Lao 24-Hour Overview 19/5

Highlights: The 3rd Plenary Session of the 12th Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) grandly opens in Vientiane; General Secretary Thongloun elevates poverty eradication to a "National Agenda" and vows tough action against corruption. In education and gender equality, the Ministry of Education and Sports, in partnership with Australia's "BEQUAL" program, launches a women's leadership development project. On ecological greening, Luang Prabang Province deploys National Tree Planting Day actions, planning to plant 1 million seedlings and restore 300 hectares of forest. In foreign affairs and historical commemoration, the Vietnamese Embassy in Laos solemnly marks the 136th birth anniversary of President Ho Chi Minh.

I. Political & Party Affairs

01 [Title]: The 3rd Plenary Session of the 12th Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party Grandly Opens in Vientiane
[Content]: May 19, 2026; Party Central Committee Office Building, Vientiane; Present: General Secretary of the Party Central Committee and President of the State Thongloun Sisoulith, Members of the Political Bureau, Secretariat, Central Committee, and Alternate Central Committee members; presiding over the 3rd Plenary Session of the 12th Central Committee (Third Plenum). In his opening address, General Secretary Thongloun delivered a guiding speech, emphasizing that leading the nation out of underdevelopment, eradicating poverty, and advancing towards the ranks of developing countries is the Party's "historic mission" in the new era. The Plenum will hear and deliberate on four core议题: 1) Review of the Political Bureau and Secretariat's work in the first half of 2026 and deployment for the second half; 2) Examination of the implementation of the national economy, fiscal budget, and monetary-financial plan for the first half of the year; 3) Deliberation of reports on grassroots political construction and the "Three Builds" movement; the Plenum plans to formally upgrade "rural development and poverty eradication" into a National Agenda; 4) Deliberation and issuance of a major Party Central Committee resolution on resolutely preventing, curbing, and addressing bureaucracy, corruption, negative social phenomena, and waste and extravagance. Additionally, the Plenum will convey Order No. 11/CC of the Party Central Secretariat, aimed at strengthening Party control over mineral resource exploitation and the rampant violation of regulations concerning natural resources.

02 [Title]: National Assembly Jointly with Swiss Helvetas Organization Holds Scientific Seminar on Climate Change Response and Disaster Risk Management in Vang Vieng
[Content]: May 18-20, 2026; Vang Vieng, Vientiane Province; Participants: Vice President of the National Assembly Bountoung Chithmany, Chair of the National Assembly's Cultural-Social and Ethnic Affairs Committee (CSAC) Aphayvanh Lobponboun, representatives of Helvetas (Swiss Association for International Cooperation), and technical experts on disaster prevention from multiple ministries; co-chairing a scientific seminar on climate change response and disaster risk reduction. In his keynote speech, Vice President Bountoung clearly stated that climate change and natural disasters are not only environmental pain points but also major global and national threats directly endangering the livelihoods of the Lao people and hindering healthy socio-economic development. Although the National Assembly has fully implemented relevant international conventions, many operational bottlenecks remain. Therefore, the seminar, in cooperation with international organizations, established 14 thematic sessions across three modules — "legal policies, emission reduction technologies and early warning modernization, cross-sectoral response coordination" — to conduct open reviews and in-depth discussions aimed at streamlining the central and local disaster prevention and recovery systems.

03 [Title]: National Academy of Politics and Public Administration Holds Seminar on Kaysone Phomvihane's Thought on the Important Role of Women in the Family
[Content]: May 19, 2026; National Academy of Politics and Public Administration (NASPA), Vientiane; Participants: Anon Khanthayong, Deputy Director of the Administration Department and Vice President of the Women's Union of NASPA, along with theoretical research experts, faculty, and student representatives; presiding over a seminar on research findings of Kaysone Phomvihane's thought on women's work. The seminar focused on the theme of "The Role and Function of Women in the Family in Kaysone Phomvihane's Thought," systematically elaborating on women's special bridging role in managing households, practicing the traditional virtues of "Three Waters and Four Virtues," increasing family income, and strengthening the security of society's basic cells. It emphasized that women are not only children's "first teachers" and bearers of traditional culture but also enjoy equal rights with men in building modern "culture and development-oriented families," playing an irreplaceable role in maintaining social stability.

