Oudomxay Court Sentences Man for Illegal Logging, Forest Clearing and Burning
OUDOMXAY, Lao PDR, 5 August 2026 — The People’s Court of Zone 1 in Oudomxay Province has sentenced a 33-year-old man to five months’ imprisonment and a fine of LAK 46.735 million for illegally cutting protected trees, clearing forestland and setting fire to forest areas.
According to information reported by the Oudomxay Provincial Public Security authorities, the court handed down Criminal Judgment No. 011/ຂຕ.ອ on 5 August 2026 after reviewing evidence relating to the case.
The defendant, a resident of Nahom Village, Namo District, Oudomxay Province, was found guilty of illegally cutting trees and clearing and burning forest in violation of Article 326, paragraph 1, of the 2017 Penal Code.
The court found that on 13 February 2026, the defendant entered protected and village-use forest areas in Nahom Village and carried out unauthorized forest clearing. The activities resulted in the cutting of 528 trees and 15 clumps of bamboo, while more than one hectare of forestland was encroached upon. The total value of the damage was assessed at approximately LAK 36.1 million.
The affected forest is under State management, where unauthorized encroachment, clearing and activities causing damage to natural resources and the environment are prohibited. The court also referred to Article 135 of the Forestry Law in determining the unlawful nature of the activities.
Based on the evidence, the court sentenced the defendant to five months’ imprisonment, of which four months and 12 days are to be served, and imposed a fine of LAK 46.735 million. The court further ordered the confiscation of a machete and a chainsaw used in committing the offence, with the equipment transferred to State ownership in accordance with applicable regulations.
The case demonstrates the application of criminal and forestry legislation to illegal logging, forest encroachment and unauthorized forest burning, and underscores that activities causing damage to State-managed forests can result in imprisonment, substantial financial penalties and confiscation of equipment.
Source: Lao Phattana News, citing Oudomxay Provincial Public Security authorities.
