Another Lao "Heads up" Notice for Rt 13N

[mactbkk]

Happily there's the , Kassy-Nan-Xieng Nguen-LP Bypass, just drive carefully, it's got some steep stops and sharp curves.

Mac

http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/alertswarnings/laos-travel-alert.html

[h=1]Laos Travel Alert[/h]LAST UPDATED: MARCH 7, 2016

The Department of State alerts U.S. citizens to a series of recent shooting attacks along Road 13, a major thoroughfare connecting Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng, two of Laos’ most popular tourist destinations. The Embassy has prohibited official travel on Road 13 from Km 220 north of Kasi in Vientiane province to Km 270 at the Phou Khoun junction in Luang Prabang province because of the unpredictable nature of the violence and the lack of official information regarding possible motives or a Lao government response. The attacks have killed one and injured nine. The attacks are occurring simultaneously with the ongoing violence in Xaisomboun province, which prompted the Embassy to restrict all official travel to that province as well. This Travel Alert supersedes the February 11, 2016, Travel Alert concerning Xaisomboun province and it expires on May 30, 2016.

Five occupants of a public bus and a pickup truck were injured when gunfire tar geted the vehicles on Road 13 on March 1. A similar shooting attack targeted a tourist bus on this same stretch of roadway on January 14. It injured at least one passenger. A separate recent shooting in the same area killed one person and injured three.
In Xaisomboun, two roadside attacks occurred in late January 2016, killing three people and injuring a fourth. They involved the detonation of improvised explosive devices. The attacks came after a series of shooting attacks in November and December 2015 that prompted the U.S. Embassy in Vientiane to restrict official travel to Xaisomboun Province.
The Embassy still permits its personnel travelling between Luang Prabang and Vang Vieng to travel on the “new road” west of Road 13, between Kasi and Luang Prabang, and along Road 13 from Kasi all the way south to Vientiane. U.S. citizens traveling to or residing in Laos should take precautions, remain vigilant about their personal security, and be alert to local security developments.
For further information:

• See the State Department’s travel website for the Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, Travel Alerts, and Country Specific Information.
• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Contact the U.S. Embassy in Laos, located at Thadeua Road Km 9, Ban Somvang Tai, Hatsayfong District, at +856-21-48-7000, 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. weekdays, excluding U.S. and Lao holidays. After-hours emergency number for U.S. citizens is also +856-21-48-7000. Non-emergency services are provided by appointment only.
• Call 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or 1-202-501-4444 from other countries from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

 

[KTMphil]

The Embassy still permits its personnel travelling between Luang Prabang and Vang Vieng to travel on the "new road" west of Road 13, between Kasi and Luang Prabang, and along Road 13 from Kasi all the way south to Vientiane. U.S. citizens traveling to or residing in Laos should take precautions, remain vigilant about their personal security, and be alert to local security developments.
For further information:

Thanks Mac, that explains all the armed soldiers on the Kasi - Xayabouri new road


RIMG3965 by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr

 

[mactbkk]

There seems to have been some shooting in the area to the south of the PBM facilities there at Nam Ngone/Huey Kham. Report said a PBM convoy was shot at. This occurred yesterday 16 March. Today the PBM staff are said to be on "lockdown."


No further info that I've heard.

Mac

 

[brake034]

Mac, please explain PBM?

 

[mactbkk]

PBM = Phu Bia Mining, the Ozzie outfit that's been digging gold and copper for many years now there at the junction of Rt 5 and the NS road, from Tha Bok, Km 92 on Rt 13S up through Long Xan/Moung Hom, through the PBM junction, and on to Long Tieng, Sam Thong, and the PDJ.

Lots of Googles for: phu bia mining

They have another project off to the west, but east of Vang Vieng, Huey Kham, I think it's called, haven't been up that way for 5-6 years.

Mac

 

[Lone Rider]

We were driving from Pakmong to Oudomxay on Rd. 13 N two days ago and there was a heavy military presence along the road with every 3-5 km. a small tent with soldiers "camping out" and soldiers patrolling along the road. Not sure if this has anything to do with the recent shootings though.

 

[The Bigfella]

They were looking serious about it.

 

[KTMphil]

So the bottom line is that is anger against Chinese workers stealing all the good jobs?

 

[The Bigfella]

Another possibility... the election is on, so? More likely, it's a demonstration of strength to the Chinese who probably complained that their workers weren't safe.

 

[KTMphil]

Another possibility... the election is on, so? More likely, it's a demonstration of strength to the Chinese who probably complained that their workers weren't safe.

Looks like we're talking about the same thing and you're commenting on the resultant.