04 [Title]: Ministry of National Defense Announces Establishment of Ministerial-Level Military Science History Committee and Appoints Leadership Team
[Content]: May 18, 2026; Ministry of National Defense Building; Participants: Lt. Gen. Ongsong Inpanphim, Secretary of the Party Central Secretariat, Deputy Minister of National Defense and Director of the General Political Department; Maj. Gen. Khounthong Souhavong, Deputy Minister of National Defense; Maj. Gen. Phayvanh Chanthaphomma, Director of the Ministry of National Defense Office; Brig. Gen. Khouanmeung Phetthasa, Director of the Military Science History Bureau; and representatives of ministerial-level organs; presiding over the establishment ceremony of the Ministerial-Level Military Science History Committee and the reading of the appointment of standing members. Based on the 12th Party Congress resolution on building a modernized revolutionary army, the meeting read Decision No. 1581/MOD, appointing Lt. Gen. Ongsong as Chairman of the Committee, Maj. Gen. Khounthong, Maj. Gen. Phayvanh, and Brig. Gen. Khouanmeung (executive) as Vice Chairmen, and 17 other members. The aim is to establish a comprehensive mechanism for military science and technology innovation research, military history compilation, and international strategic military cooperation.

05 [Title]: Vientiane Capital Holds ASEAN Summit Preparation Summary and Award Ceremony for Outstanding Contributions to National Development
[Content]: May 18, 2026; Vientiane Capital Government Office; Participants: Asaphanthong Siphandone, Secretary of the Vientiane Party Committee and President of the Vientiane People's Council; Mayor Sililathong Thongphome; Phouthong Khaythoumany, Head of the Capital Party Committee's Organization Department; along with officials at various levels and honored entrepreneurs; presiding over the award ceremony for the preparation and hosting of the ASEAN Summit and for outstanding contributions to Vientiane's development. The ceremony read out a Presidential Decree awarding the First-Class Labor Medal to Mr. Prasert Benjongphakdi, Founder and Chairman of Blue Grass Company; the Third-Class Development Medal to Mr. Prasasay Philaphandeth, General Manager of Lao Toyota Service Company; the Second-Class Labor Medal to 9 members of the capital's leadership team including Party Secretary Asaphanthong and Mayor Sililathong; and the Third-Class Labor Medal to 105 officials, and Labor Medals to 14 officials, in recognition of their outstanding contributions during Laos' 2024 ASEAN Chairmanship and local development.

06 [Title]: Xieng District, Xayabury Province Holds Special Lecture on Three Major Historical Anniversaries of the Party and Nation
[Content]: May 19, 2026; Xieng District Meeting Hall, Xayabury Province; Participants: Sen Phanlak, Member of the Xayabury Provincial Party Committee and Secretary of Xieng District Party Committee, along with key Party cadres of the district; presiding over a lecture on three major historical anniversaries: the 67th anniversary of the 2nd Battalion's breakthrough, the 66th anniversary of the escape of Party and Lao Patriotic Front leaders from prison, and the 136th anniversary of President Ho Chi Minh's birth. The report reviewed the revolutionary army and leaders' breakthrough and escape during the liberation war period, and expounded the special solidarity between Laos and Vietnam, aiming to educate and guide Party cadres to practice revolutionary ethics and fully implement the resolutions of the 12th Party Congress and the 10th Five-Year National Socio-Economic Development Plan.

