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...

European Union Sparks Blue Wave in Vientiane

The streets of Vientiane resembled a flowing river of blue shirts on Sunday, 3 March, as more than 500 people gathered at That Luang...

Mekong Fish Biodiversity Facing Extinction Crisis, New Report Reveals

The Mekong River is facing a major crisis, with at least one in five fish species on the brink of extinction, according to a...

Laos Makes Strides in Gender Parity, Ranks Fifth in Economic Participation, Opportunity in Global Gap Index 2023

Laos has achieved a new milestone in gender equality, securing the fifth position in the Global Gender Gap Index 2023 for “economic participation and...

Public Health Project Plays Part in Controlling Dengue Transmission in Vientiane Capital

A recent report by Save the Children signified a major reduction in dengue fever instances across Vientiane Capital, Laos, between 2022 and 2023. According to...

Celebrating 9 Years of Healing at Lao Friends Hospital for Children in Luang Prabang

Just a decade ago, children in northern Laos grappling with thalassemia faced a grim reality, lacking proper care and support. Medical professionals were inadequately...

Climate Change Intensifies Heatwaves across Southeast Asia

Amidst a climate of confusion, Laos finds itself grappling with the unpredictable extremes of heatwaves and cold snaps. This trend is not isolated to...