Crime in Laos

Crime is present in various forms in Laos.

By location

Vang Vieng

The US State Department warns that Vang Vieng is a location in Laos of high risk for tourists in relation to risks of rape and robbery.^[1] Many restaurants in the Vang Vieng area offer menu items, particularly “pizzas,” “shakes,” or “teas,” that may contain unknown substances or opiates. These products are often advertised as “happy” or “special” items. These unknown substances or opiates can be dangerous, causing serious illness or even death.^[2]

South Korea in March 2016 followed the US and Australia in issuing a travel warning against trips to Laos’ central province of Xaisomboun, as well as traveling on Route 13 that stretches from Kasi to Phou Khoun, part of the road connection between Vientiane and Luang Prabang.

The warning followed a number of recent shootings that involved and killed Chinese nationals working in Laos.^[3]

Crime by type

Theft and petty crime

Petty crime, which includes snatch theft and pick-pocketing, is an issue in Laos. Fake and infringing merchandise can be easily found in many parts of Laos.^[4]

Violent crime

Violent crime is less prominence, though the rate of it has been growing, as of July 2013. Traveling alone in remote areas after dark is of risk especially to foreigners.^[4]

Corruption

Corruption is a problem in Laos. The 2012 Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index ranked the country at number 160, out of 176 countries in total.^[5] The government has been making an effort or curb corruption.^[6]

Illegal drug trade

The Illegal drug trade is an important issue in Laos. The country is home to a great number of poppy fields and drug addicts. The Laotian government has been making an effort to end this problem; once one of the world's largest opium producers, Laos now no longer has that strong an opium industry, with some 94% of the opium farms being wiped out from the surface of the country in 2005, prompting the country to call their anti-opium efforts a "success". On the other hand, more and more of other drugs such as heroin are being traded in the country.^[7]

In recent years, foreigners have died in Laos after using illegal drugs, such as methamphetamines, opium, or heroin. The potency of some of these drugs can be several times that of similar substances found in the United States.^[8]

References

1. Laos, US State Department, retrieved June 2014.
2. Laos, US State Department, retrieved June 2014.
3. Maierbrugger, Arno. "South Korea next to issue travel warning for parts of Laos | Investvine". Investvine. Retrieved 2016-04-01.
4. "Laos". travel.state.gov. Retrieved July 15, 2013.
5. "Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index 2012" (PDF). Ernst & Young. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
6. "Anti-corruption experts visited Laos for UNCAC implementation review". United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
7. "Lao PDR". United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
8. Laos, US State Department, retrieved June 2014.