Inside The Chinese Colony In Laos - Human Trafficking Hell (

Laos. It may not be as popular as Thailand, but it's definitely on the backpacker circuit. Take a trip to Luang Prabang or Vientiane, or almost anywhere in the country, and you'll see plenty of European tourists wandering the streets. Except for one place, a place that even the Lao people don't want to visit.
In the far northwest of the country, right in the heart of the Golden Triangle and on the border with Thailand, Myanmar and China lies the "Special Economic Zone" of Laos. If you spend just a few minutes there, you'll quickly realize that it's an area that Laos does not control. Who does? You'll have to ask the Chinese mafia that runs it.
Locals call the entrance to it the gates to hell. We were soon to find out why.
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Instagram: sabbatical.tommy
Patreon: / sabbaticaltommy
#sabbatical #laos #china

[@SabbaticalTommy]

So much for a relaxing vacation. This one was a doozy. By the way! Mey, my Indonesian partner in this video and master of stealth filmmaking, is also an editor and social media specialist. If you need help with editing a video or managing your social media, she can help. Just contact @Mey_sInn on Instagram.

[@kokoyaro]

You nailed it Tommy. I thought I could show you these things in Laos but you figured it out quickly. There's another one in Cambodia, Sihanouk Ville.

[@Finesse_Les]

TY Mey!

[@user-nl7rv4pz7m]

Can Americans go to other people's homes at will in the United States?

[@SOUTHREDDEVIL]

I'm struggling without translations here 😅

[@Whitman1819]

Tommy am I wrong or was that guy in the bar offering you a commission to recruit foreigners for him? I thought that's what he was doing and was like wtf? I bet Mey about shit her pants hearing that...thinking am I next?! Geez...what a horrible nasty place.

[@PrimalRage-om8uz]

You know it's bad when an Indian scammer saying 'Lao are scammers'... 😂

[@nikolas_5629]

Indians 're no1 scammer in the world... Even Aussie reject mostly Indian students(media report it), coz they like doing scam...

[@pisablavatsky-cb3dd]

😂😂

[@rabab07]

😂😅

[@asiane]

😅

[@arlin9893]

😅

[@preston3255]

Hey Sabbatical, your channel has turned from more traveling to actual journalism. Don't get me wrong, it was great before, but this is fantastic. Thank you for doing this and showing us what is going on. You're doing a great job. Keep up the good work!

[@geoffquartermainebastin9302]

This is worth watching. I work in Laos, and the video is a fair reflection of the area visited. I post on LinkedIn about human trafficking, so this gets linked. Thanks for doing the work.

[@SecondProtagonist]

This video was mind blowing. It's like a forbidden town I've never known something like this before Great job bro , Hands down

[@erichung9043]

My jawdropped after watching this episode. About 10-15 years ago, my wife and I crossed into Laos from Thailand with a local tour. The Thai customs took the passports from everyone in our tour before we boarded a boat to cross the Mekong River. During the crossing, the local guide told us the mainland Chinese were building some kind of casino upstream and we could vaguely see a contruction site in the distance. Back then, there weren't that many Chinese from the mainland. Once we landed on the opposite shore in Laos, we were brought to a flea market where the locals were selling fake goods and hard liquor. We were all feeling a little insecure without our passports and made sure we boarded the same boat and returned back to Thailand. This episode really opened up my eyes on what 's going over there after our trip. Well done, Tommy!

[@Truth-And-Freedom]

It's literally the other end of the country

[@hdvoice]

Mainland China’s criminals fled from Chinese government punishment. Not Mainland Chinese. They are two very different concepts.

[@urbanroots84tt45]

I remember doing the same crossing into Laos from there, 15 years ago for me too. I remember them taking everyone’s passports loading us up into trucks like cattle and we just waited there for an hour or so.. was sketchy asf!!

[@AhmetTekin101]

The Chinese 🇨🇳 government controls these Chinese gangs and scammers.

[@AhmetTekin101]

​@@hdvoiceHow could they flee? The Chinese 🇨🇳 government controls these Chinese gangs and scammers.

[@sibeisun5272]

I'm Chinese and know this area. This zone in Laos and the autonomous border zones in Myanmar are major vice zones. There's a lot of Chinese fugitives that settle down in these areas. Its kind of crazy.

