Laos faces public backlash as economy teeters toward default

Debt crisis triggers rare anger against communist leaders on social media

Workers at a Chinese-backed hydroelectric dam construction site in Bokeo Province, Laos in 2017. The country's foreign debt is estimated at $1.3 billion, which it must settle by 2025. © Getty Images

MARWAAN MACAN-MARKAR, Asia regional correspondent

June 23, 2022 12:00 JST

BANGKOK -- Shortly after a Laotian-language article headlined "Lao economy collapses" appeared on the Facebook page of U.S.-funded Radio Free Asia this month, public rage erupted against leaders of the one-party state.

The 1,100-plus replies to the post include angry rants by Laotians within the landlocked, resource-rich Southeast Asian nation. Despite replies being easily traceable, people have vented. "If the government cannot manage the economy, get out!" fumed one female poster.