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...

Boten Border Checkpoint in Luang Namtha Surpasses Revenue Target

Boten International Checkpoint collected over LAK 3,200 billion (about USD 149 million) in customs revenue in 2025, exceeding its annual target by 18.41 percent,...

Vietnam Licenses Musk’s Satellite Internet Firm Starlink

AFP - Vietnam has granted a license to Elon Musk's Starlink to operate its satellite internet services in the communist country, a government agency...

Myanmar Expels Timor-Leste’s Representative Over War Crimes Case

AFP - Myanmar's junta on 15 February announced the ejection of East Timor's top representative in the country, after a rights group said Dili...

Thailand Considers Cutting Visa-Free Stay from 60 to 30 Days

Thailand is considering reducing its visa-free stay period from 60 days to 30 days, following reports that the extended entry scheme has been misused...

Laos, Cambodia Sign Deal to Boost Cross-Border Transport Connectivity

The southern Lao province of Attapeu and Cambodia’s Ratanakiri Province agreed to develop transport connectivity between the two countries. The agreement, signed on 13 February,...

Japan Commits USD 2.7 Million to Strengthen Mekong Water Monitoring

Japan has pledged up to JPY 424 million (over USD 2.7 million) to improve water quality monitoring and management in the Lower Mekong Basin,...