News
Southeast Asia drought forces farmers to leave fields unplanted
A severe lack of rain and higher-than-normal temperatures in parts of Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia have caused some farmers to leave their fields and rice paddies unplanted, sources inside the developing Southeast Asian countries said. Farmers in Ha Tinh province in central Vietnam have been forced ...
Vietnam axes $200mln plant project as Taiwanese giant dawdles
Vietnamese authorities in the northern province of Vinh Phuc have recalled a license for a US$200-million factory invested by the world’s largest electronics manufacturer Foxconn. The Taiwanese company, which has partnered with many giants including Apple and BlackBerry, had failed to kick-start the project licensed in ...
One man's quest to save the most colossal fishes on earth
Zeb Hogan has been funded by National Geographic to research giant freshwater fish. “After working on this for about 10 years,” he says, “it turns out that there are about 30 species of freshwater fish that can get over 6 feet long or weigh more than ...
Time to set the Kyat free
The Burmese kyat has recently fallen. Down around 13 percent this year, and 26 percent since the instigation of the “managed float” arrangements in 2012, the decline in the kyat has also brought with it a return of many of the economically repressive impulses of ...
Laos: New farming methods suited to climate change
Poverty and scarce food supply was just a fact of life for the people in Koutou village, Luang Namtha province, Laos. With most people relying on rice farming and livestock for their livelihood, there were few options for other income. Koutou is one of 13 villages ...
Transport system needs $50b over next five years
Viet Nam needs more than VND1,000 trillion (US$50 billion) to develop transport infrastructure by 2020, a conference held by the Ministry of Transport was told. The cost of improving the national road system would take 64.1 per cent of the total capital, railways 11.7 per cent ...
Mekong's steady flow of tourism
Pongpet Mekloy argues that Thailand and Laos need to work closer together in order to capitalise on their joint attractions that line the mighty river. Research by Si Sa Ket Rajabhat University is highlighted, which investigated the potential for tourism along the international river, focusing on the ...
DMR hosts the 3rd Thai - Lao technical conference on geology and mineral resources
Thailand is hosting the 3rd Thai – Lao Technical conference on Geology and Mineral Resources, which is being held at the Golden Tulip Sovereign Hotel, Bangkok, 7-11 July. Thailand and Lao PDR have been working together on geology and mineral resources study for over 12 years. ...
China-Laos military relations deepen as Chinese increase economic, infrastructure investments
China and Laos announced closer military ties on July 8, a development that coincides with China’s growing investment in infrastructure and economic influence. The Laotian defense minister met with Xu Qiliang, the vice chairman of the Central Military Commission, and other Chinese military officials Wednesday in Beijing to ...
Thais 'dress improperly' in Laos
Misbehaviour and “inappropropriate dress standards” by Thai officials during a visit to Laos have prompted a stern order from Education Minister Narong Pipatanasai. Adm Narong has ordered all ministry staff and students to dress and behave properly when making official visits to the country. Keep ...
