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...

Pétanque Dropped from 2025 Southeast Asian Games Over Thai Federation Scandal

The World Pétanque and Bowls Federation has officially banned all pétanque (boules) competitions from the 33rd Southeast Asian Games, scheduled to take place in...

Thai Authorities Seize Over 14,000 Items of Illegal Cosmetic Silicone, Unregistered Medicines

On 19 September, Thai authorities seized over THB 8 million (approximately USD 251,000) worth of illegal cosmetic products in Bangkok. The seizure included more than...

Laos, Timor-Leste Implement 30-Day Visa-Free Travel

Laos and Timor-Leste have implemented a 30-day visa waiver for citizens holding ordinary passports, effective 15 August. The agreement allows people of both countries...

Evacuees in Philipines, Taiwan Take Shelter as Super Typhoon Nears

AFP - Hundreds of families sheltered in schools and evacuation centres on Monday, 22 September, as heavy rains and gale-force winds from Super Typhoon...

Lao Delegation Marks 15 Years of Cluster Munitions Convention at Geneva Meeting

Laos, led by Deputy Foreign Minister Anouparb Vongnorkeo, participated in the 13th Meeting of States Parties to the Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM), held...

Cambodian PM Accuses Thai Forces of Evicting Civilians on Border

AFP - Cambodia's leader Hun Manet has accused Thailand of preventing more than 20 families from returning to their homes on the disputed border,...