EN 
TH ST Group and ST Vegas Affirm Lawful Business Operations and Deny MisinformationCirculating on Social Media
ST Group (STG) and ST Vegas hereby issue this official statement in response to recent
information circulated on social media, which contains distortions of fact and may cause public
misunderstanding regarding the companies’ business operations. STG is a group of companies
with 100% Lao investment and has operated in various sectors for more than 30 years. ST Vegas
is likewise a 100% Lao-owned company, duly registered as a legal entity in 2002 and operating
strictly in accordance with the laws of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR).
Both companies fully comply with their tax and customs obligations without any outstanding
liabilities. Their operations are subject to regular supervision, monitoring and inspection by the
relevant state authorities. In particular, ST Vegas is inspected on a quarterly basis due to the
nature of its operations falling under the controlled list of investment activities.
STG and ST Vegas reaffirm that they operate entirely within the legal framework of the Lao PDR,
without interference from state officials or high-ranking authorities, and without receiving any
special privileges or advantages over other enterprises.
Clarification Concerning the Business Dispute
With respect to allegations that the companies were involved in a dispute with a foreign investor,
STG and ST Vegas confirm that the matter was duly adjudicated by the People’s Courts of the
Lao PDR at all three judicial levels—First Instance, Appellate, and Cassation. All courts rendered
final judgments in favor of ST Vegas.
These judgments were issued in accordance with the Law on Civil Procedure and Article 97 of
the Constitution of the Lao PDR, which mandates that final decisions of the People’s Courts must
be respected and implemented by all state organizations, social organizations, and all citizens
without exception.
Non-Recognition of the International Arbitral Award
Regarding reports of an international arbitral tribunal issuing an award ordering STG and ST
Vegas to pay damages exceeding USD 100 million, the companies clarify that the tribunal lacked
jurisdiction over this matter, as the dispute had already been finally adjudicated by the
competent courts of the Lao PDR.
Accordingly, the competent People’s Court of the Lao PDR declined to recognize and enforce the
said arbitral award, in full conformity with Article 366 of the Law on Civil Procedure, which
empowers the court to recognize or not to recognize a foreign judgment based on legal grounds.
Response to Misleading Online Allegations
The allegations circulating online claiming that the companies engaged in unethical business
practices or obtained major project concessions such as hydropower or dry port projects
through improper relationships with senior officials are entirely unfounded and lack factual
basis. Such misinformation risks undermining public confidence and misrepresenting the
investment environment of the Lao PDR.
Foreign investment in the Lao PDR continues to increase steadily, and the Law on Investment
Promotion provides robust and comprehensive protection for the rights and interests of foreign
investors. STG and ST Vegas reaffirm their commitment to transparent and lawful business
operations across all sectors and provinces, without any special privileges or undue advantages.
