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Apparent Attack Jets Seen at Chinese-Built Base
Satellite images appear to show eight K-8 light attack jets and more than two dozen support vehicles at Ban Keun, the day after the joint training center opened. The Lao air force owns four K-8s. The 2,000-meter runway could be extended to 3,000 meters, which would accommodate bombers, transports and tankers. Beijing is keeping quiet about which aircraft and personnel will be based there. The site is less than 170 km from Thailand's Wing 23 air base at Udon Thani.
Read more: Reuters (satellite imagery), The Diplomat (security implications), Modern Diplomacy (base background), Focus Taiwan (regional concerns)
Assembly Makes Saleumxay Prime Minister
The National Assembly unanimously made Saleumxay Kommasith prime minister and moved Sonexay Siphandone into the assembly presidency, vacant since Xaysomphone Phomvihane died in August. Sonexay had held onto the premiership after the March elections, and state media are offering no explanation for the change beyond the need to fill the vacancy. Saleumxay has been a deputy prime minister since 2022 and was foreign minister from 2016 to 2024. He has also served at the UN and studied in Moscow and Australia.
Read more: The Diplomat (political context), KDH News (leadership change), Thai PBS World (regional view), Laotian Times (domestic details)
Economy Grows 4.8 Percent, Misses Inflation Goal
The economy grew 4.8 percent in the first nine months of 2026, Saleumxay Kommasith told the National Assembly as it appointed him prime minister. The government expects 5.1 percent growth for the full year, missing its 5.5 percent target. Outside forecasts are gloomier, with the World Bank expecting 4.1 percent and the Asian Development Bank 4 percent. Inflation averaged 7.9 percent, well above the government's 5 percent goal. About 3.3 million international visitors arrived during the nine months, leaving the country well short of its annual target of 5 million to 6 million.
Read more: Laotian Times
Rare Earth Zones Named After Chinese Mine Halted
The government has identified two prospective rare earth zones, Bolikhamxay-Khammuane and Sekong-Attapeu, ten days after suspending a Chinese-controlled mine because of compliance problems. Officials have released no estimates of the deposits' size or quality. Lao ore is reportedly being sent to China for processing.
Read more: Rare Earth Exchanges
Police Seize 521 kg of Meth From Private Jet
Police found 521 kg of crystal meth aboard a Learjet at Luang Prabang airport and detained thirteen people. Seven are airport staff who, according to police, moved 23 suitcases through an X-ray machine and onto the jet. The aircraft had arrived empty from Malaysia's Subang airport. Malaysian police believe the drugs were headed for Manila, although one Lao report said the jet was expected to return to Malaysia. Investigators are checking for any connection to the July arrest of a Malaysia Airlines pilot in Indonesia.
Read more: The Star (drug seizure), Malaysiakini (Malaysian investigation), Laotian Times (Lao account), New Straits Times (flight route)
196 Scam Suspects Handed to China, Thailand
Officials have handed over 118 Chinese and 78 Thai detainees to their home countries at the Boten-Mohan checkpoint and the 4th Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge. All but seven face cybercrime or telecom fraud allegations, while the others are accused of entering the country illegally. Police have detained more than 6,200 suspected scammers from more than 25 countries since January.
Read more: Laotian Times (Chinese handover), Laotian Times (Thai handover)
Thailand Backs $55.4 Million Luang Prabang Mekong Bridge
Thailand has approved $55.4 million in financing for an 820-meter bridge across the Mekong between Luang Prabang and Chomphet District. The government is preparing to sign the concessional loan agreement. Construction is expected to start sometime next year and should take four years. The bridge will shave 30 to 45 minutes off the roughly nine-hour trip from Thailand's Nan Province.
Read more: Laotian Times
Khammouane Prepares UNESCO Geopark Bid
Khammouane is preparing a UNESCO bid for the Hinboun Geopark, a landscape of karst mountains and river caves. Hidden Hands Cave holds more than 285 prehistoric rock art images and opened to the public in June.
Read more: Laotian Times
That's all for this week, thanks for reading. Your voice matters to us. Feel we're missing something? Have additional sources to suggest? Don't hold back- hit reply and tell us what you think.
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