News
Thai Court Shoots Down 10-year-old Case Against Laos’s Xayaburi Dam
The Supreme Administrative Court of Thailand dismissed a decade-long case by activists, which claimed that the power purchase by Thailand’s Electricity Generating Authority (EGAT) from Laos’s Xayaburi Dam was causing significant harm to the environment and the livelihoods of people residing along the Mekong River. ...
Amrita Paul
Investing in Ethnic Midwives to Protect Maternal Health, UNFPA
Vida is a 28-year-old midwife from the Akha community who is proud of her role in ensuring women in Lao PDR realize positive maternal health outcomes. Based at Long District hospital in Luang Namtha province, this Akha midwife graduated from the Oudomxay UNFPA-MOH supported midwifery ...
Manyphone Vongphachanh
Overall Mekong River flow patterns do not change: report finding
Two hydropower projects along Southeast Asia’s most important river have had measurable, but moderate, impact on water flow, sediment and fisheries, according to preliminary findings of a report by the Mekong River Commission (MRC) released last week.With roughly one year of monitoring data, the MRC ...
Which Dams Are Releasing Water in Laos?
As monsoonal rains drench Laos and rivers continue to rise across the country, several hydropower projects have been forced to release water. Where are these dams, and when have they released water?The government received alerts from five hydroelectric plants in recent days regarding the release ...
Manyphone Vongphachanh
Tri-Country Freight Train to Run through Malaysia, Thailand and Laos
The new tri-country freight train, or ASEAN express, between Malaysia, Thailand and Laos will begin operating in October of this year. The railway in Malaysia will also have connections to provinces in China, including Kunming, Chengdu and also to Chongqing via Tanaleng station, Vientiane Capital. ...
Manyphone Vongphachanh
Overflow alert issued for Mekong communities
Xayaboury province is advising people living alongside the Mekong River to prepare for possible flooding, while neighbouring Thailand has warned its seven north-eastern provinces to brace for sudden overflows along the river until Thursday. The Lao province issued the alert following heavy rainfall in recent ...
Times Reporters
Thousands affected by floods in the north
Thousands of people in northern areas of Laos are suffering after rivers flooded following several days of heavy rain. Xayaboury, Huaphan and parts of Luang Prabang and Vientiane provinces have been the hardest hit, with at least 10 districts affected. In some areas, roads have ...
Phetphoxay Sengpaseuth
Sithandone SEZ Unveils New Development Projects
The project plans were finalized on 25 July after 45 days of discussion by the government and contractors. The Mekong Intercontinental hotel, one of the projects, is projected to be the highest hotel Laos. The other project involves the construction of a large warehouse. Construction ...
Manyphone Vongphachanh
Association: fuel supply will be normalised in the near future
Residents of Vientiane are concerned about another fuel shortage with several petrol stations in the city being closed since Monday.However, the concerned sectors have issued reassurances that fuel will soon be available in sufficient quantities to meet daily demands. The fuel shortage has occurred at ...
Phetphoxay Sengpaseuth
Laos Government to Resolve Debt, Fuel, Currency Crises
The commitment to stabilizing the economy was one of 13 issues the cabinet identified as requiring immediate attention during a two-day open government meeting that ended on Friday.The government resolved to use various means to try to solve the problem of public debt, especially debt created by ...
Latsamy Phonevilay