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...

Bird Flu Still Poses Significant Threat in Laos, Say Officials

Director General of the Department of Livestock and Fisheries (DLF), Ms. Vilayphone Vorraphim recently spoke with the Laotian Times to discuss the risk of...

KOICA Provides USD 1 Million in Aid for UXO Victims in Laos

The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) has donated USD 1 million to support a project that will provide job training and improve the lives...

Govt. and NGOs to Fight Illegal Wildlife Trade with New Online Campaign

With a kick-off on World Wildlife Day, the Lao government and conservation partners have launched a new campaign that calls on every person in...

Digital Learning Gets New Boost in Rural Communities Across Laos

Children and teachers from Xonnabuly district, Savannakhet province, can now benefit from new learning tools to enhance educational outcomes. In February, the British Embassy...

Xayaboury Festival is the Elephant in the Room for Lao Tourism

The Xayaboury Elephant Festival is immensely popular with locals but has caused concern among international tourists who worry about the treatment of elephants. A major...

Luang Prabang Landfill Fire Continues to Rage on After Two Weeks

Two weeks after the landfill fire broke out, authorities in Luang Prabang have still been unable to entirely extinguish it and have stated that...