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...

What the Law Says: Food Safety Violations in Laos

In light of recent incidents involving tainted alcohol in Vang Vieng, the Lao government has confirmed three deaths suspected to be caused by methanol...

Two Danish Tourists, One American Dead in Vang Vieng from Methanol Poisoning, Official Report Says

The Lao government confirmed the deaths from methanol poisoning of two Danish tourists and one American national in Vang Vieng. The Danish victims have been...

ASEAN Defense Ministers Unite in Laos for Peace and Security Talks

The 18th ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) and the 11th ADMM-Plus successfully concluded in Vientiane, Laos, from 19 to 22 November. Held under the...

Laos, United Nation Team Up on Youth Empowerment, Gender-Based Violence Initiatives

On 12 November, Lao Women Union, Lao Youth Union, the United Nations agencies and key development partners came together to discuss groundbreaking initiatives aiming...

Laos to Enforce Ban on Unregistered, Unlabeled Food Products in 2025

The Lao Ministry of Industry and Commerce has announced new regulations, requiring all food products to carry proper registration, Food and Drug Department (FDD)...

Laos, Russia Team Up on Unexploded Ordnance Clearance in Houaphanh Province

Laos’s Ministry of Defense and the Russian Embassy in Laos launched a humanitarian project to clear unexploded ordnance (UXO) in Houaphanh Province on 10...