Description
Why is Laos becoming a hotspot for foreign offenders seeking to sexually exploit children?
A Japanese tourist went undercover at a hotel in the capital, Vientiane, where he secretly filmed evidence of suspected child sexual exploitation. He later shared the footage with CNA correspondent Pichayada Promchertchoo.
Following leads from local sources, CNA’s team staked out another location suspected of similar activities, where they saw men gathering outside massage parlours.
But tackling the problem is difficult. Lao authorities say foreign offenders can be hard to identify and track down, especially once they have left the country.
Leaving Laos, however, doesn’t necessarily mean escaping justice. In 2024, an American man was sentenced to 12 years in prison in the US for sexually exploiting children in Laos.
Lao authorities are also training local communities and businesses to recognise and report suspected exploitation.
Watch the full Insight episode.
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