Laos

  • Covid-19 News8 new cases of Covid reported today, all asymptomatic and in quarantine

    8 new cases of Covid reported today, all asymptomatic and in quarantine

    Thailand officials have reported 8 new Covid-19 cases from 5 different countries today, with all cases being asymptomatic and in discovered whilst the recently arrived passengers were in quarantine. The new cases were from Russia, United Arab Emirates, Pakistan, the US, and India. The 35 year old Indian man was on the same flight as 8 previously confirmed cases and…

  • Crime News240 kilograms of marijuana found in truck after police chase, driver still on the run

    240 kilograms of marijuana found in truck after police chase, driver still on the run

    Border patrol officers chased a pickup truck and seized 240 kilograms of marijuana they say was smuggled across the Thai-Laos border. In the chase, the driver allegedly drove into oncoming traffic, hitting another car before ditching his vehicle and running off. Officers say they believe the marijuana was smuggled across the Mekong River from Laos and then it was piled…

  • Thailand NewsUS accuses Chinese companies of exploitation along the Mekong River

    US accuses Chinese companies of exploitation along the Mekong River

    The US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is accusing Chinese companies of “exploitative practices” in the Mekong River region after a new partnership has been launched to combat “transnational crimes”. Pompeo named the China Communications Construction Company as one of the big offenders and says the Chinese Communist Party is responsible for the increase in human, wildlife and drug trafficking…

  • World NewsPolice arrest 14 Laotian migrants for allegedly crossing the border

    Police arrest 14 Laotian migrants for allegedly crossing the border

    Border patrol police arrested 14 Laotian migrants who allegedly crossed the Thai-Laos border into Ubon Ratchathani. The arrests come after orders to tighten border security in fear that illegal migrants might carry the coronavirus. Police got a call that a white Toyota van looked suspicious and appeared to be carrying migrants from the border. Officers tracked down the van and found…

  • Northern Thailand News220 kilograms of marijuana seized, 2 arrested in Nakhon Phanom

    220 kilograms of marijuana seized, 2 arrested in Nakhon Phanom

    Authorities in the upper northeastern Nakhon Panom province arrested 2 men last night on charges of smuggling 220 kilograms of marijuana. They reportedly told police they they did it because they needed money after the Covid-19 outbreak left them unemployed. The arrests came after authorities got a tip that a drug gang planned to smuggle marijuana from Laos into Nakhon…

  • World NewsThailand teams with Laos to stop drug trafficking

    Thailand teams with Laos to stop drug trafficking

    Thailand is reportedly teaming up with Laos to stop drug trafficking after drug syndicates have changed their routes from Myanmar to Laos. Thailand Narcotics Control Board secretary-general Niyom Termsrisuk, says the direction change was due to heavy policing at the Myanmar-Thai border; causing traffickers to switch routes. The Royal Thai Armed Forces have formed a division to combat drug trafficking…

  • Northern Thailand News2 arrested in Isaan for methamphetamines, assets seized

    2 arrested in Isaan for methamphetamines, assets seized

    Police in Isaan’s Nakhon Phanom province say they’ve arrested 2 men with 42,000 methamphetamine pills (“yaba”) and 100 grams of crystal methamphetamine (“ice”) in their possession, and seized their assets. The deputy provincial governor identified the pair as 29 year old Vichai Niwongsa and 45 year old Veerapong Ngaonoi, both from the Tha Uthen district. He says authorities followed the…

  • World NewsBillions in illicit drugs burned in Thailand and Myanmar

    Billions in illicit drugs burned in Thailand and Myanmar

    In a joint operation, authorities in Thailand and Myanmar destroyed 25 tonnes of illicit drugs valued at more than 62 billion baht (US$2 billion) in Ayutthaya and Yangon. The move comes as drug cartels in the Golden Triangle boost supplies and seek new channels of distribution. The Golden Triangle, where Laos, northern Myanmar and Thailand meet, has been a hub…

  • World NewsHigh speed railway linking Thailand and China takes another step

    High speed railway linking Thailand and China takes another step

    A high speed rail link between Thailand and China is closer to becoming a reality, according to Thai Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob. The signing of “Contract 2.3″ for the Bangkok-Nakhon Ratchasima section is expected in October this year. China has become a major player in the railway industry and, as a result, many countries, including Thailand, are working with China…

  • Crime NewsMore people charged in illegal surrogacy scandal

    More people charged in illegal surrogacy scandal

    More people involved in the surrogacy scandal turned themselves in yesterday and are now facing charges. According to the Bangkok Post, 4 doctors and a scientist are looking at charges for their alleged involvement in the illegal ring which uses Thai women to carry babies for people in China. A report yesterday says a Thai doctor faces charges for human…

