Strait Times: Take a train ride on USD$6B Laos-China railway

Source:  Strait Times

France24: Between Laos and China, a thriving border

Source: France24

7th International Conference on Lao Studies

The conference returns!  Since its last incarnation in 2019, this year's conference will see most of its segments being presented online with limited tickets being sold for in-person attendance.  To learn more, be sure to check out the links below.

Asia Times: Will Laos be sanction for embracing Russia?

By:  Asia Times, July 27, 2022

The Lao government claims neutrality over the Ukraine war but its actions have left some to question its impartiality as diplomatic pressure builds on Southeast Asian nations to line up with the US and West against Russia.

Lao athletes medal wins at 31st SEA Games

Lao athletes competed and won at the recent 31st SEA games in May 2022 held in Vietnam.  Read on to find out what events they won in. 

For some events, you might be surprised to hear that Lao athletes competed in such sports.  Below is the complete list of medal winners for Laos.

TOTAL:

Gold: 2
Silver: 7
Bronze: 33

31st SEA Games - Opening Ceremonies

Source: VTV26 via Youtube

This year's Southeast Asian (SEA) Games were delayed from last year due to COVID-19 but have now begun in earnest starting with the Opening Ceremony on May 12, 2022 in Hanoi, Vietnam.  Go to time marker 27:27 in the video for the actual start of the ceremony.  Let the games begin!

The Untold Story Of The CIA's War In Laos - America's Secret War

Source: Timeline - World History Documentaries via Youtube

Lao Economy Grinding to a Halt as Fuel Crisis Deepens

By: The Diplomat, May 11, 2022

Motorists in the Lao capital Vientiane have been forced to queue for hours at petrol stations as a fuel crisis tightens its grip, the latest sign in a brewing economic crisis in the nation of 7 million.

According to a report in the state-run Laotian Times, crisis comes as the country’s COVID-19-hit economy has been buffeted by the impacts of rising global oil prices and a weakening local currency. The resulting fuel shortages have been seen in provincial areas for weeks, but arrived in the capital on Monday afternoon, causing motorists to line up for hours to fill their tanks, snarling traffic along major thoroughfares. According to a report by AFP, petrol stations are limiting customers to a maximum 500,000 kips (around $40) worth of fuel.

Click here to read further...

Happy Lao New Year 2565!

UN General Assembly voted to remove Russia from UNHRC - how did Laos vote?

How did Laos vote during the recent UN General Assembly over Russia's aggression in Ukraine?

Here are the voting results at the recent UN General Assembly on March 2, 2022, where members voted on the draft resolution A/ES-11/L.1 which demands that Russia unconditionally end its war against Ukraine and to halt its invasion of Ukrainian territory.

1 Full Hour of relaxing music and beautiful 4K video of Laos

Source:  Soothing Relaxation Nature via Youtube

Travel through Laos and enjoy the relaxing music with this video.  Sit back and enjoy one full hour of it!

Beautiful Cinematic Travel Video of Laos

Source:  David De Rijcke via Youtube

With beautiful clips of life in Laos, this video was shot professionally with a cinematic feel.  Even the background ambient music is enjoyable.  If you miss visiting Laos, you'll definitely enjoy watching this video!

Happy New Year 2022!

ສະບາຍດີປີໃຫມ່2022!!! Happy New Year 2022!!!

Best wishes to everyone. May we all continue to get through the pandemic safely.

News Round-up: August-December 2021

Lao PDR Economic Update, August 2021: A Path to Recovery
August 20, 2021 - World Bank 

Laos’ High School Graduates Flocking to Chinese Studies in University
August 30, 2021 - RFA

Laos reopens schools online across the country on Monday
September 6, 2021 - The Star (Myannmar)

Laos records lowest trade deficit, $24M in August
September 7, 2021 - Phnompenh Post

Chinese Investments in Laos Soar, but Little Wealth is Spread
September 8, 2021 - RFA

Laos: More than 100 fully-vaccinated healthcare workers contract Covid-19
September 11, 2021 - The Star (Myannmar)

Giant Buddha Statue Plan Rankles Residents of Laos’ Capital: Report
September 15, 2021 - The Diplomat

Results from the First Lao People’s Democratic Republic Coffee Competition
September 15, 2021 - Daily Coffee News

Villagers in Southern Laos Cope With Food Shortages Amid COVID Lockdowns
September 16, 2021 - RFA

Lao Airlines suspends domestic flights
September 23, 2021 - TTR Weekly

Laos begins term as UN General Assembly vice president
September 25, 2021 - The Star (Myannmar)

Bats with Covid-like viruses found in Laos: study
November 22, 2021 - France24

Officials tout Laos as hidden gem for land developers
November 30, 2021 - The Korea Herald

As Laos rolls out welcome mat for crypto mining, big questions remain unanswered
December 2, 2021 - KrAsia

First China-Laos Railway freight train's journey to Vientiane
December 6, 2021 - CGTN

Laos Receives 100,000 Doses of AstraZeneca Covid-19 Vaccines from Australia
December 19, 2021 - The Laotian Times

Laos Prepares to Welcome Foreign Tourists From January 1
December 20, 2021 - The Diplomat

Laos Reports Two Earthquakes in Early Morning
December 20, 2021 - The Laotian Times

Laos Confirms 1,341 New Cases of Covid-19 and Four Deaths
December 22, 2021 - The Laotian Times