[@moneytsien]

希望国家把那些败类捉了杀掉

[@ronnie5329]

If they are running from prc gov, it sounds like a little too close for comfort to settle there 🤔 or does the gov really have zero reach there

[@user-fv7qp9qr3i]

The Chinese government's foreign policy is not to interfere in the internal affairs of other countries, so these criminals cannot be hunted down if they escape abroad. Only if two or more governments jointly crack down on crime (such as Myanmar now) can they have an impact abroad.@@ronnie5329

[@DilAbadyi]

Many Chinese here open casinos, hire people to make electronic scam, human trafficking etc, not a good thing

[@ThePatriot-gm1fg]

@magnetospin absolutely retarded comment. Americans in Mexico are law abiding, unlike the Chinese in the SEZ who are mostly a bunch of weirdos.

[@user-ly2lp2bc7e]

I appreciate the videos. You are brave to film this.

[@nintiwirri]

Your best video up to date Tommy.You are a legend Bro

[@TTminh-wh8me]

Those lao girls that offered you food are so honest and friendly. Lovely people!

[@IX-fc4po]

they were a little bit vulgar too, you know

[@fair98fair]

​@@IX-fc4poIn what way? Their jokes are pretty common for that region

[@cvxcfv]

Not vulgar at all, have you met black girls that talk about WAP in the US, that's vulgar. Those Lao girls just wanted some company and drink beer

[@Vindaloobeast]

Probably gone missing now

[@brianrutherfield9233]

Your videos show how important it is to learn different languages.. you can see the respect everyone gains when you speak in their language! It’s beautiful!

[@SnakeBush]

🇺🇸🦅🇺🇸🦅🇺🇸🦅🇺🇸🦅🇺🇸😎

[@airapapa1940]

None of them respected him. It’s obvious

[@byronj9741]

老挝是我们中国的友邦，老挝人是我们中国人的朋友，这标题说是殖民地是几个意思？你们问问老挝人他们认为自己是中国的殖民地吗？如果我们殖民他们为什么我们自己都不知道这个事情呢

[@user-we1uq9rc4u]

@@byronj9741 你不知道不等于别人不知道

[@byronj9741]

@@user-we1uq9rc4u 对对对，就你知道，别人都不知道

[@maskedman1337]

Excellent video! I'd not heard of this "special" zone before.

[@ddnn974]

Risked your life for this video - thanks for the effort

[@henyz1210]

In fact, Chinese people are also victims, because the main targets of telecommunications fraud in these parks are ordinary people within China. In China, the Chinese government strictly prohibits such fraud crimes, so they have been transferred to Southeast Asia. However, the current war in northern Myanmar is a warning from the Chinese government against such telecommunications fraud.

[@user-tp1gk6yk6f]

这种评论绝对是专门黑中国的

[@user-pv6ok9tm7k]

yes

[@KaiserFriedlich]

long time viewer here - great video again. Always love your reflecting monologues at the end!

[@itssjp1458]

Amazing, extremely informative. Thank you!

[@smurf3339]

correction: they young guy said "It's more quiet here", not "I'ts safer".

[@l.ls.8890]

I am so amazed how many languages you speak and with very good quality conversationally/

[@kevincunningham9589]

Fascinating. Ive been to Laos a few times but never that far north. Dodgy, but being multilingual a huge bonus. Thank you.

[@kaubxaivmedia1578]

Greatest video. You really have the guts to say and show most stuff that people should know

[@jonathanxavier2622]

Go you good thing!! 👍🏽 Amazing insights into a world only known to some. You’re a brave man. Thank you for bringing this to light and all the best with your journey and endeavours.

[@peterchan5961]

12:00 He says 安靜, which means quieter, not safer (安全)

[@nonominomi9688]

Yes, I also wanted to point that out. He said Bangkok is a big city like Changsha, but he likes a quieter place.

[@GrandTA1]

我不信他的印尼女友不吃蚕蛹，印尼人可什么都吃

[@daviddixon9207]

Yes, I noticed that too. I lived in China 17 years.

[@_schliaz_]

@@GrandTA1 其实不是所有印尼人都能吃这个

[@HD-tv1xf]

​@@GrandTA1我是印尼人。在印尼我从来没有看过蚕蛹

[@rob63x2]

Luv your videos man, great work.

[@alishaheedmohammad]

Wow great video dude

[@SergeantHalo]

you have been my favorite youtuber as of the past couple years. the international content you put out is unmatched. you always provide insight. god bless tommy

[@kayellai5278]

He is taking a lot of risk. Have to be careful. The plus point, he has an Asian looking partner. Always good to have an Asian looking partner in South East Asia(SEA) as extra security.

[@esportseric]

This is so interesting, I can't believe not more people are talking about the amazing journalism of going undercover and getting this information for us about this "special zone" and an inside look at the people being trafficked there.

