Latest news with #LAK
The Star
04-08-2025
- Climate
- The Star
Laos steps up support for flood-hit provinces
On Aug 3, Vice President Pany Yathotou visited Hat Bo village in Nohet district, Xieng Khouang Province, to deliver essential supplies to families impacted by the floods. -- Photo credit: Vientiane Mai via Loatian Times VIENTIANNE (Laotian Times): Lao authorities are stepping up efforts to help residents affected by recent floods, as damage reports continue to come in from several provinces. On 3 August, Vice President Pany Yathotou visited Hat Bo village in Nohet district, Xieng Khouang Province, to deliver essential supplies to families impacted by the floods. The remote village was flooded on 22 July, affecting 34 houses and causing one death. Roads are still blocked, making recovery work more challenging. Pany stressed the need to get relief supplies to those who need them and urged local authorities to focus on fixing damaged infrastructure, such as homes, schools, and roads. She also called for urgent plans to relocate families living in dangerous areas near riverbanks to safer locations. She emphasized that district leaders should stay in close contact with affected communities to monitor their needs, properly assess the damage, and help families return to normal life as soon as possible. Kasi District Improves Flood Preparedness with New Equipment Flood preparedness and disaster response efforts are also underway at the community level. On 1 August, the Lao Red Cross and local officials provided early warning systems, rescue tools, and emergency funds to six villages in Kasi district, Vientiane Province. This effort is part of a larger disaster risk reduction project to improve community resilience. Somdok Khamphenxay, Deputy Director of the Vientiane Red Cross, said that 47 people, including village volunteers and members of district disaster committees, have been trained to respond better during emergencies. The equipment, valued at over LAK 205 million (USD 9,599), will be used for public awareness activities and rescue operations. Local villages have also set up funds for maintaining the equipment and buying medical supplies to ensure long-term preparedness. Nationwide Fundraising to Support Flood Recovery At the national level, the government has launched a fundraising campaign to support flood-hit provinces after the widespread damage caused by Typhoons Wutip and Wipha earlier this year. An official statement from the Central Disaster Management Committee, issued on 30 July, called on state enterprises, private companies, individuals, and organizations, both in Laos and abroad, to contribute donations. Relief efforts continue, with Deputy Prime Minister Kikeo Khaykhamphithoune handing over emergency supplies worth more than LAK 769 million (US$36,011) to authorities in Xieng Khouang on 29 July. Flooding over the past two months has caused severe damage in 14 provinces, affecting over 26,000 families and damaging thousands of homes, schools, and vital infrastructure. Provincial disaster committees are working closely with local authorities to assess needs and distribute aid. Xieng Khouang province has allocated LAK 140 million (US$6,556) for emergency support, while more funds and supplies have been sent to affected districts like Xieng Nguen and Nan. Work is ongoing to repair damaged roads, assist displaced families, and ensure that food, medicine, and other essential items reach those in need. Lao officials have reaffirmed their commitment to speeding up recovery efforts and continuing support for flood-affected communities, as the country remains on alert for more rainfall in the coming weeks. - Laotian Times
The Star
03-08-2025
- Health
- The Star
Laos to enforce strict penalties on tobacco companies failing to comply with new graphic warning regulations
Samples of the new graphics on health warnings on cigarette packs. - Photo: Laotian Times VIENTIANE (Laotian Times): The Lao Ministry of Health is stepping up efforts to reduce smoking by strictly enforcing new rules on cigarette packaging. Starting 15 August, companies and shops that fail to use the approved graphic health warnings on cigarette packs will face serious penalties, including fines, product seizures, and possible license suspensions. These packaging rules, which officially came into effect on 13 May 2024, require all cigarette packs to display large, clear images and messages warning about the dangers of smoking. Tobacco companies were given a 180-day window to comply, but that deadline has long passed. In fact, companies have delayed the process by an additional 253 days, totaling 433 days, now it's over one year since the regulation first took effect. Authorities now say enforcement is overdue. Stores caught selling cigarette packs with incorrect or outdated warning images will have the products seized and destroyed, and damages will be charged to the manufacturers. Fines, License Suspensions Await Non-Compliant Tobacco Firms Tobacco companies that continue using the old packaging will be fined depending on the number of violations. The first offense will result in a LAK 10 million (US$462) fine, followed by a LAK 20 million (US$925) fine for the second offense. From the third offense onward, the fine increases to LAK 50 million (US$2314.81), and the matter may