Law and Crime

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 Province drew public attention and renewed concerns over unauthorized mining. In a statement published on 6 July, the ministry instructed companies and the public to immediately...

Laos Arrests More Than 4,400 in Cybercrime Crackdown During First Half of 2026

Laos recorded more than 4,400 arrests linked to cybercrime, online scams, and illegal gambling...

Fire Incidents Cost Laos Over USD 14 Million in First Half of 2026

Fire incidents across Laos claimed eight lives and destroyed homes, businesses, and vehicles during...

Laos Seizes More Than 110 Kilograms of Suspected Wildlife Products in Luang Prabang

Lao authorities have seized more than 110 kilograms of suspected illegal wildlife products and...

Former EDL Executives, Senior Officials Get Life in Landmark Laos Corruption Cases

On 1 July, the Vientiane Capital People’s Court announced verdicts in four major corruption...

Gangsters Wanted in Thailand for Death of Kyrgyz Woman Trafficked to Laos

After the death of a 30-year-old Kyrgyz woman in Pattaya on Friday, three Chinese nationals are wanted by the Thai Police in connection to...

Police in Laos Provide Update on Phonethip Fraud Case

Police in Laos have provided an update on the case of fraudster Phonethip Xaypanya, known as Jie Thip, who was arrested in Thailand in...

Laos Beauty Pageant Cancelled for Allowing Transgender Participants

Miss Fabulous Laos 2022, a beauty pageant competition that allowed transgender women to participate, has been discontinued permanently.  Miss Fabulous Laos 2022 has made...

Police Officer Dies After Gunshot by Drug Dealer in Houaphanh

A drug dealer has shot and killed a police officer in Samneua District while he was attempting to arrest members of a drug network. Lao...

Thai Man Detained at Laos Border for Carrying Shotgun

A 42-year-old Thai man was arrested for violating Article 58 of the Customs Law, which prohibits the carrying, sale, and possession of such a...

Wife Makes Many Plans to Kill Husband, but to No Avail

A wife and her lover have been apprehended in Luang Namtha's Sing District after they made several attempts to kill her husband. The local radio...