded in a group chat has turned into one of Laos'...

Risky Orange E-Motorbike Stunts in Vientiane Spark Safety, Behavioral Concerns

Dangerous riding involving orange electric motorbikes has sparked public concern in Vientiane Capital after...

On the Frontlines of Crisis: Why Health Workers Need Urgent Protection and Funding

On World Humanitarian Day, 19 August,  Pio Smith, UNFPA, the United Nations sexual and...

The Real Fertility Crisis? Young People are Denied Choice

On World Population Day, UNFPA Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific, Mr. Pio Smith calls...

Laos Marks IDAHOBIT with Growing Focus on Inclusion and Youth Voices

Laos marked the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) on 27 May, with a local event organized by Proud to Be Us...

OP-ED: Honoring Lao Midwives, Heroes of Maternal Health

By Bounfeng Phoummalaysith, Minister of Health, Laos, and Bakhtiyor Kadyrov, UNFPA Representative in Laos. On 5 May, International Day of the Midwife, we come together...

‘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...

Tourists Refused Boarding at Vang Vieng Station, Sparks Online Debate

On 4 February, a now-deleted video shared on Facebook captured a confrontation between tourists and railway authorities at the Vang Vieng railway station in...

Creative Economy Revolution: How ASEAN’s Youth are Leading the Charge

On 2 to 5 December, the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) Summit 2024 brought together 100 young leaders from across ASEAN and Timor-Leste...

For a more just, equal and prosperous world, prioritize the human rights of women and girls

Statement by UNFPA Executive Director, Natalia Kanem, on Human Rights Day, 10 December Human rights exist to protect us, all of us, from harm and...