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...

Cambodia’s Social Health Insurance Scheme Extended to Tuk-Tuk Drivers

Cambodian Tuk-Tuk drivers will now have access to a new social health insurance scheme as part of a pilot project starting April 1, designed...

Fire in Phou Phanang Forest Contained After Nine Grueling Days

After nine long days, authorities managed to extinguish the blazing forest fire in the Phou Phanang National Protected Area on 28 March. The fire, which...

Laos Government Seeks Solutions to Forest Fires, Air Pollution at Recent Cabinet Meeting

The Government of Laos has made addressing air pollution a key priority, with a recent cabinet meeting exploring solutions to the issue, which is...

Thailand Closes National Park as Fire Spreads From Laos

Thailand has closed Phu Chi Fa National Park, located in the northern province of Chiang Rai, due to a fire that spread from Laos...

4th MRC Summit to Balance Economic Growth, Environment Sustainability

The Mekong River Commission (MRC) is expected to promote regional economic growth in the Lower Mekong River Basin and protect the mighty Mekong River...

31 Young Siamese Crocodiles Released in Savannakhet Wetland

To help boost the population of the critically endangered species, the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) has released young Siamese crocodiles into the Xe Champhone...