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Laos

The latest news, analysis and opinion on Laos. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.

Capital

Vientiane

Head of State

President Thongloun Sisoulith

Head of Government

Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone

A woman counts US dollars and Japanese yen banknotes in Phnom Penh. Scam money’s reach extends far beyond the Mekong. Photo: AFP

Thailand

‘Everyone gets a cut’: why Southeast Asia’s scam industry refuses to die

Authorities are seizing assets and raiding compounds, but analysts warn the clumsy crackdown is merely scattering syndicates to new hideouts.

8 Dec 2025 - 9:51AMvideocam

China trade

Explainer | As China’s companies become industry leaders, where in the world are they going?

5 Dec 2025 - 5:58PMvideocam

United States

US pauses all immigration applications from 19 countries

3 Dec 2025 - 10:16AM

Alibaba

Alibaba’s Cainiao expands service in Africa as demand for Chinese goods surges

The logistics arm of Alibaba is rolling out its small-parcel service in more parts of Africa to tap growing demand for made-in-China goods.

24 Nov 2025 - 8:50PM

Cainaio is expanding in Africa to tap surging demand for made-in-China goods. Photo: Alibaba

Thailand

‘Half of me has died’: toxic mines threaten Southeast Asia’s rivers

More than 2,400 mines – many of which are operated by Chinese companies – are draining waste into river waters, researchers say.

24 Nov 2025 - 5:13PM

Venezuela

US aviation agency warns airlines flying over Venezuela of potential hazards

There has been a huge US military build-up in the region recently, including its largest aircraft carrier, other warships and F-35 aircraft.

22 Nov 2025 - 11:52AM

Asean

Why Asean’s AI ambition may lead to widening economic and tech divide

While countries such as Singapore and Malaysia are ahead in the AI race, others like Cambodia and Laos risk being left behind, analysts say.

21 Nov 2025 - 5:31PM

An illustration of stock market trading using artificial intelligence. Asean is aiming to expand the use of AI across sectors. Photo: Shutterstock

US-China relations

China accuses US of undermining ties with Greece in envoy’s Piraeus port remarks

Washington’s ambassador under fire after urging Athens to sell the ancient port operated by Chinese shipping giant Cosco.

20 Nov 2025 - 4:08PMvideocam

China-Latin America relations

Brazil approves China’s naval visit while US research ship plans call nearby

Clearance ends months of internal debate as both powers expand naval activity in South America.

19 Nov 2025 - 6:04AM

Singapore

Singapore seizes US$867,000 worth of rhinoceros horns, largest-ever haul

The horns, along with other animal parts, were detected in cargo labelled ‘furniture fittings’ and originating from South Africa.

18 Nov 2025 - 4:01PM

The 20 pieces of rhinoceros horns weigh 35.7kg. Photo: National Parks Board of Singapore

US-Asean relations

What US anti-scam ‘strike force’ means for Southeast Asia’s cybercrime fight

Analysts say the US initiative can serve as a coordination blueprint to push back against transnational criminal enterprises.

17 Nov 2025 - 5:42PMvideocam

US Attorney Jeanine Pirro points to a text message sent by a scammer as she announces the Scam Centre Strike Force in Washington on Wednesday. Photo: AP

Americas and the Caribbean

US launches ‘Southern Spear’, deploying robotic fleet to target cartels

Announcement comes amid a growing US military build-up in the Southern Caribbean of a size not seen in the region for decades.

14 Nov 2025 - 2:43PM

Cryptocurrency

US, Chinese authorities ramp up actions against syndicates running crypto scams

Syndicates either trick or coerce targeted victims to invest in bogus schemes and transfer funds via bitcoin, ether or stablecoins.

14 Nov 2025 - 1:14AMvideocam

China-EU relations

Xi vows to boost imports from Spain and deepen ties in talks with King Felipe

Xi also calls for joint efforts in markets like Latin America, while Felipe says Madrid wants to cooperate on trade, tech and industry.

12 Nov 2025 - 5:00PM

Spain’s King Felipe and Chinese President Xi Jinping attend a welcome ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Wednesday. Photo: Reuters

Food and Drinks

‘Empty and numb’: Laos methanol poisoning survivor mourns friend a year on

No one has been held accountable after six tourists died from drinking tainted shots at the Nana Backpackers Hostel last November.

