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...

Troubled Waters: Is Conflict Over The Mekong Inevitable?

Policy leaders, academics, international organizations, NGOs, and media have all warned that tensions between nation-states sharing watercourses would be the source of inevitable conflict...

Laos Confirms One New Covid-19 Case, Total Now 44

The National Taskforce for Covid-19 Prevention and Control announced today that Laos has confirmed one new case of Covid-19. A 29-year-old woman traveling as part...

Attapeu Province Prepares Lockdown Measures, Eyes Champasack

Authorities in Attapeu Province are prepared for lockdown measures if necessary, following a case of Covid-19 confirmed in Champasack Province on Friday. According to a...

Russia Provides Sputnik V Covid-19 Vaccine to Laos

The Russian government has provided a shipment of its "Sputnik V" Covid-19 vaccine to Laos, according to the Russian Embassy in Vientiane. Russian Ambassador...

Laos Confirms Two New Cases of Covid-19

The National Taskforce for Covid-19 Prevention and Control announced today that Laos has confirmed two new cases of Covid-19. Cases of Covid-19 have been confirmed...

Happy Balloons Become Popular Recreational Drug in Laos

Balloons filled with nitrous oxide have long been a popular recreational drug among youth in Thailand, and have begun to appear in Laos and...