Laos
- Thailand News
Freed baby elephant Tofu begins new life in sanctuary (video)
In a heart-wrenching tale of suffering and salvation, a baby elephant named Tofu, just 8 months old, has been plucked from a life of torment in Laos and given a fresh start. Chained and mistreated, his plight symbolises the ongoing battle against exploitation in the tourism industry across Asia. Planting Peace, a stalwart organisation dedicated to the rehabilitation of captive…
- Thailand News
Vientiane hotel faces backlash for degrading game
A Chinese-owned hotel in Vientiane, Laos, faces a furious backlash after a controversial game involving young women sparked outrage. In a bid to win wine and beer, Chinese men partook in a demeaning ring-toss game at the capital’s hotel, prompting swift condemnation from locals and authorities alike. According to Radio Free Asia (RFA), the hotel took swift action after a…
- Thailand News
Ceramic doll statues conceal 20 million baht heroin haul in Thailand
Mueang Nong Khai police uncover a stash of heroin bars worth over 20 million baht hidden within innocuous Chinese ceramic doll statues. At a press conference held on Monday, February 12, authorities revealed the seizure made at the First Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge, Nong Khai. According to police reports, the alarming find unfolded when two Lao nationals arrived at the checkpoint…
- Thailand News
Laos introduces direct air link to Bangkok
Laos is set to launch a direct air link between Savannakhet and Bangkok next month. Lao Airlines, the national carrier, plans to operate three weekly flights starting March 15, creating a seamless connection between the picturesque Savannakhet, nestled opposite Mukdahan, and the bustling Thai capital. Chanthanom Khampheng, the deputy director of the airline’s commercial and marketing department, highlighted the strategic…
- Thailand News
Thai and Laos authorities unite to extradite Malaysian drug lord
The Narcotics Control Board Office (ONCB) in Thailand and Laos authorities are collaborating to extradite a Malaysian drug lord, a crucial figure in an international drug cartel, to Thailand. The notable suspect, 39 year old Ong Gim Wah, was apprehended in Laos during a joint mission on December 29. Ong, who had a bounty worth 1 million baht (US$29,036) on…
- Thailand News
Thailand and Laos aim for US$11 billion bilateral trade boost with enhanced transport links
Thailand and Laos have set in motion plans to increase the value of bilateral trade to US$11 billion (395.7 billion baht) within the next two years, as announced by government spokesperson, Chai Wacharonke. This ambitious target was a significant point of discussion during a meeting between the Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, and his Lao counterpart, Sonexay Siphandone. Covering an…
- Business News
Gulf Energy and China Datang collaborate on Thai-Laos hydroelectric project
Gulf Energy Development Plc has teamed up with China Datang Overseas Investment Co (CDTO), a subsidiary of a mainland energy firm, to ink a tariff memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EEGAT) for the Pak Beng hydroelectric power project. The announcement was made in a statement to the Stock Exchange of Thailand. The Pak Beng…
- Thailand News
Thailand and Laos in talks to link tourism routes and build second bridge
In a bid to boost tourism and enhance relations, Thailand and Laos initiated discussions to connect tourism routes and expedite the construction of a second Thai-Lao friendship bridge in the Pak Chom district of Loei. The talks took place yesterday between Tawee Sermpakdeekul, the governor of Loei, and Khamphan Sithidampha, the governor of Laos’ Vientiane province, during the 20th Thai-Lao…
- Thailand News
Floating restaurant blown across river from Laos to Thailand during thunderstorm
A thunderstorm and hail hit the Isaan region of Thailand and the neighbouring country of Laos, yesterday evening. The strong winds of the storm caused damage to a local restaurant and houses in the Mukdaharn province, leading to the roofs being blown off. A floating restaurant in Laos was blown into the Thai side, and eight people dining in the…
- Thailand News
Ancient Buddhist stupa emerges from Mekong river in Thailand
A Buddhist stupa believed to be over 700 years old has emerged from the Mekong River between Laos and northeast Thailand. Buddhists are flocking to Nong Khai province in Isaan to catch a glimpse of the sacred structure, which has emerged as the river’s water level has drastically fallen as Thailand enters the summer season. Phra That Lah Nong –…