13 Nov 2025 - 8:00AMvideocam

Bethany Clarke (front) and Simone White tube down a river in Laos on November 12 last year. Photo: Facebook/Bethany Clarke

Asean

Opinion | East Timor’s membership marks a new chapter for Asean

Dili can bolster Asean’s diplomatic outreach and action on shared concerns, while other members can lend a hand in East Timor’s development.

12 Nov 2025 - 9:30AMvideocam

Britain

Chinese ‘super villain’ jailed in UK for US$6.4 billion bitcoin fraud

Qian Zhimin and her assistant Seng Hok Ling are jailed after the largest bitcoin seizure ever by British police.

15 Nov 2025 - 8:05AMvideocam

Fentanyl and other opioids

China tightens controls on fentanyl precursors bound for US, Canada and Mexico

Effective immediately, Beijing requires a permit for exporting 13 chemicals, including those used to make the deadly synthetic opioid.

11 Nov 2025 - 4:31PMvideocam

Bags of heroin, some laced with fentanyl, an opioid that is the leading cause of American overdose deaths. Photo: Getty Images/TNS

Thailand

China-wanted gambling kingpin to be extradited by Thailand

Thai court upheld order for She Zhijiang to stand trial in China for illegal casino charges; the US Treasury sanctioned his Shwe Kokko firms.

13 Nov 2025 - 6:00PMvideocam

US-China trade war

Look to the ‘rising’ Global South, ex-diplomat tells Chinese businesses

Amid tighter US and European markets, diversification and localisation can minimise risks, Le Yucheng tells annual forum.

8 Nov 2025 - 4:12PMvideocam

South Korea

‘Reject it altogether’: sex tourists from South Korea drive up rents in Laos

A South Korean civic group is calling for cultural change to combat exploitation and protect children from sex work.

8 Nov 2025 - 3:40PM

Luang Prabang, Laos. Korean men are reportedly living in Laos for months at a time to purchase sex, often renting flats for their stay. Photo: AFP

Fintech

Hong Kong to anchor fintech firm Reap’s global stablecoin-powered growth

Start-up chooses Hong Kong as its global base, citing stablecoin regulatory clarity and strategic connectivity.

5 Nov 2025 - 6:56PM

Kevin Kang, co-founder of Reap (right), and Arnold Lau, of InvestHK, attend the opening of the headquarters. Photo: Handout

Americas and the Caribbean

Hegseth announces 16th deadly US strike on an alleged drug boat

The latest attack killed two people, raising the total death toll from the controversial US campaign in South American waters to at least 66.

5 Nov 2025 - 12:34PM

Animals

Murder hornet swarm kills US father and son ziplining in Laos

Daniel Owen, 46, and Cooper Owen, 15, were stung over 100 times as they descended from a tree at an eco-adventure resort near Luang Prabang.

5 Nov 2025 - 6:46AMvideocam

Asean

Opinion | How China and Asean can ensure their upgraded pact is truly win-win

Beijing must assuage Southeast Asian concerns about its power while Asean leaders can benefit from a more multidimensional view of China.

5 Nov 2025 - 5:30AMvideocam

Thailand

How Thailand melted tariff barriers to become Asia’s top ice cream exporter

A blizzard of free trade deals and clever sourcing has helped Thai ice cream exports surge by more than 10 per cent annually since 2020.

3 Nov 2025 - 9:20AM

A visitor takes photographs amid colorful ice cream-themed sculptures at cafe and theme park in Pattaya, Thailand. Photo: AFP

Rare earths

Opinion | Can Southeast Asia benefit from the global race for rare earths?

The region’s deposits are gaining importance, but nations are just starting to move up the value chain that is dominated by China.

2 Nov 2025 - 8:30PMvideocam

US-Asean relations

The long goodbye: Southeast Asia adjusts to a post-America trade future

Trump’s tariffs are squeezing margins, re-routing supply chains and forcing companies to wean themselves off the US market.

25 Oct 2025 - 1:30PMvideocam

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