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...

Six Dead from Poisonous Mushrooms: Xayabouly Health Authorities Issue Urgent Warning

On 13 May, the Xayabouly District Health Office issued a public warning following a series of mushroom poisoning cases that have resulted in six...

Shortfall in Blood Donations Prompts New Push in Schools for 2025

The Lao Red Cross is ramping up efforts to strengthen partnerships with schools and expand youth engagement in blood donation, following a shortfall in...

Laos to Launch New Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory Ahead of COP30

Laos has launched a renewed effort to transform its energy sector as part of its broader commitment to tackling climate change. At a national workshop...

From Seed to Community: How Lao Tobacco Limited Partners with Lao Farmers

Across the provinces of northern and central Laos, Lao Tobacco Limited (LTL) is working on developing rural livelihoods through its LEAF Department, a division...

OP-ED: Honoring Lao Midwives, Heroes of Maternal Health

By Bounfeng Phoummalaysith, Minister of Health, Laos, and Bakhtiyor Kadyrov, UNFPA Representative in Laos. On 5 May, International Day of the Midwife, we come together...

Pest Migration from Southeast Asia Threatens Crops in Southern China, Research Found

Southern China is facing a surge in agricultural pests migrating from neighboring Southeast Asian countries, including Laos, Myanmar, and Cambodia. This pest migration, driven...