Lao Official Gazette
The official online gazette of the Lao PDR, run by the Ministry of Justice, where visitors and expats can search laws, decrees and regulations in force, with unofficial English translations next to the official Lao texts.
About Lao Official Gazette
The Lao Official Gazette is operated by the Ministry of Justice, with its Department of Legal Dissemination responsible for the gazette. It publishes generally binding legal documents, including the Constitution, laws, decrees, orders, decisions and regulations issued at central, provincial and Vientiane Capital level. The site is available in Lao and English, and each document links to Lao and English PDFs, although only the Lao text is official. It also lists draft laws open for public comment and older laws that have been superseded.
Key Features
- Legal Database: Search current legislation and filter it by document type and by issuing ministry, province or central body.
- English Translations: Many documents have an English PDF alongside the official Lao PDF.
- Draft Laws: Read draft laws that are open for public comment, usually for at least 60 days.
- Superseded Laws: Check older versions of laws that have been replaced but may still matter for past events.
How to Get Started
- Open laoofficialgazette.gov.la and switch the interface to English if needed.
- Use the search for legal documents, or browse by document type or issuing agency.
- Sort the results by title, effective date or publication date to find the latest text.
- Open the English or Lao PDF of the document you need and check its effective date.
The English versions are unofficial translations, and only the Lao-language text is legally binding. Not every document may have an English version, and new rules can take effect soon after publication, so check the dates on each document. For advice on a specific situation, such as a work permit or a business licence, consult the responsible ministry or a licensed lawyer.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Does Lao Official Gazette work with a foreign bank card in Laos? Not reliably — a foreign card may be declined. Check the notice above, or plan to use a local payment method.
Is Lao Official Gazette available in English? Yes, Lao Official Gazette has an English-language interface.
Do I need a local phone number to use Lao Official Gazette? No, an international phone number generally works for Lao Official Gazette.
Do I need local ID or residency for Lao Official Gazette? No, Lao Official Gazette doesn't require local ID or residency for visitors.