Health & Environment

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 have fallen by 12,000 over the past three years. Across the border in Laos, officials are tracking a similar pattern among young people, though on a smaller scale. Thirteen of Thailand’s 77 provinces now record more...

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...

Lao Government Suspends Mining Company Over River Pollution in Vang Vieng

The Lao government has ordered Daochalearn Mineral Processing Sole Co., Ltd. to immediately suspend...

Former MRC Chief Anoulak Kittikhoun Named First Lao Head of Mekong Institute

Former Mekong River Commission (MRC) Chief Executive Officer Anoulak Kittikhoun has been appointed Executive...

Xayabouly to Host Annual Elephant Festival Amid Ongoing Animal Welfare Debate

The Elephant Festival (Boun Xang) 2026 will take place in Xayabouly district, the provincial capital, featuring 50 elephants in honor of the 50th anniversary...

Four Out of Every 10 Cancer Cases Are Preventable: WHO

AFP - Nearly four out of every 10 cancer cases could be prevented if people avoided a range of risk factors including smoking, drinking, air...

United States Boosts UXO Lao Operations in Luang Prabang

The United States has contributed more than USD 2.5 million to strengthen UXO Lao operations, supporting office upgrades, staff facilities, and field activities across...

Elephant Kills Tourist at Thai National Park

AFP - A wild bull elephant killed a tourist in central Thailand's Khao Yai National Park on Monday, 2 February, a park official said,...

Champasak Authorities Rescue Pangolins Seized from Passenger Bus

Authorities in Champasak Province have rescued and released several pangolins after discovering the protected animals concealed on a passenger bus in Sanasomboun District. Officials found...

Thailand Uses Contraceptive Vaccine to Limit Wild Elephant Births

AFP - Thailand has given a contraceptive vaccine to wild elephants for the first time in an effort to control their ballooning population, a...