A 17-year-old Lao girl, identified only as Dao – a pseudonym to protect her identity, was reportedly harassed by a taxi driver on 19 April, shortly after Lao New Year. She was on her way to her employer’s house in Nongtha Tai village, Chanthabouly District, Vientiane Capital, where she works as a babysitter.
“I was so scared. I tried to protect myself by telling him that I don’t like this and brushed his hands aside from my thigh and chest, but still, he kept touching me.” Dao said.
She also explained that the driver initially spoke gently, but then began touching her inappropriately. He later stopped at a guesthouse and asked her to sleep with him in exchange for money, but she refused.
About 20 minutes later, he drove to another guesthouse and again tried to persuade her to enter. This time, Dao warned him that if he didn’t take her to her employer’s house, she would call and ask to be picked up. Only then did he begin driving toward the correct destination.
“I tried to get out of the car, but he locked the door and threatened me not to tell other people. I’m too scared to say anything but my parents,” Dao added.
The incident has significantly affected the girl’s daily life, leaving her fearful of going outside and struggling with insomnia. She remains terrified that the man who harassed her may return and try to harm her again.
“I dream about what happened every night and can’t sleep at all. I feel unsafe during the day and at night,” Dao said.
She urged other women to be cautious and avoid traveling alone whenever possible, so they don’t have to endure a similar experience.
Dao has reported the incident to the police. According to her, officers have confirmed that they are investigating the case and working to gather evidence in order to bring the perpetrator to justice.
The case quickly gained public attention after a Facebook user named Koc Latdamone Photsavang, the victim’s employer, posted a warning about the incident.
In her post, she wrote: “If anyone knows this man please contact me. Yesterday my son’s baby sister came to my house for work after Lao New Year from Khammouan Province at 16:00. Later I called a taxi driver to pick her up, but she was harassed by a driver, but she was too afraid to tell me that day.”
The post also included screenshots showing the distance from the Vientiane Southern Bus Station to Nongtha Tai village, the girl’s destination.
The journey reportedly took 71 minutes. However, Koc noted that, according to Google Maps, the estimated travel time should have been around 18 minutes, raising concerns and suspicions about the timeline.
“It’s not supposed to be that far from where she has to travel, where is he taking her for such a long period of time?” Koc said.
A similar case occurred on 14 March, when a video went viral showing a woman recording herself while being harassed by another taxi driver. The footage showed the man turning around from the front seat to reach toward her in the backseat, sparking outrage online.
“I’m scared to use the service now,” one comment said.
“[Girls] Should ask for female drivers,” another added.
The video triggered mixed reactions on social media. Some users blamed the victim’s attire, while others emphasized that the driver should be held fully accountable for his actions, regardless of appearance.
These two incidents have raised growing concerns about passenger safety and the reliability of taxi services in Laos—even during daylight hours.