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,...

Pro-cannabis Advocates in Thailand Rally Ahead of the Government’s Plan to Recriminalize the Plant

NONTHABURI, Thailand (AP) — Dozens of pro-cannabis advocates gathered Thursday, 16 May, at the health ministry on the outskirts of the Thai capital, Bangkok,...

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...