  • World NewsThai Doctor faces charges in “wombs-for-hire” scandal

    Thai Doctor faces charges in “wombs-for-hire” scandal

    A Thai doctor faces charges of human trafficking and involvement in a Chinese-funded cross-border surrogacy service, using Thai women to carry babies for Chinese couples. Police say that the doctor, whose name is being withheld, previously worked at a state hospital in the Victory Monument area of Bangkok and allegedly provided “assisted-reproductive services” to surrogate Thai mothers, usually at clinics…

  • World NewsThailand names 5 more ASEAN countries as ‘high risk’, 4 are border nations

    Thailand names 5 more ASEAN countries as ‘high risk’, 4 are border nations

    A Ministry of Public Health announcement yesterday, signed by Deputy PM and Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, and published in the Royal Gazette, claims the Covid-19 situation in 5 nearby countries is escalating. Malaysia, Cambodia, Laos, Indonesia and Myanmar have now been added to the list of countries and territories considered as high risk areas for infection. On March 6,…

  • Covid-19 NewsThailand seals borders in North, Northeast

    Thailand seals borders in North, Northeast

    “All travellers should closely monitor announcements concerning the border closure to prevent misunderstandings.” Thailand’s borders are now sealed to all but freight traffic in the North and Northeastern regions. The third Thai-Lao Friendship, linking Nakhon Phanom province with Khammouane province in Laos, closed at 10pm yesterday as a precaution against the Covid-19 coronavirus. Goods vehicles are still permitted but drivers…

  • Covid-19 NewsBye bye Bangkok, 1000s of workers head home

    Bye bye Bangkok, 1000s of workers head home

    The Thai PM was asked over the weekend if there would be additional measures to tackle the spread of the Covid-19 coronavirus. He replied “We’re working on it.” Bangkok’s lockdown-you-have-when-you’re-not-having-a-lockdown, is pushing 1,000s of casual and migrant workers out of the city ‘up country’ as Bangkok shutters many of its businesses. Many are heading home to Cambodia, Myanmar and Laos…

  • Covid-19 NewsThailand closes many of its land borders

    Thailand closes many of its land borders

    Interior Ministry, Anupong Paojinda, has given governors full authority to close all border provinces, but must leave one international checkpoint active for special circumstances. The move is the latest in Thailand’s attempts to block any arrivals to contain the Covid-19 outbreak, which has spiked sharply with new cases this past week. “The only exception will be Chiang Rai as it…

  • World NewsLaos closes checkpoint at Thai border

    Laos closes checkpoint at Thai border

    Laos has closed its four immigration checkpoints near Thailand’s Nakhon Phanom province, saying it doesn’t have enough medical personnel to screen for the Covid-19 coronavirus at the four places. Immigration Police Office in Nakhon Panom province were informed that Laos would close its immigration checkpoint at Thakhek port from 2pm, until the Covid-19 situation is resolved. Also yesterday, provincial governor…

  • Northern Thailand NewsSand dunes exposed as water in Mekong River falls to critical level

    Sand dunes exposed as water in Mekong River falls to critical level

    PHOTO: AFP Sand dunes are now being exposed for the first time in a century along many sections of the Mekong River, as water levels fall to a new low milestone of 1.5 metres. Sand dunes can now be seen along many sections, causing problems for fishing vessels and cargo boats trying to travel along the river. The Bangkok Post…

  • World NewsThai Airways announces cancellation of six routes to four ASEAN destinations

    Thai Airways announces cancellation of six routes to four ASEAN destinations

    The President of Thai Airways International says the airline is set to cancel six flight routes to Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Myanmar. The Nation reports that Sumeth Damrongchaitham says the routes in question are all from Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi airport to Vientiane, Luang Prabang, Phnom Penh, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh and Yangon. “These routes are all covered by a small number…

  • Chiang Mai NewsPolice arrest Chiang Mai couple over home-made CBD oil

    Police arrest Chiang Mai couple over home-made CBD oil

    PHOTO: Urine Drug Test Chiang Mai Police have arrested a husband and wife selling homemade CBD oil (Cannabidiol) online after receiving complaints that a cancer patient died after allegedly using the oil. Police entered the house with a search warrant and found 3.4 million baht cash along with quantities of the CBD oil they were selling online. Officials received information that…

