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Saturday, October 25, 2025
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Thailand’s Queen Sirikit, the Queen Mother, Passes Away at 93

The Bureau of the Royal Household of Thailand has announced the passing of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, the Queen Mother, at the age of 93. According to the official statement issued on Friday, 24 October, Her Majesty passed away peacefully at Chulalongkorn Hospital, Thai Red Cross Society, at 9:21 PM, after a prolonged period of medical treatment. Queen Sirikit had been under continuous care at Chulalongkorn Hospital since 7 September, 2019, where a team of physicians monitored her health closely. Despite their tireless efforts, the Queen Mother’s condition deteriorated after developing a blood infection on 17 October. King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua has commanded that funeral rites be conducted with the highest...

Economy

Lao Green Business Forum 2025 sets vision for Laos as ASEAN’s future Green Business Hub

The Lao Green Business Forum 2025 marked a pivotal step in Laos’s journey toward becoming a regional leader in green and sustainable enterprise. Hosted at the Amari Vientiane Hotel, the...

Attapeu Approves Xekaman 1 Dam Tourism Development Project

Attapeu Province is taking a major step to expand its tourism sector with the approval of a 30-year concession to develop the area around the Xekaman 1 hydroelectric dam...

Pakse International Airport Undergoes Major Renovation, Expansion

Pakse International Airport in Laos’ southern Champasack Province is undergoing a major renovation and expansion to upgrade its passenger sections and airport facilities.  The project, funded by the Lao Airports...

Luang Prabang International Airport Set for Major Upgrade Under Public–Private Partnership

Luang Prabang International Airport is set for a major upgrade through a Public–Private Partnership (PPP) led by the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, in cooperation with the International...

Laos to Upgrade National Road No. 9 in Savannakhet, Connecting Laos, Thailand, Vietnam.

Laos is set to upgrade National Road No. 9 in Savannakhet Province, a key route connecting Laos, Thailand and Vietnam. The signing ceremony for the rehabilitation and maintenance projects took...

Japan Funds New School in Bokeo, Strengthening Education, Development Ties

Bokeo Province is set to welcome a new school with support from the Japanese government, contributing over USD 88,000 under the “Project for the Construction of Hatsa Lower Secondary...

Travel

Attapeu Approves Xekaman 1 Dam Tourism Development Project

Attapeu Province is taking a major step to expand its tourism sector with the approval of a 30-year concession to develop the area around the Xekaman 1 hydroelectric dam and the nearby military tank park in Chaleunxay village, Xanxay district.  The project will transform two hectares within a 275-hectare protected area into a tourist destination featuring a viewpoint, restaurant, accommodations, upgraded roads, recreational water activities, and an exhibition highlighting the historical significance of the military tank park. Provincial officials say the initiative aims to create jobs, generate revenue, and follow sustainability principles to protect both the environment and local livelihoods.  The agreement was signed in a ceremony attended by provincial representatives and...

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 Namtha Sees Nine Percent Growth in Tourist Arrivals in First Nine Months of 2025

Laos’ northern Luang Namtha Province recorded a steady increase in tourism in 2025, welcoming 985,322 visitors from January to September, a 9 percent rise compared to the same period last year. According to the...

Health & Environment

Laos Targets 90 percent Urban Water Access by 2030

Following the recent announcement of major transport and city infrastructure projects, the Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MPWT) is now turning its focus to urban water access, positioning it as a cornerstone of sustainable development. Urban Water Access Expansion The 2026–2030 Urban Water Supply and Sanitation Development Plan aims to provide 90 percent of residents in provincial and district municipalities with safe, piped water. At the same time, it strengthens wastewater management, climate resilience, and overall urban livability. On 15 October,...

Sport

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...

Thailand Cleared to Host Petanque at SEA Games After World Federation Reversal

Thailand will host the pétanque competition at the 33rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games this December, following a reversal by the World Pétanque and Bowls Federation (WPBF) of an earlier suspension over regulatory violations. As...

Politics

Lao Ambassador Appointed as Personal Representative of President Thongloun to Francophonie

On 21 October, Kalamoungkhoune Souphanouvong, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Laos to France, presented his credentials to Louise Mushikiwabo,...

Lao PM Heads to ASEAN Summit as Timor-Leste Joins, Thailand-Cambodia Peace Talks Advance

Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone will travel to Kuala Lumpur from 26-28 October to attend the 47th ASEAN Summit and...

Thai Minister Resigns After Alleged Scam Center Links

AFP - On 22 October, Thailand's Deputy Finance Minister resigned following allegations linking him to Cambodia-based cyber scam centers. Prime...

Laos’ Foreign Minister Concludes Visit to Brunei, Pledges Stronger Partnership

Laos’ Foreign Minister Thongsavanh Phomvihane concluded his official visit to Brunei from 19 to 22 October. On 20 October, Thongsavanh...

Feature

Laos Wins Best National Costume at Mister Global 2025 with Mani Khot Tree-Inspired Design

The ancient Mani Khot tree, a sacred symbol rooted in Champasack Province, southern Laos, has taken the global spotlight, inspiring the Best National Costume award at Mister Global 2025 in Thailand and earning Laos a place of pride on the international stage. Representing Laos, Youphalayth ‘Bobbie’ Phethany, Mister Global Lao 2025, brought home the award with the costume titled “The Guardian Angel of the Mani Khot Tree.” The sacred Mani Khot Tree of Champasak, Laos, is revered in legend as the Tree of Destiny.  Believed to possess magical powers, the tree is said to bring prosperity in the direction its branches point.  While Bobbie did not design the costume himself, he played a central role in developing the idea and overall concept. Deeply connected to his Champasack roots, he wanted to wear something that would stand out and reflect Laos’ rich culture and mythology. The ancient Mani Khot tree, known in Lao legend as the Tree of Destiny, became the core inspiration. “I’ve spent two weeks thinking about the concept, but I couldn’t think of anything until one night I dreamed of Khon Phapheng Waterfall, where the tree is located,” Bobbie said. That dream sparked...

Lao Ambassador Appointed as Personal Representative of President Thongloun to Francophonie

On 21 October, Kalamoungkhoune Souphanouvong, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary...

Lao PM Heads to ASEAN Summit as Timor-Leste Joins, Thailand-Cambodia Peace Talks Advance

Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone will travel to Kuala Lumpur...

Thai Minister Resigns After Alleged Scam Center Links

AFP - On 22 October, Thailand's Deputy Finance Minister...

Laos’ Foreign Minister Concludes Visit to Brunei, Pledges Stronger Partnership

Laos’ Foreign Minister Thongsavanh Phomvihane concluded his official visit...

Japan Makes History with Appointment of First Woman Prime Minister

AFP - Sanae Takaichi, a staunch conservative who admires...