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Thailand Postpones Tourism Tax Again, Now Unlikely Before 2026

Thailand’s long-anticipated “Tourism tax,” often referred to as the “land entry tax,” has been delayed once again, with officials now targeting the second or third quarter of 2026 for implementation. On 14 July, Deputy Minister of Tourism and Sports Jakraphon Tangsutthitham announced that 2025 would not be an appropriate time to begin collecting the THB 300 (approx. USD 9.26)  fee, citing “uncontrollable external factors” affecting the tourism industry. The deputy minister emphasized that the timeline requires adjustment, with the Ministry planning to closely monitor international tourist demand during the high season quarters of 2025 before making any final decisions. A Four-Year Journey of Delays, Reversals The tourist entry fee concept originated in 2021...

Economy

Thailand Postpones Tourism Tax Again, Now Unlikely Before 2026

Thailand’s long-anticipated “Tourism tax,” often referred to as the “land entry tax,” has been delayed once again, with officials now targeting the second or third quarter of 2026 for...

Tripartite Cooperation Accelerates: Promoting Logistics and Tourism along the China-Laos-Thailand Railway

A press conference convened in Thailand's Khon Kaen on 14 July to promote the forthcoming Logistics and Tourism Promotion Meeting along the China-Laos-Thailand Railway, scheduled for 19 August at...

Vientiane’s BRT Project Reaches Over 80% Completion

Vientiane’s Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project has now reached 81.5 percent completion as of early June, with construction teams focusing on final-phase upgrades to traffic systems, sidewalks, and roadside...

Vientiane Approves Stricter Waste Management Rules With Fines for Violators

The Vientiane Capital People’s Council has approved a new Agreement on Waste Management and Disposal, introducing sweeping reforms and stricter penalties aimed at reducing illegal dumping and improving environmental...

Laos Begins Compensation Process for Railway-Affected Residents

The Lao government has begun compensating residents whose land and property have been affected by the Lao-Thai Railway Project, despite ongoing delays in updating land documentation. During the 9th Ordinary...

Laos Launches New Training Program to Empower Underprivileged Lao Youth

Underprivileged Lao youths are set to receive skills training and job preparation through a newly launched initiative designed to improve living conditions and close the employment gap for those...

Travel

Thailand Postpones Tourism Tax Again, Now Unlikely Before 2026

Thailand’s long-anticipated “Tourism tax,” often referred to as the “land entry tax,” has been delayed once again, with officials now targeting the second or third quarter of 2026 for implementation. On 14 July, Deputy Minister of Tourism and Sports Jakraphon Tangsutthitham announced that 2025 would not be an appropriate time to begin collecting the THB 300 (approx. USD 9.26)  fee, citing “uncontrollable external factors” affecting the tourism industry. The deputy minister emphasized that the timeline requires adjustment, with the Ministry planning to closely monitor international tourist demand during the high season quarters of 2025 before making any final decisions. A Four-Year Journey of Delays, Reversals The tourist entry fee concept originated in 2021...

ASEAN Rail Tourism Corridor Takes Center Stage at Mekong Tourism Forum 2025

Laos hosted the Mekong Tourism Forum 2025 in Luang Prabang from 24 to 27 June, spotlighting the proposed ASEAN Rail Tourism Corridor (ARTC) as a key initiative to boost regional travel and connectivity. Held...

Vientiane Launches Sustainable Tourism Initiative with Innovative Technology for Growth

The Lao government has announced plans to boost tourism in Vientiane Capital with the theme "Vientiane's Sustainable Tourism," The initiative aims to incorporate innovative technologies into tourism management and create new attractions for...

Health & Environment

Vientiane Approves Stricter Waste Management Rules With Fines for Violators

The Vientiane Capital People’s Council has approved a new Agreement on Waste Management and Disposal, introducing sweeping reforms and stricter penalties aimed at reducing illegal dumping and improving environmental conditions across the capital. Passed during the provincial council meeting on 10 July, the regulation offers a step toward a cleaner and more sustainable city. The newly enacted agreement introduces a tiered system of penalties based on the amount and type of waste involved.  Individuals or organizations that improperly discard less than one...

Sport

Lao Youth Football Team Goes Undefeated, Winning Trophy in Portugal

The young soccer players of W.I.G. NAGA, a Lao national youth team, held a golden trophy beside the Lao flag after emerging victorious at the International Youth Football Tournament held from 30 June...

From Comeback to Glory: Lao Boxer Soukan Taypanyavong Claims International Title

As hundreds of voices erupted around the boxing ring, anticipation surged through the arena. It was the moment Soukan “Nong Oh” Taypanyavong had been training for, a battle that would decide whether years...

Politics

Laos Debunks Rumors of Sending Troops to Fight in Ukraine

Laos has refuted recent claims circulating in “several foreign news outlets” alleging that Laos is preparing to send troops...

Lao Prime Minister Receives Japan’s Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun

The Japanese Emperor awarded Lao Prime Minister (PM) Sonexay Siphandone the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising...

Hun Sen Calls for Halt to Thai Imports and Film Screenings Amid Renewed Tensions

Cambodia’s Senate President Hun Sen has called for an immediate suspension of the import of key strategic goods from...

‘Looking to the Next 70 Years’: US and Laos Celebrate Enduring Friendship

On 2 July, the United States Embassy in Laos hosted an Independence Day celebration at Crowne Plaza in Vientiane...

Feature

Lao Youth Football Team Goes Undefeated, Winning Trophy in Portugal

The young soccer players of W.I.G. NAGA, a Lao national youth team, held a golden trophy beside the Lao flag after emerging victorious at the International Youth Football Tournament held from 30 June to 6 July in Estoril, Portugal. Upon their return on 10 July, students and fans gathered at the Patuxay Monument to welcome the team and celebrate their triumph. Composed of 12 players selected from Salavan, Attapeu, Xayabouly, and Luang Prabang, the NAGA team faced competition from 15 different countries. The tournament featured 48 teams divided into 12 groups. A Perfect Run From their first match, W.I.G. NAGA stepped onto the field with one goal: to win. They began their campaign with a 3-1 victory over GD Estoril Praia. This early win fueled their momentum. What followed was a show of dominance. NAGA trounced FC Nana Junior from Romania 12-0 and crushed Indy Eleven from the United States 14-0. Advancing into the knockout rounds, the pressure mounted, but so did their determination. They defeated União Nogueirense FC 2-0, then faced GD Estoril Praia once again in the quarterfinals, securing a convincing 4-0 win.  In the semifinals, they continued their winning streak with another 4-0...

Laos Debunks Rumors of Sending Troops to Fight in Ukraine

Laos has refuted recent claims circulating in “several foreign...

Lao Prime Minister Receives Japan’s Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun

The Japanese Emperor awarded Lao Prime Minister (PM) Sonexay...

Hun Sen Calls for Halt to Thai Imports and Film Screenings Amid Renewed Tensions

Cambodia’s Senate President Hun Sen has called for an...

Laos Showcases Tax Reform, Seeks Support on the International Stage

Laos outlined its progress in strengthening domestic resource mobilization...