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, Vietnam Set 2026 Agenda for Border Protection, Trade

Laos and Vietnam have set key areas of cooperation for 2026 in border management and cross-border activities, following the 34th annual meeting between the...

One Child Found Dead After Luang Prabang Slow Boat Accident, Search Continues for Second Child

Rescue teams have recovered the body of one child who went missing after a slow boat struck underwater rocks near Tham Ting (Pak Ou)...

Border Casinos Caught in Thailand-Cambodia Crossfire

By Sally JENSEN/AFP - Thailand has struck multiple casinos linked to cybercommand in neighboring Cambodia during an almost two-week-long border conflict, with the prime...

Laos Declares 19 December as National Alcohol Prohibition Day

The Lao government has declared 19 December of every year as Alcoholic Beverages Prohibition Day. The authorities announced the move on 18 December as they...

Vientiane Capital Bans Firecrackers, Fireworks Ahead of Lunar New Year

Authorities in Vientiane Capital have announced a ban on the production, importation, transportation, sale, possession, and use of firecrackers, fireworks, and sky lanterns, both...

Officials Inspect 475 Buildings in Golden Triangle SEZ, Find No Online Gaming Operations

Authorities in the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone have reported full compliance with orders to suspend online gaming operations following a four-day inspection of...