Plastic waste at That Luang Lake has drawn renewed attention after primary school students joined a cleanup activity as part of a broader push to promote environmental responsibility.

That Luang Lake is one of Vientiane’s most visited public spaces. It serves as a popular exercise area in the early morning and transforms into a busy evening market for families and vendors. However, plastic litter has increasingly accumulated around the lake.

Recently, Year 4 students and staff from Panyathip British International School carried out a cleanup along the lake’s shore as part of their International Primary Curriculum unit, “The Nature of Life.” The activity aimed to connect classroom learning with environmental action.

“Our teaching approach shows that learning can go beyond the physical classroom environment. The children made us so proud,” sid David Dauncey, their class teachers. “By cleaning the lake area, students see the real-world impact of waste and we hope these young change-makers carry these lessons forward to help others look after nature for the benefit of everyone.”

Students filled several large bags with trash during the activity, though participants said the amount of waste in the area exceeded what the group could remove in a single session.

“We wanted to help nature and stop plastic trash getting into the lake,” said Nin, a Year 4 student. “It made me feel a bit sad to see so much trash as it was kind of disgusting. We hope people stop dropping and burning trash in our country.”

The school’s Deputy Headteacher Nuky Rodil said the school supports practical environmental education. 

“We are proud to see learning come to life beyond the classroom walls,” she said. “Through hands-on experiences and real community action, our students and teachers are turning knowledge into purpose.”

Community groups in other provinces, including Luang Prabang, have also organized cleanups and awareness campaigns in recent months. 

Environmental advocates say that while volunteer activities help reduce visible waste, long-term improvement depends on consistent public cooperation, stronger waste management systems, and responsible disposal practices.

Officials continue to encourage residents and businesses to support efforts to keep public spaces clean, emphasizing that environmental protection requires participation from all sectors of society.

source: https://laotiantimes.com/2026/02/12/students-join-that-luang-lake-cleanup-as-part-of-keep-lao-clean-campaign/

The Elephant Festival (Boun Xang) 2026 will take place in Xayabouly district, the provincial capital, featuring 50 elephants in honor of the 50th anniversary of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic.

Boun Xang will begin on 9 February with a traditional ritual to notify spirits, elephant rides, and an evening cultural performance.

On the following day, a 10-kilometer mini-marathon will take place, adding a sporting dimension to the celebrations.

Throughout the week, visitors can enjoy rehearsals of the grand elephant parades, cultural showcases by ethnic groups, a market offering local and international goods, and traditional alms-giving ceremonies for the elephants.

The official opening ceremony on 14 February will feature cultural performances by over 1,000 local students, unique presentations from all 11 districts across the province, and special elephant demonstrations including dancing to traditional Lao instruments, basketball playing, and painting.

Other key attractions include the Miss Elephant Festival Contest, a merit-making ceremony for the elephants, and an array of cultural performances and concerts.

Visitors can also experience elephant rides through Xayabouly district and participate in various other festival activities.

The festival will close on 16 February with a ceremony honoring elephants and awarding prizes for each district’s parade.

Cultural Significance

The elephant holds deep significance as Laos’ national animal, connecting to the country’s historical identity as Lane Xang Kingdom, or “Land of a Million Elephants,” which flourished from the 14th to 18th centuries.

Xayabouly Province is one of the few remaining homes for elephants in Laos and hosts the annual Elephant Festival to celebrate this heritage while promoting conservation efforts.

Most wild elephants are found in the Nam Poui National Protected Area (NPA) in northwestern of the province, which spans 191,200 hectares across Phiang, Paklay, and Thongmixay districts along the Lao-Thai border.

The 2026 Xayabouly Elephant Festival is expected to draw large crowds in a celebration of culture, conservation, and national identity.

Conservation Concerns

While the festival aims to celebrate Laos’ heritage, it also raises important conservation and welfare concerns. 

Wild elephant populations in Laos have declined significantly due to habitat loss, while captive elephants face challenges including training practice, performing stress, and inadequate care.

Over the past 30 years, elephant numbers have fallen by more than 75 percent, leaving an estimated 500 to 1,000 animals nationwide, both wild and captive.

Habitat loss remains a major driver of the decline. 

Forest cover has dropped from about 70 percent in the 1950s to around 40 percent today, restricting elephant migration routes and increasing conflict with farming communities. 

As forests shrink, elephants increasingly enter agricultural areas in search of food, leading to crop damage and, in some cases, retaliatory killings.

Low reproduction rates further complicate recovery.

Experts estimate that for every two to three elephant births each year, around ten elephants die, largely due to ageing populations, stress, and limited breeding opportunities. Illegal trafficking, particularly of calves destined for overseas zoos, continues to pose additional risks.

In Xayabouly Province, which remains home to one of Laos’ largest elephant populations, conservation groups such as the Elephant Conservation Center work to rehabilitate the species, support mahout livelihoods, and promote breeding and habitat protection.

Animal welfare advocates emphasize the need for ethical tourism that prioritizes observation-based experiences over rides, proper veterinary care, and natural social groupings.

source: https://laotiantimes.com/2026/02/04/xayabouly-to-host-annual-elephant-festival-amid-ongoing-animal-welfare-debate/

Attapeu Province recorded tourism growth in 2025, welcoming 160,067 visitors and achieving nearly 114 percent of annual targets.

According to provincial authorities, the southern Lao province’s tourism sector achieved 113.84 percent of its planned objectives, with visitors comprising 31,217 domestic tourists and 128,850 international travelers. Tourism activities generated LAK 74 billion (approximately USD 3.4 million) in revenue.

The success was driven by strategic initiatives throughout the year. Key activities included major cultural and tourism events such as the King Xayasetthathirat Festival, celebrations for Lao Tourism Year, and participation in regional tourism product exhibitions to promote provincial attractions.

Provincial authorities noted that infrastructure development proceeded on schedule, with 90 tourist sites developed to meet 100 percent of planned targets. Key projects included surveys of Xe Kaman 1 Dam, Phu Daeng Cave (Red Mountain), and the historic Ho Chi Minh Trail to develop as tourism sites in the future.

For 2026, the province has adopted the tourism slogan “Modern, Preserved, Impressive,” aiming to attract more domestic and international tourists.

Nationally, Laos welcomed nearly 4.6 million tourists in 2025, an 11 percent increase year-on-year that surpassed the government’s target of 4.3 million visitors, according to the Tourism Development Department.

source: https://laotiantimes.com/2026/02/03/attapeu-province-attracts-over-160000-tourists-in-2025-exceeds-annual-target/