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...

United States to Withdraw From Over 60 International Bodies Under New Policy Review

The United States has announced plans to withdraw from dozens of international organisations, conventions, and treaty-related bodies, citing concerns that continued participation no longer...

Accused Scam Boss Chen Zhi Arrested in Cambodia, Extradited to China: Phnom Penh

AFP - Chinese-born tycoon Chen Zhi, who was indicted by the United States on fraud and money-laundering charges for running a multibillion-dollar cyberscam network...

Indonesia Flood Kills 16, Displaces Hundreds

AFP - Torrential rains battered Indonesia's Siau island, causing a flash flood that killed at least 16 people, with another three missing, authorities said...

Laos Urges Restraint, Dialogue as Tensions Rise Over Venezuela

Laos has voiced concern over the escalating situation in Venezuela, calling on all parties to respect international law and resolve differences through dialogue rather...

Vietnam Introduces Strict Ban on E-Cigarettes, Heated Tobacco Products

Vietnam has imposed strict fines and mandated the destruction of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products under a new government decree as part of its...

Lao Man Caught Smuggling Suspected Recreational Drug Across Mekong to Thailand

Thai authorities arrested a 51-year-old Lao national for attempting to smuggle a large quantity of a suspected illicit substance across the Mekong River into...