Laos will not execute pregnant woman

"Our constitution prohibits death penalty for any pregnant person," said Thongloun who is also the foreign minister.

Thongloun was in Thailand Tuesday and Thursday accompany a state visit by Lao President Choummaly Sayasone.

Samantha Orobator, 20, was detained in August after allegedly being caught with 680 grams of heroin at a Vientiane airport while leaving the country to Thailand.

Trading or trafficking more than half a kilogram of heroin would face death penalty in accordance with Lao narcotic and criminal law.

She reportedly became pregnant during detention in Phontong prison. Thongloun said the authorities are investigating the case to find out what happened with her.

Orobator has a chance to be transferred to United Kingdom as Laos and the UK signed a prisoner transfer agreement last week in London, he said.

However, she would not return to UK before her case was ruled by the Lao court, he said.

The minister said Orobator's case would be on trail this week but did not give exact date.