Government

Corruption Crackdown in Laos’s Attapeu Province Uncovers Millions in Financial Irregularities

Attapeu authorities have detailed five years of corruption investigations and financial irregularities, including a major treasury case involving more than LAK 90 billion (USD 4 million) in payments made without original supporting documents. On 22 September, Souvansi Keoviset, head of the Attapeu Provincial Anti-Corruption Agency, presented the results of investigations...

Xaysomboun Identifies Four Companies Over Unauthorized Gold Mining

Authorities in Xaysomboun Province have identified four companies allegedly involved in unauthorized alluvial gold...

Champasak Prosecutes 37 Individuals for Corruption Over Five Years

Champasak authorities prosecuted 37 people for corruption-related offenses between 2021 and 2025, according to...

Thailand Restores 30-Day Visa-Free Stay, Limits Visa-Free Land Entries to Twice a Year

Thailand has cut its visa-free tourist stay from 60 days back to 30 days,...

Houaphanh Finds LAK 12.8 Billion in Losses Linked to Official Violations

Authorities in Houaphanh, northern Laos, have uncovered 120 officials who had allegedly  violated party...

Lao, Australian PMs Discuss Bilateral Ties, 2024 Methanol Poisoning in Phone Call

Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese held a telephone conversation on 25 February, focusing on strengthening bilateral relations and...

Golden Triangle SEZ Tax Revenue Plunges 49% in 2025 as Hundreds of Businesses Shut Down

Tax revenue in the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Bokeo Province dropped nearly 49 percent in 2025, following the closure of 551...

Laos Prioritizes Self-Reliant Economy in Next Five Years

The Lao government has planned to build a self-reliant and sustainable economy, leaders said Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone at the latest government meeting on...

Rising Bad Air Quality Levels Expose Waste Issues, World Bank Funds Major Reform

Air pollution in Laos is worsening, with PM2.5 levels across southern provinces now reaching concentrations that pose risks to public health, according to data...

Supreme Court Blocks Trump Tariffs, 15 Percent Levy Keeps Pressure on Laos

A landmark US Supreme Court ruling has reshaped Washington’s trade policy, but for small economies like Laos, the relief may prove temporary. On 20 February,...

Thongloun Sisoulith Sends Congratulatory Messages to Leaders of Japan, North Korea, Brunei

Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith sent congratulatory messages to the heads of state of Japan, Brunei Darussalam, and North Korea over two consecutive days. The...