 

[mactbkk]

Another couple shooting reports:

"During this past week were two more events. A shooting of cars on the highway near Phou Khoune, Luang Prabang turn off (Hwy 13) that resulted in a couple of deaths. Police then had a shoot out with baddies, supposedly dressed Moslem style, at Nam Chat (Hwy 7, approx 70-80km west of Phonsavanh). Four captured and one baddie killed."

 

[The Bigfella]

Ouch. Thanks for the info, Mac. Been through there a few times in the last six months, including a couple of weeks back.

We started to really notice the army presence when we got to Pak Mong, then through to Oudomxay, Boten and across to Huay Xay. I was keeping myself amused checking out all the different footwear. It was interesting to see that a lot of the armed guys weren't wearing any uniform... which makes it a bit hard for the casual visitor to determine the good guys from the baddies. I didn't really go for photos of the guys not wearing uniforms, just in case...

Some were in party mode, it seems

 

[KTMphil]

Major problem for Laos tourism. One the foreign Embassies have issued travel warnings (like the USA), it means that affluent, potential tourists can no longer get travel insurance, so prohibits the people that will spend the serious money.

 

[Lone Rider]

1 Lao Killed & 6 Chinese wounded in bus shooting in northern Laos

Six Chinese nationals were wounded in an attack on a cross-border passenger bus in northern Laos Wednesday night, the Chinese embassy said.
All the victims were drivers and passengers on the bus, which was travelling from Kunming in China's southwestern Yunnan province to Vientiane, Chinese embassy officials told Xinhua early Thursday. The bus, which was carrying 25 passengers and three drivers, was shot by unidentified gunmen at around 9:00 p.m. local time (1400 GMT) on a road in Kasi, Vientiane province. The driver was also wounded but he managed to drive the vehicle to safety. All the injured Chinese men were sent to a local hospital for treatment.
A Lao driver of a pick-up car followed got shot and died.

The shooting is the latest violence occurred in Laos this year. A Chinese national was killed and three others wounded on March 1 in an attack on a Chinese-invested company by unidentified gunmen in Luang Prabang province.
On Jan. 24, two Chinese were killed and another one wounded in a bomb attack on a bus in Xaysomboun province.
Source: ecns (through J&C Expat Services Facebook page)

Note LR: Not sure if this happened on Rd. 13 N or on the Kasy to Mueang Nan road

 

[KTMphil]

Some more photo's surfacing

 

[mactbkk]

I'd bet it was on the Rt 13N route to Phou Khoun. I've been told the large buses don't much like the curves and grades on the Kassy-Nan route.

A bit more info below:

Mac

http://www.rfa.org/english/news/lao...ttack-on-vehicles-in-laos-03242016165850.html

HOME | NEWS | LAOS

[h=1]One Killed, Six Wounded in Shooting Attack on Vehicles in Laos[/h]2016-03-24

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Locals examine the front of a Chinese passenger bus that was shot by unidentified gunmen in northern Laos, March 23, 2016.

Photo courtesy of a motorist​

Unidentified gunmen killed a truck driver and wounded six Chinese nationals on a bus along a road in northern Laos on Wednesday, a driver who witnessed the scene after the incident occurred said.

The shootings occurred around 10 p.m. between Tham and Houasan villages in the Kasy district of Vientiane province about 175 kilometers (105 miles) north of the capital Vientiane.
The bus was heading to the Lao capital from Kunming in southwestern China's Sichuan province.

"I saw that the driver had died in the pickup, and the front of the Chinese bus had bullet holes [at the scene] where local security forces were on duty," a motorist who passed by the site told RFA's Lao Service on Thursday. "People there told me that six Chinese were wounded."

The driver, who requested anonymity, said he was fortunate that he had delayed his trip from Vientiane to Luang Prubang by a day so he was not on the road when the shootings occurred.

Twenty-five passengers and three drivers were on the bus, and the six injured Chinese were sent to a hospital, China's official Xinhua news agency reported.

RFA tried to contact the relevant officials in Kasy district as well as the press department at the foreign affairs ministry for more information, but an official who answered the phone at the latter refused to give any details.

The incident was the latest in a series of shootings that have killed or injured drivers and passengers in vehicles traveling along roads in northern Laos.

In early March, a Chinese man was killed and eight other people were injured by unidentified "bandits" in three near-simultaneous shootings in the northern part of the country.

Unidentified gunmen shot up a passenger bus in northern Laos in January on Route 13 North in Kasy district, left one of about a dozen passengers in the vehicle injured, but caused no deaths.

In another incident last December, 15 bandits shot two motorcyclists in the Anouvong district of north-central Xaysomboun province, killing one and injuring the other.

