Law and Crime

Vientiane Shuts Down KM38 Dharma Practice Center After Leader Defies Order Over Reborn Buddha Claim

On 24 September, Vientiane authorities shut down the KM38 Dharma Practice Center in Sangsai village, Pakngum district, after its leader declared herself the reincarnation of Phra Sri Ariya Metrai, the Maitreya Buddha that Buddhist tradition says will one day appear on earth to succeed Gautama Buddha. Under the 24 September...

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...

Xaysomboun Identifies Four Companies Over Unauthorized Gold Mining

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

Laos Detains 33 Suspects in Two-Day Vientiane Cybercrime Crackdown

Lao authorities detained 33 people, all Chinese nationals, in a two-day operation targeting cybercrime...

Latest Scam Center Raids Hit Vientiane, Champasak with Nearly 100 Arrests

Laos has detained nearly 100 suspected scammers in raids across the country last week,...

Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak Jailed After Failed Appeal

Malaysia's former Prime Minister Najib Razak has been sent to prison to begin serving a 12-year sentence after the High Court rejected his appeal. Charges...

Singapore to Repeal Colonial-era Law Banning Sex Between Men

Singapore has stated that it will decriminalize sex between men by repealing a colonial-era law. Section 377A of Singapore's Penal Code, which bans sex between...

Lao Artist Reprimanded for Satirical Song

Tar Jed Hai, a Lao musician and comedian, has been reprimanded by authorities for creating a satirical version of a traditional wedding song.  Mr. Ta...

Husband Kills Wife in Luang Nam Tha Shooting

A 56-year-old husband shot and killed his wife at an up-land rice field hut in Kuisoung Village, Lae District, Luang Nam Tha Province, on 29...

Vietnam Orders Tech Firms to Store User Data Locally

Vietnam has ordered tech firms to store user data locally and establish local offices in a new move to tighten cybersecurity regulations. Reuters reports that...

Lao Women Warned of Potential Human Trafficking Scam via Online Dating Proposals

Lao social media users have expressed outrage and concern about human trafficking and scams in response to an online advertisement created by single Chinese...