15

AusPat, was that the local police or the tourist police?
OP said they had been to both offices in LP.

That other blog claims as well given a form to fill out - which likely would be in English (or English and Lao). I sort of can see that the tourist police has distributed such forms to their offices - even if their own staff can't really read them.
+++++

16

Really sorry to hear that and very much appreciate the info, ignore the trolls on here, clearly the mods are a bit lazy - your own fault for carrying a smartphone around? Lol who doesn't have one now? With wifi in most places now I carry mine around on me all the time and if you're travelling on your own they're even more important. And the one about don't go out as night is laughable. Hope I don't meet any of these ignorant self righteous muppets on my travels. I got my phone stolen by the hotel bell boy from a padlocked rucksack in a locked room only he had the key to in Vietnam (my fault? :P) and know how frustrating it is working with uncaring tourist police. Hope everything worked out for you.

17

Carrying valuables out ay night in developing countries where tourist can be targets for crime is the reason its best to just go out the door with money and copy of passport. Who are you calling at 3am or why are you surfing the internet from a bar, get a life...

18

To be honest would rather have my phone with me than leave it in a hotel/guest house, plus does using wifi in a bar mean you need to get a life? What if you're transferring money, getting travel advice or booking a hotel? Should you stay on your own in your room to do all that? I think YOU need to get a life rather than trolling travel blogs and acting like a pompous prat - bet you sent that reply from a smartphone in a bar, probably in the home counties somewhere...

19

I think it would be best to take a little from both sides here.

It should be rather understandable to not 'flash' expensive smart phones or carry excessive amounts of cash in 'developing' countries.

At the same time crime does happen regardless of whether or not you 'committed' any of the above so if someone comes along and offers honest advise to be wary in a certain area people should heed this warning. I don't see the issue with the written English by Tourist Police, I have experience similar things in Japan/Vietnam/Thailand so I wouldn't dismiss everything OP said because you don't believe her. I have had a few horror stories relating to theft in Laos, it's hardly a new thing

20

OP: "I'm not trying to accuse the bar or the tuk-tuk drivers, but the exact things happened to several people in a week.Is this just a coincidence?"

Quote Tyrannosaurus: "Also I didn't read the OP saying "don't go to this bar"

Hmmmmm!

#21 "I don't see the issue with the written English by Tourist Police,."
Nor do I, however they, (the tourist police), do not write reports in English but in Lao. This fact tends to detract somewhat from the op's credibility, wouldn't you say?

21

• (the touristpolice), do not write reports in English but in Lao

Debatable.
The US embassy claims they do. Linked blog above claims have been given a form to fill out - which must be in English, otherwise couldn't fill it out.

You claim they don't.
Could as well detract from your credibility...

• -

22

I dont need a smart phone with me all the time, as I am already smart...unlike some people.