Visitors from some countries will come under stricter observation and border controls after a significant number have been arrested and convicted of drug offences and other crimes.

The Ministry of Public Security has recorded a large number of offences involving citizens of these countries, the Deputy Minister said last week at a nationwide meeting between government members and provincial governors in Vientiane .

Public Security Deputy Minister Brigadier General Toula Inthathilath reported that during six months of this year, 41 people from seven African nations had been arrested in Laos . Most of those arrested were involved with drugs, acts of deceit or illegal employment.

“We have already deported about 40 people,” he said.

“There is an increasing number of people from African countries visiting our country, reaching more than 1,400 in 2008-2009,” he explained.

“Most of them get a tourist visa-on-arrival. Some stay in the capital and overstay their visa.”

“They then get into trouble for offences that include, drug trafficking, counterfeit money, expired passports, deceit and not paying accommodation, restaurant and vehicle rental bills.”

Brigadier General Toula added that in previous years, there were a lot of offences involving false passports.

Often these were lost or stolen passports where the genuine photo was replaced with their own.

“Sometimes, when they are involved in illegal activities and leave, they get arrested in neighbouring countries and return to Laos .”

“This can be a big problem because their countries usually do not have an embassy in Laos ,” Brigadier General Toula explained.

Ministry officials are trying to reduce this problem by more closely monitoring foreign visitors residing in villages.

They will also scrutinise visa applications more closely, particular those from African countries.

“We will work more closely with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to check on the entry and exit of foreigners and the monitoring of such foreigners living in Laos ,” he reported.

The Public Security Ministry also wanted to discuss limitations on visas for people coming from target countries.

Two months ago, police arrested a Nigerian man in Vientiane , after finding him in possession of 900 grams of heroin.

Before that, a British national Samantha Orobator was sentenced to life in prison after being found guilty of possessing 680 grams of heroin.

Ms Orobator was born in Nigeria but is now a resident of the UK and has British citizenship.

Laos has very strict laws reg arding the trafficking and possession of drugs. The death penalty awaits those found in possession of or trading in more than 500 grams of heroin.

“These are just some of the problems that we face and we will be stricter and pay closer attention to people causing trouble in Laos ,” Brigadier General Toula said.

 By Souknilundon Southivongnorath
(Latest Update August 24, 2009)