The Laotian Times
Authorities in Laos Draft Law on Hydropower Safety
The law will cover dams and hydropower installations and set standards or quality control procedures for each phase of construction, Lao National Radio reports. Deputy Minister of Energy and Mines, Mr. Sinava Souphanouvong, spoke during a conference held to discuss the draft law on hydropower safety that ...
Phayboune Thanabouasy
Mekong Countries Urged to Take Action as River Experiences Three Years of Low Flows
The Mekong River Commission (MRC) Secretariat has renewed its call for the six Mekong countries to urgently address regional low flows, water fluctuations and drought as the Lower Mekong River experiences record low flows for the third consecutive year. During the last three years, flows in ...
Latsamy Phonevilay
Farmers Encouraged to Replace Tobacco Crops in Laos
Health officials in Laos have asked the government to encourage farmers to grow other crops as alternatives to growing tobacco. Deputy Minister of Health, Dr. Sanong Thongsana, has provided answers to questions by National Assembly members on Friday regarding the amendment of the draft law on ...
Phayboune Thanabouasy
Laos Has Reduced Greenhouse Gas Emissions by 34% Over Ten Years
Laos has announced it has successfully reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 34 percent over the last ten years. Prime Minister of Laos, Dr. Phankham Viphavanh, spoke via remote communication at the UN General Assembly in New York last month, saying that Laos had been able to ...
Phayboune Thanabouasy
New Indicative Ending Date Set for Sanakham Dam Consultation
An MRC governance meeting has agreed to a new indicative date to conclude the prior consultation process of the 684-megawatt Sanakham dam. The decision by the MRC Joint Committee means the official six-month prior consultation process that began on 9 September 2019 for the proposed Sanakham ...
Latsamy Phonevilay
Lao Authorities and Women’s Union Assist Trafficking Victims
Lao authorities in cooperation with the Lao Women’s Union have successfully assisted two young women who became victims of human trafficking. The young women, aged between 14 and 16 years, were to be trafficked to China following a deal brokered between their parents and a trafficking ...
Phayboune Thanabouasy
Laos Reports Record Number of Covid-19 Cases
Laos has confirmed 65 new cases of Covid-19 following testing of over 1,292 people. The National Taskforce for Covid-19 Prevention and Control announced today that the country had confirmed a total of 65 new cases. Dr. Phonepadith Xangsayarath, Director of the National Center for Laboratory and Epidemiology (NCLE), Ministry ...
Latsamy Phonevilay
Vientiane Closes Schools Following Covid-19 Outbreak
The Ministry of Education and Sports has issued a notice ordering the closure of schools following an outbreak of Covid-19 in Vientiane Capital. The notice states that all public and private educational facilities from preschools through to universities will be closed across Vientiane Capital following a ...
Phayboune Thanabouasy
Laos Only ASEAN Country With Zero Covid Deaths
Laos has become the only country in ASEAN with zero deaths attributed to the Covid-19 coronavirus. Until last week, Cambodia and Laos had each recorded zero deaths from the Coronavirus, despite differing strategies for Covid prevention and control. Cambodia suffered its first death from Covid-19 last Thursday ...
Latsamy Phonevilay
63,000 Unemployed in Laos During Covid-19 Pandemic
Laos has an estimated 63,000 unemployed, including those already in the country and migrant workers who have returned to Laos due to the Covid-19 pandemic. According to a report by the KPL, the unemployment rate in Laos is expected to increase by 20 percent. Head of the Employment Promotion ...
Phayboune Thanabouasy