Laos 24-Hour Overview 14/5

Highlights: The Lao Ministry of Public Security and the Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Youth Union held a friendly football match to celebrate the 71st anniversary of the Youth Union; the General Staff Department of the Lao People's Army held a promotion ceremony, with 249 officers receiving promotions; the Supervision Department of the Ministry of Public Security carried out police discipline and regulations education; China-Laos police jointly repatriated 485 transnational telecom fraud suspects; the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment advanced multiple domestic and international tasks, including the TICAF project annual meeting and the distribution of women's agricultural disaster reduction funds in Huaphan Province; culture, tourism, health, education, sports, and other work progressed steadily in various provinces and regions.

I. Political & Party Affairs

01 Ministry of Agriculture and Environment Party Committee Holds Third Plenary Session of the 7th Term to Deploy Political Duties and Institutional Streamlining
On May 13, 2026, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment Party Committee held its third plenary session of the 7th term; Central Committee Member and Party Committee Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Linkham Duangsavanh, chaired the meeting. The meeting conveyed Order No. 11/CC, issued by the Party Central Secretariat on May 7, 2026, summarized the overall work of the first quarter, and formulated plans for the first nine months. It reviewed the draft Political Performance Plan (2026-2030) of the 7th Party Committee, the draft working regulations, and the draft mechanism for investment management in agriculture, forestry, and the environment. Mr. Linkham Duangsavanh issued six directives, requiring the secretariat to compile records and submit them to the Central Organization Commission and the Central Office, and instructing all departments and bureaus to strengthen political and ideological education, streamline organizational structures, clarify party-government relations, and accelerate the assessment and planning of leadership cadres for the 2026-2030 period.

02 Luang Prabang Provincial People's Assembly Announces Multiple Personnel Appointment Decisions for Leading Cadres in Various Departments
On May 13, 2026, the Luang Prabang Provincial People's Assembly held a personnel appointment and dismissal ceremony; Provincial Party Committee Standing Member and Vice President of the Provincial People's Assembly, Mr. Sanan Southanith, chaired the meeting, while a representative from the Provincial Party Committee's Organization Department, Mr. Chanthasone Douangphachan, read the resolutions of the Provincial People's Assembly Standing Committee. The resolutions appointed Mr. Thongphan Chanthasou, Mr. Maikham Sailuaxiong, and Mr. Vone Douangmani as Deputy Directors of the Provincial People's Assembly Office; appointed Ms. Vaiphonxay Philiphonsay, a provincial assembly member from Vengkham District, as Vice Chair of the Provincial People's Assembly's National Defense, Security and Justice Committee; and appointed Mr. Khamla Savathboud, a provincial assembly member from Phoukhoune District, as Vice Chair of the Provincial People's Assembly's Economic, Financial and Environmental Committee. The resolutions also approved the appointment and dismissal of numerous division heads and deputy division heads within the Provincial People's Assembly. Mr. Sanan Southanith issued directives to the newly appointed cadres to enhance political responsibility and promote organizational unity.

03 Military Trade Union and Three Provincial Trade Unions Hold Experience Exchange and Sign MOU on Cooperation
On May 12, 2026, an experience exchange meeting was held at the Bank of Laos in Xieng Khouang Province between the military trade union and the trade union federations of Xieng Khouang, Huaphan, and Khammouane provinces; Colonel Souvanith Duangbpasert, Member of the Central Executive Committee of the Lao Federation of Trade Unions and Director of the Military Trade Union Office, led the military delegation. Colonel Souvanith Duangbpasert concluded that the military trade union across the entire armed forces has implemented the resolutions of the 12th Party Congress and the Party Committee of the Ministry of National Defense, strengthened political and ideological education, established trade union sections under the Political Departments of the General Logistics Department and the General Technical Department, and currently has 12 trade union federations and 80 grassroots trade unions. The parties discussed topics such as trade union organization building, protection of workers' rights, and prevention of occupational diseases, and jointly signed a memorandum of understanding on future cooperation after the meeting.

