SABAIDEE. BLOG

Lao Government Accelerates Key Expressways and Economic Recovery Plan for Final Quarter

2026-10-06T00:12:11.810-07:00

During the 2nd Ordinary Session of the 10th National Assembly on October 5, 2026, Prime Minister Saleumxay Kommasith outlined the Lao government's core economic priorities for the final quarter of the year. Key action items include:

Agricultural Recovery & Production: Boosting dry-season crop cultivation to offset recent flood damage; restoring irrigation systems; and supplying seeds, livestock, and fertilizers to farmers.
Infrastructure Repair & Acceleration: Repairing flood-damaged roads, particularly key trade corridors, national highways, and routes leading to agricultural and tourism hubs. Accelerating major approved infrastructure projects, including the Vientiane–Boten Expressway, the Paksane–Laos-Vietnam Border Expressway, and the Thakhek–Laos-Vietnam Border Railway.
Mining & Industry Regulation: Monitoring mineral production and exports, while promoting domestic processing of key resources such as gold, copper, potash, and bauxite.
Tourism Promotion: Enhancing tourism marketing and organizing engaging activities to achieve the national target of 4.46 million international visitor arrivals.

(AI PHOTO)

Beat the Heat: Vientiane’s Innovation with its First Smart Road Infrastructure

2026-10-03T05:09:36.947-07:00

Beat the Heat: Vientiane’s Innovation with its First Smart Road Infrastructure

As urban temperatures rise across Southeast Asia, Vientiane, the capital of Laos, is taking steps toward climate-resilient urban infrastructure. The city is putting the finishing touches on its first Smart Road Cleaning and Cooling Pilot Project. This initiative combines automated thermal management with pollution reduction to transform urban mobility in the capital.

Key Project Overview

Details	Description
Official Name	Vientiane Smart Road Cleaning & Cooling Pilot Project
Construction Start	March 2026
Target Completion	October 2026 (to begin a 30-day trial period)
Primary Funding	100% Grant Funding provided by the Government of South Korea
Key Tech	Heat sensors, PM2.5/PM10 air quality monitoring, embedded mist-spray nozzles

Why Was the Smart Road Built?

Vientiane experiences intense heat waves, with asphalt surface temperatures often far exceeding ambient air levels. The reasons for introducing smart road technology in the capital include:

Urban Heat Island Mitigation: Extremely high pavement surface temperatures accelerate road wear, exacerbate discomfort for motorcyclists and pedestrians, and elevate overall downtown temperatures.
Air Quality Control: Dust, fine particulate matter ( $\text{PM}_{2.5}$ and $\text{PM}_{10}$ ), and urban runoff degrade air quality. Spragging water mist traps airborne dust particles and flushes street surfaces clean.
Pavement Lifespan Extension: Excessive heat softens asphalt, causing rutting and structural deterioration over time. Keeping asphalt temperatures managed under peak heat conditions extends road longevity.
Model for Modernization: The pilot serves as a test bed to evaluate automated smart public works before expanding modern infrastructure throughout Vientiane and other provinces in Laos.

How the Technology Works

The system relies on real-time environmental sensing and automated water deployment:

Thermal & Air Sensors: Integrated sensors constantly monitor both airborne pollution levels (PM2.5, PM 10) and pavement surface temperature.
Automated Activation: When the asphalt surface temperature crosses a critical threshold—specifically 40 c—the system triggers automated nozzles embedded directly along the roadway.
Sustainable Water Use: The nozzles release a fine mist of recycled groundwater to cool the road surface down rapidly without creating hazardous standing water or unnecessary runoff.

Looking Ahead

Adapted from technology first tested by South Korea in Seoul, this smart road project brings climate-adaptation tech directly to the streets of Vientiane. Following the initial 30-day trial period, urban planners will analyze system performance to decide on potential rollouts across major thoroughfares in the city.

(Ai photo)

China Establishes New Joint Military Support Base in Laos

2026-10-01T23:49:00.739-07:00

China Establishes New Joint Military Support Base in Laos

BEIJING / VIENTIANE — China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) has expanded its overseas footprint into Southeast Asia with a new joint air force support and training facility in Laos.

