Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith has urged stronger action against illegal mining, unlawfully imported vehicles, drugs and online scams as the 12th Party Central Committee closed its extraordinary plenary session on 1 October.
Thongloun, who also serves as Party General Secretary, chaired the four-day session, which focused on turning the resolutions of the 12th National Party Congress into concrete action. Delegates adopted three draft resolutions, and Thongloun instructed all party committees to combat illegal vehicle imports, unauthorized mineral extraction, illegal logging and other exploitation of natural resources.
Thongloun told Central Committee members to take more responsibility and closely watch the sectors and areas they oversee. He urged them to streamline procedures, improve efficiency and ensure officials at all levels respond more quickly to people’s needs.
Illegal Mining
His call on illegal mining follows a series of recent cases.
Earlier in September, Xaysomboun authorities identified four companies that allegedly mined alluvial gold under permits for unrelated stone and sand extraction, including AFA Exploration Mining and Agriculture Trading Export-Import and Kesana Herchaleun.
Authorities detained seven people at the Kesana site in June, including the company’s president.
In July, they suspended Daochalearn Mineral Processing after unauthorized iron ore operations polluted the Nam Song River in Vang Vieng. Investigators have also opened gold mining cases in Luang Prabang, Xieng Khouang and Savannakhet. Officials now call for stricter permit compliance inspections.
In addition, Thongloun told party committees to intensify leadership on illicit weapons, narcotics, online scams, armed robbery, road accidents and distorted online media content.
Scams
On scams, Lao police have arrested at least 6,200 suspects in cybercrime and online scam cases since the start of 2026. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Public Security is leading nationwide collection campaigns and tighter security measures. In August, the government reviewed its 2024-2026 firearms and explosives collection campaign and set new priorities for 2026-2028.
Thongloun also turned to the aftermath of recent floods in Khammouane, Savannakhet, Oudomxay and other areas. He asked authorities to rehabilitate damaged roads, irrigation systems and farmland, ease living costs for citizens, civil servants and security personnel, and support struggling families and farmers.
Finally, he urged officials to be more open about how the government works and told them to deal with problems “as soon as they arise.”
