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...

Cambodian Govt Musters Support From Huge Crowds in Thai Border Row

AFP - On 18 June, tens of thousands of Cambodians took to the streets of Phnom Penh for an official rally to support the...

Trump Mulls Extending Travel Ban to 36 More Nations

AFP - The United States is considering extending its travel ban to 36 more countries, a person who has seen the memo said on...

Three Lao Women Arrested in Thailand for Involvement in Illegal Prostitution

On 14 June, three Lao women were arrested in Thailand for engaging in illegal prostitution activities in Mueang district, Nakhon Nayok Province. According to Thailand’s...

Cambodia Demands Thailand Reopen Borders, Issues 24-Hour Ultimatum

Latest update on 16 June at 3:22 Cambodia has issued a 24-hour ultimatum demanding the full reopening of all border checkpoints with Thailand or risk...

Vietnam Parliament Approves Raising Alcohol Tax to 90 Percent by 203

On 14 June, Vietnam’s parliament passed legislation to increase the special consumption tax on beer and strong alcoholic beverages to 90 percent by 2031,...

Thailand-Cambodia Border Talks End Without Agreement as Cambodia Turns to ICJ

Latest Update on 16 June at 3:40 PM The 6th meeting of the Thai-Cambodian Joint Boundary Commission (JBC) concluded on 15 June in Phnom Penh...