letter from Laos police

letter from Laos police Mobile phone: 652-9592 Tourist Police
Vang Vieng date 6/11/06

Very old letter thought it was lost. On this date dozens of Laos people were taken into custody then kept in a camp for months. They would eventually be released and integrated with the people of Vang Vieng Laos.

I only became a part of that by accident. I was looking for mushrooms past the waterfall that is north of Vang Vieng.

I had crossed the stream coming from the waterfall. Left the rented motorcycle at the stream and when I got back Laos Army had taken it and then I was a passenger on the motorcycle going with the soldiers, Guns and bare feet didn't look well trained and not making me comfortable.

They made a stop at their camp, not watching me and I just walked away. Past a couple of soldiers then a bend in the road and I left the road to make my way back. Changed rooms , waited a few days and headed for bus station.

Police were waiting and what followed was half a day interview with Laos Police and Army.

Break for lunch and I called American Embassy, by the time I got back from lunch Embassy already called Police in Vang Vieng they let me go.

Somewhere in the letter it mentions my age. I was already an old guy and they sincerely thought I was CIA. I made another trip to Vang Vieng and was told the Police had gathered about 50 people asking them about me.

The police in Laos are to say the least paranoid. The police are not allowed to leave the country, at least at that time.. They have no personal idea of what the outside world is.

It Is significant because It documents the date and because there was NO media report.