Three days later, bandits shot at a truck transporting beer in Anouvong, injuring two people in the vehicle.

An exchange of gunfire between Lao anti-government resistance group and local troops in Xaysomboun late November left three government soldiers dead and some others injured.

China is an important investor and trade partner for fellow communist country Laos. Although China's growing economic footprint in Laos has caused some local discontent, none of the attacks that have involved Chinese nationals has been accompanied by political statements or any indication of motive.

Reported by RFA's Laos Service. Translated by Ounkeo Souksavanh. Written in English by Roseanne Gerin.

 

[KTMphil]

That rock on the left is approx 40km south of Luang Prabang.

 

[Lone Rider]

No the incident took place on the Kasy to Mueang Nan road quite close to Kasy between Ban Tham-Tai and Hoauysan

 

[mactbkk]

Re: Another Lao "Heads up" Notice for Rt 13N

LR, hmmmm, I'm a bit surprised, that section of the Kassy-Nan road is still down on the flat lands.

In this morning's Nation.


Mac


http://www.nationmultimedia.com/opinion/Whos-killing-foreigners-in-northern-Laos-30282715.html


EDITORIAL
Who’s killing foreigners in northern Laos?
The Nation March 29, 2016 1:00 am
Amid a string of armed assaults on Chinese and Lao travellers, the government remains distressingly silent


Alarm bells are ringing after a mysterious spate of attacks on foreigners in northern Laos. With locals also suffering in the months-long outbreak of assaults and robberies, the government needs to intervene in what has become a threat to security in the region that borders China.


In the latest assault, on Wednesday, unidentified gunmen opened fire on a pickup truck, killing its driver, and a passenger bus that was following, leaving six Chinese passengers wounded. They were travelling to Vientiane from Kunming in Yunnan province.


Similar incidents took place on January 24 and March 1. In the latter, a Chinese worker was killed and three others injured in an attack by similarly unidentified assailants in Luang Prabang's Phoukhoun district. An hour later another attack took place in the same district when a bus travelling from Vientiane to Phongsaly province was shot up and three Lao were hurt. At least two more Lao riding in an accompanying pickup were injured as well. On January 24 two Chinese were killed and another injured in a bombing in northern Xaysomboun province. One of them was employed at a mining company in Yunnan. No one has claimed responsibility in any of these incidents.


The United States Embassy in Vientiane issued a travel warning on March 8 and barred its officials from utilising Highway 13 between Kasi near the capital to Luang Prabang province. It cited "the unpredictable nature of the violence and the lack of official information regarding possible motives or a Lao government response".


The government has failed to respond to the attacks even after Beijing called on its authorities to investigate the violence. There has been no indication how or even whether the government plans to deal with the situation.


In the absence of any type of explanation from the authorities, speculation has been rife, with blame for the attacks attributed to everyone from common robbers to anti-government militants.


In terms of security, Luang Prabang's Phoukhone district, Xaysomboun province and much of Highway 13, especially between the tourism destinations of Vang Viang and Kasi close to Vientiane, have been vulnerable zones for some time.


Though fiercely suppressed and short of public support, an anti-government movement has remained sporadically active ever since communists swept to power in 1975, but its members keep a low profile and militancy action has been largely phased out for more than a decade. The government no longer considers it a likely threat, although it monitors its activities carefully, even recruiting the help of neighbouring countries such as Thailand.


Geopolitical changes in recent years might have sparked fresh activity. If Chinese travellers are being targeted in these latest attacks, it could stem from China's substantial political and economic influence on Laos. At the same time, Laos has drawn closer to the US, which could have reopened old wounds and prodded militants to try and jeopardise that tie. It's also possible that the attacks are intended to warn both of the superpowers, the US and China, that Laos is not as secure as their investors might hope.


What is less likely is that domestic political issues are fuelling the attacks, since the country is in transition, with a new leadership moving into position. The first attack in January coincided with a congress of the ruling People's Revolutionary Party, at which voting was held to replace most of the old guard. The latest attack took place only a week after the country's general election.


Adding to the country's discomfiture is the fact that it is this year in the chair for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. As such it will be hosting international meetings, albeit not in its troubled north. Regardless of the real motivation for the attacks there, the government is obliged to shoulder its responsibilities and ensure everyone's safety. Failing to offer any accounting for the attacks or a plan of action to curb them is instead irresponsible. Silence is helpful to no one.

- - - Updated - - -

LR, hmmmm, I'm a bit surprised, that section of the Kassy-Nan road is still down on the flat lands.

In this morning's Nation.


