Southeast Asia Information Port News (www.dnyxxg.com) – With the 23rd Kapok Festival approaching in 2026 and the official start of the "Lao Traditional Grand Market" activities, the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone Police Department in Laos has fully launched a special security operation to ensure the smooth and orderly running of this local cultural event that has continued for over two decades. Through scientific deployment and round-the-clock patrols, they are making every effort to create a safe, harmonious, and orderly festival environment for domestic and international tourists.
Colonel Vannasak Thongoulay, Deputy Director of the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone Police Department and a member of the 2026 Kapok Festival Order Maintenance Working Committee, stated that the Special Economic Zone Police Department has strictly followed the unified deployment of the organizing committee, establishing a special security work leading group to coordinate and promote all security preparations, ensuring that security tasks are implemented at every level and in a closed-loop manner.
In response to key events with high population density, such as the Miss Kapok Beauty Pageant, the "Golden Triangle of Peace" International Art Exhibition, and the traditional Lao market, the Public Security Bureau planned ahead and implemented precise measures. They developed detailed security plans and emergency response plans, clearly defining job responsibilities and refining work processes to ensure accountability and effective measures, comprehensively preventing various security risks.
To effectively cope with the peak flow of people during the festival, on-site police forces were divided into seven specialized duty teams, each responsible for different aspects of security management, including maintaining order, managing crowd flow, and conducting security patrols. In the traditional Lao market area and at major entrances and exits, the Public Security Bureau implemented a 24-hour duty system, rigorously investigating potential security risks and preventing various security incidents. Simultaneously, a combined foot and vehicle patrol model was adopted, with increased patrol frequency in the Kapok Island area and surrounding areas of the special economic zone, achieving comprehensive and thorough patrol coverage.
In response to potential traffic congestion during the festival, the Public Security Bureau has prioritized traffic management as a core security task. Duty teams will focus on clearing major roads leading to the main venue, ensuring smooth traffic flow around the clock and providing convenient access for tourists. Simultaneously, priority will be given to ensuring unobstructed access for medical, fire, and emergency supplies.
Colonel Wannasak Thongwulai emphasized in an interview that the smooth progress of the special security operation relies on the support and cooperation of all sectors of society. Therefore, the Public Security Bureau appeals to residents and tourists from home and abroad to consciously abide by all management regulations during the festival, actively obey the commands and guidance of on-site personnel, enhance personal safety awareness, jointly safeguard public order during the festival, and work together to create a safe and harmonious festive atmosphere.
It is understood that the 23rd Kapok Festival in 2026 will be held from January 30th to 31st. Currently, all police officers and auxiliary police officers of the Special Administrative Region Public Security Bureau are on standby, ready to provide professional and efficient law enforcement services to guests from all directions, and fully guarantee the successful holding of the 23rd Kapok Festival.
