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...

Japan Donates Vehicles and Rescue Equipment to Help Flood-Stricken Laos

The Japanese government has provided vehicles to the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare as part of efforts to tackle widespread flooding across the...

Investing in Ethnic Midwives to Protect Maternal Health, UNFPA

Op-ed in line with UNFPA’s report.  Vida is a 28-year-old midwife from the Akha community who is proud of her role in ensuring women in...

Must Smuggled Food Be Destroyed? Perhaps It Could Go to the Needy

Police and provincial authorities in Laos have the authority to inspect and seize all illegal goods along the border, but why has food been...

Mekong River Monitors Report Preliminary Observations on Dam Impact  

Two hydropower projects along Southeast Asia’s most important river have had measurable, but moderate, impact on water flow, sediment and fisheries, according to preliminary...

Vientiane Capital Floods Again Following Heavy Rains

Several districts in Vientiane Capital have seen flash flooding after heavy rains swept across Laos yesterday evening. The heavy downpour in the early hours of...

Which Dams Are Releasing Water in Laos?

As monsoonal rains drench Laos and rivers continue to rise across the country, several hydropower projects have been forced to release water. Where are...