Law and Crime

Fire Incidents Cost Laos Over USD 14 Million in First Half of 2026

Fire incidents across Laos claimed eight lives and destroyed homes, businesses, and vehicles during the first half of 2026, leaving behind more than LAK 319.6 billion (USD 14.3 million) in damage, according to new government figures. The Fire Prevention and Suppression Police Department recorded 144 fires nationwide between January and...

Laos Seizes More Than 110 Kilograms of Suspected Wildlife Products in Luang Prabang

Lao authorities have seized more than 110 kilograms of suspected illegal wildlife products and...

Former EDL Executives, Senior Officials Get Life in Landmark Laos Corruption Cases

On 1 July, the Vientiane Capital People’s Court announced verdicts in four major corruption...

Laos Raises Tax-Free Income Threshold Under New Personal Income Tax Rules

Laos has officially raised the monthly income exempt from personal income tax from LAK...

Sekong Police Raid Scam Hub, Arrest 101 Foreign Nationals

On 22 June, Sekong provincial authorities arrested 101 foreign nationals after raiding a scam...

Thailand Upholds Life Term for Lao Drug Kingpin Xaysana

Thailand has decided to uphold a sentence of life imprisonment for Lao drug kingpin Xaysana Keopimpha, charged with smuggling 1.2 million methamphetamine pills, locally...

Thai Serial Killer Somkid Pumpuang Arrested

A nationwide manhunt in Thailand has come to a close as authorities managed to arrest serial killer Somkid Pumpuang, dubbed the “Jack the Ripper”...

Government to Crack Down on “Ghost” Civil Servants

The Lao government is currently in the process of clarifying the actual number of civil servants amid growing public concern over the possibility of...

Chinese Embassy, Lao Police Deport 137 Scammers

The Chinese Embassy to Laos has urged Lao people to be wary of groups of Chinese scammers after the deportation of 137 Chinese nationals...

Lao Citizen Arrested for Smuggling Heroin to Vietnam

Two people, including one Lao citizen, have been arrested in Houaphan Province for smuggling heroin from Laos to Vietnam. Vietnamese police arrested Lo Van Dung,...

Thailand Arrests Lao Money Launderer linked to Drug Ring

Thailand has arrested an alleged money-launderer in Mukdahan Province, bordering Savannakhet. The arrest was the result of an ongoing investigation into the money trail...