FROM here on, Laos is expected to no longer sport a tag as an exotic, landlocked country in Southeast Asia that has innocently locked itself in from the rest of the region, the continent and the world—thanks to its modest but laudable hosting of the 25th Southeast Asian Games.

For 11 days in December—from the 9th to the 19th—Laos opened itself to the rest of the world, parading its capital Vientiane not only as a tourist destination where visitors could feel safe, but also as an investment prospect.

Laid-back and stress-free, Vientiane embraced more than 3,000 athletes and as many sports officials and thousands more tourists during the Games, where it showed off the generosity of 7 million people wishing to be part of the global community...more>>

Vientiane Hotel and Restaurant Association president Oudet Souvannavong said most of the 7,000 hotel and guesthouse rooms in Vientiane were fully booked for the event.

“Heavy booking of hotel rooms was in accordance with what we expected,” Oudet said, adding that about 3,000 hotel and guesthouse guests were delegates from Asean member countries.

Businesses and economists said visitors spent at least US$100 a day during their stay in Laos. Thus, it netted a total $700,000 a day—injected into the Lao tourism industry and related businesses in Vientiane.

Lao Association of Travel Agents head Bouakhao Phomsouvanh said the money helped the Lao tourism industry recover after the fallout from the global financial crisis, which caused a major drop in tourist arrivals.

About 15 to 20 percent of tourists canceled their trips to Laos in late 2008 and early 2009 after the global financial crisis and the outbreak of the H1N1 virus.

Bouakhao said that were it not for SEA Games, the tourism industry would have suffered further from the economic downturn. He noted that before the crisis and the H1N1 outbreak, an increasing number of tourists from European countries had given the industry a boost.

The Games, Bouakhao added, not only benefited hotels and restaurants but also vendors hawking souvenirs and T-shirts to spectators.

Many noodle shops in the Sihom area of central Vientiane were crowded with customers. Vendors at Thongkhankham market also made a killing, but they did not jack up their prices and were happy to take part in hosting the event.

Lao National Chamber of Industry and Commerce Secretary General Khanthalavong Dalavong said the government’s investment in the event boosted economic growth.

The Games allowed Laos, a country a little smaller than the Philippines with a land area of 91,400 square miles, to put its best foot forward on the sporting arena.

It won a total 33-25-52 gold-silver-bronze, an enormous improvement from the 5-7-32 it clinched in Korat (Thailand) two years ago. The Lao athletes—who finished seventh overall, two rungs behind the Philippines (38 gold medals)—also surpassed their 25-gold target.

In the Games’ 25th edition, Thailand repeated its feat as overall champion with 86 gold medals, followed by Vietnam (83), Indonesia (43), Malaysia (40), Philippines, Singapore (33-30-25), Laos, Myanmar (12), Cambodia (3), Brunei (1) and East Timor (3 bronzes).

Laos languished in sporting backwaters and did not win its first SEA Games gold medal until 1999—Laos was a founding member of the Games in 1959 (December 12 to 17) with Burma, Malaya (Malaysia), Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. Thailand hosted the inaugurals where 527 athletes competed in 12 sports.

Its modest hosting of the Games—its first in 50 years—reaped for Laos positive reviews, including one from the International Olympic Committee that handed the hosts the prestigious President’s Trophy.

But excellence on the sporting arena was not the only benefit the Lao people have reaped, according to Laos Olympic Council deputy secretary general of Southanom Inthavong.

“The benefits from the SEA Games were not restricted to sports alone. Laos was not just in the eyes of Southeast Asian countries but also the whole world for two weeks. The positive impact was felt in the economic and tourism sectors as well.”

He added: “The successful staging of the Games opened the door for us to host other international sports events. It might not rank as the best-organized SEA Games but Laos has gotten the job done by overcoming so many restrictions in such a short period of time.”

Laos had constructed and upgraded its stadiums, training centers, accommodations, transport and tourism for the Games.

Vientiane, home to 97 hotels, 69 restaurants and 60 tourism companies, spent more than 12 billion kip (nearly US$1.3 million) for accommodations, improving the city’s appearance and expanding its public transport network.

Savannakhet province spent more than 65 billion kip (US$7 million) in upgrading infrastructure for the soccer events, and Luang Prabang province rebuilt its existing stadium for the track and field events.

A brand-new 18-hole golf course (which will eventually be expanded to 27 holes) located inside Phokham village at Xaythany district was built to a tune of $15 million with the help of the Asean Civil Bridge-Road Company and later, the Booyoung Company from South Korea.

The international standard archery field located in Dongsanghin village in Xaythany district also cost the government 200 million kip.

A little help from neighbors

Vietnam, which the Lao people call “Big Brother,” helped out in the staging and organization of the competitions, and also foot the bill on a new $19-million Games Village. Thailand gave out exchange lessons for Laos’s officials for pointers during the Games’ preparation stage, which was worth some US$2.9 million.