- World News
Jobseekers from the Philippines urged to be cautious when considering job offers overseas
Jobseekers from the Philippines are being urged to exercise caution when considering employment offers overseas. The Philippines government reported that illegal cross-country recruitment has been around for years with several Asian countries guilty of offering fake employment opportunities, trafficking individuals, and coercing applicants into working at fraudulent call centres. The Facebook page of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration Anti-Illegal Recruitment…
- Bangkok News
Bangkok police arrest 15 scammers, seize US$1 million
Bangkok police arrested 15 suspected scammers involved in a barrage of illegal businesses, seizing assets worth more than over 42 million baht (US$1.1 million) yesterday. The arrests follow a series of disturbing incidents, including a raid on a nightclub disguised as a car wash in the Yannawa district, and the death of a tourist after a night out at a…
- Thailand News
Chiang Rai opens skywalk with panoramic views of Thailand, Myanmar, and Laos
A new skywalk has opened in the northern province of Chiang Rai at the meeting point between Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar – also known as the ‘Golden Triangle.’ The “Three Lands Skywalk” stands about 486 feet above sea level and offers panoramic views of mountains, forests, and the Mekong River. The new attraction is located about 400 metres away from…
- Northern Thailand News
Tono raises 40 million baht in charity swim across Mekong
How much money would it take for you to swim across the Mekong? For actor-singer superstar Pakin “Tono” Kumwilaisak it was 40 million baht – the amount he raised for a charity swim yesterday. The generous celebrity took to the waters in Nakhon Phanom to swim across the mighty Mekong and land in Laos after a journey of over 1…
- World News
Woman’s body in suitcase identified as Lao millionaire
UPDATE The dead woman’s body in a suitcase, which was found in the Mekong River in the Isaan province of Nakhon Phanom last week, has been identified as a Laos business owner and millionaire. Her five year old daughter and husband are also missing. Thai police tried to identify the woman from her designer clothing while her body was sent…
- Thailand News
Missing German/Finnish tourist leaves Thailand
UPDATE An investigation into Tim Pösel’s TM30 documents reveals that the he left Thailand and entered Laos via land border in Chiang Rai province, northern Thailand, on September 5. Spokesperson for the Tourist Police Bureau Pol. Maj. Gen. Apichart Suriboonya said that Pösel left Thailand tvia the fourth Thai-Laos Friendship Bridge at the Chiang Saen immigration checkpoint in Chiang Rai.…
- World News
Laos-China high-speed railway to bring increased trade opportunities
The high-speed railway from Laos to China is full steam ahead as Laotian authorities say they hope it will increase trade opportunities for the region. The link, known as the Vientiane-Boten railway was opened late last year on December 3, as part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative. Now, the railway operates daily to offer more economical travel, cutting travel…
- Thailand News
Thai actor’s plan to swim from Thailand to Laos for charity
Famous Thai actor and singer Phakin “Tono” Khamwilaisak hopes to make a splash with his charity swim across the Mekong River from Thailand to Laos and at the same time raise awareness about environmental issues and raise funds for hospitals in the two countries. Tono announced his plan via his Instagram account last Thursday, August 25. He revealed that he…
- Cannabis News
Thai police seize 200kg of smuggled cannabis but don’t know if it’s illegal
On Tuesday, police seized a huge amount of cannabis – 203 kilograms – which was smuggled into Thailand from Laos. Police arrested three Thai men in Bueng Kan province in northeast Thailand who picked up the cannabis on the border. Police don’t know what kind of punishment the men will be given, seeing as this is the first case of…
- Transport News
Thailand aims to complete high-speed rail link with China by 2028
Thailand aims to finish constructing the high-speed rail link which will connect China with the Land of Smiles by 2028, according to the Transport and Foreign Affairs ministries. As it stands, the project is only 5% complete – casting doubts on Thailand’s ability to fulfil their recent pledge to get the job done in the next six years. Beijing plans…
