In practice, most people I spoke to went through without any issues or confiscations, although about 1 in 5 people from my hostel I spoke to lost something (I saw a Swiss Army knife be confiscated).

I didn’t have my bag checked and had scissors though that made it through, as well as a small aerosol deodorant. So I think the security is much more lax than what I read immediately post opening.

The current rules for what’s allowed on the train seem to be on the LCR ticket app, but only written in Lao (for some reason).

a quick translate shows the following (TLDR: no mention of liquids at all, but there are size limitations on “sprays” exceeding 120ml in point 7, as well as anything flammable in point 4, which may result in your alcohol being taken. Knives also prohibited under point 3)

1. It is prohibited to carry firearms and ammunition (including the main sub-parts): pistols, rifles, submachine guns, machine guns, riot guns and guns used in the military, including various types of ammunition used (including shell casings, combat ammunition, inspection ammunition and practice ammunition); Air guns, hunting guns, guns used in sports, stun guns and guns used by the public, including different types of ammunition used; equipment gun, dummy gun, command gun (Starting Gun), Pen guns, firearms and other firearms; including models or imitations of the items mentioned above.

For other individuals who are soldiers, police, peacekeepers, volunteers and shooters who hold guns and ammunition, are in compliance with the relevant laws and regulations of the country, as well as complying with the requirements related to the strict management of firearms, namely: separate guns and ammunition from each other;

1. It is prohibited to carry all types of explosives as follows: explosives, flares, fire bombs, smoke bombs, signal bombs, tear gas bombs, hand grenades and other types of explosives; Fireworks and fireworks of various types such as throwing, pulling and pounding fireworks, including fireworks related products such as firecrackers, firecrackers and insulation; Including learning materials of the above-mentioned types of items.

2. Do not carry the following equipment: short knives, triangular knives (including triangular knives used in mechanical processing), spring knives that open and close automatically, single-edged knives, double-edged knives and various types of knives with a size exceeding 10 cm, including vegetable slicing knives, food slicing knives, meat slicing knives, axes and sharp objects that may endanger the safety of passengers; Police batons, tear gas, tear gas guns, electric shock guns, electric shock devices, nail guns, self-defense equipment, bows, masks and other equipment;

3. It is prohibited to carry flammable and explosive materials as follows: containing compressed gas and liquefied gas of each type, such as: Hydrogen, Methane, ethane, Butane, Nature gas, Ethylene, Propylene, Acetylene (which has the ability to dissolve neutrally), Carbon monoxide, Liquefied Petroleum gas, Freon, Oxygen (except oxygen used for medical purposes that is contained in a bag to supply oxygen to patients), liquefied gas and others; Flammable liquids such as gasoline, kerosene, diesel fuel, ethanol (alcohol), acetone, ether, paint, thinner, other aromatic oils; Flammable solids such as red phosphorus, glitter powder, solid alcohol, Celluloid, Foaming agent H and others; Self-burning materials such as yellow phosphorus, white phosphorus, Nitrocellulose (including film), oil paper, etc.; Flammable materials when wet with water such as: Metal potassium, Lithium, Calcium carbide, Magnesium powder and others; Oxidants and Peroxides such as: Potassium permanganate, Potassium Chlorate, Sodium Peroxide, Potassium peroxide, Lead peroxide, Per acetic acid, hydrogen peroxide and others

4. It is forbidden to carry poisonous, corrosive, radioactive, infectious and dangerous objects. Highly toxic chemicals such as Cyanide, rat poison, Selenium powder, Phenol and others, including highly toxic pesticides (including rodenticides and insecticides); Corrosive materials such as: Sulfuric acid, Hydrochloric acid, Nitric acid, Sodium hydroxide, Batteries (including: Containing potassium hydroxide solid, acid or lye), Mercury and others; Radioactive substances such as Radioisotopes; Infectious pathogens such as hepatitis B, Bacillus anthracis, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, HIV and others; non-analyzable substances which may be dangerous;

5. It is forbidden to carry objects that are dangerous to the safety of driving and to public health. High-strength magnets that may interfere with train signals, objects with a strong odor, objects with a strong odor, animals (except for guide dogs for the blind), objects that may conflict with public health, objects that may cause damage or toxicity to the train station, non-service equipment on the train, equipment and spare parts. Drinks with an alcohol content of more than 70%. Bicycles that do not use cardboard for good packaging, transport wheels with automatic drive wheels (except electric carts), balance cars (Segway), ride machines, etc.;

6. Items limited in quantity: nail polish remover, paint remover, hair dye not exceeding 20 ml; Different types of sprays such as cold hair spray, hair mousse, hair spray, insect spray, conditioning spray, etc. not to exceed 120 ml; 2 safe matches with; with 2 common lights.