Law and Crime

Laos Seizes Major Drug Hauls, Arrests Over 4,000 in Six Months

Laos arrested 4,025 suspects in connection with 1,786 drug cases during the first six months of 2026 as authorities intensified a nationwide crackdown on narcotics, Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone told the National Assembly on 6 July. Laos has been stepping up in its anti-drug campaigns by targeting both domestic drug...

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...

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...

Man Arrested in Khammouane Province for Illegal Consumption of Endangered Species

Authorities in Khammouane Province arrested Phaiboon Thammavong on 15 May after he posted a collection of photos on his personal Facebook account depicting the...

Thai Prime Minister Promises Investigation After Activist Died in Detention

BANGKOK (AP) — Thailand’s prime minister on Wednesday, 15 May, offered his condolences to the family of a young activist who died in detention...

Rising Online Fraud in Southeast Asia Sparks Calls for Regional Cooperation

Online fraud in Southeast Asia is continuously growing, to the point where syndicates are reported to be robbing an estimated amount of USD 64...

Border Drug Smuggling Challenges Persist in Laos Despite Cooperative Efforts

Despite concerted efforts with neighboring countries, Laos continues to grapple with persistent drug smuggling activities along its borders. Recent high-profile arrests underscore the severity...

Thai Activist, Hunger-striker Dies in Custody

Thai democracy activist Nethiporn “Bung” Sanesangkhom (28) passed away on 14 May to cardiac arrest at Thammasat University Hospital in Pathum Thani, shortly after...

Vietnam’s Arrest of Reformist Labor Official Could Disturb Bid for Better Trade Terms With US

BANGKOK (AP) — A senior Vietnamese official with the country’s labor ministry was arrested for “deliberately disclosing state secrets,” police announced on May 9,...