Government

Laos Reports COVID-Era Graft, Jails Former Official in Separate Corruption Cases

Authorities in Laos have disciplined 153 people and referred another 21 for judicial proceedings over a COVID-era scheme that allowed Chinese nationals to evade quarantine fees or pay rates above official limits, causing total losses of approximately USD 2.2 million. State Inspection Authority President Vansay Phongsavanh reported the case to...

Laos Seeks Higher Age Limits, More Couple Slots for Farm Workers in South Korea

Laos has asked South Korea’s Seongju County to raise age limits and expand seasonal...

Health Ministry Finds More Than 180 Illegal Beauty Centers, Orders Nationwide Re-Inspection

The Lao Ministry of Health has ordered a nationwide re-inspection of private medical and...

Laos Shifts Tourism Licensing Powers to Provincial, District Authorities

Laos is revising how tourism business licences are issued and enforced, dividing responsibilities among...

Laos Sets 60 Million-Liter Fuel Reserve Floor, Diversifies Imports, Lao PM Saleumxay Says

Laos will keep domestic fuel reserves at around 60 million liters or more and...

Laos to Implement Nationwide Digital ID Card System

Laos is ready to roll out a nationwide digital ID card system as part of its broader effort to modernize public services.  The recent announcement,...

Former President Nouhak’s Residence in Khammouane to Be National Memorial

Khammuoane authorities are turning former president Nouhak Phoumsavanh’s old residence into a national memorial to honor his legacy as one of Laos’ most influential...

Gunfire Near Lao-Thai Border Leaves Two Lao Soldiers Dead, Bullet Strikes Thai Home

Tensions are rising along the Thai–Lao border following a deadly armed clash on 3 May that left two Lao soldiers dead and sent stray...

Radio Free Asia Shuts Down Lao Service After 27 Years Amid Funding Cut

Radio Free Asia (RFA) has terminated its Lao language service after 27 years of operation, initiating a cascade of shutdowns that will eliminate half...

Southeast Asia Backs Independent Anti-Corruption Efforts

Anti-corruption agencies, civil society groups, journalists, and NGOs from across Southeast Asia gathered on 29 April in Malaysia to strengthen their commitment to protecting...

Thailand Urges Laos to Reconsider Sanakham Hydropower Dam Location

Thailand has formally called on Laos to reconsider the proposed location of the Sanakham Hydropower Project, planned between Xayaburi and Vientiane province of Laos,...