News

The Bolaven Plateau in the south of Laos will be developed into the country’s top agri-business and agri-tourism destination thanks to its year round temperate climate. The Bolaven Plateau runs through Champassak province’s Pakxong district, Saravan province’s Lao-ngam, and Xekong province’s Thataeng district and boasts ...

The Central Bank of Myanmar has accused private banks of granting loans to individuals connected with bank directors. But some businessmen disagree with CB that the banks are self-serving. The Central Bank is investigating the activities of private banks, Director General U Win Thaw told ...

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha last week asked reporters why non-governmental organisations, environmental activists and academics continue to protest against the planned blasting of rapids in the Mekong River. He said many of these protesters are outsiders, meaning people who do not live by the riverside, do ...

Building owners in Mandalay will soon face hefty fines that may exceed the value of the buildings if the structures are built without permits or if they flout regulations, warned the Mandalay City Development Committee. From April 1, fines will be increased 75 percent for ...

Deputy Prime Minister Trương Hòa Bình on Saturday ordered urgent measures to increase safety at railway crossings. His order came in the wake of a sharp spike in the number and scale of railway accidents during the Tết (Lunar New Year) holiday. Deputy PM Bình, ...

Some women are forced to abandon their babies at hospitals as they’re being denied universal health coverage. Financial difficulties in the healthcare system is leading to pregnant migrant workers only in Phuket province being denied access to Universal Coverage health insurance scheme when they deliver babies. Usually ...

For many former convicts, it is difficult to start a new life because they do not receive a second chance from society. Speaking on condition of anonymity, an elderly man lamented how his son was rejected at the last stage of recruitment after a government agency ...

On December 12 the Thai-owned Fraser and Neave completed the purchase of 5.4 per cent of the Vietnamese dairy giant Vinamilk for almost $500 million. Each of F&N’s subsidiaries – F&N Bev Manufacturing and F&N Dairy Investments – bought 2.7 per cent at the starting price ...

Vietnamese like to get together and whenever they do there is beer on the table. This may explain the interest in the equitizations of the country’s two biggest beer producers. The Saigon Beer Alcohol and Beverage Corp. (Sabeco) in the south and the Hanoi Beer Alcohol ...

Awareness of the dangers of alcohol seems not to be taking root despite efforts in this regard, and to the contrary alcohol consumption and promotion appear to be growing all the time. Members of the Lao Women’s Union, government officials and representatives of IOGT International ...