II. Diplomacy & International Relations

07 [Title]: Executive Vice Chair of the Investment Promotion and Management Committee (PCIC) Pongvanh Meets Chinese Ambassador to Laos Fang Hong
[Content]: May 18, 2026; PCIC Office; Participants: Pongvanh Outavong, Vice Minister and Executive Vice Chair of PCIC; H.E. Ms. Fang Hong, Chinese Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Laos; and accompanying officials; presiding over a meeting to congratulate the Ambassador on her appointment and to promote bilateral investment cooperation. Ambassador Fang Hong congratulated Mr. Pongvanh on his new position and stressed that China firmly supports Laos in building an independent and self-reliant economy, actively encourages strong Chinese enterprises to invest and do business in Laos, helps improve the Lao investment climate, and contributes to Lao national socio-economic development, concretely implementing the China-Laos Community with a Shared Future Action Plan. Mr. Pongvanh highly appreciated the comprehensive strategic partnership between Laos and China and expressed hope that the Chinese Embassy would continue to assist in promoting investment attraction.

08 [Title]: Vietnamese Embassy in Laos Solemnly Holds Ceremony for 136th Birth Anniversary of President Ho Chi Minh and Inauguration of a Dedicated Bookshelf
[Content]: May 19, 2026; Vietnamese Embassy, Vientiane; Participants: H.E. Mr. Nguyen Minh Tam, Vietnamese Ambassador to Laos; Lao National Artist Nguyen Minh Tai (Duangmixay Lykaya, invited keynote speaker); teacher and student representatives of Nguyen Du Bilingual School; representatives of Vietnamese media in Laos, Lao mainstream media, and Vietnamese associations; solemnly holding a commemorative meeting for the 136th birth anniversary of President Ho Chi Minh (May 19, 1890 – May 19, 2026). The event aimed to deeply commemorate President Ho Chi Minh's great contributions to Vietnam's national liberation and reunification, and served as an important means of conducting patriotism and gratitude education for the Vietnamese diaspora and younger generations. Students of Nguyen Du Bilingual School performed poems and cultural programs praising "Uncle Ho," and guests watched a digital multimedia documentary exhibition on Ho Chi Minh's life. In his speech, Lao National Artist Nguyen Minh Tai emotionally recounted the Lao people's admiration for President Ho Chi Minh's noble revolutionary virtues and the special combat solidarity between the two countries. During the commemoration, Ambassador Nguyen Minh Tam presided over the inauguration of a "Ho Chi Minh Dedicated Bookshelf" at Vietnamese representative offices in Laos and donated relevant historical and political books to Vietnamese-invested institutions and the Vietnamese community in Laos.

09 [Title]: Ministry of Foreign Affairs Holds Consultation Meeting in Pakse City to Revise Decree on Foreign Media News Activities for Four Southern Provinces
[Content]: May 18-19, 2026; Pakse City, Champasak Province; Participants: Pongsavanh Sisoulath, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs; Pheephanh Phanthanouvong, Deputy Governor of Champasak Province; and representatives from the four southern provinces and central ministries; presiding over a consultation meeting for the four southern provinces on the revised Decree on News Activities of Foreign Media, Foreign Missions, and International Organizations in Laos. The meeting reviewed and closed out the current decree on foreign media and diplomatic mission news activities that has been in effect for over 10 years (since 2015). It openly discussed pain points such as the lack of focus in the current provisions and overlaps/conflicts with domestic and international law, aiming to establish a unified, centralized foreign news management mechanism nationwide through streamlining rights and responsibilities.

10 [Title]: Khammouane Province and Vietnam's Quang Tri Province Sign MOU on Search and Repatriation of Remains of Vietnamese Volunteer Soldiers and Experts Who Sacrificed in Laos During the 2026-2027 Dry Season
[Content]: May 18, 2026; Khammouane Provincial Government Office; Participants: Detsada Manikham, Deputy Governor of Khammouane Province and Head of the Provincial Special Task Force; Le Van Bau, Vice Chair of Quang Tri Provincial People's Committee and Head of the Provincial Special Task Force; signing an MOU on the search, excavation, and repatriation of remains of Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and experts who sacrificed in Laos during the 2026-2027 dry season. Both sides agreed to assist Task Force 589 of the Quang Tri Provincial Military Command in conducting remains searches and mobilization activities in Mahaxay, Yommalath, Xe Bangfay, Bourapha and other districts of Khammouane Province. Vietnam will implement policy-based rewards for local residents and collaborators who provide information on burial sites, in accordance with regulations.

