Social

Rare Earth Ponds Burst in Houaphanh, Villages Halt River Use Pending Inspections

Village authorities along the Nam Vaen and Nam Xam rivers have told residents to stop using river water after two rare earth mining ponds in Houaphanh burst on 1 November and released chemical wastewater into the Nam Vaen River. According to the 3-November notice, residents of Meuangvaen, Nakao, and Nakhoun...

Muddy Nam Song River Raises Public Doubts Over Official Explanation

Vang Vieng’s Nam Song River has been muddy for weeks, but many residents are...

Laos Revokes Import Licences of Six Vehicle Companies

The Ministry of Industry and Commerce has revoked the import licences of six vehicle-importing...

Laos Inflation Eases to 7.7 Percent as Electricity Costs Remain High

Laos’ inflation edged down to 7.7 percent in October from 7.8 percent in September,...

Laos to Raise Private Sector Minimum Wage to LAK 3.4 Million from January 2027

Laos will raise the minimum monthly pay for private sector workers to LAK 3.4...

Oudomxay to Establish 40 Ta Saeng Sub-Districts, After Vientiane’s Pilot Project

Northern Laos’ Oudomxay Province will establish 40 new Ta Saeng (sub-district) administrative units as part of Laos’ ongoing effort to strengthen local governance and...

Lao Government to Renegotiate Hydropower Deals Amid Public Outcry Over Electricity Prices

The Lao government has announced plans to renegotiate electricity purchasing agreements with hydropower companies in response to growing public anger over rising power bills.  This...

Prime Minister Orders Nationwide Digital ID Integration in Laos

Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone issued a directive, mandating the full integration of citizen databases and identity (ID) card systems across all ministries and state...

The Real Fertility Crisis? Young People are Denied Choice

On World Population Day, UNFPA Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific, Mr. Pio Smith calls for systems that empower young people across the region to...

Vientiane Capital Approves Tap Water Price Increase

On 9 July, the Vientiane Capital People’s Council approved a proposal to increase tap water prices, citing mounting production costs that have left the...

Luang Prabang Power Donates Dhamma Hall to Wat Longkhoun Srikhounnaram

On 3 July, Luang Prabang Power Company Limited (LPCL), developer of the Luang Prabang Hydroelectric Power Project and a subsidiary of CK Power Public...