Trading from Laos: what is different
The kip lost more than half its value against the dollar between 2021 and 2023, which is why US dollars and Thai baht are both widely used for savings and larger purchases in Laos.
USD/THB — the dollar against the baht — is available as a CFD, so the two currencies Lao traders deal in day to day can be traded against each other.
Laos is on UTC+7, the same as Bangkok. London opens at 15:00 in winter and the London–New York overlap runs from 20:00 to midnight.
Forex market hours in Laos
The forex market is open 24 hours a day from Monday to Friday, passing from Asia to Europe to North America. These are the main sessions converted to local time in Laos.
| Session | Local time, Nov–Mar | Local time, Apr–Oct |
|---|---|---|
| Tokyo session | 07:00–16:00 | 07:00–16:00 |
| London session | 15:00–00:00 | 14:00–23:00 |
| New York session | 20:00–05:00 | 19:00–04:00 |
| London–New York overlap | 20:00–00:00 | 19:00–23:00 |
| Weekly open | Monday 05:00 | Monday 04:00 |
| Weekly close | Saturday 05:00 | Saturday 04:00 |
The busiest hours for the major pairs and gold are usually the London–New York overlap. Spreads tend to be widest around the daily rollover and in the first hour after the weekly open.
Markets to watch from Laos
- USD/THB — the two foreign currencies most used in Laos.
- XAU/USD (gold).
- EUR/USD and USD/JPY.
- Asian indices — Nikkei 225, Hang Seng, China A50.
Accounts and funding
| Account | Minimum deposit | EUR/USD spread | Commission |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | $100 | From 1.0 pips | None |
| Pro | $1,000 | From 0.6 pips | None |
| Raw ECN | $5,000 | From 0.0 pips | $7 per lot |
Accounts are held in US dollars and funded in USDT on BNB Smart Chain (BEP20) or Tron (TRC20). There is no Lao kip conversion inside your account; any conversion happens wherever you buy or sell USDT. Identity verification is completed once, before your first withdrawal.
Regulation and your responsibility
AlphaFX Pro is an international broker and is not licensed by the financial regulator in Laos. Our registration in St. Vincent and the Grenadines is in progress. We do not provide investment advice or a local office in Laos.
Before opening an account, make sure the law in Laos allows you to trade CFDs with a broker based outside the country, and check any rules on moving money abroad. If you are not sure, ask us before you deposit.
Frequently asked questions
Can I trade the Lao kip?
No, the kip is not offered. Accounts are held in US dollars; USD/THB is available.
When does forex open in Laos?
Monday at 05:00 Vientiane time from November to March, and 04:00 from April to October.
What is the minimum deposit from Laos?
The Standard account opens from $100, funded in USDT. Pro starts at $1,000 and Raw ECN at $5,000.
Risk warning: CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money. This page is general information, not investment advice. Read the Risk Disclosure.