[@johnlacey3857]

Nobody wants to talk about it because Chinese government/mafia is in charge

[@KingNewJersey]

Good way to get kidnapped ~ Go to the Philippines?

[@johnlacey3857]

@@KingNewJersey Philippines is safer than the US.

[@sallylauper8222]

You'll never see this type of Journalism from the Journalists anymore.

[@user-hr3nr8lm2l]

@@KingNewJersey Philippines is Much More Safer compared to Laos.

[@timng7624]

Great video!

[@jtrade6401]

Great show Tommy !! So interesting....have done a lot of travelling but will leave it to you for places like Laos and a real feeling for your experience 🙂

[@mohdfahmi8841]

//;;//;//...

[@brandenpitts3740]

Really love watching your videos. Thanks so much for all your work.

[@jesuisrobert808]

Great video! I was about to go into the golden triangle from Myanmar maybe 10 years ago. Many people told me to avoid that area. After seeing your video, I am glad I didn't go. At least you speak Chinese and that helped a bit.

[@46kosakana]

Just wanna say, just came to know about your channel and loved this vid!

[@4thbranch834]

Silk pajama cardboard street party chick and the fam was an awesome group of characters to kick off the main quest! What a journey! Thanks to you two for sharing!

[@SheGotHelicopters]

she was cool AF

[@mrcodcommando3939]

LMAO ITS JUST LYKE MY ANIME

[@johnlacroix3522]

It’s almost like Alice running into the tea party on a different level

[@CatchGravity]

Man this episode was intense 😬, glad you guys are safe . 🙏

[@michaelfong1254]

Great video thank you 😊

[@realtruth4804]

you said you arent a journalist but that vid was very much an investigative report. Great content and such a great cause highlighting this issue. Great work

[@m123g]

Woah I never knew about this...Been to Laos and currently live in Thailand for the past 3 years. I am going to check this out (from a distance) for myself in the next couple weeks. Cheers dude, good stuff as always

[@user-mf4jc3zu1p]

Did you notice the scammers jobs advertise in facebook thailand and even in whatsapp thai they offer jkbs in remote zera must come from that place casinos in fact since one month i see so many fake jobs offer in thai social media

[@mikezmiles]

Im used to that every video of yours is an absolute banger but this one was on a whole different level! It felt like watching a movie. Couldn't believe what i saw and heard, glad that you made it out safe🙏🏽 praying for the locals who live there

[@user-ln8ko3mc8h]

哈哈笑死了前面都是烂片，这个有水准

[@Oliqinco]

Hey Mark! You have no idea how much I appreciate this video. I haven't been back in my hometown for 7 years, and here you are enjoying my local cuisine in all the familiar places I've known my whole life ❤ I missed them all! Thank you so much! Looking forward to seeing your other Makassar video

[@Jason-un9ps]

Who's Mark?

[@Oliqinco]

@@Jason-un9ps Wow man. U deserve some serious credit for making this video. Amazing job. Be careful out there tho bro, the forces your exposing surely would want to do some harm to anything getting in their way

[@trullieyeah2687]

WOW thanks for covering that.

[@markthepro88]

Mey is awesome! That looked skeeetchy. Glad you guys made it out of there safely!

[@__-fu5se]

Excellent video. By far the most intense in your channel. Had it been me, i'd gotten the hell out of there. But at the same time, your bravery and social know-how allowed you to bring light to these kind of regions that actually exist in the world. We'd like to think we are beyond issues of human cruelty, right violations and so on, but recorded evidence like this, not even far from 2024, really goes to show otherwise. I lost my faith in humanity a little after this.

[@johnlacey3857]

Don’t need to lose your faith in humanity. The Chinese CCP is squarely to blame for these crimes against humanity.

[@soccom8341576]

China is a vastly different culture. Look at the horrors in its history and everyday it's been been getting worse. See the mysterious pneumonia outbreak.

[@johnlacey3857]

@@soccom8341576 CCP has inflicted most of those horrors on their own people.

[@lvdealer55]

I forgot to say that was great reporting and commend you on what you did. It took courage to make that video report. Well done!

[@TyreeTheTraveler]

I was just talking to a friend about the golden and emerald triangles. I’m glad my phone was spying and put you in my algorithm this one time. Great video

[@chopsticksandtrains]

I'm in China right now, planning to visit Laos soon. This video is absolutely amazing! Great find, Tommy!

[@jackytang3683]

老挝金三角特区，东北人的天下

[@papagiorgio23]

@@jackytang3683 really, my wife is from dongbei(Shenyang), so I like to visit Laos some day😂

[@SomtimesHeron]

Love your videos man, and im not even into traveling or the countries you visit but you deliver it in such a way.

