Environment

Xaysomboun Identifies Four Companies Over Unauthorized Gold Mining

Authorities in Xaysomboun Province have identified four companies allegedly involved in unauthorized alluvial gold mining and processing during inspections this year, according to provincial media reports on 22 September. The cases came to light during inspections carried out this year, with authorities finding gold extraction at sites whose permits covered...

Vietnam-Backed Bauxite Project in Laos Moves Toward 2028 Production

A major bauxite project in southern Laos is moving closer to production, with Lao...

Laos, Singapore Look to Forests, Farms for Carbon Finance

Laos is moving to turn emissions reductions from forests, agriculture and other projects into...

Vientiane Water Enterprise Reports USD 4.2 Million Profit, 103 Villages Still Without Water

Vientiane’s state water supplier reported a profit of more than LAK 91.6 billion (USD...

Laos Moves to Update Electricity Law for Energy Sector Shift

Laos is moving to update its electricity sector as the government prepares to adopt...

Six Dead from Poisonous Mushrooms: Xayabouly Health Authorities Issue Urgent Warning

On 13 May, the Xayabouly District Health Office issued a public warning following a series of mushroom poisoning cases that have resulted in six...

From Seed to Community: How Lao Tobacco Limited Partners with Lao Farmers

Across the provinces of northern and central Laos, Lao Tobacco Limited (LTL) is working on developing rural livelihoods through its LEAF Department, a division...

Pest Migration from Southeast Asia Threatens Crops in Southern China, Research Found

Southern China is facing a surge in agricultural pests migrating from neighboring Southeast Asian countries, including Laos, Myanmar, and Cambodia. This pest migration, driven...

Mekong Communities at Risk as Arsenic Levels Soar in Northern Thai Rivers, Researcher Found

Arsenic levels up to 19 times higher than safety limits have contaminated rivers feeding into the Mekong, putting downstream communities across Southeast Asia at...

Lao Authorities Shut Down Bile Extraction Facility After Rescue of Three Bears

After years of advocacy and negotiation, a bear bile extraction facility in Laos has finally been shut down, marking a major win for wildlife...

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,...