Health & Environment

Vientiane’s Shared E-Bikes Return Amid Parking, Licensing Concerns

Red electric bikes bearing the “Laos Shared E-Bike” logo have reappeared across Vientiane, raising questions about who operates the service, whether it has official approval, and how the bikes will be parked. The bikes can be unlocked through Zuimei’s LAOS-Ebike app and appear to revive an red e-bike service that...

Nam Song Turns Muddy in Vang Vieng Without Rain

The Nam Song River in Vang Vieng District turned muddy on 15 October, raising...

Health Ministry Finds More Than 180 Illegal Beauty Centers, Orders Nationwide Re-Inspection

The Lao Ministry of Health has ordered a nationwide re-inspection of private medical and...

The Photographer Who Speaks for Laos’ Forests

In the forests of Laos, observation comes before words for Souksamlan “Toun” Laladeth. That idea...

Slope Collapse Hits Workers’ Camp at Pak Beng Hydropower Project in Northern Laos, No Casualties Reported

A section of hillside collapsed beneath a workers’ residential camp at the Pak Beng...

Laos Informs Thais that Kratom Remains Illegal

The Lao Department of Food and Drug Safety is concerned with the illegal use of kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) in Laos. The Lao Ministry of...

Laos Mask Mandate Still Unclear

Despite fully reopening to tourists in May, Laos has yet to fine-tune its mask mandate. The unchanged official stance on masks could be unwittingly...

Families in Laos Face New Economic Challenges as Impact of Covid-19 Recedes

While the negative impacts of Covid-19 appear to be receding, households in Laos are facing new economic challenges, according to the World Bank. Results from...

Seeing the Unseen: The Crisis of Unintended Pregnancy

Op-ed in line with the launch of UNFPA’s State of World Population Report 2022.  Mother and daughter, Liza and Agnes, who live in the small...

Laos Records Over 6,000 Cases of Dengue Fever in First Half of 2022

Laos has recorded more than 6,000 cases of dengue fever in the first half of 2022, with eight deaths attributed to the virus. Monday's data from the Center for...

Happy Balloons Popular as Party Drug in Laos

Nitrous oxide balloons have emerged as a popular new party drug at entertainment venues in Laos. During a recent National Assembly Session, the new Deputy...