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...

Nakhon Phanom Ivory Haul & Bokeo SEZ Seizures Evidence of Disturbing Extent of Illegal Wildlife Trade

Thai Police in Nakhon Phanom province have seized 930 items of ivory weighing some 22 kg from a Vietnamese national attempting to bring them across the...

World Day Against Death Penalty: EU Notes “de facto moratorium” in Laos

The European Union has restated a commitment to work with all countries including Laos to encourage moves toward achieving a global abolition of the...

Xaysana’s Second Life Sentence, Cooperation With Police Avoids Capital Punishment

Millions of pills smuggled across borders have resulted in a court in Bangkok delivering a second life sentence Wednesday to Lao citizen and convicted drug...

WildAid and Bluegrass Help Spread Message About the Ivory Trade in Laos

Conservation organization WildAid and Lao design firm Bluegrass Design have teamed up to spread the word about the ivory trade in Laos. Billboards have been...

Smuggled Pangolins from Laos Seized in Mekong River

Thai authorities have rescued 40 live pangolins that were being smuggled in a boat from Laos to Thailand. The pangolins were found in sacks aboard the...