Law and Crime

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 trafficking network and seized more than 1.8 tonnes of suspected protected wildlife products during a raid in Pakkading district, Bolikhamxay Province. Bolikhamxay authorities confiscated approximately 1,755.6 kilograms of items resembling elephant ivory, along with two animal...

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...

Seven Dead, 15 Injured in Thailand School Shooting

Seven people have died, including a student gunman, after a shooting at a school...

Chinese Commerce Chamber Urges Businesses in Laos to Cut Ties with Scam Networks

The General Chinese Chamber of Commerce in Laos has told its members to check their businesses, properties and services to make sure they do...

Trendy ‘Squishy’ Toys Suspended in Laos Over Chemical Safety Concerns

Laos has ordered the immediate suspension of the import and sale of Squishy toys nationwide after authorities warned that some may contain hazardous chemicals...

Online Sellers Face Renewed Enforcement of Business Registration Rules

Online sellers in Vientiane must register as businesses and obtain an e-commerce licence or face fines of up to LAK 10 million (approximately USD...

Lao Government Suspends Mining Company Over River Pollution in Vang Vieng

The Lao government has ordered Daochalearn Mineral Processing Sole Co., Ltd. to immediately suspend its iron ore mining and processing operations in Vientiane Province...

Laos Suspends Vientiane Private Hospital Suspected of Organ Trafficking

The Ministry of Health announced the immediate closure of BLL Hospital after a Taiwanese media investigation published allegations of organ trafficking at the facility. Despite...

Laos Requires Approval for Home EV Chargers, Tightens Rules on Charging Stations

Residents across Laos will now need government approval before installing electric vehicle (EV) charging equipment at home, under new regulations aimed at improving safety. A...