// Workers AI · dad joke modeWhat did the Ministry of Public Security say to Laos? "You're under arrest-developing.
 | This article needs more citations. (October 2021) |
| ກະຊວງປ້ອງກັນຄວາມສະຫງົບ | |
| Agency overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 5 April 1961 |
| Jurisdiction | National |
| Headquarters | |
| Employees | (unknown) |
| Annual budget | (unknown) |
Agency executives |
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| Website | http://www.laosecurity.gov.la |
The Ministry of Public Security (Lao language: ກະຊວງປ້ອງກັນຄວາມສະຫງົບ) is the ministry of the interior of Laos. The current minister is Lieutenant General Vilay Lakhamfong.
Structure and organization
[edit]The Ministry of Public Security comprises several "branches of service", which include the local police, traffic police, immigration police, border police, and other police units.
Traffic Police Department
[edit]The Traffic Police Department is responsible for ensuring road safety for people using vehicles to prevent accidents and ensure safety.[1] The Traffic Police handled almost 6800 road accidents in 2025 alone.[2]
Public Security Department
[edit]The Public Security Department is responsible for maintaining public order via suppressing rioters, robbers, criminals, etc.
Central Security Department
[edit]The Central Security Department is responsible for protecting high-ranking officials and key government facilities in Laos.
List of Ministers of Public Security
[edit]- Somseun Khampithoun (1961-1978)
- Maichantan Sengmani (1978-1980)
- Sisavath Keobounphanh (1980-1985)
- Asang Laoli (1985-2002)
- Sutjai Thammasit (2002-2005)
- Thongbanh Sengaphone (2005-2014)
- Somkaew Silawong (2015-2018)
- Vilai Lhakhamfong (2018-present)
International cooperation
[edit]In order to increase its capacity to address issues such as the illegal drugs trade and human trafficking, the Ministry of Public Security has established working relations with a number of foreign government agencies and international organisations, including UNODC and UNICEF.
Human rights issues
[edit]The security forces subjected to the ministry have occasionally been accused of human rights violations.[3] Their persecution of Christians in Laos is among the heaviest in the world.[4] Particularly, members of the Hmong ethnic group have been subject to violence by security forces.
Ranks
[edit]- Officers
| Rank group | General / flag officers | Senior officers | Junior officers | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Laos Police |
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| ພົນເອກ Phonoek |
ພົນໂທ Phonoth |
ພົນຕີ Phon ti |
ພົນຈັດຕະວາ Phonchadtauaa |
ພັນເອກ Phanoek |
ພັນໂທ Phanoth |
ພັນຕີ Phan ti |
ຮ້ອຍເອກ Honyoek |
ຮ້ອຍໂທ Hony oth |
ຮ້ອຍຕີ Hony ti | |||||||||||||||
- Enlisted
| Rank group | Senior NCOs | Junior NCOs | Enlisted | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laos Police |
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| ວາທີ Va thi |
ສິບເອກ Sib ek |
ສິບໂທ Sib oth |
ສິບຕີ Sib ti |
ຊັ້ນຫນຶ່ງ Sannung |
ຊັ້ນສອງ Sansong | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ↑ "Traffic Police Announce Strict Road Safety Measures for Lao New Year 2026". kpl.gov.la. Retrieved 2026-05-31.
- ↑ "Laos Traffic Police Handle Nearly 6,800 Accidents as Authorities Intensify Road Safety Measures". kpl.gov.la. Retrieved 2026-05-31.
- ↑ Amnesty International
- ↑ Open Doors USA
External links
[edit]- Country data Laos – National Police and Paramilitary forces
- humansecuritygateway.info [incomplete short citation]
- List of current Lao government's ministers, including Public Security.
- Persecution of Christians in Laos
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