[@YangJeongin.1]

Thanks for sharing!

[@RossukolN]

It’s amazing, I learned a lot about Laos from this video that I never knew before.😢

[@lwty]

The Golden Triangle Region was infamous for drug trafficking. Under the coordination between China and local governments, the drug industry is almost gone. However, scammers started to grow in recent years. Then China started to work with local governments to deal with scammers this year. That’s what is happening in Myanmar. The scammers in Laos are kindly doomed. Hope they won’t turn to other crimes in next a few years.

[@Truth-And-Freedom]

Oh yeah ? You naive fool where do you think all the big pharma ingredients come from for the opioid medication production ?? Yes exactly it's grown in Laos and other similar places .... Naive fool

[@alexisarteev-salazar9247]

The drug industry is almost gone? 25% of the worlds opium was being produced there right before the Taliban started cracking down on opium production 2 years ago and has only increased since.

[@propellerhead2000]

Literally tons of meth are smuggled out of this zone and into Thailand.

[@danzeeman69669]

100% bullshit

[@jeffjohnson5053]

Thousands of people were murdered there and their body organs sold by Evil CCP gangs, Evil china gangs sell human body organs there!!

[@vickisrome]

Huge "Thank You" to Mey....❤🫶You're a very brave woman and an inspiration to others that might have been overwhelmed with fear and unable to do what you've so courageously accomplished. Again, Thank you, Mey!!!💜💜💜

[@colinthomas6888]

Truly my brother take care see u on your next video

[@Eonclaire]

very interesting vlog. Love it

[@prof.heinous191]

Much respect to you and Mey!

[@UncleLesterCam]

Tommy! Another absolute phenomenal excursion. Thank you for all you do in taking us on your journeys and being such a great American Ambassador. Very glad you weren’t forced into Call Center work. Telemarketing is a grind!

[@AcidxAnarchy]

They want unsuspecting foreigners who don't know much or have anything or anyone. I'm sure they are aware this guy could be some kind of travel vlogger, seeing how fluent he is in many languages. All he'd have to do is get a cellphone in there and they could be exposed.

[@AcidxAnarchy]

Well, not so much exposed... I'd say they don't want heat from foreign governments... such as the US.

[@rickyhan7023]

Americans are probably safe. They don’t want anything to do with them

[@ThePatriot-gm1fg]

@AcidxAnarchy They're not aware of anything. Those people depicted, including security are extremely ignorant of the outside world and foreigners in general.

[@Ajeman845]

That's The Governments Problem as They Could get Charge as Embargo as No Compassion & Human Rights By U.N

[@JennaSakura]

Wow. I am a Lao American and planned a trip to Laos next year. I’m very glad I watched your video!

[@WaldoBMC3]

thank you for this video. and as always be safe my friend. from Baltimore Maryland to you and your friends.

[@silentkiller421]

This is damn true i remember few months back some Sri lankan software engineers were tricked in to a place in laos in goldern triangle and forced in to work without salaries; It was very hard for SL government to take them back but finally was able to rescue them. I think its this place; Looks damn scary

[@jaydraws2019]

34:00 see the HR is from India. Man this is so scary.

[@eyeswideopen7777]

Sri Lankans sold him out

[@NowInIwoN]

Wow man. U deserve some serious credit for making this video. Amazing job. Be careful out there tho bro, the forces your exposing surely would want to do some harm to anything getting in their way

[@D2E80]

It’s obvious he’s a CIA agent 🙄

[@AnenLaylle7023]

@@D2E80 It is to me and you. Most people are lobotomized in 2024.

[@mossm21]

Love the videos. When speaking to the guy from Changsha, Hunan, i'm sure he said it was quieter, rather than safer (in the subtitles)

[@user-hf4yk2xb3y]

you are right

[@shuttly555]

outstanding keep up the goodness

[@BluesyVlogs]

Loving these videos, as i will be visiting Vietnam, Thailand and India very soon its nice to have an insight into the surrounding countries as well :)

[@shitmandood]

India is where you get the massive shits and hepatitis though

[@LTBOA]

印度🇮🇳？难以理解

[@KenHubbard-jz1vq]

VIETNAM IS NOTHING LIKE LAOS , CAMBODIA OR THAILAND , ITS DEFINITELY THE BEST COUNTRY IN SOUTH EAST ASIA SAFE , FRIENDLY, CLEAN , EXCELLENT FOOD AND YOUR DOLLAR GOES ALONG LONG WAY TRY A PLACE CALLED VUNG TAU ITS UNDER 2 HOURS FROM SAIGON ,BEACHES GOOD HOTELS AND FRIENDLY PEOPLE 🇨🇦🍁

[@chris2489001]

I'd replace Cambodia for India. Nicer looking country with things to see and do. Many travelers are surprised how authentic and nice it is. If you're single, the women are beautiful too.