III. Economy & Livelihood

11 [Title]: Luang Prabang Province Deploys 2026 Tree Planting Day Actions and Hosts National World Environment Day Event
[Content]: May 19, 2026; Luang Prabang Province; Participants: Souvanphet Dongphasy, Director of the Provincial Agriculture, Forestry and Environment Department, along with technical staff from district agriculture, forestry and environment departments, private sector and village representatives; planning and deploying the June 1 National Tree Planting Day and June 5 World Environment Day/National Environment Day greening activities. The province has set a total target for ecological afforestation and forest restoration this year of 1 million seedlings covering over 300 hectares. Sites and seedlings are already prepared in all districts. The provincial main venue is at Phu Phung watershed protection forest area in Dang Kang Village, Luang Prabang City, where native tree species with water conservation functions — such as Alnus nepalensis (water alder), Acacia mangium, and Cratoxylum cochinchinense — will be planted in a concentrated manner. Private contractors, extension projects, and villagers from various ethnic groups will continue planting until the end of the rainy season. Additionally, Luang Prabang Province has the honor of hosting the national-level World Environment Day commemorative event this year. A tree planting ceremony will be held around Luang Prabang Railway Station, accompanied by an environmental photo exhibition and an exhibition of handicrafts made from recycled waste. The Provincial Agriculture, Forestry and Environment Department has instructed all units to replace dead trees from previous years and establish a long-term maintenance responsibility system.

12 [Title]: Laos Hosts Annual Asia-Pacific Primary Forest Conference and Reaffirms National Target of 70% Forest Cover
[Content]: May 18, 2026; Luang Prabang Province; Participants: Souvanh Phimma翁, Director of the Forestry Department under the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry; representatives of the Global Environment Facility (GEF); forestry experts from Asia-Pacific countries; and representatives of international organizations; jointly hosting the Annual Asia-Pacific Primary Forest Conference. As the host this year, Laos organized this international bilateral and multilateral policy dialogue. The conference focused on core topics such as long-term mechanisms for primary forest and ecosystem protection, sustainable biodiversity maintenance, and cross-border funding support. In his keynote speech, Director Souvanh emphasized that the Lao government has prioritized primary forest protection as a key national strategy and long-term development capital, aiming to enhance climate resilience and support poverty reduction through forestry ecological construction. Laos clearly reaffirmed its commitment to achieving the strategic target of 70% national forest cover, and pledged to ensure that the total area of national protected areas and landscape conservation reaches 5.8 million hectares by 2030 under the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan and international treaty frameworks.

13 [Title]: Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and World Bank Hold Mid-Term Review of Phase II Rural Poverty Reduction and Nutrition Improvement Project
[Content]: May 18, 2026; Vientiane; Participants: Thasaka Saphanthong, Director of the Rural Development and Poverty Alleviation Department under the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry; Kenichi Nishikawa Chavez, World Bank Senior Economist and Task Team Leader; and cross-ministerial experts and project officials; jointly chairing the mid-term review of the Lao Rural Poverty Reduction and Nutrition Improvement Phase II Project. The meeting comprehensively assessed the project's compliance in legal, financial, environmental, and social safeguard areas, focusing on resolving cross-ministerial coordination bottlenecks. The project is funded by the World Bank. Its core mechanism, based on Government Decree No. 348 and the Proxy Means Test (PMT) poverty scoring system (score below 50%), provides "Conditional Cash Transfers" (CCT) to pregnant women and children under two years old — those in the critical first 1,000 days of life — from poor households. The transfers are conditional on their participation in maternal and child health checkups and nutrition improvement, aiming to break the intergenerational transmission of poverty at its source.

