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...

Clearance Teams Destroy Over 1,000 UXO Items in Champasak Province

Clearance teams destroyed more than 1,000 unexploded ordnance (UXO) items during a large-scale operation in Champasak Province. The demolition took place in Lak 48 village,...

Thailand, Laos, Myanmar Agree on Satellite Plan to Fight PM2.5 Pollution

Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar have agreed on a new joint plan to tackle PM2.5 air pollution, using satellite data and shared monitoring to better...

Laos Partners with European Union for New Forest Conservation Project

The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Laos, and the European Union have launched a EUR 1.6 million (nearly USD...

Laos Eyes Hydrogen-Roasted Coffee to Lift Exports, Cut Emissions by 2027

Laos is advancing to transform its coffee sector by 2027, shifting the focus to higher value, cleaner production, and stronger access to international markets....

New Laos–Germany Agreement Boosts Support for Forest, Biodiversity Protection

Laos and Germany have agreed to expand cooperation on forest and biodiversity protection, reinforcing joint efforts to conserve natural ecosystems while supporting sustainable livelihoods...

Government Tightens Controls on Burning Activities to Curb Forest Fires, PM2.5

The Lao government has announced stricter measures to prevent forest fires and reduce PM2.5 pollution during the January–April dry season, warning that uncontrolled burning...