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,...

Lao National Arrested in Thailand with 249kg of Methamphetamine

Thai authorities arrested a Lao national on 2 May after intercepting a boat carrying 249 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine across the Mekong River, Thai...

China to Tighten Control Over Micro-Drama Content

China is stepping up regulation of micro-dramas, with new measures introduced on 2 May targeting content that often features rich–poor romance storylines and dramatic...

Lao Security Minister Visits Golden Triangle SEZ Amid Fraud Crackdown

Lao authorities visited the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone on 30 April as part of efforts to tighten enforcement and dismantle telecom scam networks. Minister...

Lao Man Sentenced to Life in Cambodia for Opium Smuggling

A Cambodian provincial court has sentenced three men, one Lao national and two Thai nationals, to life in prison for smuggling nearly 100 kilograms...

Lao PM Sonexay Orders Crackdown on Online Fraud

Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone has directed government agencies to intensify the fight against online scam networks, making cybercrime enforcement a top national priority for...

United States Sets Preliminary 22.46 Percent Duty on Lao Solar Imports

The United States has announced a new preliminary anti-dumping duty of 22.46 percent on solar products imported from Laos as part of an investigation...