Singapore provided teachers and technicians, and organizations such as the Yuuwakai Association of Japan donated US$100,000 for the new Karatedo training center.

China also shouldered the main cost for the new Laos National Stadium estimated at US$85 million.

Just how Laos showed itself to the world was evident in the television coverage of the Games. A total of 14 television channels in Brunei, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and the host country aired the competitions live from where they happened.

Laos, indeed, is looking differently from the world’s perspective, after the Games. It seems quite right that during the 11 days of the SEA Games the Lao people incessantly chanted: Lao Su! Su! (That means Go! Go! Lao!). The Games have begun and ended. A much better future for Laos is unfolding.


Written by Jun Lomibao / Sports Editor
http://businessmirror.com.ph/home/top-news/20282-games-host-laos-reaps-tourism-gold.html

Spectators were surprised when Phailinda Philavane, 19, a student at Rattana Business Administration College in Vientiane walked off with the Miss Laos title on Saturday after already being voted Miss Photogenic and Miss Healthy.

The 165-cm tall Phailinda walked away with the crown at the end of the first Miss Laos contest ever to be held in Laos, and featuring 23 finalists from around the country...more >>

The winning beauty gave what judges at the Don Chan Palace hotel considered to be the best answer when asked what aspects of Lao culture impressed her the most.

“Lao women are beautiful both physically and mentally. This is particularly evident in their smiles, when they wear a silk blouse and long silk skirt, pin up their hair and wear a sash,” she answered.

Her response was enthusiastically received by the audience, who clapped loudly in appreciation.

Phailinda also encouraged all Lao people, especially women, to welcome visitors to the SEA Games with smiles and friendship.

She received a crown worth 20 million kip, 50 million kip in cash, a gold silk sash worth 1.5 million kip, a Build Your Dreams (BYD) car worth 85 million kip, 45g of gold, an LCD TV worth more than 10 million kip and gift vouchers.

“I was so blissfully happy I was unable to stop my tears falling when I learnt I had won. This is the first time in my life I've won a contest like this and I'm overwhelmed to win the first Miss Laos contest,” she said as tears of happiness brimmed in her eyes.

“I think I won because of my confidence in answering the question, and my belief that I could do it. In addition, I had a lot of encouragement from my parents, and I think this helped me too.”

Phailinda said she will be a worthy recipient of the crown and a good model for Lao women in conserving Lao culture and spreading the message about its importance. She planned to demonstrate to the younger generation that Lao women are both beautiful and strong.

The runner-up was Vongphachan Vongvilasak, 21, from Champassak province, who took the Miss Friendship Vote. She received 15 million kip in cash, a gold silk sash worth 1.5 million kip, a CTV worth more than 2 million kip and gift vouchers.

In third place was Niphaphone Phommachan, 20, from Vientiane province, who received 10 million kip, a gold silk sash worth 1.5 million kip, a CTV worth more than 2 million kip and gift vouchers.

Fourth place went to Souphaphone Inthavong, 19, from Vientiane and Chanpasong Sitthiphan, 18, from Attapeu province who was also voted Miss Popular. They each received 3 million kip in cash, a gold silk sash worth 1.5 million kip, a CTV worth more than 2 million kip, and gift vouchers.

Kesone Phon-arth, 20, from Champassak province was voted Miss Good Character, and walked away with 5 million kip, a gold silk sash worth 1.5 million kip, and gift vouchers.

Originally 24 women were selected for the final but one of them, Bouddalay Latthachak from Xayaboury province, withdrew due to health reasons.

Phailinda, as Miss Laos 2009, will be considered a representative of Laos , and will act as an ambassador for Lao culture and traditions, both locally and internationally.

This is the largest beauty contest to be held in Laos and the first the government has been involved in.

The event aims to promote Lao culture, lifestyle and customs, particularly women's traditional dress, and to raise awareness of the country's unique culture amongst young people. The forerunner of the Miss Laos contest was Miss Apone Lao, which was first held in 2006.

The contest is organised by the Ministry of Information and Culture with support from K&C Company and Lao Brewery Company, and aims to reveal the nation's most beautiful and congenial women.



By Times Reporters

Sabaidee all Samakomlao visitors,

We, KPY Entertainment, is the new record company, which has been established for two months time. Currently we have released 2 artists, Touly and May.

For Touly, you may not or may know already, because she has release her first album before, but with other record company.Now, she has moved to KPY Entertainment, due to the expiration of the contract with her old record company...more info >>

Currently, Touly is working on her second album, and has released two singles of the album which are Chocolate music, and Jark pai duai nam ta.
Her Full album will be release within 2009 namely "The way I am".

And May, is the new singer, who has never have any album before. However, May is not a newbie for the Lao entertainment. Her reputation is quite well-known among lao teenagers and Lao people, as she played as the main charactor in Aluna's music video, khoam hu seuk bork.