The site, named the China-Laos Joint Support and Training Center, is Beijing's third major foreign military installation, joining outposts in Djibouti (2017) and Cambodia's Ream Naval Base (2025).

Facility & Capabilities

Located near Ban Keun—approximately 64 kilometers north of Vientiane—construction began in late 2025 on former farmland near a historic Vietnam War-era airstrip (Lima Site 44). By late 2026, satellite imagery confirmed a fully operational facility featuring a ~2,000-meter (6,562 ft) runway, hangars, and logistical barracks.

Core Objectives & Strategic Impact

Pilot Training & Aviation Support: Hands-on flight instruction, ground handling, and modern maintenance for the Lao People's Army Air Force.
Inland Defense Footprint: Unlike China's coastal naval bases, this installation provides the PLA with an inland logistics hub in mainland Southeast Asia, situated near key transit routes like the Boten–Vientiane railway.
Joint Logistics & Exercises: Staging ground for regional counter-terrorism drills, search-and-rescue ops, and medical exchanges.

While Beijing and Vientiane maintain the facility is a joint operation for non-combat assistance, Western and regional defense analysts view it as a key step in consolidating China's defense posture across Indochina.

(AI photo)

Laos Aims for Historic First Gold at 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026

2026-09-21T09:05:56.959-07:00

Laos Aims for Historic First Gold at 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026

September 21, 2026 — Laos has arrived in Japan with its sights set on history as the 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 officially opened this week.

A record 11,000 athletes from 45 countries and regions are competing from September 19 to October 4, 2026 in 469 events across 43 sports. Laos is among the nations welcomed early into the Athletes' Village.

On September 18, the Team Welcome Ceremony was held at the Athletes' Plaza, Garden Pier in Nagoya. Laos was welcomed alongside Malaysia, Pakistan, Singapore, Tajikistan and Vietnam, as well as the OCA Refugee Team, with flag-raising and national anthems symbolizing the start of the Games.

Leading the Lao PDR contingent was Asian Games medallist Koi Xavong, who carried the national flag at the opening ceremony — a moment highlighted by organizers as "Asian Games medallist Koi Xavong carries Lao PDR flag" for the 20th Asian Games.

A Nation Chasing Gold

Laos first competed at the Asian Games in 1974 and has steadily built its presence. Its all-time tally stands at 18 medals — 0 Gold, 4 Silver, 14 Bronze — ranked 39th overall.

The country's strongest sports remain:

Sepak Takraw - 6 medals (2 silver, 4 bronze)
Wushu - 7 medals
Pencak Silat, Boxing, Karate and Petanque

In 2026, Laos is competing across both traditional and new sports — including football (drawn in the group stage running September 15-24), soft tennis men's team, boxing with 33 NOCs participating, teqball, and esports, where Laos is one of 23 nations fielding a team.

The early action has already seen Laos in play: India's men's soft tennis team faced Laos in Group C on opening day, and in other preliminary rounds opponents have faced Laos' athletes in teqball and table tennis.

Hope in Petanque and Sepak Takraw

Officials from the National Olympic Committee of Lao are banking on Petanque — a sport with deep roots in Laos — and Sepak Takraw to break the gold drought. Laos won 3 bronze medals at Hangzhou 2022, and the federation believes the improved preparation in Nagoya could push them to the final.

"We have waited since 1974 for that first gold. The spirit in the village is high. Our athletes know they carry the hopes of 7 million people," a Lao official said during the welcome ceremony week.

The 20th Asian Games will run until October 4, with Laos' medal events in sepak takraw, petanque, wushu and boxing scheduled for the second week.

For Laos, Nagoya is not just another Games — it is a chance to move from bronze and silver to gold.

Singapore Airlines: The World’s Best Airline in 2026

2026-09-21T08:20:08.325-07:00

In 2026, Singapore Airlines has once again reached the top of the global aviation industry, being named the World’s Best Airline by Skytrax. The result marks the airline’s sixth victory since the World Airline Awards began in 1999.

The achievement is particularly significant because Singapore Airlines has faced intense competition in recent years. In 2025, Qatar Airways was ranked number one, while Singapore Airlines was second. In 2026, the positions reversed: Singapore Airlines moved to first, while Qatar Airways placed second. Cathay Pacific, ANA and Turkish Airlines completed the top five.

