Many families believed to be below poverty line: minister
More families in provinces across the country are believed to have fallen below the poverty line as a result of this year’s floods – the worst in decades – a minister has told the cabinet.
— The Vientiane Times
Lao PDR’s battle against corruption
Following Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad’s surprise victory in Malaysia’s 14th general election on 9 May, which was widely seen as a step forward for democracy, analysts and heads of government worldwide are now turning their eyes to the rest of the region in anticipation of similar political reversals.
— The Asean Post
Two Lao men nabbed for transporting drugs
Anti-drug police on Friday arrested two Lao nationals suspected of trafficking more than half a kilogram of crystal meth from Laos into Cambodia in Stung Treng province.
— Khmer Times
More talk on Pak Bang Dam, but is anyone listening?
The Thai delegation at a meeting this week on a third dam planned for the Lower Mekong River at Pak Bang in Laos urged the Chinese project developer, Datang Corp, to conduct a transboundary study to resolve outstanding issues.
— The Nation
Laos vows to eliminate malaria by 2030: deputy health minister
Laos has confirmed that it will cooperate with other nations in the Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS) in a bid to eliminate malaria in the country by 2030.
— Xinhaunet News
Govt struggles to legalise Lao workers in Thailand
Labour authorities will continue to work with their Thai counterparts to complete the registration of Lao nationals currently working illegally in Thailand.
— The Vientiane Times
5th Thai Lao Friendship Bridge to be built in Bueng Kan
Bueng Kan Chamber of Commerce has proposed to transform the province into a logistic hub after the 5th Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge is to be built in this northeastern province at the beginning of next year.
— News Today (video)
Laos, partners pledge ongoing cooperation in Vat Phou restoration
Laos and its partners will continue to cooperate in restoring and sustainably preserving many ruined structures at the World Heritage site of Vat Phou Champassak, which combines aspects of Khmer architecture and the Hindu religion.
— The Vientiane Times
Urgent : Task force seeks help from Laos to trace elephant killers
The Second Army Region’s Suranaree Task Force is to seek help from Laos to find the killers of an elephant in a national park in the border province of Ubon Ratchathani.
— The Nation
Laos, IOM meets on migration
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in cooperation with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) on Thursday held a national level workshop on migration and cooperation between the Lao PDR and IOM.
— KPL
Drone owners in Laos advised of permit regulations
The department’s Deputy Director General, Mr Bounteng Symoun, told Vientiane Times the operators of drones that weigh one kilogram or more must obtain a certificate from the Radio Frequency Department.
— The Nation
VN helps Laos to build map database
Visitors to Laos won’t have any excuse for getting lost after a detailed map was created after a four-year partnership between the country and Việt Nam.
— Viet Nam News
Children call for brighter future for every child
The Government of Lao PDR, represented by the Deputy Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone, UNICEF Representative, Mr Octavian Bivol, representatives of development partners, about 1,500 children and families gathered on Nov 17, 2018 at Patuxay to pledge their support to children’s rights and show their commitment towards building a world where every child is learning, safe from harm and able to fulfil their potential.
— KPL
Feature photo Plan International
This week’s Lao morning news feature photo acknowledges World Toilet Day November 19
Find our previous morning news feature photos in the AEC News Today Morning News Feature Photos gallery where you will find a pictorial display of daily life throughout the Asean Economic Community (AEC).
Lao morning news by AEC News Today is your one stop source for Lao PDR news on matters of governance and policies affecting Asean business communities. It is published M-F by AEC News Today: Governance, not government; policies not politics.

A a professional photographer since the days of film, he holds a Bachelor of Arts in Photomedia and a Postgraduate Diploma in Journalism.

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