Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Newspapers and magazines
Laos has only one
English-language newspaper
, the
Vientiane Times
, established in 1994.
Despite being somewhat thin, self-censored and nearly impossible to find outside the capital,
it is nonetheless a good window on Laos. Published by the Ministry of Information and Cul-
ture, the
Vientiane Times
focuses primarily on business and trade issues, although interesting
cultural pieces do slip in from time to time, and the occasional column showcasing people's
opinion on a selected social topic is a worthwhile read. You'll also find ads for restaurant
specials and local teaching jobs.
There are two
Lao-language dailies
and five weeklies. Of the two dailies,
Wieng Mai
and
Pasason
, the latter is more widely read. Both get their international news from KPL, the gov-
ernment news agency, and, for the most part, have their own reporters who file domestic
news. Neither is known for independent-minded reportage. In fact it's fair to say you'll find
much more news about Laos online (a list of recommended websites appears below) than you
can in the country.
Foreignpublications
are extremely difficult to find outside Vientiane, and even in the cap-
ital there are scant copies.
Newsweek
,
The Economist, Time
and the
Bangkok Post
are all sold
at minimarkets in Vientiane.
ONLINE NEWS ABOUT LAOS
vientianetimes.org.la
The official website of the
Vientiane Times
contains most of the
stories from Laos's only English-language newspaper.
laosguide.com/#/news
News gathered from around the world, with a strong bias towards
issues affecting Laos.
laosnews.net
Daily news updates from Laos, including links to stories about its economy
and tourist industry.
muonglao.com
An online magazine running articles that focus on the people and culture
of Laos.
bangkokpost.net
The website of Thailand's leading English-language daily, which often
runs stories about Laos.
Television and radio
Lao television's two
government-runchannels
broadcast a mix of news, cultural shows and
Chinese soaps for several hours a day, with no English programming. Reception is poor in
rural areas. One of the oddest sights in Laos is that of rickety bamboo and thatch huts and
houses all over the country with huge, modern satellite dishes attached to the roofs. Many
mid-range and top-end hotels provide
satellite TV
- though often these show only a handful