Mac


http://www.nationmultimedia.com/opinion/Whos-killing-foreigners-in-northern-Laos-30282715.html


EDITORIAL
Who’s killing foreigners in northern Laos?
The Nation March 29, 2016 1:00 am
Amid a string of armed assaults on Chinese and Lao travellers, the government remains distressingly silent


Alarm bells are ringing after a mysterious spate of attacks on foreigners in northern Laos. With locals also suffering in the months-long outbreak of assaults and robberies, the government needs to intervene in what has become a threat to security in the region that borders China.


In the latest assault, on Wednesday, unidentified gunmen opened fire on a pickup truck, killing its driver, and a passenger bus that was following, leaving six Chinese passengers wounded. They were travelling to Vientiane from Kunming in Yunnan province.


Similar incidents took place on January 24 and March 1. In the latter, a Chinese worker was killed and three others injured in an attack by similarly unidentified assailants in Luang Prabang's Phoukhoun district. An hour later another attack took place in the same district when a bus travelling from Vientiane to Phongsaly province was shot up and three Lao were hurt. At least two more Lao riding in an accompanying pickup were injured as well. On January 24 two Chinese were killed and another injured in a bombing in northern Xaysomboun province. One of them was employed at a mining company in Yunnan. No one has claimed responsibility in any of these incidents.


The United States Embassy in Vientiane issued a travel warning on March 8 and barred its officials from utilising Highway 13 between Kasi near the capital to Luang Prabang province. It cited "the unpredictable nature of the violence and the lack of official information regarding possible motives or a Lao government response".


The government has failed to respond to the attacks even after Beijing called on its authorities to investigate the violence. There has been no indication how or even whether the government plans to deal with the situation.


In the absence of any type of explanation from the authorities, speculation has been rife, with blame for the attacks attributed to everyone from common robbers to anti-government militants.


In terms of security, Luang Prabang's Phoukhone district, Xaysomboun province and much of Highway 13, especially between the tourism destinations of Vang Viang and Kasi close to Vientiane, have been vulnerable zones for some time.


Though fiercely suppressed and short of public support, an anti-government movement has remained sporadically active ever since communists swept to power in 1975, but its members keep a low profile and militancy action has been largely phased out for more than a decade. The government no longer considers it a likely threat, although it monitors its activities carefully, even recruiting the help of neighbouring countries such as Thailand.


Geopolitical changes in recent years might have sparked fresh activity. If Chinese travellers are being targeted in these latest attacks, it could stem from China's substantial political and economic influence on Laos. At the same time, Laos has drawn closer to the US, which could have reopened old wounds and prodded militants to try and jeopardise that tie. It's also possible that the attacks are intended to warn both of the superpowers, the US and China, that Laos is not as secure as their investors might hope.


What is less likely is that domestic political issues are fuelling the attacks, since the country is in transition, with a new leadership moving into position. The first attack in January coincided with a congress of the ruling People's Revolutionary Party, at which voting was held to replace most of the old guard. The latest attack took place only a week after the country's general election.


Adding to the country's discomfiture is the fact that it is this year in the chair for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. As such it will be hosting international meetings, albeit not in its troubled north. Regardless of the real motivation for the attacks there, the government is obliged to shoulder its responsibilities and ensure everyone's safety. Failing to offer any accounting for the attacks or a plan of action to curb them is instead irresponsible. Silence is helpful to no one.

 

[Gnasher328]

Political Dumbo here, but the common denominator seems to be China. Are some people starting to see that China is taking over Asia by economic means rather than direct invasion?

 

[mactbkk]

A "heads up" in from the U.S. State Department.

Mac

From: STEP Notifications <STEP-Notifications@state.gov>
Date: Wed, Mar 30, 2016 at 11:20 AM
Subject: Laos Travel Alert, March 30, 2016
To: ACS_LAOS@calist.state.gov


The Department of State alerts U.S. citizens to shooting attacks targeting vehicles traveling the "new road" northwest of Kasi in Luang Prabang Province at about9:00p.m. on March 23, 2016. A charter bus and a pickup truck were both hit by automatic weapons fire on this heavily traveled route between the towns of Luang Prabang and Vang Vieng, two of Laos' most popular tourist destinations. One person was killed, and six wounded.

Due to this incident, U.S. Embassy Vientiane has restricted official travel by Embassy staff on the "new road" between the Kasi junction and the Road 4 junction. Both roads connecting the towns of Luang Prabang and Vang Vieng are now subject to Embassy travel restrictions. This Travel Alert supersedes the March 7, 2016, Travel Alert concerning Road 13 and Xaisomboun province and it expires on June 30, 2016.