II. Diplomacy & International Relations

04 China-Laos Police Jointly Transfer 485 Chinese Nationals Involved in Transnational Telecom Fraud at Boten International Checkpoint
On May 13, 2026, the Immigration Police Department of the General Police Department of the Lao Ministry of Public Security, in coordination with the China-Laos Police Cooperation Center, formally transferred 485 Chinese nationals (including 30 women) suspected of transnational telecom fraud and online gambling to Chinese police authorities at the Boten International Checkpoint in Luang Namtha Province. This group of suspects was arrested on May 6, 2026, when the Lao Ministry of Public Security, in coordination with the Savannakhet Provincial Public Security Bureau, conducted a surprise joint operation and raided seven target locations including resorts, hotels, and guesthouses in the province. The operation resulted in the arrest of 605 individuals (including 81 women) from 8 countries and regions, including China, Thailand, and Cambodia, and seized a large number of tools. Pursuant to the 2014 Law on Immigration and Foreigners Administration and the 2020 China-Laos Police Cooperation Agreement, Lao police repatriated 485 Chinese nationals to China for trial. The Lao Ministry of Public Security also issued a warning to the public and to business owners of hotels and apartments, requiring strict compliance with rental registration and prohibiting the rental of accounts, in order to cut the chains of fraud-related crime.

05 Ministry of Agriculture and Environment and "Team Europe" Hold TICAF Annual Meeting, Focusing on Sustainable Agriculture-Forestry Trade and World Heritage Funding Increases
On May 13, 2026, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment and the European Union jointly held the annual meeting of the Second National Steering Committee of the EU-Laos "Trade, Investment and Sustainable Inclusive Integration for Agriculture and Forestry Expansion" (TICAF) project in Vientiane; Minister of Agriculture and Environment Mr. Linkham Duangsavanh, EU Ambassador to Laos Mr. Marc Gallach, French Ambassador to Laos Ms. Bénédicte Deschamps, and German Ambassador to Laos Mr. Hans‑Ulrich Südbeck jointly attended. The meeting reviewed the outcomes of two core sub-projects, Green CUP and ProFEB, confirming that since their launch in March 2024, the two projects have successfully supported the joint inscription of Hin Nam No National Park and Vietnam's Phong Nha‑Ke Bang National Park as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site, making it Laos' first World Natural Heritage. The EU immediately announced an additional €7 million in funding for the two projects to expand rural community market access, protect 217,447 hectares of limestone forest ecosystems, strengthen sustainable value chains and labor rights in the tea, coffee, and timber industries, and promote the upgrade of National Road No. 2.

06 Khammouane Province Summarizes Outcomes of Three UXO Clearance Projects by MAG
On May 13, 2026, a meeting was held in Bourapha District, Khammouane Province, to summarize the results of three UXO clearance projects implemented by the Mines Advisory Group (MAG); Director of the Foreign Affairs Department of Khammouane Province, Mr. Khianta Vanmane, chaired the meeting, with representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, international organizations, and local authorities in attendance. Mr. Xieng Vongvilay, MAG's head in Khammouane Province, reported that the projects exceeded their targets during the period from April 2025 to March 2026: the seventh phase, funded by the UK FCDO with US875,368,completedclearanceof507,984squaremeters,technicalsurveysof11,110,751squaremeters,and926spotclearanceoperations;theclustermunitionclearanceprojectfundedbytheFreemanFoundation(US)withUS875,368,completedclearanceof507,984squaremeters,technicalsurveysof11,110,751squaremeters,and926spotclearanceoperations;theclustermunitionclearanceprojectfundedbytheFreemanFoundation(US)withUS507,156 completed clearance of 701,944 square meters in four target villages; the mobile clearance project, funded by the Laos Rehabilitation Foundation and others with US$91,471, carried out 722 mobile destruction operations in Bourapha, Yommalath, Mahaxay, and Xe Bangfay districts. The meeting issued clean land certificates to the target villages.

III. Business & Investment

07 Zhongji Insurance Donates 160 Life Jackets to Luang Prabang Province to Enhance Water Tourism Safety Standards
Recently, the Luang Prabang Provincial Department of Information, Culture and Tourism held a ceremony for the donation and distribution of the first batch of life jackets, aiming to enhance water tourism safety service standards and emergency rescue capacity in the World Heritage town of Luang Prabang. The event was sponsored by Zhongji Insurance, which donated 160 high‑quality life jackets. Mr. Wanad Phongsoutthi, Deputy Director of the Luang Prabang Provincial Department of Information, Culture and Tourism, presided over the distribution ceremony. Among the 100 life jackets officially handed over to the Lao Red Cross, Luang Prabang Branch, they will be used for daily social search and rescue and emergency response; the remaining 60 life jackets were evenly distributed to Phunsup Phala Motor Sole Co., Ltd., the Pak Ou Caves (Tham Ting) Ferry Service Association, and Mekong Cruises (20 jackets each), thereby strengthening public‑private cooperation and ensuring the travel safety of domestic and international tourists.

