Regional

Lao Migrant Workers Send Home USD 500 Million in First Seven Months of 2026

Lao migrant workers sent an estimated USD 500.7 million back to Laos during the first seven months of 2026, according to the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare.  The ministry shared the figures during a labor migration meeting in Vientiane on 22 September. Employment Department Director General Anousone Khamsingsavath said...

Timor-Leste Moves to Join Cluster Munition Ban at Vientiane Conference

Timor-Leste has taken a formal step toward joining the Convention on Cluster Munitions, signing...

Seven-Year-Old Becomes Laos’ Youngest Internationally Rated Chess Player

Seven-year-old Bounthiengtham “Jayson” Sengphachan has already done something no Lao chess player his age...

Thailand’s HIV Cases Pass 550,000, Laos Reports Rising Infections Among Young People

Thailand has recorded 557,993 cumulative HIV cases, health authorities say, even as new infections...

Laos, Vietnam Set USD 4 Billion Trade Goal as Economic Ties Grow

Laos and Vietnam are pushing to take their economic partnership to the next level,...

China to Tax Condoms After Three Decades in Demographic Policy Shift

After three decades of tax-free status, condoms in China will soon be subject to VAT under a new policy aimed at countering the country’s...

Lao Railways Launches First Cross-Border Freight Service Using Its Own Rolling Stock

On 2 December, Lao National Railways introduced a new freight operation linking Thanaleng Station in Vientiane with Nong Khai Station, Thailand, across the Mekong. The...

Thailand Seizes USD 300 Million in Assets Linked to Cyber-Scam Networks

AFP - Thailand has seized more than USD 300 million in assets tied to criminal networks running multibillion-dollar scam centers in Southeast Asia, Prime Minister...

Laos, Singapore Agree to Expand Labor Cooperation for Lao Workers

Laos and Singapore have agreed to expand labor cooperation, creating new employment opportunities for Lao workers in Singapore’s labor market. The agreement follows an official...

Indonesia, Thailand Race to Find Missing as Flood Toll Tops 600; Laos Sends Condolences

AFP and Laotian Times - Indonesian and Thai authorities raced on Sunday to clear debris and find hundreds of missing people as the death...

Thailand, Indonesia Begin Clean-up After Massive Floods Kill Hundreds

By Alfath Asmunda/AFP - The death toll from devastating floods and landslides in Southeast Asia climbed past 400 on Saturday as clean-up and search-and-rescue...