The Embassy restricted official travel along Road 13 from Km 220 north of Kasi in Vientiane Province to Km 270 at the Phou Khoun junction in Luang Prabang Province following similar shooting attacks on vehicles in recent weeks. The Embassy also restricts official travel to Xaisomboun Province in its entirety because of the unpredictable nature of violence in the area and the lack of official information regarding possible motives or a Lao government response.

The Embassy still permits its personnel to travel between Vientiane and Vang Vieng on Road 13, and to travel to the town of Luang Prabang by air. Travel by road from the town of Luang Prabang northward is also not affected by these restrictions. Nevertheless, U.S. citizens traveling to or residing in Laos should take precautions, remain vigilant about their personal security, and be alert to local security developments.

For further information:

• See the State Department's travel website for the Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, Travel Alerts, and Country Specific Information.
• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Contact the U.S. Embassy in Laos, located at Thadeua Road Km 9, Ban Somvang Tai, Hatsayfong District, at +856-21-48-7000, 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. weekdays, excluding U.S. and Lao holidays. After-hours emergency number for U.S. citizens is also +856-21-48-7000. Non-emergency services are provided by appointment only.
• Call 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or 1-202-501-4444from other countries from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
• Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.
  
  To unsubscribe from this electronic mailing list, click here. Please allow 48 hours for the request to process.

 

[Lone Rider]

An article in "The Nation" 0f 29 March on the silence of the Lao Government officials on the shootings

Who’s killing foreigners in northern Laos?

Amid a string of armed assaults on Chinese and Lao travellers, the government remains distressingly silent. Alarm bells are ringing after a mysterious spate of attacks on foreigners in northern Laos. With locals also suffering in the months-long outbreak of assaults and robberies, the government needs to intervene in what has become a threat to security in the region that borders China.

In the latest assault, on Wednesday, unidentified gunmen opened fire on a pickup truck, killing its driver, and a passenger bus that was following, leaving six Chinese passengers wounded. They were travelling to Vientiane from Kunming in Yunnan province. Similar incidents took place on January 24 and March 1. In the latter, a Chinese worker was killed and three others injured in an attack by similarly unidentified assailants in Luang Prabang's Phoukhoun district. An hour later another attack took place in the same district when a bus travelling from Vientiane to Phongsaly province was shot up and three Lao were hurt. At least two more Lao riding in an accompanying pickup were injured as well. On January 24 two Chinese were killed and another injured in a bombing in northern Xaysomboun province. One of them was employed at a mining company in Yunnan. No one has claimed responsibility in any of these incidents.

The United States Embassy in Vientiane issued a travel warning on March 8 and barred its officials from utilising Highway 13 between Kasi near the capital to Luang Prabang province. It cited "the unpredictable nature of the violence and the lack of official information regarding possible motives or a Lao government response".

The government has failed to respond to the attacks even after Beijing called on its authorities to investigate the violence. There has been no indication how or even whether the government plans to deal with the situation. In the absence of any type of explanation from the authorities, speculation has been rife, with blame for the attacks attributed to everyone from common robbers to anti-government militants. In terms of security, Luang Prabang's Phoukhone district, Xaysomboun province and much of Highway 13, especially between the tourism destinations of Vang Viang and Kasi close to Vientiane, have been vulnerable zones for some time.

Though fiercely suppressed and short of public support, an anti-government movement has remained sporadically active ever since communists swept to power in 1975, but its members keep a low profile and militancy action has been largely phased out for more than a decade. The government no longer considers it a likely threat, although it monitors its activities carefully, even recruiting the help of neighbouring countries such as Thailand.

Geopolitical changes in recent years might have sparked fresh activity. If Chinese travellers are being targeted in these latest attacks, it could stem from China's substantial political and economic influence on Laos. At the same time, Laos has drawn closer to the US, which could have reopened old wounds and prodded militants to try and jeopardise that tie. It's also possible that the attacks are intended to warn both of the superpowers, the US and China, that Laos is not as secure as their investors might hope.

What is less likely is that domestic political issues are fuelling the attacks, since the country is in transition, with a new leadership moving into position. The first attack in January coincided with a congress of the ruling People's Revolutionary Party, at which voting was held to replace most of the old guard. The latest attack took place only a week after the country's general election.

Adding to the country's discomfiture is the fact that it is this year in the chair for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. As such it will be hosting international meetings, albeit not in its troubled north. Regardless of the real motivation for the attacks there, the government is obliged to shoulder its responsibilities and ensure everyone's safety. Failing to offer any accounting for the attacks or a plan of action to curb them is instead irresponsible. Silence is helpful to no one.

