Lao authorities in Champassack province say more than 23,200 youths from their province have gone to work illegally in neighboring countries, especially Thailand. Of that number, more than 12,000 are females who risk being lured or forced to work in the sex services.
Provincial officials say those who have returned have brought back bad habits that have created problems for their families as well as their communities. Officials are trying to correct the problems by putting the returnees into re-orientation program, and say that those who commit such social crimes for the second time will be fined US$300.
Listen to our Laos Today report for details.