Human trafficking on the rise in Laos
http://www.asiapacificnews.net/story.php?rid=43634698VIENTIANE, March 9 (Xinhua) -- Human trafficking is an escalating problem in Laos, due to unemployment, poverty and lack of education opportunities, Lao News Agency (KPL) reported on Wednesday.
The number of Laotians falling victim to human trafficking was reported to increase significantly in 2010, most of whom were poor and lack access to jobs and education.
Most victims were from central and southern Laos, including the capital Vientiane, Savannakhet, Saravane and Champassak provinces that have more communications with neighboring Thailand than other places, said Chiengkham, deputy head of the Police General Department.
Almost 150 victims were repatriated back to Laos from Thailand last year, 119 of them under 18 years old, of whom 109 were female, KPL said.