Law and Crime

Laos Arrests More Than 550 in August Scam Crackdown

Laos has detained more than 550 people in raids targeting online scams and illegal gambling operations so far in August, as authorities step up a nationwide crackdown that has now netted more than 1,100 suspects since mid-July. The latest figures come after a series of raids across Vientiane Capital and...

Laos Seizes Nearly 1.8 Tonnes of Suspected Ivory, Black Panther Remains in Bolikhamxay Raid

On 16 August, Lao authorities detained 11 foreign nationals in connection with a wildlife...

Vientiane Authorities Detain Nearly 400 in Cybercrime Raids in Early-to-Mid August

Vientiane authorities have detained nearly 400 suspects in three separate raids since the start...

Laos Authorities Arrest Four in Alleged Marriage Trafficking Network

On 23 July, Lao authorities arrested four people suspected of operating a human trafficking...

Police Detain 261 Foreign Nationals in Thatluang Lake SEZ Scam Raid

On 8 August, Vientiane police raided a telecommunications fraud and online gambling operation at...

Thai Man Held Hostage and Killed in Laos

Authorities in Thailand say a body found tied, gagged, and floating in the Mekong River had been kidnapped and held for ransom in Laos. Bangkok...

Woman Held at Gunpoint in Follow-Home Robbery

A woman was kidnapped yesterday evening and forced at gunpoint to bring assailants to her Vientiane home where valuable items were stored. Authorities say seven...

Nong Khai Police Arrest Drug Smugglers from Laos

Two Thai men have been arrested attempting to bring illicit drugs across the Mekong River from Laos to Thailand.  The Governor of Nong Khai Province...

Body Found Burned Inside Car in Vientiane Capital 

The burned remains of an unidentified individual were found Saturday in the back of a vehicle in Pak Ngum District, Vientiane Capital. According to a...

Electricite Du Laos Reports LAK 19 Billion Lost to Theft

Electricite Du Laos (EDL) has reported losses of more than LAK 19 billion due to electricity theft and meter tampering. Mr. Chansom Pilavong, head of...

Confusion Ensues as Thailand Opens Land Borders But Laos Remains Closed

Confusion has ensued at border checkpoints between Laos and Thailand this morning following regulations reopening Thailand but leaving Laos closed. Thailand announced the reopening of...