Two tragedies struck Lao women recently. First a 19-year-old girl jumped to her death from the 10th story of a condominium in Bangkok. Thai police said a love gone sour was the cause but did not rule out human trafficking. Then 16 female boat racers lost their lives in the their boat capsized during the annual boat race on the Mekong river.
On the bright side, Japan’s Kansai Electric Power Company says it will develop a 57 MW hydroelectric power plant in southern Laos. The Xekatam project in Champassack province is estimated to cost about US$100 million to build. The electricy produced will be used domestically as well as exported to Thailand.
Listen to our Laos in Brief report for detail.