Source: Whos-killing-foreigners-in-northern-Laos

 

[KTMphil]

From the U.S Embassy, Vientiane, Laos

 

[mactbkk]

This just in from a friend:

"A tourist bus and passengers were shot up while they took a break on the new, steep road from Kasi to Louang Prabang. Apparently not too far from Kasi. No info on damage/casualties."


Mac

 

[Lone Rider]

Lao Authorities Arrest 30 Suspects in Bus Shootings

Military and police officials in central Laos’ Vientiane province have arrested 30 people suspected of being involved in a bus shooting last month that left one Chinese national dead and six others wounded, a local resident with knowledge of the situation said Thursday. The arrests occurred on April 7 along a road between Nanhiew and Nakangpa villages in the province’s Met district after a truck the suspects were traveling in ran out of gas, the source who witnessed the arrests said. They robbed some road construction workers at gunpoint and knife-point to get money for petrol, but one of the workers called the police, who, along with military officers, were able to apprehend the men, he said.

“The suspects were brutally beaten by the police and military officials,” said the local resident who declined to be named. “The villagers who saw the incident dare not talk publicly about it.” A Met district police officer who gave his name as Poy told RFA that local authorities had the situation under control, but could not give any information about it. “There is no problem, and the situation is peaceful," he said. “We cannot tell any outsiders because it is an internal affair.” He declined to say if the 30 suspects had been arrested in Vientiane district.

Long list of shootings

- Unknown attackers referred to as “bandits” have been involved in other shooting incidences in both Vientiane and north-central Xaysomboun province since last November. During that month, an exchange of gunfire between a Lao anti-government resistance group and local troops in Xaysomboun left three government soldiers dead and some others injured.

- A month later, 15 attackers shot two motorcyclists in the province’s Anouvong district, killing one and injuring the other.

- The alleged bandits shot at a truck transporting beer in the district three days later, injuring two people in the vehicle.

- On Jan. 14, a midnight attack on a public bus traveling along Route 13 North in Vientiane province’s Kasy district, injured one of about a dozen passengers, but caused no deaths.

- A shooting in Phoukhoun district of Luang Prabang province on March 1 killed a Chinese man and injured three other Chinese nationals who were working for a logging company clearing land for the Nam Ngum 3 hydropower dam project.

- On the same day as the shooting near the dam, bandits mounted two separate attacks on a public bus and a truck traveling along Route 13 North in Phoukhoun, injuring five people.

As for arrests in the other shootings, a retired soldier who is close to a high-ranking official in the Lao Ministry of National Defense told RFA on Wednesday that authorities in Xaysomboun province have arrested 50 suspects in the attacks that occurred there late last year. Although unrest in the mountainous provinces of central Laos is nothing new, the shootings have made it difficult for the government to ignore them because of the effects on local development and the lives of area residents.

Source: Lao-authorities-arrest-30-suspects-in-bus-shootings - 21 April 2016

 

[Phil TK]

Hmm. I'll be in Vientiane next tuesday and plan to head up to Vang Vieng and then on to Luang Prabang, then Huay Xai in the North West.
I'm not sure if the news of the arrests makes me feel a little safer, the fact that they nabbed 30 of these people means that there could be large numbers of these trigger happy types up there.
Then again, I'll bet it won't stop the usual numbers of gap year people on their Honda Wins chancing that route.
I'm going to go for it I think, or maybe not. Anyone else in Vientiane next week and going that way?

 

[Lone Rider]

Hmm. I'll be in Vientiane next tuesday and plan to head up to Vang Vieng and then on to Luang Prabang, then Huay Xai in the North West.
I'm not sure if the news of the arrests makes me feel a little safer, the fact that they nabbed 30 of these people means that there could be large numbers of these trigger happy types up there.
Then again, I'll bet it won't stop the usual numbers of gap year people on their Honda Wins chancing that route.
I'm going to go for it I think, or maybe not. Anyone else in Vientiane next week and going that way?

Travelled yesterday from Vangvieng to Luang Prabang via the Kasy to Nan shortcut. No problems although I did see some soldiers stationed along the road. Remember that the shootings all happened during night time so during day time it should be OK

 

[Lone Rider]

Shootout Between Lao Soldiers And 'Bandits' Leaves One Dead, Others Injured

An exchange of gunfire between Lao soldiers and unidentified armed forces along a new road between Vientiane and Luang Prabang provinces on May 6 left one soldier and eight of members of the unknown group dead and others injured, a relative of the deceased soldier and a local health official said. The shootout occurred on the thoroughfare connecting Kasy district of central Laos' Vientiane province's and Luang Prabang province's Nane district, where two other deadly attacks by unknown assailants referred to by government authorities as "bandits" took place in March.

