Lao Plan to Build Another Big Mekong Dam Dismays Villagers, Concerns Thais
Laos is preparing to build what will be its seventh of nine planned large-scale Mekong River mainstream dams, the latest project in its controversial economic strategy to become the “battery of Southeast Asia,” sources in the country told RFA. The 728-megawatt Phou Ngoy Dam, with a ...
Reported by RFA’s Lao Service. Translated by Max Avary. Written in English by Eugene Whong.
Australia refines its investment in Lao people
Australia has agreed to continue to build on its support of more than five decades in Lao human resource development needs, at a high-level review meeting held in Vientiane on 27 May. Ambassador Williams told the meeting Australia was keen to build on its extensive support ...
EPF extends support to environmental protection
The Environmental Protection Fund has decided to forecast a budget of over 2.5 billion kip to support its environmental protection activities in four target provinces of LuangNamtha, Phongsaly, Oudomxay and Bokeo, all of which have ample natural resources and valuable preserved wildlife habitats in the north ...
Vietiane declaration on Laos development cooperation signed
The Vientiane Declaration on Partnership for Effective Development Cooperation (VD II or Vientiane Partnership Declaration), a result of joint efforts between the government and development partners to shift from effective aid to effective development cooperation, was signed late last week in the Laotian capital. Keep reading ...
Four universities to accept over 8,100 students
More than 8,100 students will be accepted to study at four state universities in Laos this academic year under the quota set by the Ministry of Education and Sports. Some 52,491 students around the country passed their final school exams out of the 52,756 pupils who ...
Advertising signs in Laos still not conforming
Shops and restaurants in Laos are still not following the law because much, if not all, of their signs and banners are written in a foreign language. All signboards are legally required to feature the Lao language predominantly, on top and in the most prominent position, ...
Laos on track with SEZ development
Deputy Prime Minister Somsavat said SEZs still had strong potential for growth and called on the associated sectors to discuss detailed plans to advance the sector and not only contribute to overall development but also help to boost the growth of the industry and service ...
Lao officials fail to enforce government ban on timber exports
A recent ban on the export of raw logs imposed by the Lao government to increase the value of processed wood products is not being enforced in the country’s southern provinces because some national leaders are involved in timber smuggling, a civil society official with ...
Indian vice president Hamid Ansari visits Laos to strengthen ties and trade
Indian Vice President Hamid Ansari arrived in Laos on 17 September on a two-day visit. He will hold extensive talks with the Laotian leadership to deepen bilateral ties especially trade links as part of India’s Act East policy. Mr Ansari was received by Vongsavath Boupha, Minister to ...
Lutheran World Federation supports rural development in northern Laos
Lutheran World Federation (LWF) has agreed to fund an extension of the Right Based Empowerment Project (RBEP) in Luang Namtha province, with funding of US$3 million (about 24 billion kip). The project will be implemented in Viengphoukha and Nalae districts of Luang Namtha province, running from ...
Dam Break in Northeast Laos Causes Heavy Losses For Locals, Builder
Heavy monsoonal rains in northeastern Laos ripped through a small one-megawatt hydropower dam in Xieng Khouang province’s Pek district earlier this week, causing extensive damage and flooding rice fields and property, local residents said Wednesday. “Because of heavy rainfall and too much water, the dam couldn’t ...
Dam in Mekong River not hindering water flow: Lao officials
Lao government officials have dismissed social media reports that the Xayaboury dam in northern Laos is slowing the flow of water to downstream sections of the Mekong River. The dam is built on the run-of-river model, which does not require water to be stored, local daily ...
Meeting marks Laos' successes in diplomacy
Having diplomatic relations with 138 countries and 124 political parties around the world are seen as major achievements by Laos in the field of foreign affairs and diplomacy over the past 70 years. These achievements were highlighted at a meeting held in Vientiane on 12 October to ...
Lao human resource development trends matching labour demand
Human resource development trends have gradually coincided with labour demand as 146,486 people graduated from Laos’ various educational institutes in various fields over the past five years, a report has showed. Of the graduates, 4,629 people finished their education courses in foreign countries, while the remainder ...
Early pregnancies still an issue in Laos
Difficulties accessing information about methods to prevent early pregnancies among young people means that there are still many unwanted pregnancies and high death rates among young mothers and their children. Access to information and health services is limited among young people in the country, particularly for ...
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 ministry takes aim at underhand tour operators
Laos’ Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism’s Tourism Management Department is working with local authorities and other sectors towards more efficient management of tour operators. The move comes after the Lao Association of Travel Agents asked the department to step in and address the problem of tour ...
Research development forum focusing on AEC readiness
The 2nd National Research for Development Forum – “Getting Ready for Asean Economic Community” running from 16-17 December in Vientiane was launched on 16 December at the National University of Laos. The purpose of the forum is to create one platform, allowing Lao researchers and their partners ...
From bombs to bracelets, this jewelry line is clearing land mines
“After the war, we live afraid of unexploded bombs, and we’re very careful when we go and do anything,” says Somechit Phouangsavat, an artisan from Ban Naphia, also known as War Spoon Village, in Laos. The 32-year-old works alongside 30 other artisans at Article 22, a company ...
Committee to announce March election candidates
Laos’ National Election Committee will soon announce the list of candidates standing to be potential members of the National Assembly (NA) and Provincial Assemblies (PAs) on 20 March. Committee Member and President of the NA’s Law Committee Prof. Dr Davone Vangvichit told Vientiane Times on 3 February that ...
