Asia Unmasked

06/03/2026

Even wonders of the world require maintenance

04/03/2026

Today we're monkeying around in Lopburi, Thailand

17/02/2026

Because... why not?

02/02/2026

Paragliding at sunset in Vang Vieng, Laos 🇱🇦

26/01/2026

Sundown in Sukhothai

17/01/2026

It's quiet at Nong Khai border checkpoint today. Despite rumours, no one holding a correct visa is being refused entry into Thailand. Enter on a visa-exempt stamp however, and expect to be asked to show proof of funds and an onward travel ticket out of Thailand

12/01/2026

The trains from Kunming arrive in Luang Prabang like clockwork. Sleek, comfortable, efficient—the Laos China Railway has cut journey time from eight hours to just over four, making travel to Laos’ most iconic destination easier and more affordable than ever. This infrastructure achievement represents a remarkable opportunity for Laos’ tourism sector to reach global markets and generate substantial economic benefit.

But not all the tourists arriving via the railway are spending their money in ways that benefit local Laotian communities equally. As Laos experiences unprecedented tourism growth—welcoming approximately 4.38 million international tourists in 2025, with tourism generating well over $1 billion in revenue—a particular tourism model has emerged that deserves examination: zero-dollar tourism, a business practice where visitor spending is concentrated through external networks rather than circulating through local economies.

White minivans and tour buses collect Chinese tourists from the railway station in Luang Prabang and es**rt them for their entire time in Laos, highlighting how the infrastructure of zero-dollar tourism operations.

07/01/2026

Until 1994 and the building of Friendship Bridge I, this cafe and shop on Nong Khai's riverside was the immigration & customs office and pier welcoming travelers from Laos, who's arrival was via boat across the Mekong

06/01/2026

Walking through Luang Prabang's old quarter during Christmas presents a sobering reality that doesn't necessarily match the popular tourism narrative. Yet this is not a story of failure - it's a story of a nation awakening to the genuine complexity of managing tourism's impact.

Understanding what Luang Prabang actually faces, and what Laos is genuinely attempting to address, matters for conscious travellers.

UNESCO World Heritage status alone cannot protect Luang Prabang from overtourism and Chinese tourism expansion. What the city actually needs—and what Laos is beginning to build—is strategic tourism management that prioritises local benefit and cultural preservation.

05/01/2026

Looking for a sustainable travel option in Vientiane? Hire a Kokkok!

These electric buggies can be booked via App and can get you to your destination for a fraction of the price of a tuktuk

02/01/2026

Vang Vieng in Laos offers thrill seekers plenty of adventure, be it powered paragliding, kayaking, or in this case hot air balloon rides above this majestic landscape

29/12/2025

A room with a view