[@lastlings]

I've never heard of this region before as a Canadian. Now I'm going to go deep in the rabbit hole. Great video!

[@Ajeman845]

Good Luck Bud Just Be Safe! Ehh

[@jianglai521]

Human trafficking's , drug, violence . Golden Delta is just as bad as Bampton ..

[@wilsonedwards5016]

any findings?

[@lastnameavailableok]

@@wilsonedwards5016 hes not alive anymore to tell the story..

[@AlexKasandraMitchell-re7dz]

Bro your whole KZbin channel is accidentally journalism. And it’s incredible.

[@vince5678]

Thanks for this interesting vid. I was up at the Golden Triangle last November on the Thai side of the river, before later travelling down the mighty, beautiful Mekong to Luang Prabang. Looking across the Mekong I could see all the high rises and casinos on the opposite bank in Laos, also signs of further construction ongoing. I was told there are plans for an airport . It seems to becoming the new Macau. When I was in Vientiane I saw numerous ostentatious palace size homes in some areas of the city. Most likely owned by local pollies and financed by northern neighbourly business interests. Looking forward to watching some more of your travel experiences. I wish you safe and happy trails.

[@AuteurCinema]

Felt so anxious even watching this one. I do worry about your safety sometimes Tommy 😅. Truly shocking stuff but I really hope this video can encourage some sort of change here.

[@misterxmistery7424]

"this video" lmao

[@MetalizedButt]

It’s actually safer than other places because no one dares make trouble

[@biggetyboner1905]

Guy from India calling Lao people scammers.....That's Classic!!

[@khamkham7134]

and in lao, trying to hustle.

[@nizarigaming1601]

You and Bald and Bankrupt are doing some excellent journalism lately. Keep it up. Very insightful video.

[@imd0ne]

Bald and Bankrupt is a ***tourist

[@nightowlmystic9387]

Bald and bankrupt? The dude is a creep.

[@imd0ne]

Wow my comment got deleted

[@choppermorgan9946]

This video is awesome Tommy lots of luck from Indiana USA

[@robertricketts5467]

Very,very interesting.Thanks.

[@edward88881]

Amazing video - almost to the level of investigative journalism. Sihanoukville, Cambodia is open access China influenced but this Lao village is secretive and thus seems much more dangerous. It reminds me of an Apocalypse Now frontier town boarding between civilization and complete lawlessness where people disappear and never return. Amongst all the usual travel blog videos that flood KZbin, this is one gritty epic I'll never forget.

[@enkalesem8340]

Hi, Khmer here. The mafia operating in Sihanoukville comes from Taiwan (Republic of China) ; not Mainland China (People’s Republic of China). They are members of the "Bamboo Union" Triade from Taichung & Tainan cities in 🇹🇼 ➡️ their identity documents shown by 🇰🇭 police + interview of the Vietnamese & Taiwanese victims (who were taken care of by the 🇨🇳 embassy). And no Sihanoukville (formerly Kampong Saom) was never a paradise after the end of the war in 1998. That's why our former King named it after him, hoping that it would become prosperous. Sihanoukville before 2016 : - Was the capital of prostitution and sexual disease in Cambodia ; - The inhabitants didn't have access to drinking water (except tourists area) ; - Nor education (that's why the 🇨🇵 association "Pour un Sourire d'Enfant" was there, because it was so bad) ; - No decent housing and modern infrastructure. Since 2017, Cambodians no longer go to work abroad for low pay & abuse ; because there is more and more local work (congratulated by the UN, the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund & UNICEF). Infrastructure Development and Vocational Training are the foundation of the Economy : - The inhabitants of Sihanoukville province (and in many other provinces) have now access to health, education, professional training, full employment, and even access the Middle Class ; - An Economy is only prosperous when its workers are well paid = increasing qualified workers ; - In 2020, +30,000 new residents from other Cambodian provinces came to settle in Sihanoukville to work. The only problem is when at the start of the pandemic in 2020, investors from Mainland China left all Cambodia ; members of the “Bamboo Union” mafia from Taiwan came en masse to Sihanoukville. They pretended to be Taiwanese businessmen replacing Mainland Chinese who were afraid of COVID-19, bringing a lot of Taiwanese workers, followed by Vietnamese (without going through an employment agency) ; to later sequester them in Call Centers. In Khmer, we called "Choncheat Chen" = "Chinese origin", all Han Chinese from : - the People's Republic of China (Mainland, PRC) 🇨🇳 + - the Republic of China (Taiwan island, ROC) 🇹🇼 + - the 2 Special Administrative Region of Macau 🇲🇴 & Hong Kong 🇭🇰 (SAR). PS : before 1970, around 1 million of Cambodians was full Han Chinese ethnic. Han Chinese signs always existed in Southeast Asia alongside with Local script (archives).

