News
Lao Deputy PM: Laos treasures ties with Vietnam
General Secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee and State President Thongloun Sisoulith’s selection of Vietnam for his first overseas trip after taking office demonstrates the importance that Laos attaches to the great friendship, special solidary and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries. The ...
VNA
Fishermen call for river pollution to be addressed
Members of a large fishing community in Naxab village, Naxaithong district, Vientiane, are appealing to authorities to address the problem of farms dumping animal waste in the Khon River, which they say is creating a threat to fishing. The polluted river affects some 1,648 people who ...
Times Reporters
Laos extends lockdown measures for another 15 days
Laos has extended its lockdown COVID-19 prevention measures across the country for a further 15 days as the community spread of COVID-19 in the capital continues. Given the situation in neighboring countries and community spread in Lao capital Vientiane, the lockdown order would be extended until ...
Xinhua
Laos to sell Vietnam its wind power with help from Mitsubishi
The facility will have power generation capacity of 600 megawatts, making it one of the largest onshore wind farms in Southeast Asia, reported Nikkei Asia. It is expected to cost hundreds of millions of dollars. A Mitsubishi subsidiary will take a 20% stake in a joint ...
Hundreds of Families Forced to Move for Lao Coal Plant Expansion
Authorities in northwestern Laos are forcing hundreds of families to relocate to make way for the expansion of a lignite power plant, setting the stage for a dispute over compensation with residents who say they will be shortchanged by the communist government’s ambitious development plans. A ...
RFA’s Lao Service. Translated by Max Avary. Written in English by Eugene Whong.
Covid-19 lockdown in Laos extended till June 19 despite cases being under control
The ongoing Covid-19 lockdown in Laos has been extended till June 19, according to a notice issued by the Prime Minister’s Office on Friday. The notice outlines a gradual loosening of lockdown measures, with certain strict measures to remain in place. Travel within localities that have not ...
Xinhua
Prime Minister joins tree plantation drive
Prime Minister Phankham Viphavanh joined students at the Faculty of Architecture, Lao National University, to plant 90 rosewood trees to mark National Arbour Day on June 1. This is a part of the government’s plans to plant 35 million trees over 36,950 hectares this year and ...
Times Reporter
How Laos escaped coronavirus community transmission and deaths — until now
The official coronavirus death toll in the South-East Asian nation of Laos remained at zero until this month. Amid a rapidly spreading outbreak in neighbouring Thailand, the Laotian government sealed its borders and imposed a lockdown on April 22. Everybody except for essential workers was required to stay home ...
Max Walden
Govt prepares to tackle weather emergencies in rainy season
The National Disaster Management Committee is preparing to respond to emergencies caused by heavy rainfall through the prompt provision of assistance and subsequent recovery. Numerous countries around the world including Laos suffer from weather extremes such as floods and earthquakes as well as crop pests and ...
Phomphong Laoin
Covid-19 outbreak reported near Laos casino run by alleged crime boss
Authorities in Laos have reported a significant Covid-19 outbreak near the notorious Kings Romans casino, whose Chinese owner is accused by the United States of trafficking people, wildlife and drugs. Officials said a cluster of cases in Tonpheung district was traced to people who illegally entered ...
Joshua Berlinger and Kocha Olarn