News Items

AirAsia introduces Chiang Mai-Hanoi flights AirAsia has launched from direct flights a week between Chiang Mai and Hanoi. The Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday flights start from October 28, bringing its network to eight routes. The addition comes with a promotional fare starting at Bt1,090 per trip until August 19 for travel from October 28 … Read more

Cambodia – the end of the Phnom Penh Post Newspaper Editor fired, staff resign as new owner takes over Cambodian newspaper Posted: 08 May 2018 12:00 AM PDT Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA) New owners and managers took over on 7 May 2018 the editorial and operations of the last independent English-language newspaper in Cambodia … Read more

European architectural influence in Thailand: Along the Northern teak wood trail For hundreds of years, teak wood was considered one of the most precious commodities in Southeast Asia. Northern Thailand was a key trade route for the teak wood industry, and today, travellers can rediscover how teak shaped the prosperity of some of the Northern … Read more

Satun Geopark in southern Thailand has become the country’s first UNESCO Global Geopark. The Geopark, known for its limestone mountain ranges, abundance of fossils and network of beautiful islands, was recognized for both its diverse geological and cultural heritage as well as efforts at the site to promote conservation, education and tourism best practices in … Read more

E-visa set to go online year-end, early 2019 Electronic visa (E-visa) services are set to be offered at the end of this year or early next year in a move to attract more foreign tourists to take vacations in Laos. Authorities in charge are accelerating procedures and related works preparing for the launch of the … Read more

Friendship Bridge History: The 1st Mekong Friendship was opened on April 8, 1994, it was the first bridge across the lower Mekong, and the second on the full course of the Mekong. Funded by the Australian government, construction cost A$42million. Other bridges followed & there are now four Friendship Bridges: 1. Nong Khai (T) / … Read more

PTT which as set the bar for petrol stations in S E ASia is on a program to expand their network on a massive scale. PTT plans massive expansion in Laos to meet growing demand PTT Plc, the state-owned fuel supplier in Thailand, has plans for massive business expansion in Laos six years after entering … Read more

Exploring Myanmar’s vast network of limestone caves An international team exploring Myanmar’s network of limestone caves is helping to raise awareness about their conservation value and ecotourism potential. By MARIE STARR | FRONTIER It may be surprising to learn that much of Myanmar is one long, thick block of limestone. Starting in the north at … Read more

Second Vietnamese global geopark recognized by UNESCO Non Nuoc Cao Bang has taken a step onto the international stage just two years after its establishment. A park in Vietnam’s northern province of Cao Bang was named a new global geopark at a UNESCO executive board meeting on Thursday. Non Nuoc Cao Bang is now the … Read more

What the pho? Vietnam street food cocktails make a splash ‘Through cocktails, we can promote Vietnamese cuisine around the world,’ said Pham Tien Tiep, owner of the Ne bar in Hanoi. With his daring pho cocktail inspired by Vietnam’s signature beef noodle soup, Hanoi’s leading hipster bartender Pham Tien Tiep is hoping to elevate the … Read more

Plans for a massive Chinese development project around the famed Khonephapheng waterfall in Champasack Province are moving forward, as talks between provincial authorities and a Chinese investment firm continue. The results of a study on the potential of a Khonephapheng Special Economic Zone (SEZ), as it will be known, were presented to the Ministry of … Read more

The People’s Committee of Da Nang has ordered the relocation of boats anchored at the Han River Pier to make way for the 2018 Da Nang International Fireworks Festival (DIFF) in April. An administrative document issued by the People’s Committee on Thursday enforces a temporary shut-down of the Han River Pier, located on Bach Dang … Read more

Illegal wildlife parts trade thrives in Kachin’s Puta-o Despite intensified nationwide efforts to curb illegal wildlife trade, Putao — a remote town in conflict-torn Kachin State that borders China — is a hotbed of the illicit activity, according to sources who saw first-hand the body parts of endangered animals being sold open in markets and … Read more

Uncontrolled development threatens Ngapali Beach Ngapali, the former top beach in Southeast Asia, plunged to number 25 in the 2017 ranking of the top beaches of the world by American travel and restaurant website Trip Advisor. Travel and tours executives warn against over development, as Ngapali attracted increasing numbers local and foreign tourists because of … Read more

Thailand Delays Decision on Power Purchase from Pak Beng Dam March 13, 2018 In mid-February, the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) issued a letter to the Rak Chiang Khong Group, a Thai Mekong community network. The letter stated that a decision on signing the Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) for the Pak Beng Dam in … Read more

Laos – Vientiane New River Road Downstream New road to ease travel through south Vientiane A 26-km road running along the Mekong River in the south of Vientiane is being paved with asphalt, with the work to be completed before the start of the rainy season. The road upgrade is part of the Vientiane Flood … Read more

Mogok prepares to party for 800th birthday: 29 – 31 March 2018 Locals hope celebrations will put the ‘Ruby Land’ on the tourist map. Planning has begun for celebrations of the 800th anniversary of the discovery of gems and subsequent founding of Mogok, a rather auspicious occasion for the city which now produces 90 percent … Read more

Hoi An emerges as destination for health tourism in Vietnam The “Vietnam Retreat” program of Hoi An For over a decade, tourists from different corners of the world have come to the tranquil town of Hoi An in central Vietnam seeking health improvement through a special tour aimed at healing their illnesses from the inside. … Read more

The 2018 Muang Nan rocket festival is to be held on 27-29 May 2018. Muang Nan is on R4 75 kms south-west of Luang Prabang. What do you do when it’s hot, dry and you want it to rain? Shoot rockets into the clouds … at least that’s what the men of Muang Nan do … Read more

LUANG PRABANG EYES ROADS TO LIFT TOURISM More road links are planned to popular Lao drawcard Luang Prabang to make it easier for tourists from Thailand and other neighbouring countries to visit the World Heritage town. Luang Prabang provincial governor Khamkhan Chanthavisouk, said: “To provide more convenient transport links to neighbouring countries and other provinces … Read more

Laos Preparing Hin Nam No Application for World Heritage Status (KPL) Laos is in the process of preparing application of the Hin Nam No National Protected Area in Khammuan for UNESCO World Heritage status. Application process is expected to be completed in 2020, according to Deputy Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism Savankhone Razamountry. The … Read more

Plain of Jars on track for UNESCO listing next year Lao authorities will submit documentation to UNESCO by the end of this month for the Plain of Jars in Xieng Khuang province to be added to the world heritage list after the government approved related documents last year. The UNESCO vetting process is expected to … Read more

Bo Sang Umbrella and Sankampang Handicrafts Festival 2018 The annual Bo Sang Umbrella and Sankampang Handicrafts Festival celebrates and recognises the community that creates Thailand’s most famous umbrellas handmade from Saa, or mulberry bark, paper. This year the event takes place from 19 to 21 January, 2018. Legend has it that a monk travelled to … Read more

Plan to visit five ‘Chiangs’ hatched CHIANG RAI, 10 January 2018: Far north Thailand and its neighbours, Myanmar and Laos, should join hands with China to promote travel routes to the “five Chiang cities” of the region. That was the conclusion of a brainstorming workshop in Chiang Rai, earlier this week, that focused on the … Read more