Social development
Govt ramps up long-term care for elderly
Of about 1.3 million housebound and bed-bound elderly people, just a little over 10 per cent have received long-term care services from the state. This year, the government has approved a budget of Bt900 million to deliver services to 150,000 elderly dependants. Although the long-term ...
Lat Phrao Canal project faces delay as residents refuse to budge
The bright new face of Lat Phrao Canal is likely to be unveiled later than planned because many homeowners have refused to move from the area, even after the National Council for Peace and Order used special powers to expedite the project to create a beauty ...
Japan gives boost to education in northern Laos
The Japanese government has provided grant assistance for education development in the provinces of Oudomxay, Bokeo, Xieng Khuang and Vientiane. The US$560,000 initiative, through Japan’s Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects, will expand and reconstruct school buildings at six primary and secondary schools. Grant ...
New facility for mentally ill patients
A mental illness treatment center will be built in Kandal province’s Kandal Stueng district at a cost of $500,000 in a collaborative effort by the Ministry of Social Affairs, Phnom Penh City Hall and Kandal Provincial Hall. On March 11, Social Affairs Minister Vong Soth, ...
Villagers affected by dam meet with government officials
Villagers from Stung Treng whose homes stand to be flooded by the Lower Sesan II dam met with representatives of the Ministry of Mines and Energy at an NGO Forum-sponsored meeting in Phnom Penh on March 9, in hopes of establishing a dialogue towards a ...
Floating villages to be grounded
A government minister has sounded the death knell for Tonle Sap picturesque floating villages after outlining a long-term plan to rehome all those living on the lake. Agriculture Minister Veng Sakhon on March 9 told Khmer Times he wants to relocate thousands of families living on ...
Thai province provides training for Lao journalists
The Radio and Television Professional Association in Phetchabun province, Thailand, in cooperation with the Institute of Physical Education Phetchabun Campus Stadium, is extending its assistance to Lao National Radio and Lao National Television for personnel training. A tripartite Memorandum of Understanding on the initiative was ...
The magic in Myanmar's numbers
Societies often treat numbers with care, even reverence. They may be mystical, magical, symbolic or simply a mnemonic tool. During World War II, the combination of the safe in the German Embassy in Turkey was Hitler’s birthday. Many years ago, the combination code of the ...
Malaysia reports 'highly pathogenic' bird flu
Malaysia has reported an outbreak of a highly contagious H5N1 bird flu virus in the eastern part of the country, the World Organisation for Animal Health said on March 8, citing a report from the Malaysian agriculture ministry. The strain was confirmed among chickens at ...
MGMA disputes Guardian accusations of labour abuse
The Myanmar Garment Manufacturers Association has hit back at international news outlets over alleged child labour and labour abuse issues. Members of the MGMA have accused those news reports as “unacceptable” and “not accurate” at a press conference held on 6 March in Yangon. “Their ...
