Southeast Asia’s forests are fighting back – from Laos’s mass reforestation drive to Borneo’s ancient jungle. Around the Region For those of us in Bangkok who found ourselves knee-deep in flood water this week, this is merely a sign of things to come. Briefly, messily, typically a storm can see the water table in Thailand’s
Your Insider Guide to Southeast Asia Around The Region That low season feel is upon us here in Bangkok. Heat, humidity and daily downpours is the norm as the monsoon sweeps Southeast Asia. A strange time then, one would have thought, for the government to announce it’s ending the 60-day visa exempt trial and increasing
Issue No. 5 | Thursday 24 April 2026 Your insider guide to Southeast Asia asiaunmasked.com Your Week in Southeast Asia This week the region produced a mix of wins and warnings worth paying attention to. Two bear cubs were pulled from a Facebook listing in Laos within 24 hours of it going live – a
How Laos is positioning itself as a global leader in sustainable tourism—and how tourists can support the journey White minivans and tour buses collect Chinese tourists from the railway station in Luang Prabang and escort them for their entire time in Laos, highlighting how the infrastructure of zero-dollar tourism operations. The trains from Kunming arrive
Beyond the well-worn tourist paths lies a landscape where genuine cultural encounters remain possible—if you know how to engage respectfully The forest canopy closes in around you as your guide stops to point out fresh elephant tracks in the mud. You’re trekking through territory where the Akha, Lisu, Hmong, and Khamu peoples have lived for
Vientiane has always been a city that moves at its own pace—slower than its Southeast Asian counterparts, yet rich with charm. On a recent trip, I had the chance to experience this balance firsthand at Amari Vientiane, a hotel that effortlessly blends contemporary luxury with the quiet elegance of Laos’ capital. Having explored the city
Experience the charm of Luang Prabang from the water with a sunset cruise on the Senglao boat—where culture, nature, and tradition blend into an unforgettable journey along the Mekong River. There are moments in travel that stay with you forever—and my sunset cruise along the Mekong River in Luang Prabang was one of those moments.
There’s something magical about waking up on the Bolaven Plateau in southern Laos. The air is crisp, the mist rolls gently over the hills, and the scent of freshly roasted coffee beans lingers in the breeze. For anyone who loves coffee—or simply wants to see where some of the world’s finest beans are grown—this highland
As Visit Laos Year 2024 comes to a close, Laos has officially ended the special visa exemption and extended stay policies introduced to boost tourism. Starting 1 January 2025, tourists must follow the pre-2024 visa regulations when entering the country. Whether you’re dreaming of exploring the serene temples of Luang Prabang, cruising along the Mekong
The capital’s new heritage route opens up 59 historical buildings and transformed my exploration of Vientiane I had travelled to Vientiane a few times in the past, usually immersing myself in the city’s gentle pace and serene Buddhist temples. However, when I arrived this time, I was lucky to coincide with the launch of the
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