Laos 20240529: Illuminating, Immersive, Compelling

Mekong Memo Laos Weekly: Business, politics, finance, trade & legal news.

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Headlines:

Tourism Boom with Vietnam, Thailand

Economic Woes Drive Human Trafficking

Citizens Adapt to Overcome Economic Hardships

UN Sounds Alarm on Record Meth Production

ADB Backs Agriculture and Green Initiatives

Anti-Smoking Measures with Graphic Warnings

Lao and Malay Audit Agencies in Tie-Up

Telecom Network Reaches Remote Villages

High Inflation Looms Throughout 2024

ASEAN Unites for Disaster Preparedness

Thai Foreign Minister to Make First Visit

Economy and Water are Focus of Climate Fears

Government Confronts Internal Issues

Tackling Helmet Neglect and Drunk Driving

Tourism Boom with Vietnam, Thailand

Cross-border tourism is growing, with more than 300,000 Lao visitors to Thailand in early 2024 and 837,000 Vietnamese tourists to Laos last year, up 133%. Cultural exchange programs and hassle-free travel options are making it easier than ever for people to try new experiences and build stronger regional connections. The trend is expected to continue.

Read more: Laotian Times (Cross-border tourism), VOV (Tourism cooperation)

Economic Woes Drive Human Trafficking

As the country deals with economic problems and rising inflation, more and more young Laotians are falling victim to human trafficking, lured by promises of work in cyberscam operations abroad. The government admits it's struggling to keep up with these crimes due to limited resources. At the same time, the Ministry of Labour is fighting for better protection of migrant workers' rights within the CLMTV region, recognizing their economic contributions and vulnerabilities.

Read more: Radio Free Asia (Human Trafficking), Asia News Network (Worker Protection)

Citizens Adapt to Overcome Economic Hardships

Soaring costs and a weak currency are squeezing citizens in all corners of the country. People who have been forced in to borrowing or seeking extra work to cope are making big changes in how they work in order to try and stay afloat.

Read more: Laotian Times

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UN Sounds Alarm on Record Meth Production

The United Nations is ringing the alarm as synthetic drug production in East and Southeast Asia hits an all-time high. A staggering 190 tons of methamphetamine were seized in 2023—the highest amount ever recorded. The Golden Triangle remains a hotbed for drug trafficking, as syndicates find new smuggling routes to evade crackdowns. The report also highlights a massive surge in ketamine production, which we should expect to see more of on the streets as a result.

Read more: The Diplomat