[@ThePatriot-gm1fg]

@@enkalesem8340 LOL. The mafia in Sihanoukville is most certainly mostly Chinese from mainland China.

[@JazzFunkNobby1964]

Best post I've read for ages. Thanks.@@enkalesem8340

[@SueC2558]

Thank you. It's very informative.

[@bryanloke4627]

Hi Tommy, awesome video. Apparently not the only place along the Laos - China border where casinos are being developed on a twilight zone between both countries. Could you let me know where exactly the guard post is located where you tried to enter this 'Special Economic Zone'? Is it around the region of Bokeo International Airport (20° 18′ 59.96″ N 100° 9′ 16.07″ E)?

[@user-bs9nc7yb1m]

What a great video. This guy is great! You are pretty brave man

[@voodoocruiser2543]

Balls of bloody steel. Well done on getting this some air time

[@w.z.6062]

Thank you, Tommy! You did a wonderful job! I heard that, The Chinese government is cracking down on those similar criminals in Myanmar in the last few days. Many Chinese were victims in those scams. It’s difficult to handle this because it is in another country and under different jurisdiction.

[@maorkob6547]

Going there as a tourist is okey? Or dangerous?

[@dabo5078]

@@maorkob6547 Its a warzone right now so no. Do not go there.

[@smart9jh_1]

Yes, hundreds of thousands of Chinese people have been scammed to northern Myanmar and forced to participate in telecommunications fraud. They have completely lost their freedom and cannot leave regardless of whether they have paid ransom or not. Many Chinese people have been killed and disabled due to their lack of cooperation or attempts to escape. The recent war in northern Myanmar was due to the massacre of Chinese people attempting to escape by private armed forces on October 20th. The massacres included undercover police officers who were still brutally murdered after identifying themselves. A total of dozens of Chinese people were killed in the incident

[@maorkob6547]

@@dabo5078 war zone?! Who fight Who?

[@baofengli3906]

@@maorkob6547 This issue is very complex because it involves the history of the Myanmar nationalist independence movement, the longstanding division between local and central authorities, and the internal conflict triggered by the 2021 coup in Myanmar. These issues are intertwined with China's recent telecommunications fraud problems. I'm interested in political and history, so I'm happy to share information with you. Reducing it to just 'war between ethnic armed groups and government forces' would be too simplistic. If you're interested, you can look up more information to understand these issues better, but let me provide some insights based on what I know. Currently, in the northern region of Shan State in Myanmar, in an area called Kokang, which borders China, there exists an ethnic insurgent group. They have initiated a war in this area, citing China's crackdown on telecommunications fraud as their reason. Their slogan is 'Rescue Chinese Compatriots,' which might sound peculiar. This is because the people here have historically been strongly influenced by Han Chinese culture; their ancestors migrated from China centuries ago, and locals have lived together. They speak Chinese, celebrate traditional Chinese festivals, yet also have their own unique customs. Many still culturally identify themselves as Chinese, ethnically as Kokang, and regionally as Burmese. In 2009, a coup took place within the local ethnic self-governing body, resulting in the loss of their control in this area, which transformed into an ethnic insurgent group. The faction behind the coup collaborated with the Myanmar government, leading to the successful takeover of the Kokang region by the Myanmar government. But with the 2021 military coup in Myanmar, armed conflicts have erupted frequently in the northern parts of Myanmar, and the Kokang insurgents saw an opportunity. Due to cultural close, they don't even need to learn any language. Hence, many Chinese individuals have gone there to engage in telecommunications fraud, colluding with local forces. It has now evolved into incidents of kidnapping, human organ trafficking, and slave trade. The situation has become serious, causing a stir on the Chinese internet, and the Chinese government is now determined to address these issues. Therefore, this has provided them with yet another strong pretext to initiate war. Consequently, the war has now officially begun.

