Don't Build Houses or Plant Trees Under High-Voltage Lines: Crossing This Red Line in Laos May Result in No Compensation

高压线下别建房、别种树，老挝这条红线碰了可能没赔偿

ຢ່າສ້າງເຮືອນ ຢ່າປູກຕົ້ນໄມ້ໃຕ້ສາຍສົ່ງໄຟຟ້າແຮງສູງ ເສັ້ນແດງນີ້ຂອງລາວຖ້າແຕະອາດບໍ່ໄດ້ຮັບການຊົດເຊີຍ

Published: 2026-07-14 · LaoPaniti legal guides

When investing or operating in Laos, if you have Land near a high-voltage Transmission line corridor, or if a project is planning a Transmission line, you must first understand: Can you build houses or plant rubber or teak trees under the corridor? The answer is likely no, and if you violate the rules, you may receive zero Compensation.

Why Is the High-Voltage Corridor a "Red Line Zone"?

According to the relevant provisions of the Electricity Law, Compensation for the construction of Transmission lines on state or private Land, including pole sites and Transmission corridors, shall be made on a case-by-case basis in accordance with current regulations. However, several provinces in Laos have issued specific orders explicitly prohibiting the construction of houses, shops, and the planting of large trees (such as rubber, teak, etc.) under or near high-voltage Transmission line corridors, and stipulate that violators shall receive no Compensation whatsoever. That is, even if you are a legitimate Land user, once you build or plant beyond the boundary, the government or project owner has the right to require you to demolish or remove the structures or trees without bearing any Compensation liability.

How Wide Is the Safety Protected Area? How Tall Can Trees Be?

Some provinces have further defined the Safety protected area. For example, some stipulate that no buildings may be constructed and no trees exceeding 3 meters in height may be planted within 25 meters from the center point of the power line. This means that if you plant rubber trees near the corridor, once the trees exceed 3 meters, they may be required to be cut down without Compensation. For project owners, Compensation for corridor Land acquisition, subsequent inspection and maintenance, and dispute prevention need to be planned in advance to avoid line Safety hazards or legal disputes caused by illegal construction by Land owners.

What Should Project Owners and Land Owners Along the Line Pay Attention To?

Project owners: When planning a Transmission line, you should understand the specific provincial regulations on corridor width in advance and communicate fully with Land owners along the line to clarify Compensation standards and prohibitions on construction and planting. Before construction, it is best to conduct a site survey, mark the boundaries of the Protected area, and avoid subsequent disputes.
Land owners along the line: If your Land is near a high-voltage line, do not build new houses or plant tall trees within the corridor. Even if you see others building or planting, it does not mean it is legal. Once discovered, you may not only be forced to demolish but also receive no Compensation. It is recommended to consult with the local electricity authority or Land management department before starting any work.

Please note that the specific corridor width and Compensation standards are subject to the current regulations of the competent authorities in Laos, and there may be differences between regions. If you encounter related issues, you may first use the free AI consultation tool of LaoPaniti (https://www.123laoai.com) to quickly obtain preliminary guidance. In addition, LaoPaniti also provides Contract review and Trademark search tools to help reduce risks when investing and operating in Laos.

This article is compiled by LaoPaniti for reference only and does not constitute legal advice.

FAQ

Can temporary work sheds be built under a high-voltage Transmission line corridor?

According to specific orders from several provinces in Laos, the construction of any houses, shops, including temporary work sheds, is prohibited under or near high-voltage Transmission line corridors. Violators will receive no Compensation and may be forced to demolish. It is recommended to confirm the specific scope with the local electricity authority before construction.

The rubber trees I planted near the corridor have exceeded 3 meters. Will they be forced to be cut down?

Some provinces stipulate that trees exceeding 3 meters in height may not be planted in the Safety protected area. If your rubber trees are within the Protected area, they may be required to be removed without Compensation. It is recommended to proactively communicate with the local electricity department to see if there is a rectification period or negotiation plan.

The project owner has already paid Compensation for Land acquisition, but later the Land owner built a house in the corridor. Is the project owner responsible?

Generally, if the project owner has paid Compensation in accordance with current regulations and clearly informed the Land owner of the prohibition on construction and planting, the risk of subsequent illegal construction by the Land owner should be borne by the Land owner. However, to avoid disputes, it is best for the project owner to include explicit prohibition clauses in the Land acquisition agreement and conduct regular inspections. For specific liability allocation, it is recommended to consult a professional lawyer.

Legal basis

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