So, what makes Singapore Airlines number one?

One major factor is its consistency across different parts of the passenger experience. In 2026, Singapore Airlines won not only the overall award but also World’s Best Economy Class and World’s Best Economy Class Onboard Catering. It was also ranked among the leading airlines for business and first-class products.

Its strength is therefore not limited to luxury travelers. The airline has built a reputation for combining attentive cabin service, food quality, entertainment and a polished onboard experience across multiple travel classes. Skytrax specifically highlights its customer service, gourmet menus and extensive entertainment system as important strengths.

However, 2026 also shows how competitive the industry has become. Qatar Airways remains particularly strong in premium travel, winning World’s Best Business Class, World’s Best Business Class Lounge, and the inaugural World’s Best Onboard Wi-Fi award.

Singapore Airlines' return to number one is therefore less about a single spectacular feature and more about maintaining a high standard across the entire journey. After losing the top position to Qatar Airways in 2025, its 2026 victory demonstrates why consistency, service and passenger experience remain central to being recognized as the world's leading airline.

The Lao Exodus After 1975

2026-09-20T01:12:49.078-07:00

The Lao Exodus After 1975 On December 2, 1975, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic was established, marking the end of the Kingdom of Laos and the beginning of communist rule under the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party. The political change brought profound consequences for many Lao people, particularly those who had been associated with the former Royal Lao Government, military, civil service, or anti-communist forces. In the months and years that followed, large numbers of Laotians left the country. The new government arrested many former government officials and military personnel and sent them to what were called “re-education camps.” At the same time, centralized economic policies, political controls, and deteriorating economic conditions contributed to the growing exodus. The flight was particularly significant among the Hmong, many of whom had fought alongside the United States and the Royal Lao Government during the Lao Civil War. Fearing retaliation from the new authorities, as well as facing severe economic difficulties after the war, thousands fled across the Mekong River into Thailand. UNHCR records that by December 1975, about 54,000 Lao refugees were in Thailand, most of them Hmong. For many refugees, the journey was dangerous. Families crossed rivers and mountains, often traveling at night and leaving behind homes, possessions, and relatives. Thailand became the principal first refuge, where camps were established to accommodate people fleeing Laos. The refugee population continued to grow during the late 1970s. The scale of the exodus was considerable. A U.S. State Department historical account estimated that about 10 percent of Laos's population sought refugee status after 1975. Between 1975 and 1996, the United States resettled approximately 250,000 Lao refugees from Thailand, including about 130,000 Hmong. Other refugees were resettled in France, Canada, Australia, and other countries. The departure of so many people created a Lao diaspora that continues today. Communities formed across North America, Europe, and Australia, preserving Lao language, traditions, music, food, and memories of their homeland. The refugee exodus after 1975 was therefore not simply a movement of people across borders. It was one of the major consequences of the political transformation of Laos, separating families and creating a Lao diaspora whose history remains closely connected to the events of 1975 and the difficult years that followed.

21 March 1946: The Battle of Thakhek

2026-09-20T01:06:19.146-07:00

21 March 1946: The Battle of Thakhek

On 21 March 1946, the town of Thakhek in central Laos became the scene of one of the most violent battles of the early period of the First Indochina War. French colonial forces launched an attack to retake Thakhek, which was being defended by Lao Issara forces under Prince Souphanouvong, together with Vietnamese revolutionary fighters.

The battle followed France's decision to re-establish its control over Laos after the end of the Second World War. French forces, commanded by Jean Boucher de Crèvecoeur, attacked the town with artillery and air support. The fighting was intense but relatively brief. As the defenders withdrew toward the Mekong River, thousands of civilians and fighters attempted to cross to Nakhon Phanom in Thailand.

The retreat across the Mekong became the most tragic part of the event. French forces fired from the riverbank, while aircraft attacked boats carrying people across the river. Hundreds of Lao and Vietnamese combatants and civilians were killed. Historians have produced different estimates of the death toll, with some research suggesting around 1,000 people may have died, although the exact number remains uncertain.

Prince Souphanouvong was wounded during the fighting while attempting to escape from Thakhek. The French subsequently regained control of the town, and the defeat forced Lao Issara leaders and many refugees to flee across the Mekong into Thailand.

