Environment

Vientiane’s Shared E-Bikes Return Amid Parking, Licensing Concerns

Red electric bikes bearing the “Laos Shared E-Bike” logo have reappeared across Vientiane, raising questions about who operates the service, whether it has official approval, and how the bikes will be parked. The bikes can be unlocked through Zuimei’s LAOS-Ebike app and appear to revive an red e-bike service that...

Nam Song Turns Muddy in Vang Vieng Without Rain

The Nam Song River in Vang Vieng District turned muddy on 15 October, raising...

The Photographer Who Speaks for Laos’ Forests

In the forests of Laos, observation comes before words for Souksamlan “Toun” Laladeth. That idea...

Slope Collapse Hits Workers’ Camp at Pak Beng Hydropower Project in Northern Laos, No Casualties Reported

A section of hillside collapsed beneath a workers’ residential camp at the Pak Beng...

Nam Theun 2 Fund Approves LAK 343 Million for Forest Restoration in Khammouane

The Nam Theun 2 Development Fund approved more than LAK 343 million (USD 15,300)...

Climate Crisis in Laos: Heatwaves Threaten Agriculture and Public Health

Despite enduring one of the coldest winters in years, Laos continues to grapple with the lasting effects of the past years of severe heatwaves. Unresolved...

Authorities Crack Down on Illegal Forest Activity in Oudomxay

In Oudomxay Province, a report has emerged indicating that 674 cases of forest encroachment, forest destruction, and forest fires were recorded in 2024.  Across the...

MRC Secretariat Welcomes New Leadership

Busadee Santipitaks has officially taken on her role as the first female and fourth Riparian Chief Executive Officer of the Mekong River Commission (MRC)...

Recent Cold Snap Damages Coffee Plantations in Champasack

On 14 January, the Department of Agriculture and Forestry of Champasack Province reported significant damage to coffee plantations in Pak Song district caused by...

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...