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...

97 Percent of SEA Countries Breathed Unhealthy Air in 2022

A recent report by IQAir, the world's largest free real-time air quality information platform, reveals that air quality in more than 97% of Southeast...

Vientiane Mayor to Eliminate Noise Pollution by April

Mayor of Vientiane Capital, Mr. Atsaphanthong Siphandone, says he will ensure that noise pollution is properly addressed by 1 April. Speaking at a recent meeting...

A Quarter Of World Population Lacks Safe Drinking Water: UN

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — A report issued on the eve of the first major UN conference on water in over 45 years says 26%...

Vientiane Authorities Clarify Pedestrian Bridge Construction After Online Complaints

Head of the Department of Public Works and Transport, Mr. Soulivanh Phommahaxay, recently spoke to residents about the construction of a pedestrian bridge at...

Laos Halts Pork Importation from Thailand and Vietnam

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry has announced the suspension of pork importation from Thailand and Vietnam amid the outbreak of African Swine Fever...

Sidewalk Cleanup Campaign Relaunches in Hanoi, Vietnam

Hanoi authorities want to restore order on sidewalks this month by removing any obstacles on streets, like billboards and sunshades, warning resistant individuals or...