Today, 21 March is commemorated in Laos as a day of sacrifice and remembrance. The Battle of Thakhek remains an important part of the country's history of resistance to the restoration of French colonial rule and is remembered particularly for the loss of civilian lives along the Mekong.

Battle of TK in 1946

Thankhek town in 1940s

Photos made with AI

Kong Le’s Coup d’État in Laos

2026-09-20T00:47:09.503-07:00

Kong Le’s Coup d’État in Laos On 9 August 1960, Laos experienced a dramatic political upheaval when Captain Kong Le, a young army officer, seized control of the capital, Vientiane. His coup became one of the most important events in the turbulent history of Laos during the Cold War. Kong Le was an officer in the Royal Lao Army who criticized corruption, political instability, and foreign influence in Laos. He also expressed opposition to the use of Laos as a battleground in the growing conflict between communist and anti-communist forces in Southeast Asia. In the early morning of 9 August, Kong Le and his troops took control of key government buildings and military positions in Vientiane. Prime Minister Tiao Somsanith’s government was overthrown, although Kong Le stated that his primary objective was to restore political neutrality and improve the country’s situation rather than establish a personal dictatorship. The coup quickly attracted international attention. Kong Le supported the neutralist policies of Prince Souvanna Phouma, who returned to the premiership after the coup. However, the political situation remained unstable. The United States supported forces opposed to Kong Le, while the Soviet Union provided assistance to the neutralist side. Meanwhile, the communist Pathet Lao, led politically by Prince Souphanouvong, expanded its influence. By December 1960, forces loyal to General Phoumi Nosavan had driven Kong Le’s troops from Vientiane. Kong Le subsequently joined forces with the Pathet Lao and established a military position in the Plain of Jars. Kong Le’s coup did not permanently resolve Laos’s political problems. Instead, it contributed to a deeper division between neutralists, right-wing forces, and the Pathet Lao. The resulting conflict became closely connected to the wider Vietnam War and the Cold War in Southeast Asia, eventually leading Laos into prolonged civil war.

Photo: made with AI

Laos has relaxed some covid restrictions

2021-06-04T04:57:00.000-07:00

Laos relax some covid restrictions

-Restaurant, coffee shop are allowed to open and sit indoor but remain pratices physical distancing.

-Barber shops are allowed to open [customer shouldn't be crowded indoor]

-The shops are allowed to open, but must check temperature and shop's staff must vaccinate.

-Person who fully vaccinated after a month can travel between provinces [either by road or air], starting as of 5 June 2021.

-Walking in the public park is allowed.

ຄຳຄົມປະຈຳວັນ

2020-08-27T00:32:00.004-07:00

ຄຳຄົມຈາກຜູ້ທີ່ມີຊື່ສຽງ

Barcis lake ທະເລສາບ Barcis ຢູ່ໃນ Friuli Venezia Giulia ພາກເໜືອຂອງອີຕາລີ

2020-08-26T07:29:00.005-07:00

ທະເລສາບ, ເໝາະສຳລັບຜູ້ທີ່ມັກທຳມະຊາດ ຍ່າງເລາະຕາມ ແຄມນ້ຳ, ຊົມວິວ

ທະເລສາບ Fusine ຢູ່ພາກພື້ນ Friuli Venezia Giulia

2020-08-26T07:21:00.002-07:00

ໜຶ່ງໃນຈຸດທ່ອງທ່ຽວທີ່ສຳຄັນຂອງ ຂົງເຂດ Friuli Venezia Giulia ຂອງປະເທດ ອີຕາລີ ເຊິ່ງແຕ່ລະປີດຶງດູດນັກທ່ອງທ່ຽວທັງໃນ ແລະ ຕ່າງປະເທດ, ທະເລສາບນີ້ຕັ້ງຢູ່ໃນ Travisio ແຂວງ Udine (ທະເລສາບດ້ານເທິງ)

ພາບຖ່າຍໃນລະດູຮ້ອນປີ 2020 (ທະເລສາບດ້ານລຸ່ມ)

ຄຳຄົມທີ່ມີຊື່ສຽງ

2020-08-26T07:10:00.002-07:00

New decree on Phase 2 in Laos

2020-05-01T06:58:00.002-07:00

New decree on Phase 2, it will be effective on 4-17 May 2020
4.2 People is allowed to travel within capital and province as needed, but should strictly comply with the Covid-19 preventive measures
4.4 Exercise and outdoor sports are allowed, but the sport should not be played as team, close contact. the allowed sports are walking, running, bicycle, aerobic dance, golf, but participants should comply with social distancing rule and disease preventive measures.

