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South Korean Rights Group Exposes Widespread Online Child Exploitation, Prostitution in Laos

A South Korean anti-trafficking organization has raised alarm over reports that some South Korean nationals are engaging in long-term prostitution and child exploitation in Laos, taking advantage of weak enforcement and low living costs. Speaking on CBS Radio’s Kim Hyun-jung’s News Show on 6 November, Lee Hyun-sook, Executive Director of ECPAT Korea (Tacteen Naeil), said her organization uncovered widespread online promotion of sex work and underage exploitation through an investigation into digital platforms used by South Koreans abroad. Lee said she monitored 47 channels across six online platforms, including YouTube and Telegram, where users, mostly men aged 20 to 60, openly exchanged information, photos, and personal experiences related to prostitution. Some chat...

Economy

New Boten-Mohan Shuttle Enhances Connectivity, Regional Integration

On 3 November, Laos and China officially launched the cross-border shuttle service between Boten and Mohan, during a ceremony attended by officials from both countries. The service is the first...

New Partnership Strengthens River Data, Forecasting, Sustainable Development in Laos

MRC - The Mekong River Commission (MRC) and the Government of Australia have reinforced their long-standing partnership with additional support and new digital tools to improve water monitoring and...

Over 2,500 Vientiane Students, Teachers to Support 12th National Games

The Vientiane Capital Department of Education and Sports announced that 2,583 teachers and students from eight schools across the city will take part in supporting the 12th National Games,...

National Road No. 13 South Rehabilitation Project Launches in Khammouane, Savannakhet

Rehabilitation work on National Road No. 13 South is set to begin, covering 38 kilometers from Tha Khaek district in Khammouane Province to Se Bang Fai district in Savannakhet...

ASEAN SOAR Together Empowers MSMEs with Digital Boost at ABIS 2025

On 31 October, the ASEAN Foundation, in partnership with TikTok Shop and the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC) Malaysia, showcased the success of the ASEAN SOAR Together program at...

Laos Kicks Off First-Ever Digital Census with Nationwide Field Data Collection

UNFPA - Santiphab Phomvihane, Minister of Finance and Deputy Head of the National Steering Committee for the 2025 Population and Housing Census, led a field visit in Vientiane Capital...

Travel

New Boten-Mohan Shuttle Enhances Connectivity, Regional Integration

On 3 November, Laos and China officially launched the cross-border shuttle service between Boten and Mohan, during a ceremony attended by officials from both countries. The service is the first high-frequency international passenger line between Laos and China, enhancing connectivity and facilitating tourism, trade, and business travel. “The launch of this service is a significant milestone for Laos-China transport cooperation. It provides our citizens with convenient, same-day access to China and strengthens people-to-people ties,” Lao Deputy Director of the Department of Transportation Amphaivanh Keopradith told the Ministry of Transport of China. She added that the shuttle service not only benefits travelers but also promotes cross-border trade and tourism, supporting regional economic integration. Chinese...

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...

Luang Prabang Scores Silver for Sustainable Tourism 2025–2027

Luang Prabang has set a new benchmark for sustainable tourism in Laos by earning the Green Destinations Silver certification for 2025–2027.  Soudaphone Khomthavong, Director of the Luang Prabang Provincial Culture and Tourism Department, accepted...

Health & Environment

Laos Launches Emergency Response After First Polio Outbreak in Nearly a Decade

Laos has confirmed its first polio outbreak in almost ten years, with three cases reported in Savannakhet Province, prompting an urgent nationwide vaccination campaign. The Ministry of Health said the cases involved a three-year-old boy from Nathong village, who developed paralysis in June, and two girls, aged one and three, from Tang Waiy village in Xonnabouly district. Laboratory tests confirmed all three were infected with circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 1 (cVDPV1). According to the World Health Organization (WHO), this strain is...

Sport

Over 2,500 Vientiane Students, Teachers to Support 12th National Games

The Vientiane Capital Department of Education and Sports announced that 2,583 teachers and students from eight schools across the city will take part in supporting the 12th National Games, scheduled from 15 to...

SEA Games Mascot Redesign Sparks Debate Over National Identity

The redesign of the 33rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games 2025 mascot has stirred debate in Thailand, as organizers replaced the original seven colorful characters with two new figures featuring the colors of the...

Politics

New Boten-Mohan Shuttle Enhances Connectivity, Regional Integration

On 3 November, Laos and China officially launched the cross-border shuttle service between Boten and Mohan, during a ceremony...

Laos Reaffirms Commitment to Inclusive Growth and Social Progress at UN Summit

Laos has reaffirmed its commitment to inclusive, people-centered development and called for stronger international cooperation to tackle poverty and...

Lao-Hmong Refugee Kaohly Her Makes History as St. Paul’s Next Mayor

State Representative Kaohly Her made history on 4 November, becoming the first woman and first Hmong American elected mayor...

Laos Sets New Economic Direction Under 2026–2030 Development Strategy

Laos is setting an ambitious new course for national growth as the Ministry of Industry and Commerce and the...

Feature

Construction of New, Mega Cultural Park in Vientiane Commences

Construction of Lanxang Cultural Park kicked off on August 9 with a ground-breaking ceremony for the project. It is expected to take about nine years to complete the USD 80 million-construction project, which is divided into three different phases. Inside the park, which will cover about 88 hectares in Dongsang Hin Village, in Vientiane’s Xaythany district, there will be a play zone, an aquatic garden, a cultural park, a botanic garden, a zoo, a commercial and hotel zone, and a residential development area, among others. In March this year, the Lao government chose a private investment firm, The Lanxang Cultural Park Development, to develop the park. At that time, the president of the firm, Mr. Khonekham Inthavong, said the construction of the amusement and water park was slated for completion within two years, followed by the official launch of services, and then the rest of the project will continue. Mr. Khonekham added that he expected the park, which will be designed to attract both domestic and international visitors, to become one of the top tourist attractions in Vientiane. The firm is owned by Oceano Company which specializes in road construction, real estate development, and insurance...

New Boten-Mohan Shuttle Enhances Connectivity, Regional Integration

On 3 November, Laos and China officially launched the...

Laos Reaffirms Commitment to Inclusive Growth and Social Progress at UN Summit

Laos has reaffirmed its commitment to inclusive, people-centered development...

Lao-Hmong Refugee Kaohly Her Makes History as St. Paul’s Next Mayor

State Representative Kaohly Her made history on 4 November,...

Laos Sets New Economic Direction Under 2026–2030 Development Strategy

Laos is setting an ambitious new course for national...

Thai Ex-Pm Thaksin’s Party Elects New Leader After Daughter’s Exit

One of Thailand's largest political parties, founded by ex-premier...