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,...

Thailand Orders Suspension of Fuel Exports, Raising Risk of Shortages in Laos

Thailand has ordered the temporary suspension of fuel exports following Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a move that poses a direct threat...

Thailand to Raise International Departure Tax by 53 Percent from 20 June

Thailand is set to increase the international departure Passenger Service Charge from 20 June.  The move will be implemented across six major airports, which include...

North Korea Opens Party Congress After Kim Unveils Nuclear-Capable Rocket System

North Korea has opened the Ninth Congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK) in Pyongyang, marking its most significant political meeting in five...

Seven New Ambassadors Present Credentials to Lao President

On 17 February, President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith received letters of credence from seven newly appointed foreign ambassadors. The ambassadors represent Thailand, Finland, Egypt, Georgia,...

Drug Crimes Lead 2025 Crime Statistics Despite Overall Decline

Drug-related offences remained the most common crime in Laos in 2025, with authorities recording 3,660 cases nationwide, according to the Ministry of Public Security. Police...

Agricultural Exports via First Lao–Thai Friendship Bridge Top USD 9.7 Million in January

Agricultural exports moving through the First Lao–Thai Friendship Bridge (Nong Khai–Vientiane) exceeded USD 9.7 million in January, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and...