Government

Corruption Crackdown in Laos’s Attapeu Province Uncovers Millions in Financial Irregularities

Attapeu authorities have detailed five years of corruption investigations and financial irregularities, including a major treasury case involving more than LAK 90 billion (USD 4 million) in payments made without original supporting documents. On 22 September, Souvansi Keoviset, head of the Attapeu Provincial Anti-Corruption Agency, presented the results of investigations...

Xaysomboun Identifies Four Companies Over Unauthorized Gold Mining

Authorities in Xaysomboun Province have identified four companies allegedly involved in unauthorized alluvial gold...

Champasak Prosecutes 37 Individuals for Corruption Over Five Years

Champasak authorities prosecuted 37 people for corruption-related offenses between 2021 and 2025, according to...

Thailand Restores 30-Day Visa-Free Stay, Limits Visa-Free Land Entries to Twice a Year

Thailand has cut its visa-free tourist stay from 60 days back to 30 days,...

Houaphanh Finds LAK 12.8 Billion in Losses Linked to Official Violations

Authorities in Houaphanh, northern Laos, have uncovered 120 officials who had allegedly  violated party...

Laos, Cambodia Sign Deal to Boost Cross-Border Transport Connectivity

The southern Lao province of Attapeu and Cambodia’s Ratanakiri Province agreed to develop transport connectivity between the two countries. The agreement, signed on 13 February,...

Six Killed in UXO Accidents During 2025 as Clearance Operations Continue

Unexploded ordnance (UXO) remains one of the top problems facing Laos, claiming six lives in 2025, according to officials, as clearance operations continue across...

Japan Commits USD 2.7 Million to Strengthen Mekong Water Monitoring

Japan has pledged up to JPY 424 million (over USD 2.7 million) to improve water quality monitoring and management in the Lower Mekong Basin,...

Attapeu Province Intensifies Enforcement Against Illegal Mining, Destructive Fishing

Authorities in Attapeu Province have intensified enforcement efforts against illegal mining and destructive fishing practices threatening the province's waterways and aquatic ecosystems. Samakkhixay district, the...

Laos Climbs Corruption Rankings, Surpasses Thailand for First Time

Laos improved its standing in the 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), rising one position and surpassing Thailand for the first time. The country scored 34...

Laos Targets 6 Million Visitors in 2026 as Chinese Arrivals Projected at 2 Million

Laos expects to welcome between 5 and 6 million international tourists in 2026, with Chinese visitors projected to account for around 2 million of...