Laos Deports 20 Thai Gambling Website Operators
Laos deported 20 Thai nationals caught operating illegal online gambling websites from Vientiane, handing them over at the Thai-Lao border on July 17 for prosecution in Thailand.
On July 17, at the First Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge border checkpoint in Nong Khai's Muang District, immigration police coordinated with security officials and relevant agencies to receive 20 Thai nationals—12 men and 8 women—handed over by Laotian authorities. Initial screening found no victims of human trafficking or individuals with arrest warrants among the group.
Investigations revealed that all 20 had previously worked as administrators for gambling websites in Cambodia. They returned to Thailand following border skirmishes between Thai and Cambodian forces, then traveled to Vientiane where they rented a hotel and operated three illegal online lottery websites, working in three shifts for monthly wages of 15,000 to 30,000 baht.
On July 15, Laotian authorities conducted a major crackdown targeting illegal gambling networks and human trafficking, including scam operations. After completing legal procedures, Laos coordinated with Thailand to return all 20 individuals for further prosecution under Thai law.