  • World NewsThailand’s high-speed railway will carry first passengers in 2023

    Thailand’s high-speed railway will carry first passengers in 2023

    The first section of the 873 kilometre high-speed railway running between Thailand and China should be operating by 2023. Thailand will now pay for the total cost of the 179 billion baht first section of the high speed rail line, but China is providing the design and will provide the train and carriages. The first 252 kilometre leg, from Bangkok to…

  • World NewsXayaburi Dam owners say they’re not responsible for dry Mekong River

    Xayaburi Dam owners say they’re not responsible for dry Mekong River

    PHOTO: The Laotian Times CK Power, operators of the new Xayaburi Dam in Laos, are denying their dam tests (running from July 15 until tomorrow) are responsible for the low water flows in the Mekong River. The tests were a lead up to full scale production of electricity from October this year, most of which will head to Thailand. Fingers…

  • World NewsA year after the Laos dam collapse homeless survivors wait for help

    A year after the Laos dam collapse homeless survivors wait for help

    PHOTO: World Rainforest Movement A year ago, a dam at the Xe Pian Xe Namnoy hydroelectric project in southern Laos collapsed under pressure of rising monsoon waters, sending floods downstream and killing over 70 people, though the official toll is lower. 12 months on, thousands are still waiting in temporary camps in the impoverished state. A report by International Rivers…

  • World NewsThai PM has “grave concerns”, orders army to be on standby over drought in north

    Thai PM has “grave concerns”, orders army to be on standby over drought in north

    PHOTO: Thai army water trucks are on standby to help northern farmers Acknowledging the severity of the potential crisis looking over northern and north-eastern provinces, PM Prayut Chan-o-cha is instructing the armed forces to provide help to areas affected by drought, a situation which may be made worse by the test run of the new Xayaburi dam on the Laos…

  • World NewsHeading south at speed: The China–Laos railway

    Heading south at speed: The China–Laos railway

    by Selina Ho, NUS Laos is dependent on China to bankroll the US$7 billion project, raising concerns of being caught in a debt trap The Kunming-Vientiane link will eventually connect with a railway line to Bangkok, and southward down the Malay peninsula to Singapore The Laos section of the project is now half complete Construction on the China–Laos railway began in…

  • Songkran NewsPrincess celebrates Songkran at Laos mission in Bangkok

    Princess celebrates Songkran at Laos mission in Bangkok

    Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn graciously attended a Songkran ceremony at the Lao Embassy in Bangkok yesterday. The Princess, who visits the Lao mission on Songkran every year, participated in the ceremonial tying of white thread on people’s wrists for good luck, and watched a performance of traditional Thai dance. Thailand and Laos mark the traditional New Year…

  • World NewsTwo week+ wait for visa appointments at Thai Embassy in Vientiane, Laos

    Two week+ wait for visa appointments at Thai Embassy in Vientiane, Laos

    PHOTO: Waiting to get into the Thai Embassy in Vientiane Expect to wait up to two weeks if you want to visit the Royal Thai Embassy in Vientiane, Laos to apply for a tourist or non-immigrant visa. ThaiVisa reports that, since February 1, foreigners applying for tourist, non-immigrant or transit visas, will need to make an online appointment before submitting…

  • World NewsFive Thais die after their car plunges into a Laos ravine

    Five Thais die after their car plunges into a Laos ravine

    Five Thai tourists were killed in a car accident just over the north-eastern border in Laos. The incident occurred when their car plunged down a deep ravine in Luang Prabang. The popular tourist region is approximately 300 kilometers north of the Lao capital Vientiane. Yesterday’s fatal crash was reported at 10pm last night by Lao authorities to the rescue unit…

  • World NewsCentara strikes deal for three new hotels in Laos

    Centara strikes deal for three new hotels in Laos

    Thailand’s leading hotel operator Centara Hotels, announced it has signed management agreements for three new properties with a combined total of 216 keys, with Asia Investment, Development & Construction Sole Co., Ltd (AIDC), a well-established enterprise in Laos. In the UNESCO World Heritage site of Luang Prabang, Centara plans to open an upper upscale Centara Grand Luang Prabang and a…

  • World NewsHM The King thanks Lao people for their assistance in the Tham Luang rescue

    HM The King thanks Lao people for their assistance in the Tham Luang rescue

    FILE PHOTO His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun has sent a letter to the Lao President, Bounnhang Vorachit, to thank the Lao people for their participation in the rescue to retrieve 13 young footballers from the Tham Luang caves in Mae Sai district. In the letter, His Majesty referred to the incident, in which the boys and their coach from…