14 [Title]: Dao District, Salavan Province Deploys 2026 National Tree Planting Day Greening and Xesap National Park Restoration Plan
[Content]: May 19, 2026; Dao District, Salavan Province; Participants: Bountha Yommalath, Head of the Dao District Agriculture, Forestry and Environment Office, along with district environmental technical staff and village representatives; planning and deploying the district's ecological afforestation and forest protection activities for the June 1 National Tree Planting Day and World Environment Day. The district has set a total ecological restoration area of 306 hectares this year, with a target of planting 218,157 trees, covering 10 main native and commercial species including rosewood, Acacia mangium, red sandalwood, and Siamese rosewood. Implementation is divided among three parties: the government public sector will plant 1 hectare (1,157 trees); two private companies, Lao Agrotech and Tomuha, will plant 212,500 trees; and the Xesap National Park Management Office will carry out mixed ecological replanting of 5,000 trees in five core buffer zone target villages. To ensure survival rates, urban areas will implement a road-by-road responsibility system with fines for dead trees at original cost, while rural buffer zones will introduce village-managed self-regulation regulations.

15 [Title]: Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism Holds National Tourism Satellite Account (TSA) Statistical Workshop in Khammouane Province
[Content]: May 19, 2026; Khammouane Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism; Participants: Dalany Phommavongsa, Deputy Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism; Manyone Khinsamone, Deputy Governor of Khammouane Province; and tourism experts, department heads, and technical staff from provinces across the country; chairing the Lao National Tourism Satellite Account (TSA) Workshop. The meeting reported that Laos received over 4.5 million foreign tourists in 2025 (105% of the target), and that inbound tourists in the first three months of 2026 had already reached 1.31 million. It deployed the implementation of the TSA system according to UN Tourism international standards to measure tourism's contribution to GDP and employment, and to conduct on-site form-based data collection at the Third Friendship Bridge International Checkpoint and major tourist sites, in order to serve the ASEAN Tourism Strategic Plan 2026-2030 and the Lao National Socio-Economic Development Plan.

IV. Education, Sports & Gender Equality

16 [Title]: Ministry of Education and Sports, in Partnership with Australia's "BEQUAL" Program, Launches Women's Leadership Development Project Across the Entire Education System
[Content]: May 18-20, 2026; Keo Oudom District, Vientiane Province; Participants: Thoulavanh Nomenxay, Member of the Party Committee and Director of the Personnel Organization Department of the Ministry of Education and Sports (MoES), also Head of the Three Mass Organizations; Sousay Douangsavanh, Member of the Central Executive Committee of the Lao Women's Union and President of the MoES Women's Union; Bekan Charunsouk, Gender Equality and Inclusive Education Director of the Australian-funded "Basic Education Quality and Access in Laos" (BEQUAL) program; and middle- and senior-level female officials of MoES; jointly holding the launch meeting for the project to enhance women's leadership in education, science, and sports through specialized training and policy advocacy. The project is scheduled from April 2026 to January 2028, with medium- and long-term planning extending to 2028. The core aim is to remove institutional obstacles hindering the promotion of female cadres in the education and sports system. President Sousay pointed out that creating a professional environment with gender equality significantly improves team output and collaboration efficiency. In his keynote speech, Director Thoulavanh highly appreciated the Women's Union's pivotal role in human resource development, cultural preservation, and ideological construction, but also frankly acknowledged that there are still obstructions preventing full achievement of the goals. To this end, the meeting made three institutional decisions: 1) Mandate the Youth Union and Trade Union, as cross-departmental mass organizations, to assist in finalizing and issuing amendments to the "MoES Women's Union Organization and Activity Statute," clearly defining the Women's Union's independent management functions and legal authority; 2) Introduce BEQUAL technical experts to provide targeted skills training in full project cycle management, quantitative data analysis, and outcome conversion; 3) Comprehensively review the "Five-Year Strategic Development Plan of the MoES Women's Union" and establish a detailed collaboration list with BEQUAL for 2026-2028, ensuring a systematic basis for the selection and training of female cadres.

17 [Title]: Lao National Athletics Star Lokao Wins Women's Title at Thailand SuperSports 10-Mile Marathon
[Content]: May 17, 2026; Central Bangkok, Thailand; Participants: Lokao Inthakouman, female athlete of the Lao National Athletics Team; race organizers; and international competitors; competing in the "SuperSports 10 Mile Marathon" international open race and winning the championship. The race attracted over 7,500 runners from around the world. In the women's professional division of the 10-mile (approx. 16 km) race, Lokao demonstrated exceptional physical fitness and tactical discipline, finishing first with an outstanding time of 1 hour, 4 minutes, and 45 seconds, earning great international prestige for Lao sports.

