VIENTIANE, LAO PDR – On March 16-18, 2022, the U.S. Embassy in Vientiane provided in Luang Prabang a three-day technical skills workshop on border security for more than 50 Lao Customs and Aviation Security Officers from northern provinces.  

The workshop was chaired by Mr. Ian Norris, the Regional Security Officer of the U.S. Embassy Vientiane, Mr. Somphonh Sygnavong, Director of Aviation Security Division, Department of Civil Aviation, Ministry of Public Works and Transport and Mr. Phouthanikone Khennavong, Director of International Cooperation Division, Department of Customs, Ministry of Finance.      

During the workshop, the officers developed skills such as fraudulent documents identification, imposter detection, and recognizing signs of human trafficking at the border checkpoints.  These trained border security officials will have the ability to use scientific techniques to scrutinize potential fraudulent documents used by criminals and illicit transnational criminal organizations.  These skills will benefit and protect both the national security of Laos and the Lao people.     

The U.S. Embassy has provided security and law enforcement training to over 500 border security officers for more than ten years on topics ranging from detecting fraudulent travel documents and impostors, to using digital evidence in criminal investigations, to fighting human trafficking.  The U.S. Embassy is dedicated to continuing support for building Lao PDR’s law enforcement capacity.