The Dogcatcher does Laos

[the dogcatcher]

Watterinja, I am assuming you are Laotian. I spoke with GF and she agreed that it probably was best I didn't stay in the village. You never know what may happen when there is a possibility of a big pay off. It is illegal to have sex with a Laotian out of wedlock if you are foriegn, I imagen it is an attempt to curb prostitution, not that it has worked from what I saw in Vientiene. Even staying in the same house can be risky. I refer you to an atticle entitled "My Laos nightmare". I'll go find the URL now.

[the dogcatcher]

Unfortunately since I read the article "my Laos nightmare" another publication with the same title has swamped google so I can't find the piece I am refering to.

[watterinja]

We'd heard a similar rumour. The veracity of the story seems to be based on a 'law' prohibiting cohabitation that seems to be enforced in some situations, but not in others. Much of the enforcement seems to be opportunistic in nature, or to solve a problem.

As with most things in SE Asia, finding this 'law' in a statute book is extremely difficult, as in Laos, the legal establishment is not very solid, with interpretation & enforcement left up to local authorities.

Consultations with various officials invariably ends up with as many interpretations as officials questioned. Enforcement seems to be tied to who you know, or are related to.

[the dogcatcher]

Exactly! You never know. So play it safe.

[the dogcatcher]

Crossing the bridge.

[the dogcatcher]

This is a monks house. Note the state of the art satelite dish. Can't miss the Man United game now can we.