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...

Laos Phases Out Family Books in Shift to Digital Population System

Laos is phasing out traditional Family Books as the government accelerates its shift to digital governance. Under the new policy, authorities will stop issuing hard-copy...

Laos Orders Civil Servants to Work From Home, Switch to Electric Vehicles Amid Fuel Crisis

Laos' Prime Minister has ordered government ministries to cut back on in-person meetings, introduce rotating work shifts, and begin transitioning state vehicles to electric. This...

Laos Orders Nationwide Fuel Inspections Amid Hoarding Concerns

The Ministry of Industry and Commerce has ordered authorities across Laos to inspect fuel supplies at gas stations and storage depots, following concerns about...

Attapeu Corruption Case Exposes Billions in Stolen Public Funds, 38 Suspects Implicated

Authorities in Attapeu Province have uncovered one of the province's most significant corruption cases to date, involving 38 suspects and resulting in staggering financial...

Two Lao Nationals Arrested in Thailand for Trafficking “Happy Water”

Thai authorities have arrested two Lao nationals after seizing approximately 6.5 kilograms of the synthetic drug known as "Happy Water," which traffickers had cleverly...

Luang Prabang Cracks Down on Traffic in World Heritage Zone

The Luang Prabang City Administrative Committee has issued a new traffic notice aimed at reducing congestion and improving road order in the city's UNESCO...