be referred to the relevant authorities for further legal action. In more serious cases, companies may even face suspension or revocation of their business licenses. This move is part of Laos' broader effort to align with international tobacco control measures. The country is now the third in Asean, after Thailand and Singapore, to implement mandatory graphic health warnings on cigarette packs. The regulation also bans all branding and advertising on the packaging, allowing only ten approved warning designs that focus on the harmful effects of smoking. Laos has been a signatory to the World Health Organization's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control since 2006. By enforcing these new measures, the country hopes to better protect public health, especially among young people who are most at risk of picking up smoking habits. Tobacco use remains a major public health issue in Laos. More than 800,000 people across the country smoke, and tobacco-related illnesses kill an estimated 6,800 people each year—around 18 deaths per day. The financial cost is equally high, with the government spending approximately LAK 3.6 trillion, or around US$200 million, on healthcare expenses related to smoking each year. The South-East Asia Tobacco Control Alliance (SEATCA) has previously raised concerns over slow enforcement, noting that many cigarette packs still do not meet the new standards. SEATCA has urged the Lao government to increase inspections and impose penalties to ensure full compliance. By enforcing these new rules and holding the tobacco industry accountable, Laos hopes to lower smoking rates, reduce health risks, and build a healthier future for its citizens. - Laotian Times
The Star
18-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
Laos govt to renegotiate hydropower deals amid public outcry over electricity prices
VIENTIANE (Laotian Times): The Lao government has announced plans to renegotiate electricity purchasing agreements with hydropower companies in response to growing public anger over rising power bills. This decision comes after widespread backlash following the introduction of a new tiered electricity pricing system set to take effect from 2025 to 2029. The revised pricing, introduced by Electricité du Laos (EDL) in February, significantly raised electricity costs for all households. Even low-use households have seen their monthly bills nearly double in recent months. For instance, a household using 25 kilowatt-hours would pay approximately LAK 8,900 in January this year. By July, that cost had doubled, with further increases expected by the end of the year. High-usage households have been hit even harder. A household using 1,600 kilowatt-hours now faces a monthly bill of nearly LAK 2.5 million, a figure that could rise to over LAK 3.5 million by 2029 if no changes are implemented. The Lao electricity company said the higher rates are needed to fund expansion of the service's access to remote areas, where construction and service costs are high but commercial returns are low. According to EDL, these investments have contributed to the utility's growing debt, prompting a shift in pricing strategy. The issue became a major topic at a recent government cabinet meeting with provincial governors, held in mid-July. Government spokesperson Sonexay Sithphaxay reaffirmed the administration's commitment to reviewing the tariff policy and easing the burden on consumers. The cabinet has now endorsed a plan to reopen talks with hydropower developers in the second half of 2025. Officials hope to secure more affordable electricity rates that reflect both the country's economic realities and public concerns. - Laotian Times
The Star
27-04-2025
- Business
- The Star
Laos' Luang Prabang surges past tourism goals with over 1.1 million visitors, fuelling economic growth
VIENTIANE (Loatian Times): Luang Prabang experienced a tourism boom in the first quarter of the year, generating US$584,665,369 million in revenue, marking a 162 per cent increase in tourist numbers compared to the same period last year. Between January and March, the province welcomed 1,167,581 visitors, including 459,091 domestic travellers and 708,490 international tourists. This represents a significant increase of 722,679 visitors year-over-year, according to Soudaphone Khomthavong, Director of the Luang Prabang Provincial Information, Culture and Tourism Department. In 2024, Luang Prabang saw a total of over 2.3 million tourists, far exceeding its original target of 900,000. This influx played a key role in driving the province's GDP to LAK 3,989 billion (approximately US$183 million), with an average income of US$1,897 per person. The province continues to focus on development in key areas such as education, infrastructure, and tourism. As part of its ongoing efforts to strengthen the province, a meeting was held on April 21 at the Luang Prabang Military Command to address the shortage of teachers and improve educational outcomes. The session focused on identifying key challenges in human resource development and exploring practical solutions to support workforce growth across multiple sectors. In February, Luang Prabang was officially declared a 'poverty-free' and 'comprehensively strong' city, reflecting significant strides in regional development. -- Laotian Times
