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...

Bokeo Authorities Crack Down on Non-Compliant Shops in Currency, Signage Regulations

Bokeo authorities have initiated a province-wide inspection of stores to ensure compliance with key regulatory requirements, including the proper use of language on signs...

Broken Traffic Lights Continue to Plague Vientiane

Several traffic light locations across Vientiane Capital have been out of service for over a month, leaving road users frustrated and worried about safety. The...

Former Government Officials in Luang Namtha Sentenced for Corruption

Thirteen former government officials in Luang Namtha have been sentenced to prison for corruption, after being found guilty of embezzling state funds, abusing their...

Laos Traffic Deaths Hit 51 in August: New Measures Target Drunk Driving, Speeding

Laos recorded a total of 457 traffic accidents throughout August, resulting in 51 fatalities and 883 damaged vehicles. Despite fewer accidents compared to July’s...

Long-Tail Boat Capsizes, Dozens of Myanmar nationals Missing in Laos

A long-tail boat carrying over 40 passengers capsized on 2 September in the Mekong River, near the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone in Bokeo...

Latest Telecom Fraud Crackdown in Bokeo SEZ: Thousands of Devices Seized

In the latest crackdown against telecommunications fraud, authorities in the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Bokeo Province sized thousands of electronic devices. The...