Regional

More Lao Citizens Live Abroad as Foreign Population Nearly Doubles

The number of foreign nationals living in Laos has nearly doubled over the past decade, led by a sharp increase in Chinese residents, even as hundreds of thousands of Lao citizens live abroad. Laos recorded 79,827 foreign residents in its 2025 census, up from 45,538 in 2015. The census also...

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...

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...

Brunei to Increase Long-term LNG Sales to Japan

Brunei LNG will begin supplying liquified natural gas to Japan Petroleum Exploration Co. (JAPEX) in April, as the business aims to stabilize its finances...

As Air Pollution Worsens, Bangkok Residents to Work From Home

Authorities in Thailand have advised residents of Bangkok to work from home and wear respirator masks outdoors amid rising air pollution. Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt...

Opium Poppy Cultivation Surges in Myanmar Since Military Coup

Opium poppy cultivation in Myanmar increased significantly after the military coup of 2021 as a result of farmers being forced to produce the crop...

Thai PM Condemns VIP Police Escort Service

Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chano-o-cha has spoken out against police officers who provide fast-tracked immigration and escort services to Chinese tourists. Speaking on Wednesday at...

Laos, Japan Plant Cherry Blossom Trees in Houaphanh

The governments of Laos and Japan planted 150 cherry blossom trees on Tuesday in Viengxay District, Houaphanh Province, to celebrate and strengthen relations between...

Lao Students Participate Cultural Exchange Program in Japan

Ten students departed from Laos to Japan on Tuesday to participate in cultural exchange program, JENESYS 2022, supported by the Government of Japan. The program,...