Feature

The Photographer Who Speaks for Laos’ Forests

In the forests of Laos, observation comes before words for Souksamlan “Toun” Laladeth. That idea inspired the title of his debut visual anthology, Where the Forests Have No Words, officially launched on 5 October in Vientiane*.* "People call me a conservation and nature photographer. But really, I'm just a simple person,...

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...

Teenage Gangs Spark Public Safety Concerns Across Vientiane

Recent police arrests have renewed public concern over rising youth violence and reckless motorcycle...

‘Rethink the Couch’: A New Perspective on Therapy in Asia

Balancing the demands of parenting, a full-time job as a therapist, and a recent move to Singapore meant that Allison Heiliczer found solace in...

“It’s a Family Matter” Stories of Abuse Gone Silent

In Laos, family conflicts, especially between spouses, are generally known to be kept within the family’s scope. While outsiders might intervene elsewhere to ease...

From Beers to Bonds: Understanding the Significance of Alcohol in Lao Social Dynamics

In Laos, sharing drinks, especially alcoholic beverages, plays an important part in the culture as it helps encourage social connection and break the ice...

Sri Lanka in Laos: 16 Years of Building Bridges in Tourism, Religion, and Tech

Damith Aluge, General Secretary of the Sri Lanka Laos Union, has spent the last 16 years in Laos, pioneering projects in tourism, Buddhism, and...

Counseling Project Empowers Lao Couples in Reproductive Health

Saly Sorsaksit and Noud Sivanxay have a golden rule: be ready. "We decided before getting married that we would be fully ready as parents before...

A Blue Legacy for Children’s Rights: UNICEF Laos’ 50th Anniversary

It was 1973, and the peace agreement between the Royal Lao Government and the communist Pathet Lao marked the end of the Lao civil...