News
What AIIB means for ASEAN connectivity
In 2009, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) forecast that from 2010 to 2020, Asia would need US$8 trillion in national infrastructure. The discussion on connectivity in Asia has continued since then, but it was China that seized the moment with its proposal in 2013 for ...
Thai-Lao duty-free mall proposed for Vientiane
A group of Thai and Lao business people have announced a plan to spend 10 billion baht to develop a large shopping and hotel complex in Vientiane in order to cash in on opportunities arising from the coming from the coming Asean Economic Community. The massive ...
Vietnam, Cambodia boost cooperation in border management
Vietnam and Cambodia agreed on directions for stepping up cooperation in border control at a high-ranking meeting in Siem Reap, Cambodia on 14 July. They also assessed immigration control and order and security in border areas and border gates between the two countries. Keep reading ...
First HIV/AIDS treatment centre opens in Laos
The first infectious disease ward, which shall include the first HIV/AIDS treatment centre in Laos, opened yesterday in Vientiane, aiming to improve the medical environment to treat infectious disease patients including those with HIV. The centre received financial support from the government of Japan. The new facility ...
Waste banana bunch covers entering Nam Ou River, Laos
Provincial authorities in Phongsaly, Laos, are cautioning banana growers along the Nam Ou River in an attempt to stop them illegally discarding disused plastic banana bunch covers. Director of the provincial Natural Resources and Environment Department, Mr Khamchanh Sitthilath told Vientiane Times on 14 July that many ...
New IT system will accelerate registration and licence issuing in Laos
A new information technology (IT) system to be introduced this year will quicken the issuance of registration documents for new vehicles and driving licences in Laos, according to a report. The Transport Department under the Ministry of Public Works and Transport admitted the issuance of these ...
18,000 trees to be felled for new tourist road through Vietnam mangrove forest
Ho Chi Minh City has approved a plan to build a new road through Can Gio Mangrove Forest, a biosphere reserve recognized by UNESCO, in a bid to attract more tourists. The road will be 17 meters wide and run 3.5 kilometers, which means 18,600 trees ...
Cambodia agrees agro-industrial framework
The government has agreed to a new framework to increase the competitiveness of its agricultural sector in line with the recently launched Industrial Development Policy, state news agency AKP reported on 29 July. Ty Sokun, secretary of state at the Ministry of Agriculture, said that the ...
Cambodian garment factory workers demonstrate for subsidies
At least 500 workers from three garment factories in Cambodia demonstrated on 14 July outside the Labor Ministry in the capital Phnom Penh, demanding that government officials intervene in their quest for better working conditions and food and transportation subsidies. The workers from two factories in Kandal ...
Thai farmers brace for water cut
Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has warned farmers to brace for the impact from reduced dam water releases. The government has ordered provincial governors to work with the military and police to stop farmers from diverting water for their farmland, following its move to cut ...