V. Transport & Infrastructure

18 [Title]: Electricité du Laos (EDL) Deploys Modernization and Upgrading of Power Supply Systems in Central Region and Vientiane Capital
[Content]: May 18, 2026; Central Region Power System Management Department, EDL; Participants: Khamphou Soualoun, Deputy General Manager of EDL; Head of the Central Region Power System Management Department; heads of Vientiane Capital's First and Second Branches; Technology Management Department, Planning Department; and power office heads from four districts in Vientiane Capital; chairing a meeting to advance the rectification of power outages and management modernization in the central power system. The meeting ordered a comprehensive inspection and rectification of aging lines and equipment against water damage; set deadlines to upgrade the LBS system and connect it to the SCADA control center; optimize and reorganize live-line work and streetlight repair teams; improve the 1199 hotline and a two-day advance notification mechanism for major customers; and ensure the completion of urgent projects such as network renovation by June to guarantee stable power supply.

VI. Health & Welfare

19 [Title]: Yotongphong District Government Holds 2026 Dengue Fever Precision Prevention and Emergency Response Deployment Meeting
[Content]: May 19, 2026; Yotongphong District Assembly Hall, Savannakhet Province; Participants: Phoxay Inthavongsa, District Governor; Khamphoun Sisombath, Deputy Head of the District Health Office; and heads of relevant district departments; chairing a special meeting on dengue fever prevention and outbreak response. The meeting reported 9 confirmed dengue cases in the district, identifying water containers, cement tanks, tires, and other stagnant water sources as the main mosquito breeding sites. It deployed six strategies for 2026: epidemic surveillance and response; community mobilization and health education; vector control and source elimination; clinical case management; pathogen diagnosis; and multi-departmental coordination.

20 [Title]: Lao Front for National Construction, Together with Multiple Ministries, Promotes Child Vaccination and Media Mobilization in Sekong Province
[Content]: May 18, 2026; Sekong Provincial Government Office Meeting Room; Participants: Vanthid Chansombath, Director of the Department of Central Level and Social Organizations of the Lao Front for National Construction; Darasak Phanthanalay, Vice President of Sekong Provincial Front; Bounthong Thinpkongthong, Deputy Head of the Provincial Party Committee's Propaganda and Training Board; and representatives of partner organizations; chairing a meeting on promoting child health through vaccination and media and community participation. The meeting focused on implementing Article 37 of the Vaccination Law No. 52/NA. It heard reports from the Ministry of Health's Maternal and Child Health Center and the Sekong Provincial Health Department on child health and vaccination for 2026. The aim is to solve the problem of low vaccination coverage among ethnic minority children in remote areas through coordinated mobilization by the Lao Front, Propaganda and Training Board, Buddhist organizations, and media networks.

21 [Title]: Luang Prabang Provincial Department of Labour and Social Welfare Holds Training on Child Protection Case Management
[Content]: May 18-22, 2026; Luang Prabang Provincial Women's Union Meeting Room; Participants: Misay Xaykyachonh, Director of the Provincial Department of Labour and Social Welfare; representatives of the Department of Social Welfare under the Ministry of Health; representatives of provincial departments; and government partners from six target districts (Fongsay, Nanba, O, Vangkham, Phonthong, Pasen); in conjunction with the provincial office of an international child rescue organization and the Ministry's Department of Social Welfare; holding a training course on child protection case management. The training focused on core modules: child protection policies, mental health and physical assistance, emergency rescue, identification and registration of target groups, and case assessment, closure, and follow-up, aiming to enhance child rights protection and government case management capacity in remote rural areas.

