Environment

Laos Eyes State Fuel Stations as Future EV Charging Hubs

Laos is exploring plans to turn state-owned fuel stations into electric vehicle (EV) fast-charging hubs as part of its push to expand charging infrastructure and reduce reliance on imported fuel. The Lao State Fuel Company and Electricité du Laos signed an agreement on 24 July to study the feasibility of...

Lao Government Suspends Mining Company Over River Pollution in Vang Vieng

The Lao government has ordered Daochalearn Mineral Processing Sole Co., Ltd. to immediately suspend...

Laos Pushes Ahead with USD 5 Billion Luang Prabang Mekong Dam, on Track for 2030

The USD 5 billion Luang Prabang hydropower dam on the Mekong River remains on...

Bear Paws, Pangolin Meat Seized in Vientiane Restaurant Raid Amid Laos’ Wider Crackdown

Lao authorities have stepped up their crackdown on illegal wildlife trade after raiding a...

Xaysomboun Authorities Bust Illegal Gold Mining Operation

On 8 June, authorities in Xaysomboun Province shut down an illegal gold mining operation,...

Laos Adopts Satellite Technology to Boost Carbon Credit Potential

Laos is leveraging satellite remote sensing technology to calculate carbon stocks across nine forest areas in the country totaling 170,556 hectares.  The objectives of this...

Houaphanh’s Nam Xang River Turns Red Due to Iron Ore Wastewater Discharge

On 12 January, an overflow of wastewater from an iron ore washing reservoir in Viengxay district, Houaphanh Province, turned the Nam Xang River dark...

Laos Steps Up Fight Against Wildlife Trafficking Amid Rising Demand

Authorities in Laos continue to intensify efforts against wildlife poaching and trafficking, with recent operations leading to the arrest of a suspect in Khammouane...

Khammouane Authorities Temporarily Suspend Mining Operations After Land Collapses

The Ministry of Energy and Mines has suspended operations at a mining site in Khammounae province after two land collapses raised safety and environmental...

Vientiane’s New Bus Project: A Step Forward or a Traffic Gamble?

Additional reporting by Kheuakham Chanlivong In Laos, daily commutes are largely dominated by private vehicles, with public buses playing only a minor role in Vientiane...

Mekong River Commission Launches Education Hub, One Mekong App in Vientiane

On 23 December, the Mekong River Commission (MRC) celebrated the opening of its Education and Visitor Center and the launch of the One Mekong...