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...

Oudomxay Police Raid Amphetamine Production Facility

Police in Oudomxay Province have arrested a man on drug-trafficking and production charges after a seizure of over 400,000 amphetamine tablets and manufacturing equipment. According...

California Authorities No Closer to Solving Laotian Marijuana Killings

Authorities in Calfornia, United States, have not provided further clues regarding the mysterious killings of seven Lao nationals at an illegal marijuana growing operation...

Accomplice Arrested In Sex Crime Case, Chinese National At Large

Authorities in Laos have arrested the accomplice of a Chinese man wanted for sexual misconduct and pornography, while the main suspect remains at large. An...

Three Restaurants in Vientiane Shut Down by Authorities

Authorities have ordered the closure of three restaurants in Vientiane Capital for flouting regulations on noise pollution and operating after hours. According to a...

Public Donations Pour in for “Brave Leena”

A fearless young Lao woman, dubbed "Brave Leena," who became an internet sensation last week for fighting off a thief has received a large...

Protection of Traditional Designs from Plagiarism Discussed at National Event

The urgent need to protect handicraft-related intellectual property rights was discussed at the annual Lao Handicrafts Festival in Vientiane last week. A panel discussion...