World

Japanese Arrivals to Laos Jump 36 Percent Amid Renewed Tokyo Tourism Push

Laos welcomed 23,133 Japanese tourists in the first six months of 2026, a 36 percent jump from the same period last year, as the country ramps up tourism promotion in Japan. The Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism reported that Japanese arrivals have climbed steadily since 2022, rising from 6,848...

Prime Minister Calls for Tighter Oversight of Boten SEZ Amid Development Challenges

Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone has called for stronger management of the Boten Special Economic...

Laos-China Railway Trade Surges as Cross-Border Freight Hits New Highs

Trade along the Laos-China Railway continued to grow sharply in the first half of...

Van Crash in Thailand Kills Two Lao Nationals, Injuries 12

A passenger van carrying 14 Lao nationals crashed and caught fire in Thailand's Roi...

Laos Border Checkpoints Report Strong Revenue Growth in First Half of 2026, Exceed Targets

Laos’ international border checkpoints collected strong state budget revenue in the first half of...

Oudomxay Authorities Detain 50 Foreign Nationals During Immigration Crackdown

Authorities in Oudomxay province have detained 50 foreign nationals during an inspection operation targeting illegal immigration activities in Xay district on 13 May.  According to...

Thailand to End 60-Day Visa-Free Stay, Revert to 30 Days

Thailand is ending its 60-day visa-free entry scheme for nationals of 93 countries, with a Cabinet vote expected within days.  Thailand launched the 60-day exemption...

Vietnam Invests USD 50 Million in Major Coffee Project in Southern Laos

A new Vietnamese investment in southern Laos will bring a large-scale coffee plantation and processing project to Champasak province, further expanding foreign agricultural investment...

South Korea Suspends Seasonal Worker Recruitment from Four Thai Provinces

South Korea has suspended recruitment of seasonal agricultural and fisheries workers from four northeastern Thai provinces for the entirety of 2026, after workers holding...

Bokeo Police Dismantle Call Center Gang Amid Nationwide Fraud Crackdown

Bokeo provincial authorities dismantled a multinational call center scam gang operating in Ton Pheung district on 12 May, as part of Laos’ intensifying crackdown...

Jojo Miracle Brings Lao Music to International Stage in Manila

A return to the stage after years away from releasing music has taken Lao artist Jojo Miracle to one of Southeast Asia’s major international...