News
Farmers wait for help to start replanting after floods
Pwinbyu farmers say they are still waiting for the government’s pledged assistance to resuscitate fields that were decimated by floods in July and August. About 35 percent of the fields have been damaged and will not be able to be replanted for some time, said U ...
Thai consumers reluctant to spend
Based on the latest report by the Commerce Ministry, consumer prices based on 450 products and services fell for an eighth straight month in August due mainly to prolonged weak consumption. The ministry on 1 September reported prices contracted by 1.19% year-on-year last month. Keep reading ...
Thai AirAsia picks Chinese cities for first U-tapao routes
Thai AirAsia has chosen the southern Chinese cities of Nanning and Nanchang for inaugural routes from its new base at U-tapao airport. The no-frills carrier will offer four flights a week from the navy-operated airport in Rayong province to Nanning and three a week to Nanchang, beginning on ...
School fee limits set for new academic year
In the wake of complaints by students’ parents about the annual increases in tuition fees, the Vientiane Education and Sports Department has set a cap on fee increases. The department has set a limit for both state and private schools in Vientiane, from kindergarten to secondary ...
Australian and Thai journalists found not guilty of defaming Thai navy
An Australian editor and his Thai reporter colleague were found not guilty on 1 September of criminal defamation for reporting on the alleged involvement of Thai naval officers in the trafficking of Burmese Rohingya refugees. “We’re delighted. It’s such a wonderful day for media freedom and Thai ...
Don Sahong dam gets official approval
The Lao parliament has approved the concession agreement for the controversial Don Sahong hydropower dam and expects to begin construction before the end of the year, according to an official in Vientiane. Keep reading ...
China pledges to advance ties with Laos
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang met with Lao President Choummaly Sayasone in Beijing on 1 September, pledging to advance ties with Laos. Choummaly is in Beijing to attend activities to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression ...
Housing project threat to river basin ecology
A Vietnamese environmental watchdog group has reiterated its call for the permanent shutdown of a large residential project in Dong Nai province, just north of Ho Chi Minh City. Keep reading ...
Vietnam poised to achieve economic target despite currency fall: experts
Vietnam will be able to achieve its economic growth target of 6.2 percent set for this year, regardless of China’s yuan devaluation, the National Financial Supervisory Commission reported on 31 August. Keep reading ...
Vietnam to turn SEA's longest lava cave system into geopark next year
Southeast Asia’s longest lava cave system of in Vietnam’s Central Highlands will open to tourists next year in form of a geological park, local authorities said. Keep reading ...