Authorities in Luang Namtha have identified 184 people involved in two corruption cases that cost the state LAK 23.3 billion (USD 1.035 million), state media Socio-Economic News reported on 5 November.
Of the 184 people, 155 faced administrative action, while 23 were prosecuted and sentenced by the courts. The remaining six are officials under central-level management.
Authorities have recovered LAK 16.3 billion (USD 724,000), but some money is still outstanding.
The uncovered balance is LAK 3 billion (USD 133,000) and over RMB 200,000 (about USD 28,000). Authorities have also transferred six plots of land to the State Property Management Division and handed over three SUVs to the Provincial Office.
The Provincial Party-State Inspection Committee announced the figures at a conference on 29 October. The meeting reviewed the committee’s work from 2021 to 2025 and set out plans for 2026 to 2030.
The committee also reported inspecting 40 state investment projects. Of these, 37 are complete, while three are still under review.
Former Agriculture Official Jailed
The findings in Luang Namtha come as authorities pursue other corruption cases across Laos.
On 14 October, a Vientiane court sentenced a former Agriculture Ministry official to 18 years and three months in prison. He had signed six notices that cost the state LAK 1.56 billion (USD 69,300) in lost taxes and fees.
Quarantine Scheme and BRT Project
Earlier, on 8 October, State Inspection Authority President Vansay Phongsavanh presented two major findings to the National Assembly.
In one case, authorities disciplined 153 people and referred 21 for prosecution over a scheme that allowed Chinese nationals to avoid quarantine fees during the COVID-19 pandemic. The scheme cost the state about USD 2.2 million.
Vansay also reported USD 1.976 million in diverted funds and unused assets linked to Vientiane’s USD 99.7 million Bus Rapid Transit project.
The project spent USD 1.52 million on roads outside its approved scope and another USD 456,000 on 150 electric three-wheeled vehicles. The vehicles remain unused because there is no parking space for them. Inspections are ongoing.
Attapeu Treasury Case
On 22 September, Attapeu Anti-Corruption Agency head Souvansi Keoviset reported that investigators had found more than LAK 90 billion (USD 4 million) in payments from the provincial treasury without original supporting documents. Authorities classified the withdrawals as unsubstantiated, but had not confirmed them as losses.
The findings followed a wider investigation in 2024 and 2025 involving 38 people, including 24 state officials. Investigators confirmed losses of about USD 2.9 million. Authorities recovered USD 949,000, along with land, vehicles, and gold jewelry.
