News
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 ...
Lao governor reassigned amid concession criticism

The government of Laos has ordered the governor of Luang Prabang province to helm a central ministry as part of a reshuffle sources say is meant to shield him from criticism over a controversial land concession he recently granted to Chinese investors. Khampheng Saysompheng has been ...
KBank, Aeon connect in Laos
Kasikornthai Bank in Laos has extended loans and offered financial management services to Aeon Leasing Service (Lao) to support its retail and motorcycle-financing business there. Both parties are also ready to jointly develop payment channels and other innovative services in a bid to assist Thai investors ...
Laos: Officials discuss national food and nutrition security
Stakeholders from the government, development partners, civil society organisations and the private sector gathered on 10 July to discuss and exchange information on food and nutrition security in Laos. Meeting at the Policy Dialogue on Food and Nutrition Security and the Asean Integrated Food Security Framework in ...
Thailand and Laos discuss anti-human trafficking campaign
Thai and international agencies have convened a meeting to discuss ways to bolster efforts against human trafficking along the border. The Ministry of Social Development and Human Security’s Anti-Human Trafficking Division, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the non-governmental organisation Alliance Anti-Trafic met to discuss ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...