IV. Agricultural Economy

08 Ministry of Agriculture and Environment and UN World Food Programme (WFP) Disburse Over 2.5 Billion Kip in Special Women's Agricultural Disaster Reduction Fund to Huaphan Province
As learned on May 14, 2026, the Department of Plantation and Cooperative Promotion under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, in collaboration with the UN World Food Programme (WFP), held a disbursement ceremony in Huaphan Province for the "Women's Climate Resilient Agricultural Production Project" (WSAAP) fund. WFP Representative to Laos Mr. Marc‑André Prost formally transferred a special assistance loan of 2,512,500,000 Kip to the Vice Governor of Huaphan Province, Mr. Bounvanh Khongbili; the Director‑General of the Department of Plantation and Cooperative Promotion, Mr. Anousong Phommathchan, attended. The funds will directly benefit 1,005 poor women‑headed households in 23 villages at high risk of natural disasters in Xamtay and Xon districts of Huaphan Province, with each household receiving 2,500,000 Kip. These funds, combined with the households' own resources, will be used for household business plans such as poultry farming, home gardens, and corn and coffee cultivation during the 2026 rainy season, accompanied by training in financial literacy and climate‑resilient agricultural techniques, thereby comprehensively ensuring food security and economic resilience for vulnerable women.

V. Health & Welfare

09 Ministry of Health Holds National Workshop to Prepare New Round of Global Fund Malaria Elimination Grant Application
On May 13, 2026, the Secretariat of the Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM) of the Global Fund in Laos, in collaboration with the Center of Malaria Parasitology and Entomology (CMPE) and with support from the UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS), held a national workshop at the Lao Plaza Hotel in Vientiane. Deputy Minister of Health and CCM Chair, Dr. Phayvanh Kiaobpasert, chaired the meeting, with representatives from development partners and civil society organizations in attendance. The workshop aimed to prepare the grant application for the next round of malaria elimination (RAI5E) for fiscal years 2027‑2029. Dr. Phayvanh Kiaobpasert noted that malaria cases in Laos have dropped sharply from nearly 4,000 in 2021 to 269 in 2025, and falciparum malaria is approaching elimination, but challenges remain in managing mobile populations and forestry workers, as well as budget cuts for RAI5E. Based on the 2025 malaria project evaluation results and the 2026‑2030 national strategic plan, the meeting identified priorities; the grant application will be formally submitted in June 2026.

10 Ministry of Health Discusses Medicinal Resource Management and Scientific Development of Traditional Medicine
On May 12, 2026, the Ministry of Health's Office held a workshop on the management and protection of traditional medicinal resources. Deputy Minister of Health Dr. Phayvanh Kiaobpasert chaired the meeting, attended by Dr. Viphavan Phomvihane, Honorary Advisor to the Lao Traditional Medicine Protection Association, and representatives from relevant ministries. The meeting assessed challenges facing traditional medicine, including unclear legal division of responsibilities, over‑exploitation and endangerment of plant, animal, and mineral medicinal resources, and some standards being detached from reality. Dr. Phayvanh Kiaobpasert issued orders to immediately stop indiscriminate harvesting, develop targeted protection and management measures, promote the integration of traditional medicine with modern Western medicine, and transform it into a sustainable economic growth point aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals.

11 Phonexay District Issues Labor and Social Welfare Development Village Certificates and Deploys Disaster Prevention Strategy
On May 12, 2025, the Party and government authorities of Phonexay District, Xayabury Province, held a meeting of the District Disaster Management Committee and an award ceremony for 2025 Labor and Social Welfare Development Villages. Chairman of the Phonexay District Administrative Committee, Mr. Khamphan Khamphoupo, attended and presented certificates to the qualifying villages. The meeting reviewed that in 2025, the district was hit by five disasters including floods, windstorms, and fires, affecting over 1,000 households and causing economic losses exceeding 20 billion Kip. Mr. Khamphan Khamphoupo issued strategic directives for 2026, requiring enhanced pre‑disaster early warning, strengthening of disaster reduction funds, implementation of a 24‑hour duty system, and continued progress in grassroots labor registration and support for vulnerable groups.

