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,...

Fire Kills 13 at Satthahip Pub in Thailand

Thirteen lives were lost in the flames at a new pub early this morning in Chonburi Province, Thailand.  PhuketGo reports that the fire at Mountain Bar & Bristo...

Transboundary Cooperation Reignited to Counter Wildlife Trafficking

Almost 100 representatives from wildlife relevant enforcement agencies from Laos and Thailand met in Huay Xai, Bokeo Province on 3-5 August to rekindle cross...

Mother Kills Newborn in Luang Namtha

A young single mother was apprehended in the beginning of July for killing her newborn in Nam Bak district. Lao Security News reports that a...

Police Officer in Vietnam Steals Gold, Gives It Away

A uniformed police officer in central Vietnam allegedly robbed a gold shop, then threw the expensive stolen items into the street, saying they were...

Vientiane Capital to Take Harder Stance on Crime, Social Issues

Authorities have pledged to work harder to resolve social problems in Vientiane Capital, vowing to reduce traffic accidents, drug trafficking, and violent crime. Mayor of...

Thai Tour Bus Crash Kills Six in Savannakhet

Thai and Lao nationals heading back from Vietnam were killed in a bus tour accident in Savannakhet Sunday evening. Radio Thai Mukdahan reports that the...