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...

Vientiane’s New Bus Project: A Step Forward or a Traffic Gamble?

Additional reporting by Kheuakham Chanlivong In Laos, daily commutes are largely dominated by private vehicles, with public buses playing only a minor role in Vientiane...

Mekong River Commission Launches Education Hub, One Mekong App in Vientiane

On 23 December, the Mekong River Commission (MRC) celebrated the opening of its Education and Visitor Center and the launch of the One Mekong...

Laos to Enforce LAK 2 Million Fine for Traffic Violations

Starting 23 December, the Lao government will impose fines of up to LAK 2 million (USD 91.42) for vehicles parked for more than three...

Laos Performs First Beating-Heart Cardiac Surgery

On 13 December, medical staff at the Laos-Luxembourg Heart Institute performed Laos’s first-ever cardiac surgery. A team of cardiac surgeons from Laos and Luxembourg performed...

Nearly 1,900 New HIV Cases Reported in Laos for 2024

The Lao Ministry of Health has reported 1,896 new HIV cases from January to November 2024 raising the cumulative total to 22,584 cases since...

Norovirus Outbreak Affects 1,436 in Rayong, Thailand, with Rapid Spread Among Children

A total of 1,436 people in Klaeng district, Rayong, Thailand have fallen ill with symptoms of diarrhea after consuming contaminated water and ice, the...