World

US Court Strikes Down 75-Country Visa Pause, but Ruling Does Not Lift Laos Travel Ban

A US federal judge has struck down a Trump administration policy that paused immigrant visa processing for nationals of 75 countries, including Laos. The ruling, issued on 21 August by US District Judge Jeannette Vargas in Manhattan, found that the State Department had exceeded its legal authority by stopping consular...

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...

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...

Chiang Mai Issues Work From Home Order as Air Pollution Levels Spike

Thai Authorities urged residents of Chiang Mai, to stay indoors and work from home last Friday as air pollution reached hazardous levels in the...

New Declaration Presses Mekong Countries, Partners to Intensify Cooperation

The Southeast Asian members of the Mekong River Commission issued a landmark declaration at the 4th MRC Summit on Wednesday, reiterating the region’s commitment to...

Chinese President Xi Calls for Ukraine Peace Talks

BEIJING (AP) — Chinese leader Xi Jinping called Thursday for peace talks over Ukraine after French President Emmanuel Macron appealed to him to “bring...

Fighting in Myanmar Sends Thousands Fleeing to Thailand

BANGKOK (AP) — More than 5,000 people have fled from eastern Myanmar into Thailand in recent days as fighting between Myanmar’s army and armed...

Vietnam’s UNESCO Town Hoi An to Collect Entry Fees from Visitors

The historic town of Hoi An, located on Vietnam's central coast, will soon be implementing entry fees for visitors beginning in mid-May. According to local...

Vientiane Authorities Alert Vendors to Not Raise Prices During Lao New Year

With the Lao New Year festival just around the corner, the Department of Industry and Commerce in Vientiane Capital has reminded shopkeepers and stall...