Laos steps up border security, gets tough on foreigners entering the country
Staff writer
VIENTIANE:-- The government of Laos has ordered its immigration officials to step up checks on foreigners trying to enter the country and increase security at all border checkpoints.
Officials have been ordered to ensure that all foreigners are in possession of valid passports and visas before being allowed to enter and that luggage and vehicles will be checked more thoroughly than had been previously.
The urgent order which was issued on Saturday and effective immediately, comes in the wake of an increase in violent and serious crime, including robberies of foreign tourists, weapons and drug smuggling, shootings and other drug related offences.
In November, twenty people, nine of whom were Thai nationals, were arrested in possession of war grade weapons and drugs after Laotian authorities seized a huge arsenal of weapons near Vientiane. The authorities in Laos believe criminal gangs in Thailand were involved in the smuggling of the weapons across the border.
Last week a Chinese man was killed and three others injured following a shooting in Phou Khoun district of Luang Prabang, while two Chinese tourists were robbed and murdered in the Xaisomboun district in central Laos a week earlier.
Laos is a popular destination for foreigners in Thailand who wish to apply for or renew visas or to complete what is known as an Out/In border run.
The increase in checks on foreigners entering into Laos is likely to cause delays at the immigration checkpoints at Vientiane and Savannakhet.
Source: Daily News, Tholakhong
Staff writer
VIENTIANE:-- The government of Laos has ordered its immigration officials to step up checks on foreigners trying to enter the country and increase security at all border checkpoints.
Officials have been ordered to ensure that all foreigners are in possession of valid passports and visas before being allowed to enter and that luggage and vehicles will be checked more thoroughly than had been previously.
The urgent order which was issued on Saturday and effective immediately, comes in the wake of an increase in violent and serious crime, including robberies of foreign tourists, weapons and drug smuggling, shootings and other drug related offences.
In November, twenty people, nine of whom were Thai nationals, were arrested in possession of war grade weapons and drugs after Laotian authorities seized a huge arsenal of weapons near Vientiane. The authorities in Laos believe criminal gangs in Thailand were involved in the smuggling of the weapons across the border.
Last week a Chinese man was killed and three others injured following a shooting in Phou Khoun district of Luang Prabang, while two Chinese tourists were robbed and murdered in the Xaisomboun district in central Laos a week earlier.
Laos is a popular destination for foreigners in Thailand who wish to apply for or renew visas or to complete what is known as an Out/In border run.
The increase in checks on foreigners entering into Laos is likely to cause delays at the immigration checkpoints at Vientiane and Savannakhet.
Source: Daily News, Tholakhong
