Economy and industry

Construction of the 323km double-track railway from Den Chai in Phrae to Chiang Khong on the Mekong River border will be accelerated so it can enter service two years earlier, the transport minister announced on Thursday.  Keep reading   ...

As Laos hits the pause button on its huge hydropower dam building spree, this is an opportunity to push for other forms of renewable energy – solar and wind – that Laos is well-placed to use, argues Brian Eyler. Keep reading ...

The Thai government is revamping its special economic zone strategy and pushing for links with those in neighboring countries, hoping to improve access within the region and secure tariff-free entrance for its goods into the European Union. Keep reading   ...

Activists and regional development experts on Thursday demanded Xe-Pian Xe-Namnoy Power Company (PNPC) to take responsibility for all damages caused by the Xe-Pian Xe-Namnoy dam, which collapsed on July 25. Keep reading   ...

The collapse of the Xe-Pian Xe-Namnoy dam after heavy rains last month that killed more than 30 in Laos and left thousands of Lao and Cambodian people homeless is reigniting an urgent debate about preventing similar tragedies in future. Keep reading   ...

Across the world, countries are building dams to create electricity and boost their economies, but the risks could outweigh the benefits. Dams often inflicts environmental damage to aquatic eco-systems that creates socio-economic risks to communities dependent on rivers and lakes for their livelihoods. The problem ...

The Myanmar-Thailand cross-border car rally promotes overland tourism on the Yangon-Dawei-Kanchanaburi-Tak route. Travelling in a four-wheel-drive on a 2,700km route from Myanmar’s old capital of Yangon through Thailand via the Dawei-Kanchanaburi border sounds tough for many.  Keep reading   ...

Inside a lavishly decorated casino, where chandeliers hang from the ceiling, cigarette smoke lingers in the air and platters of mango are served to gamblers, a game of baccarat is getting heated. Cards are slammed down, US$100 bills are brandished and Chinese tourists shout excitedly. Keep ...

The Laos Ministry of Energy and Mines has decided to participate in a government probe of the apparent failure July 23rd of a concrete gravity and clay core rockfilled dam that killed 34 people. At least 100 more people are reported missing. Heavy rains preceded the apparent collapse at the $1.02 ...

The government has announced it will examine the safety standards applied to the construction of hydropower dams across the country following the deadly disaster caused by the collapse of a dam in Attapeu province. Keep reading ...