SABAIDEE. BLOG

  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...

  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 Chasi...

  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 therefo...

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...

  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 ...

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 ...