Law and Crime

Vientiane Shuts Down KM38 Dharma Practice Center After Leader Defies Order Over Reborn Buddha Claim

On 24 September, Vientiane authorities shut down the KM38 Dharma Practice Center in Sangsai village, Pakngum district, after its leader declared herself the reincarnation of Phra Sri Ariya Metrai, the Maitreya Buddha that Buddhist tradition says will one day appear on earth to succeed Gautama Buddha. Under the 24 September...

Corruption Crackdown in Laos’s Attapeu Province Uncovers Millions in Financial Irregularities

Attapeu authorities have detailed five years of corruption investigations and financial irregularities, including a...

Xaysomboun Identifies Four Companies Over Unauthorized Gold Mining

Authorities in Xaysomboun Province have identified four companies allegedly involved in unauthorized alluvial gold...

Laos Detains 33 Suspects in Two-Day Vientiane Cybercrime Crackdown

Lao authorities detained 33 people, all Chinese nationals, in a two-day operation targeting cybercrime...

Latest Scam Center Raids Hit Vientiane, Champasak with Nearly 100 Arrests

Laos has detained nearly 100 suspected scammers in raids across the country last week,...

Dutch National Caught with Heroin at Wattay Airport Ahead of Belgium Flight

On 25 June, customs officers at Wattay International Airport arrested a 70-year-old Dutch national after discovering nearly three kilograms of heroin concealed in his...

Two Lao Nationals Detained in Thailand with Wildlife Carcasses in Trafficking Crackdown

Thai officials have arrested two Lao nationals caught trafficking over 100 kilograms of wildlife carcasses in Chiang Rai Province, near the Lao-Thai border on...

World Drug Day: Laos Steps Up Fight Against Drug Abuse, Trafficking

Each year on 26 June, the world observes the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, also known as World Drug Day.  The day,...

Vietnam Abolishes Death Penalty for Spying, Anti-state Activities

AFP - Vietnam has abolished the death penalty for eight crimes, including espionage, graft, and attempting to overthrow the government, state media said on...

Vietnam Approves New Law Allowing Foreign Spouses to Gain Citizenship Without Residency

Foreigners married to Vietnamese citizens will now be eligible for Vietnamese citizenship without having to meet previous residency, language, or financial requirements, following a...

Corruption in Lao Banking Sector Causes LAK 1.6 Billion in Losses in 2024, Bank of Laos Says

Widespread corruption in Laos’ banking sector led to nearly LAK 1.6 billion (around USD 74,000) in financial losses in 2024, according to the Bank...