VII. Security & Public Order

22 [Title]: Luang Namtha Provincial Public Security Department Holds 55th Anniversary of Police Logistics Forces and Announces Appointments for 135 Police Officers
[Content]: May 15, 2026; Luang Namtha Provincial Public Security Department Auditorium; Participants: Col. Akham Vongpakchanh, Member of the Provincial Party Standing Committee and Deputy Director of the Provincial Public Security Department; members of the Department Party Committee; heads of divisions, offices, teams, and units; and all police officers; presiding over a special report meeting for the 55th anniversary of the Lao Police Logistics Forces (May 2, 1971 – May 2, 2026) and a ceremony to announce promotions and appointments. Deputy Director Akham systematically reviewed the history of the police logistics forces, which emerged during the anti-American national salvation war of 1969-1970 and were formally established on May 2, 1971, at the revolutionary base in Vilai District, Huaphan Province. The ceremony read out decisions of the Ministry of Public Security and the Department Party Committee, lawfully appointing a total of 135 police officers (including 18 female officers) to new mid-level and grassroots positions. In his concluding address, Deputy Director Akham demanded that newly appointed officers lead in deepening political training, enhance the professional level of logistics support, and serve the people with absolute loyalty and integrity.

23 [Title]: Wildlife Enforcement Network LAO-WEN Intercepts 10.1 kg of Smuggled Rhino Horn at Vientiane Wattay International Airport
[Content]: May 15, 2026; Arrival baggage inspection area, Wattay International Airport, Vientiane; Participants: Airport Customs Brigade, Immigration Police Brigade, Animal and Plant Quarantine Station, and the Lao Wildlife Enforcement Network (LAO-WEN — comprising the Customs Department, Natural Resources and Environment Inspection Department, Environmental Police Department, etc.); jointly conducting a targeted screening operation of high-risk international passengers and their luggage. During a random X-ray inspection of checked baggage on Lao Airlines flight QV 924 (passengers on this route had started their journey on Emirates flight EK 794 from Luanda, Angola on May 12, transiting through multiple countries before entering Laos), customs officers found abnormally high density inside a tourist souvenir statue carried by a passenger. Upon lawful unpacking and physical inspection, they discovered 4 pieces of suspected smuggled rhino horn (endangered wildlife product) concealed in the statue's lining, with a total weight (including packaging) of 10.1 kg. The suspect (male, Vietnamese national) has been placed under criminal detention, and the case is being further investigated by the LAO-WEN task force in accordance with the law.

24 [Title]: Savannakhet Provincial Public Security Department Transfers 141 Foreign Suspects of Cross-Border Telecom Fraud to Ministry of Public Security
[Content]: May 15, 2026; Savannakhet Provincial Public Security Department; Participants: Investigation officers of Savannakhet Provincial Public Security Department; the transfer task force of the Foreigners Management Police Department under the Ministry of Public Security; formally transferring 141 foreign suspects involved in cross-border online telecom fraud to the Ministry of Public Security's Foreigners Management Police Department. The transferred individuals include: 26 Chinese (1 female), 100 Thai (42 female), 13 Cambodian (2 female), and 2 Myanmar (1 female). Also transferred were case-related items: 122 desktop computers, 9 laptops, 9 monitors, 2 CPUs, and 720 mobile phones. All suspects will be escorted to Vientiane for criminal prosecution in accordance with the law.

VIII. Military Exercises

25 [Title]: Opening Ceremony of Lao-Russia "LAROS-2026" Joint Military Exercise and "Typhoon" Special Operations Training
[Content]: May 18, 2026; Koumadam Army Officer Academy, Laos; Participants: Lt. Gen. Xaychay Kommasith, Deputy Minister of National Defense and Chief of General Staff, also Head of the Exercise Steering Group; Col. Ivan Tarayev, Assistant to the Deputy Commander of the Russian Eastern Military District; and participating officers and personnel of the two armies; jointly officiating the opening ceremony of the Lao-Russia "LAROS-2026" joint military exercise and "Typhoon" special operations joint training. The joint training aims to deepen long-term military mutual trust between Laos and Russia, strengthen defense cooperation, and enhance the two armies' joint command and coordinated combat capabilities in responding to regional security threats through theoretical exchanges and practical drills. After the opening ceremony, both sides observed a static display of modern equipment from the Russian side, including new drones and individual standard weapons.

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