VI. Culture & Environment

12 Ministry of Education and Australia's BEQUAL Program Join Forces to Develop Teacher Toolkit on Disaster Reduction and Climate Change for Primary Schools
From May 13 to 15, 2026, the Teacher Training Department of the Ministry of Education and Sports held a teaching resource development workshop in Vientiane to further advance the development of the "Teacher Support Toolkit Module 15: Climate Change," funded by the Australian government through the BEQUAL program. Deputy Director of the Teacher Training Department, Mr. Phonmanee Silamin, and First Secretary of the Australian Embassy in Laos, Mr. Michael Carey, attended. Since the project was launched in February-March 2026, the core team has systematically reviewed and aligned the science, environment, and Lao language curricula for grades 1 to 5. In early April, the team conducted a five‑day field visit to the "Safe Green Schools" pilot in Nan County and Luang Prabang City, incorporating frontline practical experience such as youth‑led disaster prevention and school safety planning into the module as direct teaching guidance tools, aiming to enhance teachers' confidence in cross‑disciplinary teaching and students' ability to respond to environmental challenges. The toolkit is expected to be completed by November 2026 and rolled out in primary schools nationwide.

VII. Sports & Security

13 Ministry of Public Security and Central Committee of Lao People's Revolutionary Youth Union Hold Friendly Football Match to Celebrate 71st Anniversary of Youth Union
On May 12, 2026, the Youth Union Committee of the Lao Ministry of Public Security and the Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Youth Union (LPRYU) jointly held a youth friendly football match in Vientiane. Central Committee Member and First Secretary of the LPRYU Central Committee, Mr. Thonglith Sisouli, along with Lt. Gen. Soudana Kiaobpasert, Deputy Minister of Public Security and Director of the Political Department, and Maj. Gen. Vansay Thammasith, Deputy Director of the Political Department of the Ministry of Public Security, attended and watched the match. Lt. Col. Xayaphone Chanthaviseth, Head of the Training Division of the Ministry of Public Security's Youth Union Committee, stated that this sports exchange aimed to warmly celebrate the 71st anniversary of the founding of the Lao People's Revolutionary Youth Union (April 14, 1955 – April 14, 2026), showcase youthful vitality, and deepen solidarity and friendship between the youth cadres of the Ministry of Public Security and the LPRYU Central Committee. After the match, Col. Xisongba Saignya, Secretary of the Ministry of Public Security's Youth Union Committee, on behalf of the Ministry of Public Security, presented 30 sets of sports equipment worth a total of 4,500,000 Kip to the LPRYU Central Committee.

14 General Staff Department of Lao People's Army Holds Promotion Ceremony for 249 Officers
On May 12, 2026, the General Staff Department of the Lao People's Army held a ceremony for the promotion and advancement of officers from its various bureaus, departments, and subordinate units. Lt. Gen. Vanthong Boutavong, Deputy Minister of National Defense and Deputy Chief of the General Staff, attended and presided over the ceremony. Brig. Gen. Boukham Samavong, Director of the Political Department of the General Staff Department, read out the promotion decision signed by the Ministry of National Defense and the General Political Department in accordance with Article 22 of the Lao People's Army Officer Law. A total of 249 officers received promotions, including: 106 from Captain to Major, 102 from First Lieutenant to Captain, 22 from Second Lieutenant to First Lieutenant, and 19 from Warrant Officer to Second Lieutenant. Lt. Gen. Vanthong Boutavong congratulated the promoted officers and urged all those promoted to enhance their professional political responsibility, serve as role models in their work, continuously cultivate revolutionary ethics, improve their work style, and make new contributions to the comprehensive development of the army and grassroots units.

