Inside Southeast Asia’s Most Notorious Crime Hub

Matt Campbell, an editor at Bloomberg Businessweek, delves into the sinister rise of the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone in Laos. He discusses how a seemingly innocent economic initiative attracted gamblers, drug runners, and human traffickers. Campbell shares harrowing stories of human trafficking and the brutal conditions workers endure in scam centers. He also explores ongoing efforts to transform the area from a criminal haven into a tourist-friendly destination, highlighting the complexities of governance and crime in this notorious region.