Lao PDR Intensifies Crackdown on Transnational Wildlife Crime Linked to Souvenir Shops in Luang Prabang

Luang Prabang, 17 September 2026 — A high-level inter-agency meeting was convened at the Luang Prabang Provincial Department of Agriculture and Environment to review inspection and prosecution efforts concerning transnational wildlife crime linked to souvenir shops and to adopt urgent measures for strengthening prevention, monitoring and law enforcement.

The meeting was co-chaired by Dr. Boundeth Souththavilay, Director General of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Inspection under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment; Colonel Khaophone Phommachanh, Director General of the Environmental Police Department under the General Police Department; and Mr. Sengphet Houngdouangchanh, Deputy Director General of the Luang Prabang Provincial Department of Agriculture and Environment.

Participants included representatives of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Inspection, the Environmental Police, the Provincial Department of Agriculture and Environment, the Provincial Department of Industry and Commerce, the Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism, the Provincial Military Command, the Provincial Public Security Command, the Provincial Natural Resources and Environment Inspection Office, the forestry sector and other relevant authorities of Luang Prabang Province.

Speaking on behalf of the Secretariat of the National Taskforce for Combating Transnational Wildlife Crime established under Prime Ministerial Decision No. 11/PM, Dr. Boundeth Souththavilay emphasized the urgent need to continue taking decisive action against transnational wildlife crime, particularly the illegal trade in parts and products derived from protected wildlife.

He stressed that combating wildlife crime has been elevated to a national priority requiring urgent and coordinated action. This work represents the implementation of the direction of the Government and must be carried out in strict accordance with the Law on Wild Animals, criminal procedure legislation, other relevant laws and regulations, and the international obligations of Lao PDR.

Illegal trade threatens wildlife and the reputation of Luang Prabang

Inspections conducted in Luang Prabang have identified souvenir shops suspected of trading parts and products derived from Category I protected wildlife, including rhinoceros horn, elephant ivory, pangolin scales and other prohibited specimens.

Such activities constitute serious violations of the laws of Lao PDR and may also involve species listed in the Appendices of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

The meeting emphasized that illegal wildlife trade causes serious harm to biodiversity, undermines the rule of law and adversely affects the reputation of Lao PDR and Luang Prabang Province, which is internationally recognized as an important cultural and tourism destination.

Two shops closed and foreign suspects detained

The Government has established a specialized taskforce and intensified coordinated inspections and enforcement operations against suspected wildlife trafficking activities.

During recent inspections of 15 targeted establishments in Luang Prabang Province, the competent authorities arrested suspects and ordered the closure of two shops. Significant quantities of parts and products suspected of being derived from Category I protected wildlife and CITES-listed species were seized as evidence.

Foreign nationals suspected of involvement were detained for investigation and legal proceedings in accordance with the laws of Lao PDR. The cases remain subject to investigation and adjudication by the competent authorities.

Criminal networks use increasingly sophisticated methods

The meeting also considered the increasingly complex methods used by transnational criminal networks to conceal their activities and evade detection.

Reported methods include using the names of Lao nationals to register enterprises as fronts for foreign-controlled businesses, employing foreign workers without proper authorization, operating shops exclusively for selected foreign tour groups and processing payments through cross-border digital platforms outside the banking system of Lao PDR.

Transactions reportedly conducted through platforms such as WeChat Pay, Taobao and other online channels may facilitate tax evasion, conceal financial flows and support other financial offences. Where supported by evidence, such transactions should also be investigated for possible links to transnational money laundering and organized crime.

Urgent enforcement measures adopted

To address the problem decisively, the meeting agreed upon a series of urgent measures:

• Remove any unauthorized guard arrangements at targeted shops that could obstruct monitoring or enforcement;
• Close shops found to be operating illegally or require legally authorized businesses to remain genuinely open to the general public;
• Prevent shops from operating exclusively for selected tour groups, including so-called “zero-yuan tours”;
• Suspend the operations of businesses without valid licences;
• Review foreign-owned or foreign-operated tourism companies, particularly those operating without authorized Lao tour guides;
• Inspect tourism presentations, advertising and promotional materials that may mislead foreign visitors about the laws and regulations of Lao PDR;
• Inspect the employment and immigration status of workers at targeted establishments;
• Conduct coordinated daily patrols and inspections from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. at identified locations;
• Strengthen public awareness of wildlife protection laws in areas frequented by tourists; and
• Ensure that wildlife crime cases are investigated and prosecuted strictly under criminal law and are not resolved solely through administrative measures.

The Luang Prabang Provincial Natural Resources and Environment Inspection Office was assigned to coordinate with the Provincial Department of Industry and Commerce and other relevant authorities in carrying out the daily monitoring and enforcement programme.

Whole-of-government cooperation required

The meeting called upon all relevant sectors—including culture and tourism, industry and commerce, customs, police, the armed forces, prosecutors, courts and civil society—to strengthen cooperation in preventing, detecting and suppressing transnational wildlife crime.

Members of the public who discover information concerning the illegal trade, transport or possession of protected wildlife or wildlife products are encouraged to report it through the National Hotline 1528.

Following the meeting, the co-chairs reported the outcomes and agreed measures to Dr. Bounluen Sinxayvoravong, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Governor of Luang Prabang Province.

The Governor welcomed the results of the meeting and commended the participating authorities for agreeing on concrete measures to address transnational wildlife crime. He emphasized that every responsible sector must demonstrate ownership, cooperate closely and ensure the effective and timely implementation of the agreed measures throughout Luang Prabang Province.

The meeting reaffirmed the strong determination of the Government of Lao PDR to combat transnational wildlife crime, dismantle criminal networks, uphold the rule of law, protect national biodiversity and fulfil the international obligations of the country under CITES.

Photographs and report by: Department of Natural Resources and Environment Inspection, Ministry of Agriculture and Environment