Happy Lao New Year 2569!

 

May all past occurrences be laid to rest.

May you take on the New Year with renewed strength and wisdom.

May you have many blessings in happiness and love.

ໂຊກດີປີໃໝ່ລາວເດີທຸກຂົນ

Happy Lao New Year everyone!

Looking for gas in Laos?

Screenshot from March 23, 2026 (am)

If you're looking for gas or diesel in Laos, be sure to check out this website.

Gas prices soar in Laos amid US/Israel conflict with Iran

The US/Israel war with Iran has caused fuel prices around the world to increase, including in Laos.  Coupled with Iran's response to the war by a partial closure of the Straight of Hormuz, saw frenzied fuel buying throughout Laos when news broke that Thailand said it would ban fuel exports that was to become effective March 1.

Talented Lao sketch artist

Vat Sisaket in Vientiane.  Credit: TravellersLog

A Youtuber whose channel name goes simply by @TravellersLog, is an incredible talented Lao artist.  Take a look at these videos as he sketches the beautiful sites around Laos.

Is the economic crisis in Laos coming to an end?

Written By:  James Guild
Publisher, Date:  The Diplomat, December 4, 2025

The kip has stabilized and inflation is dropping, but the issue of the government’s heavy external debt remains unresolved.

New mapping reveals hidden mining boom in Laos that threatens the Mekong

Written by: Any Ball, Gerald Flynn, and Konlaphat Siri
Edited by: Philip Jacobson
Publisher, Date:  Mongabay, December 10, 2025

Key points

• Satellite analysis has identified 517 suspected riverbank mines in Laos, many likely illegal, with clusters along key Mekong tributaries, raising fears of widespread, unmonitored contamination.
• Officials in Attapeu province confirmed illegal mining remains pervasive despite crackdowns, with most operations missing from official records and many linked to Vietnamese or Chinese supply chains.
• The mining surge, including gold and rare earth extraction, poses major risks to ecosystems and communities in the Mekong Basin, where water testing capacity is weak and signs of declining fish populations and polluted rivers are emerging.
• Researchers say Mekong countries must coordinate regionally and engage China, the main importer of the region’s mining output, while strengthening enforcement and environmental oversight to address a rapidly expanding, largely unregulated mining sector.

Full video of the boat that sank near Pak Ou Caves in Luang Prabang

On December 18, 2025, a slowboat from Huay Xai to Luang Prabang hit underwater rocks near Pak Ou Caves, known locally in Lao as Tum Ting.  From that point it began to slowly take on water and eventually broke in half and sank. 

Here's the full video.