Health & Environment

Trendy ‘Squishy’ Toys Suspended in Laos Over Chemical Safety Concerns

Laos has ordered the immediate suspension of the import and sale of Squishy toys nationwide after authorities warned that some may contain hazardous chemicals that pose health risks, particularly to children. The Ministry of Industry and Commerce issued the order on 28 July, instructing provincial industry and commerce departments across...

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...

Laos Turns to Public-Private Partnership to Tighten Product Quality Controls

Laos has launched a new state-backed company to inspect and certify the quality of...

Thailand Launches First Tokamak in Southeast Asia, as Major Milestone in Clean Energy Research

Thailand launched the first tokamak device in Southeast Asia on Tuesday with the help of Chinese scientists, marking a milestone in the development of...

Plain of Jars Sites to Be Offered Under Concession to Private Company

Authorities in Xieng Khouang Province have announced that management of part of the Plain of Jars may be offered as a concession to a...

Authorities in Attapeu Destroy Fish Illegally Caught During Spawning Season

Authorities in Attapeu province destroyed 207 kilograms of fish on Tuesday that had been confiscated from local fishermen during a ban on fishing during...

Laos Records Alarming Rate of HIV Infection Among Young People

A new report from UNAIDS, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, estimates that with 42 percent of HIV cases in Laos affecting people...

Disaster Emergency Is Underway in Asia and the Pacific, Warns New UN Study

The Asia-Pacific region has a narrow window to increase its resilience and protect its hard-won development gains from the socioeconomic impacts of climate change,...

Lao Prime Minister Issues Order to Strengthen Forest Protection

Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone issued an order last week to improve conservation efforts of forests in the country in response to concerns about...