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...

Laos, Thailand Cooperate to Rescue More Tiger Cubs from Laos

The two countries are working together to prevent cross-border wildlife trafficking since four tiger cubs were rescued in Thailand after being smuggled from Laos. According...

Thai Actor Visits Poorly-Funded Hospital in Laos to Provide Support

Actor and singer Phakin “Tono” Khamwilaisak, who swam across the Mekong River from Thailand to Laos to raise funds for charity in October, was...

Stakeholders Unite to End Violence Against Women

The National Commission for the Advancement of Women, Mother-Child (NCAWMC) and Lao Women’s Union (LWU), in collaboration with UNFPA, UNDP, Plan International, and Namjai...

Lao and Russian Military Work on UXO Removal in Khammouane

The Lao Ministry of Public Security and the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation started working last week to remove unexploded ordnances in...

Luang Prabang Announces Itself to be Open Defecation-Free

Following the lead of the nation's capital, Vientiane, Luang Prabang declared itself open defecation-free last week. It is the third province to make such...

Xaysomboun Hosts Bullfighting Competition as Part of Hmong Games

The Department of Education and Sports in Xaysomboun Province on Saturday organized the opening ceremony of this year's Hmong games which saw participants competing...