Government

Laos Reports COVID-Era Graft, Jails Former Official in Separate Corruption Cases

Authorities in Laos have disciplined 153 people and referred another 21 for judicial proceedings over a COVID-era scheme that allowed Chinese nationals to evade quarantine fees or pay rates above official limits, causing total losses of approximately USD 2.2 million. State Inspection Authority President Vansay Phongsavanh reported the case to...

Laos Seeks Higher Age Limits, More Couple Slots for Farm Workers in South Korea

Laos has asked South Korea’s Seongju County to raise age limits and expand seasonal...

Health Ministry Finds More Than 180 Illegal Beauty Centers, Orders Nationwide Re-Inspection

The Lao Ministry of Health has ordered a nationwide re-inspection of private medical and...

Laos Shifts Tourism Licensing Powers to Provincial, District Authorities

Laos is revising how tourism business licences are issued and enforced, dividing responsibilities among...

Laos Sets 60 Million-Liter Fuel Reserve Floor, Diversifies Imports, Lao PM Saleumxay Says

Laos will keep domestic fuel reserves at around 60 million liters or more and...

Attapeu Court Convicts Nine in Financial Crime Case, Orders Return of Billions

The Attapeu Provincial People's Court convicted nine people on 16 July over illegal currency trading and unlawful lending, ordering them to return nearly LAK...

Laos Breaks Silence on Vang Vieng Tourist Deaths, Files Tiger Vodka Charges

Lao prosecutors will bring criminal charges against the owner of the Tiger Vodka factory after authorities announced the outcome of part of their investigation...

Bolikhamxay Police Seize 1.3 Million Meth Pills in Six-Month Drug Crackdown

Police in Bolikhamxay Province seized more than 1.3 million methamphetamine pills and arrested 162 suspects in 111 drug cases during the first six months...

Laos Seizes Major Drug Hauls, Arrests Over 4,000 in Six Months

Laos arrested 4,025 suspects in connection with 1,786 drug cases during the first six months of 2026 as authorities intensified a nationwide crackdown on...

Railway Expansion, Education Reform Among Key Issues at National Assembly

Expanding the railway to southern Laos, rolling out a new school system, reducing poverty, and improving roads and water supply were among the key...

Laos Steps Up Illegal Mining Crackdown After Luang Prabang Gold Mining Cases

The Lao Ministry of Industry and Commerce has ordered a nationwide crackdown on illegal mineral extraction after recent gold mining cases in Luang Prabang...