[@imsosmart942]

My father fought in Burma, which is now Myanmar, in World War II. His company's mission was to build an airstrip. He was instructed to put up a sign to recruit local workers and pay them two cents per day. He didn't think anybody would show up, but the next day there were lines and lines of people, including women with babies. I don't recall if the airstrip ever got finished, but my father said shortly after that his whole battalion was killed except for him. He finally made his way to a US army unit. Don't recall if he continued in the war after that or where he went. I wished I'd asked him more questions... What a shame to see everything they fought for and gave their lives for coming down to this only 80 years later...

[@Gerber-tq3vp]

My grandfather also fought in Burma. He built forts I believe, wouldn't talk much about the war except how he had much respect for the locals there.

[@TD-yj8ch]

@@nightowl7261exactly, or he hid like a coward

[@jerryluan9106]

coming down to what? Didn't they fight against Nazis? and fight for peaceful life of normal human being? Is this worse than a Nazi world?

[@frankpristov9745]

Thank you for your story

[@weirdshit]

The brits were total disaster in asia during ww2. They left the locals mostly defenseless and went back to england.

[@christopherparnell7750]

THANK YOU MAI!

[@dstnrunner]

Your Chinese is pretty good. Always good to be able to interact with the locals.

[@richardsteinbergmakingknives]

Damn, great video!!! Really well done. Too close to the edge for me but you're so good at this you seem to know just how far you can go before it's time to leave. Injustice has been around since the beginning of civilization. It's very sad...

[@fairalways]

Dang Tommy, that was nuts! I appreciate your posting it immensely. Love from my couch in NY.

[@amyb4690]

Very educational

[@Ben_Brierley]

Incredible work, you keep not only entertaining but informing on serious issues that we would never see in the media. Keep up the good work G.

[@RP-se9ss]

Thank you so much for showing this. Very brave, ai Sabbatical. Lao people (I'm one of them!) are lovely people that just keep getting dealt tough hands. Some of it is self-imposed because greed and power corrupts, but a lot of it is just unfortunate repeated victimization on the part of others.

[@didierduplantier8359]

Your government basically sold out to China. That special economic zone is run by Chinese mafia alright. That Chinese mafia is none other than the Chinese government.

[@lizvu3266]

Also it's geography, laos is a sweet spot and lots of people take advantage

[@isaacs3413]

@@lizvu3266 The government there doesn't help either.

[@AhnayDiary]

That's why we all should agree for our Prince to come and help get our country back

[@isaacs3413]

@@AhnayDiary I felt so sad walking around the old palace in Luang Prabang. Getting rid of them was a mistake I think.

[@abe9090]

Amazing and very interesting video, I have seen other videos where they were able to go inside the zone and see the casino. Maybe it was the guards being very strict that day, on a sidenote the music from the club.. i wish i knew the song name. Love your content.

[@PropagandaSlicer]

Damn good journalism! It’s a lot art in 2023-2024.

[@timstar28]

You got balls bro, ill give you that. I find your channel so interesting 😂 you somehow just coast through all these counties all awkward, and under the radar, and i love it.

[@ahhwe-any7434]

Right bc im gonna keep my ignorant arse where it needs to stay. & Thats my actual origin. But still. Also, is the guy in red the lao boss dude? Bc he actually seems chill. Alrhough though i think theyd prob be a little more lenient towards me... ?🤷🏻‍♀️ Sad but true.. 🤘

[@tetsuokasei]

45:00 love the short interaction you had with the local Laotian children. Its the only part of the video that I wasn't worried for you. It also just shows how precious and innocent children are until they get corrupted by the adults...

[@BaccaratDegen]

Laotians are the African Asians that got away

[@David-ng2qg]

You only just realised that children learn from adults?

[@sanukdee]

brave man thanks for sharing

[@SuzanneDeniseB]

I had no idea. New sub.

[@Weston777]

literally one of the best videos everrrrrrrrr up to date! gave me so many emotions! thanks for doing this!!

[@sarahtyson2676]

Hello Tommy! Good to see you are ok. World's weather is insane. Do you ever check it before head out? I mean landslides,quakes,power outages etc.. Now ill watch the this film and love it im sure!. A Mineola Fan.

[@SabbaticalTommy]

I do make sure there's at least not a hurricane going on outside

[@sarahtyson2676]

@sabbatical, OMG😢! I hope that didn't put a target on your back. Stay safe! And Mey also!🙏 A Mineola Fan

[@FrenchyFriday]

great documentary! haha!

