Health & Environment

Laos Gives Unlicensed Beauty Clinics Until November to Obtain Permits Amid Weak Oversight Concerns

The Ministry of Health has ordered unlicensed medical and beauty facilities across Laos to obtain official permits by 30 November, but the directive has raised questions over its delayed public release and how authorities will enforce the deadline. The Ministry issued the directive on 29 May but did not publicize...

Flooding Hits Over 60,000 in Khammouane as Rivers Rise Above Danger Levels

Flooding has affected more than 60,000 people across all 10 districts of Khammouane province...

Thailand’s HIV Cases Pass 550,000, Laos Reports Rising Infections Among Young People

Thailand has recorded 557,993 cumulative HIV cases, health authorities say, even as new infections...

Trendy ‘Squishy’ Toys Suspended in Laos Over Chemical Safety Concerns

Laos has ordered the immediate suspension of the import and sale of Squishy toys...

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...

Scientists Develop Jellyfish-Like Robot to Tackle Seabed Pollution

Water pollution continues to plague the sea beds with plastic waste, and while numerous solutions have been proposed, many of them harm existing marine...

Energy Company in Thailand Eyes EV Ecosystem Business in Laos

A Thailand-based renewable energy company is keen on starting an electric vehicle business in Laos once the country has technology in place to help...

Sanamxay Land Grab Temporarily Paused Following Public Backlash

Attapeu provincial authorities have temporarily suspended the activities of a foreign company accused of encroaching on villagers' land in the province amid a public...

El Niño to Hurt In-Season Rice Output in Thailand

Royal Ploughing Day, held on 17 May, marks the start of the rice planting season in Thailand, but researchers say El Niño could hurt...

Laos-Vietnam Friendship Hospital Opens in Xieng Khouang

The Laos-Vietnam Friendship Hospital, built with financial aid from the Vietnamese government with a construction cost of USD 21.3 million, opened in Xieng Khouang...

Myanmar and Bangladesh Begin Cleaning Up, Counting Casualties After Devastating Cyclone Mocha

BANGKOK (AP) — Recovery efforts were underway Tuesday in Myanmar and Bangladesh after a powerful cyclone smashed into their coastlines, causing widespread destruction and...