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,...

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...

Government of Laos Agrees to Raise Minimum Wage

The Government of Laos has agreed to a minimum wage increase amid a rising cost of living and rampant inflation. The decision was reached among...