Second Lieutenant Santhi, a soldier who died during the attack, was from Nane district's military division, said one of his relatives who declined to be named and did not provide the soldier's surname. The assailants shot Santhi dead while he was walking in front of the other soldiers, the relative said, adding that he didn't know if the soldiers were in pursuit of the gunmen. "Brothers and sisters at home informed me that Santhi had passed away during the exchange of fire," he said, adding that others were also killed. Authorities later sent Santhi's body to his hometown in Thinkeo village, Xieng-ngun district, in Luang Prabang province, the relative said.

But authorities have not issued an official report on the others who were killed and injured, he said. A health official at the hospital in Luang Prabang told RFA that eight members of the unidentified armed group were killed and others arrested after they purchased medicine in the town to treat their injuries. "But I don't know how many people were arrested afterwards," she said.

Government soldiers wounded in the shootout were sent to military hospital 103 in Vientiane for treatment, she said. Lieutenant Colonel Peankham Boutchanpheng, deputy chief of Luang Prabang's military headquarters told RFA that he had no further information about the shootout. "Santhi's funeral was on May 7, but I cannot provide more details," he said

Reported by RFA's Lao Service on 11 May 2016. Source: Shootout-between-lao-soldiers-and-bandits-leaves-one-dead-others-injured

 

[Lone Rider]

Travel Warning: Unpredictable Security Situation in parts of Laos

The Department of State alerts U.S. citizens to the risks of travel in parts of Laos due to the unpredictable security situation. U.S. Embassy personnel are restricted from traveling in certain areas due to reports of violence, combined with the unusually heavy presence of Lao government security forces in some areas. This replaces the Travel Alert issued on July 1, 2016, and expires on December 30, 2016.

The U.S. Embassy in Vientiane continues to restrict Embassy staff from travel in the following areas:

Road 13 from Km 220 north of Kasi in Vientiane Province to Km 270 at the Phou Khoun junction in Luang Prabang Province

the “new road” from the Kasi junction to the Road 4 junction between Luang Prabang and Vang Vieng

all of Xaisomboun Province


The Embassy continues to permit personnel to:

travel between Vientiane and Vang Vieng on Road 13
travel northward from Luang Prabang
travel by air to Luang Prabang
U.S. citizens traveling to or residing in Laos should take precautions, remain vigilant about their personal security, and be alert to local security developments.


For further information:

See the Department’s travel website for the Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, Travel Alerts, and Laos Country Specific Information.

Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security messages and to make it easier to locate you in an emergency.

Contact the U.S. Embassy in Laos, located at Thadeua Road Km 9, Ban Somvang Tai, Hatsayfong District, at +856-21-487-7000, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays, excluding U.S. and Lao holidays. After-hours emergency number for U.S. citizens is also +856-21-7000. Non-emergency services are provided by appointment only.

Call 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or 1-202-501-4444 from other countries from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Source: By U.S. Mission Laos | 6 October, 2016 | Topics: Security & Emergency Messages


Note LR: Not sure what to think about this warning which is similar to the one issued earlier this year. At present the Lao Government allows travel again to Longchaeng (previously off-limits) and there is considerable less presence of Lao security personnel along the roads. Along Road 4C (the “new road” from the Kasi junction to the Road 4 junction between Luang Prabang and Vang Vieng) I saw a few soldiers at one of the bridges and a what now looks like a permanent security post of the new viewpoint complete with toilet facilities and food stalls (coordinates N19.390164° E102.139372°)

 

[Phil TK]

I rode from the Thai border to Vang Vien on May 8th this year taking in the 'new' road to the Kasi junction. Little did I know there had been a shootihg nearby just the previous day, although the British foreign office did have information/warnings on their website about some skirmishes around that area from last year. I saw a few armed soldiers on the road but there was also a group of armed men hanging around one of the cafes about 10 miles south of the junction. I was told these where local militia who protect the villages and they'll willingly do a selfie with you for a dollar, I didn't fancy that, but it was comforting in a minor sense knowing that not everyone sporting an AK47 is one of the bad guys.
I would venture that rather a lot of incidences don't get publicity. In February I was on a Flamingo tour out of Hanoi and we were stopped by Vietnamese military police on the road to the Pang Hoc border post and told we cannot go anywhere near the Laos border. This was due to gunfights 'with outlaws from Laos' they said and they directed us on to Dien Bien Phu and told us not to go off road.
I also noted that Vang Vien seemed to be doing ok in terms of tourist numbers and with a very large hotel being built by the river too, but then most tourists come up from the South. The lovely Nong Khiaw to the North had just a dozen tourists when i got there on 7th June, obviously suffering because of the trouble which is a shame because it's a great spot.