- World News
A city in Laos is a surprise hit with Thai tourists
One city in Laos is a major hit with Thai tourists right now. Luang Prabang, Laos’s former capital, is seeing the majority of its room reservations filled by Thai travellers. Since Laos lifted its entry restrictions in May, Thais have made up 90% of the country’s room reservations. Laos has fewer tourists coming from Europe, Korea, China, and other countries.…
- World News
Thailand answering 500,000 migrant labour shortage
Thailand’s Chamber of Commerce yesterday insisted it is addressing the shortage of migrant workers needed to help boost the nation’s economy. The department accepts more than 500,000 additional foreign workers are needed in its manufacturing and services sectors to support economic recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic but says it is doing all it can to support the kingdom’s businesses. Chamber…
- World News
Thai leg of the high speed rail to Laos and China will be completed by 2028
The government has stated that by 2028, it will have finished its part of a long-delayed high-speed rail system connecting Thailand with China and Laos. The 434 billion baht project’s first of two phases will be completed by 2026, according to officials. According to the director-general of the Department of Rail Transport, Pichet Kunadhamraks, 12% of the first stage is…
- World News
Thousands of Laotian travellers arrive after Thail pass scrapped
Now that Thailand Pass is ‘resting in peace,’ thousands of Laotian travellers are heading to the kingdom. On Friday, the day the Thailand Pass was scrapped, about 3,618 Laotians crossed the Thai-Lao friendship bridge into the northeast city of Nong Khai. About 710 cars with foreign licenses were counted driving into Thailand there. Last month, a government spokesperson said the…
- World News
Laos to ban public from holding foreign currencies
The Central Bank of Laos plans to ban residents from holding foreign currencies to address problems such as inflation, and the depreciation of the Kip. The Laotian Times yesterday reported that the Governor of the Central Bank of Laos, Sonexay Sitphaxay, promised to solve foreign exchange problems during a press conference on May 27. The governor acknowledged public concern regarding…
- World News
Thai and Laotian officials discuss border trafficking
Thai and Laotian officials met in Bangkok today to discuss trafficking along their countries’ borders, among other subjects. Last week, the 2 countries signed a Memorandum of Understanding agreeing to work together on a wide range of issues, among them drug and human trafficking. Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan, and Laotian Deputy Prime Minister Chansamone Chanyalath, also discussed…
- World News
Quarantine waivered allowing 160,000 migrant workers to enter Thailand
In an effort to stop illegal border crossers looking for work, a newly signed memorandum of understanding will allow more than 160,000 migrant workers to enter Thailand without having to go through the quarantine procedure. Workers from Cambodia, Myanmar, and Laos have been given a free pass from tomorrow through the MoU signed if they have been fully vaccinated with…
- World News
5-year action plan signed by Thailand and Laos
A 5 year action plan was signed yesterday between Thailand and Laos to enhance bilateral ties between the two nations . Both governments signed a memorandum of understanding agreeing to work together on a wide range of issues including economic development, the prevention of drug trafficking, and boosting tourism in the regions. The MoU signing was announced at a joint…
- World News
Record breaking amount of methamphetamine pills seized in Asia
More than one billion methamphetamine pills were seized in East and Southeast Asia last year, according to a report released by the United Nations. The illicit synthetic drug market is constantly evolving in East and southeast Asia, with every country in the region reporting methamphetamine as their drug of greatest concern, according to the UN. The UN’s report says most…
- World News
Thai man held hostage by Laos bandits found dead in Mekong River
The body of a Thai man held hostage by Laos bandits has been fished out of the Mekong River. Kingpai Khattiyanond washed ashore in Muang district, Nakhon Phanom province on Sunday, where his dead, bloated, tattooed body was found bound and gagged. The 35 year old man was wearing a white short-sleeved shirt and black trousers, his hands were tied…
