Deal #4114

At Boten SEZ height, from 2010 to 2011, the zone attracted thousands of tourists and gamblers and was flush with as many as 4,800 Thai, Chinese, and Lao visitors at a time. However, the zone quickly developed a reputation as a lawless and violent place, rife with crime, prostitution, gambling, smuggling, and rumours of murder. There were also reports of indebted Chinese gamblers held hostage and tortured. As Boten’s notoriety grew, Chinese authorities issued warnings to Chinese citizens against visiting the zone due to the threat of crime. Under pressure from Beijing, the Lao Government intervened, leading to Boten Golden City’s shutdown in 2011. In April 2012, Yunnan Haicheng Industrial Group Company Limited was awarded a 50-year land lease for the SEZ with options to extend. As Haicheng designed the zone, the Lao Government set up preferential development policies as well as a no-gambling rule. Source: The People Map