 

[blackwolf]

So you weren't allowed to travel across the Dien Bien Phu border? That would indicate the border crossing was in fact de-facto closed, no? First time I've heard of a Vietnamese or Lao border crossing being closed for security reasons. Although it's not that busy, but I thought it was becoming popular with backpackers interested in combining travel to less explored parts of northern Laos and northern Vietnam, as an alternative routing between say Luang Prabang and Hanoi. There is even a cross-border bus service linking Dien Bien Phu and Udomsai (Udom xai) I believe.

 

[Phil TK]

So you weren't allowed to travel across the Dien Bien Phu border? That would indicate the border crossing was in fact de-facto closed, no? First time I've heard of a Vietnamese or Lao border crossing being closed for security reasons. Although it's not that busy, but I thought it was becoming popular with backpackers interested in combining travel to less explored parts of northern Laos and northern Vietnam, as an alternative routing between say Luang Prabang and Hanoi. There is even a cross-border bus service linking Dien Bien Phu and Udomsai (Udom xai) I believe.

No, not quite. I said that we were directed away from the Pang Hoc crossing and told to go to Dien Bien Phu (which was open) Due to time constraints we didn't cross anyway, however I did use the DBP crossing on June 9th.

 

[blackwolf]

No, not quite. I said that we were directed away from the Pang Hoc crossing and told to go to Dien Bien Phu (which was open) Due to time constraints we didn't cross anyway, however I did use the DBP crossing on June 9th.

I see. I didn't realize there were two crossings in that area. I thought the Dien Bien Phu crossing, which is 34km west of the city was Pang Hoc. Evidently not. Thanks for clearing that up.

 

[Phil TK]

I see. I didn't realize there were two crossings in that area. I thought the Dien Bien Phu crossing, which is 34km west of the city was Pang Hoc. Evidently not. Thanks for clearing that up.

Whoops, my mistake. I've double checked and found i have written down the incorrect border town in my notes. Pang Hoc is indeed the corresponding border town to Dien Bien Phu. The border crossing we were shood away from was the border crossing South of there at Nam Xoi. Sorry for the confusion.

 

[blackwolf]

Whoops, my mistake. I've double checked and found i have written down the incorrect border town in my notes. Pang Hoc is indeed the corresponding border town to Dien Bien Phu. The border crossing we were shood away from was the border crossing South of there at Nam Xoi. Sorry for the confusion.

No worries. When I checked Google Maps before I replied here, I indeed noticed that Pang Hoc was closest to Dien Bien Phu therefore assumed you meant there. However, Google Maps can be quite unreliable as it not always accurate nor up-to-date. For example, Google Maps has no details of the "new" Myawady to Kawkareik bypass road in Myanmar, despite this road having first started construction around 4 years ago and officially opened well over a year ago.

I am aware of there being a newish border crossing somewhere south of DBP that leads to Hua Phan province in Laos (Pang Hoc is the only international crossing linking Phongsali with another country - a second international crossing linking Phongsali with China at Ban Lantuey/Meng Kang should open once the road on the Lao side is completed). Nam Xoi is the one closest to Vieng Xai and the Pathet Lao caves right?

 

[Lone Rider]

No worries. When I checked Google Maps before I replied here, I indeed noticed that Pang Hoc was closest to Dien Bien Phu therefore assumed you meant there. However, Google Maps can be quite unreliable as it not always accurate nor up-to-date. For example, Google Maps has no details of the "new" Myawady to Kawkareik bypass road in Myanmar, despite this road having first started construction around 4 years ago and officially opened well over a year ago.

I am aware of there being a newish border crossing somewhere south of DBP that leads to Hua Phan province in Laos (Pang Hoc is the only international crossing linking Phongsali with another country - a second international crossing linking Phongsali with China at Ban Lantuey/Meng Kang should open once the road on the Lao side is completed). Nam Xoi is the one closest to Vieng Xai and the Pathet Lao caves right?

Yes, Nam Xoi/Nam Soi is close to the Viengxai caves. As far as I know there are another 2 "international" border crossings between Laos and Vietnam in between the Nam Xoi and the Pang Hoc border crossing. One in Huaphan north of Et District at Ban Dan to Chiang Khuong in Vietnam and another border crossing in Luang Prabang Province at Ban Naxon (confirmed by the Vietnam consulate in Luang Prabang) although no or very little info is available from the Lao side