Law and Crime

Laos Steps Up Illegal Mining Crackdown After Luang Prabang Gold Mining Cases

The Lao Ministry of Industry and Commerce has ordered a nationwide crackdown on illegal mineral extraction after recent gold mining cases in Luang Prabang Province drew public attention and renewed concerns over unauthorized mining. In a statement published on 6 July, the ministry instructed companies and the public to immediately...

Laos Arrests More Than 4,400 in Cybercrime Crackdown During First Half of 2026

Laos recorded more than 4,400 arrests linked to cybercrime, online scams, and illegal gambling...

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...

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...

Family in Disbelief as 19 Years Old Holly Bowles Remains on Life Support in Thailand After Apparent Laos Methanol Poisoning

ABC News - The uncle of a young Melbourne woman who is on life support after drinking tainted cocktails in Laos says her family...

Sexual Harassment Allegations Cloud Haunted House Attraction at That Luang Festival

Allegations of sexual harassment have rapidly surfaced on social media amidst the That Luang Festival, an annual Buddhist celebration held each November. Visitors shared...

Lao National Assembly Opens 8th Ordinary Session to Address Key National Challenges

The 9th-tenure National Assembly (NA) opened its 8th Ordinary Session on 18 November in Vientiane. Under the leadership of Xaysomphone Phomvihane, the assembly convened...

Lao Drug Smuggler Arrested in Cambodia with Over 1 Million Methamphetamine Pills

Cambodia officers seized a Lao national for possessing over 1 million meth pills while transporting them at the Trapeang Kriel International Border Checkpoint on...

Laos to Enforce Ban on Unregistered, Unlabeled Food Products in 2025

The Lao Ministry of Industry and Commerce has announced new regulations, requiring all food products to carry proper registration, Food and Drug Department (FDD)...

Japanese Embassy Leads High-Level Meeting to Tackle Laos’ Illicit Drug Challenges

On 8 November 2024, a high-level meeting took place in Vientiane to address the ongoing challenges posed by illicit drug production, trafficking, and usage...