[@jhaimp.sullivan5618]

Interesting video

[@yuewu1096]

nice visit!!! first time seeing the laos situation. one tip, 安静 doesn't mean safer, it means quiet, the 1986 shirt dude like it there cuz its more quiet xD

[@tomasholidaya4431]

Me and my wife just went to Luang Prabang last March-April. We started watching your channel because I'm Indonesian, my wife is Chinese Laotian, and today your video just like tied all of those together. Although Luang Prabang is way nicer than golden triangle, I also witnessed mainland Chinese 'occupation' there. I think your beer Laotian girl picnic buddy comment about wanting to live in China instead of Laos was like a sad reality, but I heard of Cambodia also has same fate of being run by Chinese corporation. I'm looking forward for your future great travel videos.

[@enkalesem8340]

Khmer here. In Sihanoukville, all the criminals are members of the "Bamboo Union" Mafia from Taiwan (Republic of China 🇹🇼), not from Mainland China (People's Republic of China 🇨🇳). Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, nearly 90% of Mainland Chinese businessmen left Cambodia. It will be soon 2024, and they don't return yet. In Khmer we say : Choncheat Chen = all Han Chinese 🇨🇳🇹🇼🇭🇰🇲🇴 ; Dey Kok = Mainland ; Khet = Province ; Koh = Island.

[@brianuyungele1583]

they are not run by Chinese. they are run by Chinese Burmese who are not on the same side with mainland Chinese.

[@smart9jh_1]

Laos, China? Occupy? What the fuck are you talking about

[@Truth-And-Freedom]

Loa is very undeveloped - why wouldn't you want to go china ? It's like eastern Europeans coming to UK to work etc ....... Just normal development stuff mate

[@nathan_408]

​@@Truth-And-Freedom yeah, and this made the brexit happen

[@millermiaotianzhang]

This guy is a pure linguistic talent! I watched his channel from a year or two ago. He speaks fluent local languages everywhere he visits. 😮

[@SueC2558]

He speaks Thai to the Laotian. That is why some of the people couldn't understand him.

[@mohdfahmi8841]

//;;//;//*****;😊😊🎉🎉@¡!¡//;;//..

[@earinsound]

his thai isn’t good at all that’s why no one understands him

[@RaahilAbhay]

Man those dudes that took you to the bar were sketchy. There was a feeling of impending doom during this whole video... Really eerie. Glad you got out of this place alive.

[@cosmic_order]

Between this and Bald and Bankrupt following the migrant trail through latin america, it's almost like travel vloggers are the new investigative journalists.

[@EddieManning]

Very interesting film. The beer Lao lady was a talkative mine of information. Can't help but think that Bald and Bankrupt would have got himself into that special economic zone no matter what the consequences. Probably would have talked himself out too if in trouble. That's the difference between Brits and Americans.

[@CihttiBabbuu-dt9qw]

Bald and Bankrupt is a real pos phony Brit who just talks to much 🤡

[@AngriestPeanut]

@@EddieManningHard to talk your way in and out of things as an American in a foreign nation, most places seem to hate us. There’s probably cultural reasons that are valid, but still, it does make things difficult when you’re immediately seen as the enemy.

[@ryanreeves70]

Powerful video..keep yourself safe.

[@SmilingBoxer-cp2ue]

Wow rven if I did not go to Laos ,your video showed me something to imagine ! Keep the good vlog brother ! Am from Philippines !

[@BarryBrowning]

Hey Tommy. You just keep on living on the edge. A good thing you had your cute bodyguard/sly videographer, Mey, along with you at the moment. Great and eye opening video brother. Thank you both. Be safe. Gods protection be with you.

[@joshsheehan5726]

This video is absolutely wild, you really did do some damn unintentional investigative journalism here. I've been deeply following and researching the situation in the Kokang SAZ in Myanmar and this really... really corroborates so much. Also really appreciate your nuance and complexity shown throughout in trying to iterate that this isn't necessarily something orchestrated or sanctioned from the top-down by China, rather an issue of corruption, decentralization, distance, and so on perpetrated by organized criminal groups (who may of course have local/provincial governmental ties given the decentralized nature of Chinese government which does tend to result in accountability issues). Also sent you a message on IG if you're willing to chat at all ever!

[@petermelville5524]

a bit naive about the Party's Public Security mission extended abroad. Syndicates have always been major money launderers, conduits to invest home bound capital out of the country, and influence governments and disrupt the social fabric in the borders states...some textbook colonialism here.

[@davidlamb7524]

There is another meaning to the word "colony" ie a group of people with a shared interest living together in a single area. We also speak of bees, ants etc as living in colonies. I agree it would have been better to use something like "enclave".