15 Supervision Department of Lao Ministry of Public Security Conducts Special Publicity and Education on Police Discipline and Regulations to Strengthen Force Conduct
On May 13, 2026, the Supervision Department of the Lao Ministry of Public Security (Prison and Corrections Battalion) held an in‑depth study and publicity conference on police discipline, regulations, and internal rules in Vientiane. Col. Somsay Sengkhameuang, Deputy Director of the Supervision Department, attended and delivered a keynote document. Party Committee members of the Supervision Department, heads of divisions, camp commanders, and all police officers attended. The conference focused on disseminating Ministry of Public Security Decree No. 688/MPS (revised) on the "Disciplinary Regulations of the Lao People's Public Security Forces" and Decree No. 564/MPS on the "Prohibitions for Police Officers and People's Police of Public Security Organs." Col. Somsay Sengkhameuang highlighted the "7 systems and 18 major procedures" of the Public Security Forces, the "8 pledges," the "8 prohibitions," and the "12 rules for serving the people with care," requiring all police personnel to unify their thinking, strengthen political defenses, comprehensively improve conduct, enhance professional effectiveness in supervision and rehabilitation, and achieve comprehensive excellence in political, organizational, and professional aspects.

16 Savannakhet Province Launches Comprehensive Regional Defense Tactical Training in Songkhone District
On May 12, 2026, Savannakhet Province launched comprehensive training on regional defense battlefield construction and tactics in Songkhone District. Central Committee Member, Provincial Party Secretary, President of the Provincial People's Assembly, and Chair of the Provincial Defense and Security Committee, Mr. Bounzong Oupavongphet, personally attended and presided over the launch. Col. Khamsa Lienchanpakham, Deputy Chief of Staff and Head of Operations Division of the Savannakhet Provincial Military Command, presented the training and exercise plan. This training, lasting 15 days, covered two major components: theoretical classes included nine chapters on urban defense principles, command post staff operations, drafting of district‑level "Plan II," combat readiness level transitions, manpower and reservist mobilization, political and logistical support; practical exercises included two major topics: emergency mobilization response of the district defense and security committee command team and village (group) party branches in transitioning from normal to combat readiness and wartime states, and joint defense operational decision reporting for the district defense zone. Provincial military and police cadres, along with district, village, and grassroots military and guerrilla commanders, participated.

17 Ministry of Education and Sekong Province Jointly Deploy Preparations for 8th National Secondary School Games
On May 13, 2026, the National Preparatory Committee held its first meeting at the Sekong Provincial Office. Vice Minister of Education and Sports, Mr. Kinmano Phommathasay, and Vice Chair of the Sekong Provincial Administrative Committee, Mr. Sitsavath Kiaoduangdy, co‑chaired the meeting. Director of the Sekong Provincial Department of Education and Sports, Mr. Khamphay Simmavong, reported on the preparatory progress, confirming that Sekong Province will host the 8th National Secondary School Games in 2027. The governor's decree has approved the use of a wind turbine as the official emblem and the golden barb (a fish species) as the mascot. The games will feature 13 sports, awarding 456 medals, and plan for 26 infrastructure projects and 17 athlete accommodation centers. Mr. Sitsavath Kiaoduangdy issued directives to accelerate pending work and to develop special plans with security departments to ensure safety throughout the event.

18 Ministry of Public Security and Attapeu Province Jointly Conduct Province‑Wide Anti-Drug Legal Awareness Campaign
On May 13, 2026, the Propaganda Division of the Anti‑Narcotics Department of the General Police Department of the Ministry of Public Security, in collaboration with the Attapeu Provincial Public Security Bureau, conducted a legal awareness campaign on the dangers of drugs across the province. Lt. Col. Dalin Soudachanh, Deputy Director of the Anti‑Narcotics Department, and Colonel Bunleth Kiaophoutavong, Deputy Chief of the Attapeu Provincial Public Security Bureau, led delegations. Provincial military and police personnel, public officials, and student representatives participated. Lt. Col. Khankhoune Phetsiengphou, Head of the Propaganda Division of the Anti‑Narcotics Department, provided education on drug types and their dangers. Ms. Souvanhken Xibounheuang, Deputy Head of the Propaganda Division, delivered legal lectures on drug‑related prohibitions, sentencing standards, and secondary crimes such as robbery, theft, and murder caused by drug abuse, and showed a short film. Lt. Col. Dalin Soudachanh concluded by urging all participating departments to effectively disseminate the educational content to grassroots communities.