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...

Gunman Robs Vientiane Jewelry Store, Escapes with Valuables

An armed man robbed a jewelry store at Viewmall Shopping Center in Vientiane Capital on Friday, making off with valuables. The robbery occurred at Khounkham...

7 Buddhist Monks Accused of Embezzling More Than USD 5.3 Million Donated to Temple in Thailand

BANGKOK (AP) — Seven Buddhist monks are among nine suspects who are being held in pretrial detention after being arrested for allegedly embezzling assets...

Asean Leader: No Progress in Ending Myanmar’s Deadly Civil Strife

LABUAN BAJO, Indonesia (AP) — Indonesian President Joko Widodo somberly acknowledged to fellow Southeast Asian leaders Thursday that no progress has been made to...

BOL, Police in Vientiane Crack Down on Illegal Money Exchange Shops

Bank of the Lao PDR (BOL) and Vientiane police have shut down unauthorized currency exchange shops to help prevent inflated currency exchange rates in...

ASEAN Leaders to Agree to Cooperate in Fighting Cyber Scams

LABUAN BAJO, Indonesia (AP) — Southeast Asian leaders have agreed to tighten border controls and law enforcement and improve public education to fight criminal...

New Law in Vietnam to Require Social Media Users Verify Identity

State media in Vietnam reported on Monday that the government is planning to enforce a new rule that requires social media users, regardless of...