Laos 20241127: Confident, Revealing, Caffeinated
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Headlines:
Methanol Poisoning Claims Lives of Travelers
Strict Penalties for Food Safety Violations
Savannakhet Tourism and Economic Growth Soar
Cambodia and Laos Reshuffle Foreign Ministers
School Dropout Rates Improving
Laos and China Ink Legal Cooperation Agreement
Crackdown on Golden Triangle Drug Trafficking
Regional Security at ASEAN Defense Talks
Philippines in Defense Cooperation Agreement
Vietnam and Laos in Media Co-operation Pact
Unitel a Model for Cross-Border Cooperation
The Rise of Lao Coffee: Flavor Meets Tradition
Methanol Poisoning Claims Lives of Travelers
Six tourists from Australia, Denmark, the UK, and the US have died after consuming alcohol suspected to be tainted with methanol in Vang Vieng. Methanol, sometimes used illegally to cut costs, can be fatal in even very small amounts. Doctors Without Borders has identified Asia as a high-risk region for such poisonings, referring to outbreaks in other destinations like Bali. Travelers are advised to avoid alcohol from unlicensed or unlabeled sources. Methanol poisoning often mimics food poisoning, making diagnosis and prevention difficult in the earliest stages.
Read more: NBC Los Angeles (Overview), News.com.au (Other Poisonings)
Strict Penalties for Food Safety Violations
Following suspected methanol poisoning deaths in Vang Vieng, authorities are saying that they will strictly enforce Article 183 of the Penal Code. This section of the law penalizes food safety violations with up to 10 years in prison and fines of LAK 50 million (~USD 2,290) for multiple fatalities. The Nana Backpacker Hostel has been temporarily closed, and authorities say that investigations are ongoing to hold violators accountable.
Read more: Laotian Times
Savannakhet Tourism and Economic Growth Soar
Tourism in Savannakhet Province has grown by more than a quarter so far in 2024, with 683,166 visitors from January to October. Infrastructure upgrades, cultural festivals, and historical site renovations fueled the growth. The province also reported 7.8% economic growth, driven by the Savan Seno Special Economic Zone, mining, and agriculture. Further investments in tourism services and cross-border projects are expected to keep the momentum in tourism and foreign investment going for the foreseeable future.
Read more: Laotian Times
Cambodia and Laos Reshuffle Foreign Ministers
Cambodia and Laos have both replaced their foreign ministers, a potential sign of preparation for coming geopolitical reshuffling. Laos appointed Thongsavanh Phomvihane, a seasoned diplomat with ties to China, as its new foreign minister to improve relations with Beijing as Laos suffers through a debilitating economic crisis.
Read more: Eurasia Review
School Dropout Rates Improving
The Ministry of Education reported a fall in school dropout rates, with primary rates dropping to 5.2% and secondary rates to 11.5%. Enrollment in early childhood and secondary education also improved over the years 2006 to 2020. Progress stalled during the COVID-19 pandemic, but the Ministry continues working to bring the dropout numbers down while emphasizing vocational education and gender parity in the national education reform strategy.
Read more: Laotian Times
Laos and China Ink Legal Cooperation Agreement
The justice ministries of Laos and China signed an agreement on November 21 to improve cooperation in law and justice. The pact includes promises to improve legal reforms, court judgment enforcement, legal aid, alternative dispute resolution, and professional training for justice personnel, among other things.
Read more: Laotian Times
Crackdown on Golden Triangle Drug Trafficking
Laos is redoubling efforts against transnational drug syndicates in 2024, processing 3,395 cases and arresting 5,168 individuals, including 200 foreigners. Authorities seized vast quantities of heroin, methamphetamine, cannabis, and chemicals, dismantling opium fields across nine provinces. The Golden Triangle remains a major transit point, with traffickers taking advantage of Laos' borders to access lucrative markets. Measures include 14 rehabilitation centers, drug-free zones, and international coordination to combat the narcotics trade. Experts say there continues to be a need for regional collaboration to counter threats and address economic factors driving illicit activities.
Read more: Bernama, Laotian Times
Regional Security at ASEAN Defense Talks
Defense chiefs from Southeast Asia, the U.S., China, and other nations came together in Laos for closed-door ASEAN security discussions against a backdrop of rising tensions in the South China Sea. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun attended the meeting, though Dong declined a one-on-one with Austin. The talks centered on strategic challenges as regional confrontations driven by China’s assertive maritime claims remain cause for concern.
Read more: Manila Times
Philippines in Defense Cooperation Agreement
The Philippines and Laos signed their first defense agreement during the ASEAN Defense Ministers Meeting in support of joint military training, disaster response, and cultural exchanges. Signed by Philippine Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro and Lao Defense Minister General Chansamone Chanyalath, the memorandum builds on existing collaborations, including military training and repatriation efforts in the Golden Triangle. The agreement comes as the two nations mark 70 years of diplomatic ties.
Read more: Philstar
Vietnam and Laos in Media Co-operation Pact
Vietnam News Agency (VNA) and the Lao News Agency (KPL) signed a new memorandum of understanding on bilateral media collaboration. The agreement focuses on sharing news content, professional training, and technological cooperation. The MOU builds on decades of partnership, promoting information exchange to support regional integration and development.
Read more: VietnamPlus
Unitel a Model for Cross-Border Cooperation
Unitel, a joint venture between Vietnam’s Viettel and Laos’ Lao Asia Telecom, is celebrating 15 years of operation. The company is one of the biggest success stories in Vietnam-Laos economic collaboration as it dominates Laos’ telecom market with nearly three quarters of users. Unitel has contributed $2.3 billion to Laos’ economy and invested $1 billion in infrastructure.
Read more: VietnamPlus
The Rise of Lao Coffee: Flavor Meets Tradition
The Bolaven Plateau, where more than 80% of Laos’ coffee is grown, benefits from ideal volcanic soil and high altitudes. Arabica beans dominate exports, capturing international awards and acclaim. Family farms and cafes like Weekend Café in Champasack blend tradition with tourism, offering visitors memorable coffee experiences. As of 2022, Laos exported 20,000 tons of coffee, providing a livelihood for 40,000 families and cementing its status as the nation’s second-largest export. The industry supports local economies and rural livelihoods.
Read more: Laotian Times
That’s all for this week, thanks for reading.
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