Laos's new decree on Phase 2: effective on 4-17 May 2020

2020-05-01T06:27:00.001-07:00

ຕົ້ນຄຣິດສະມາດ

2019-07-02T00:11:00.000-07:00

ເຈົ້າຮູ້ບໍວ່າ ຕົ້ນຄຣິດສະມາດ ດັ້ງເດີມແມ່ນມາຈາກປະເທດ ເຢຍລະມັນ

ງົວ

2019-07-02T00:09:00.001-07:00

ເຈົ້າຮູ້ບໍວ່າ ງົວບໍ່ມີແຂ້ວເບື້ອງເທິງ

ນົກທີ່ນ້ອຍສຸດໆ

2019-07-02T00:07:00.001-07:00

ເຈົ້າເຄີຍຮູ້ບໍວ່າ ນົກທີ່ນ້ອຍສຸດໃນໂລກມືຊື່ວ່າ bee hummingbird ພົບໃນປະເທດ ກູບາ.

ຂອງຫຼິ້ນ

2019-07-02T00:05:00.003-07:00

ເຈົ້າຮູ້ບໍວ່າ ປະເທດຈີນ ຜະລິດຂອງຫຼິ້ນກວມເອົາ 70% ຂອງການຜະລິດໃນທົ່ວໂລກ.

ເຈົ້າເຄີຍຮູ້ມາກ່ອນບໍ?

2019-07-02T00:03:00.002-07:00

ອີຕາລີ ແລະຝຣັ່ງ ຜະລິດເຫລົ້າວາຍ ຫລື ເຫລົ້າໝາກອາງຸ່ນກວມ 40% ຂອງໂລກ.

ແຫລ່ງ:www.did-you-knows.com

ຄວາມຮູ້ທາງກົດໝາຍ

2018-08-07T23:12:00.002-07:00

ສວນສະຫງວນເຂດ ທາງຕອນເໜືອ ອີຕາລີ

2017-04-22T02:31:00.000-07:00

Riserva naturale regionale della foce dell'isonzo

ADB PREDICTS LAOS ' ECONOMIC

2016-03-31T05:02:00.002-07:00

ADB 's report about Laos economic , it is predicted that the economic growth will increase in 2016 and 2017 that is due to the export of electricity ,construction business and services will be potentially increasing and plus, the price of fuel decreases which will be able to mitigate the deficit ,payment with foreign country and inflation. it is predicted that the GDP will grow around 6,8% in 2016 which is slight growth comparing to 6,7 % in 2015 and it is also predicted that it will increase more around 7% in 2017.

source:vientianeMai

Power plant in Hongsa

2016-03-03T04:39:00.001-08:00

Hongsa Power limited has started launching the 3^rd electricity generator on 1 March,2016 after the first and second generator was launched successfully and started supplying the power since the beginning of June and the beginning of November,2015 as the required time that specified in the concession agreement and purchase- sale agreement which has signed between Generation Authority of Thailand and Laos state electricity or EDL

Vientiane Trial 2016

2016-03-01T12:12:00.000-08:00

The trial project aims at historical town recovery ( Vientiane Trial 2016) was held on 26 Feb 2016 at Wat Ongteu (Ongteu temple), the event was participated by Mr. Keophilailath, deputy Vientiane governor; Dr. Santhisouk, a director of Public work and Transportation Ministry Office, Mr….Director of Japan consulate to Laos and relevant supporters and guests

Vientiane Trial 2016 was held for a second year after achieving a satisfactory result and positive response from multi -parties at the 1^st event in 2015. This event this year will help to promote and create an awareness of Vientiane people as well as the commercial stores, operators, businessmen and individuals who live in the historical preservative area to acknowledge and understand how to protect the mentioned area to be unique and old culture as it is promoted and created an attraction for tourism.