Last week May has surprised the Lao Entertainment by releasing her first single, Thao ni kor phor jai on the radio stations. And have a very good and unexpected feedback. The song was well-known faster than expected, and this makes many people wonder if May is going to be a singer and have her new album or not. The answer is yes, May is now working on her first album, under KPY Entertainment. The Full album will be release next year.

Recently, May is preparing and working on her music video of Thao ni kor phor jai. The completed music video plans to release within this year.

We are looking forward to seeing and hearing all of your supports.

KPY Entertainment

(KPL) The singing, dancing and throbbing music of the singers and musicians of ?Ah-Lo 3G? lulled thousands of Vientiane youngsters into a most joyous mood during its concert at the Lao-ITECC centre, Vientiane on 12 August.

The concert was organised by the Lao Telecommunication Company to thank its customers for their loyalty.

As a curtain raiser to the concert, there was a day show, mainly made up of participatory events to get the visitors to become participants rather than just onlookers: fancy costume contest, cartoon drawing competition, model show, extreme sports, BBOY show, break dancing show and competition and a graffiti exhibition.

During this all-day event, the Lao Telecommunications Company set up booths to display their existing and new products, which are for sale at discount rates to the visitors.

For the highlight of the day, the concert, this Telco invited popular Lao and Thai singers like L-Zone, Pretty Cool, Doh One, L.A.Five, KOTIC, Four-Mod and Beam to sing, dance and lull the senses of the young people of Vientiane. The Director of the Lao Telecommunication Company Mr Thansamai Kommasith said that the concert and day show was organised to launch the 3G service for mobile phones, enabling its subscribers access to internet, television and online games.

The Telco?s director also said that the ?AH-Lo 3G? concert party would be going on a road show to various provinces to thank its customers and to promote its new Telco products.

More photos: http://laorock.wordpress.com/2009/08/17/rock-concert-of-the-year-2009/

KPL

Korean company keen to establish airline in Laos

A South Korean company has expressed interest in establishing an aviation business in Laos to offer direct flights from Vientiane to Seoul and other destinations in Asia , according to a senior official from the Ministry of Public Works and Transport.

Director General of the Lao Civil Aviation Department, Mr Yakua Lopangkao said on Friday the Booyoung Company has informed the government it would like to open an airline business in Laos .

“The company's representatives met with us three weeks ago to discuss the possibility of establishing an aviation company in Laos . However, they haven't provided us with an economic feasibility study,” he told Vientiane Times.

He said the government had urged the relevant sectors, including the ministries of Public Works and Transport and Planning and Investment, to facilitate the Korean company's bid to establish an airline in Laos...more>>

The government believes a new airline would enhance Laos ' connectivity with the region, as well as the rest of the world, he said.

There are currently only two aviation companies in Laos . Lao Airlines only offers international flights to Thailand , Vietnam , Cambodia and China , as well as domestic flight routes to major Lao cities. The other company, Lao Air, offers only a few domestic flight services.

Mr Yakua said the government has a policy to encourage foreign investment in the aviation sector.

“The introduction of a new airline in Laos would not be detrimental to current airline businesses because we would encourage the new company to offer flights to destinations not covered by the current airliners,” he said.

Manager of Booyoung Lao Company, Mr Khonesavanh Sengthavy confirmed the company is interested in establishing an aviation company in Laos to be named Lao-Booyoung Airlines, adding the company is now preparing an economic feasibility study.

He said the company would ideally like to commence operations this year, initially offering a Vientiane-Seoul-Hong Kong flight. However, he was unable to confirm that this would be the case.

He said the company would initially use three, 150 seat Airbus 320s.

Mr Khonesavanh said the company believes there is a growing demand for direct flights between Asian cities and Vientiane where investment is increasing rapidly.

He said Korean businesses are interested in investing in hydropower development and mining projects in Laos .

The South Korean government has a policy to support the development of clean energy sources such as hydropower to address climate change.

The Lao National Assembly has approved several new investment promotions, including offering foreign investors who spend more than 2.5 billion kip in Laos the privilege of owning residential land use rights.


By Times Reporters

The government plans to shutdown discotheques nationwide after finding out these entertainment venues are degrading the values associated with Lao culture, according to a senior official from the Ministry of Information and Culture.

Mass Culture Department Director General, Mr Sipheng Vongpanya said on Wednesday the Minister of Information and Culture had signed a notice to all cultural officials nationwide to shut down discotheques around the country.

However, the ministry would compromise in the capital as the city is a gathering place for foreign tourists. In Vientiane, authorities will allow one discotheque in each district to remain open...More>>

The authorities hope to ensure the closure of unlicensed discotheque venues by the end of the year.

In Laos, there is a differentiation between the definition of discotheque and nightclub.

The ministry only allows establishment of nightclubs, defined as those venues which stage a live musical band.

Discotheques, on the other hand, are defined as those venues at which music is usually provided by DJ's playing recorded music. The styles found there are usually western electronic music and associated dancing, seen as encouraging immorality.

The discotheques also typically had limited lighting, against the requirements of Lao nightclub regulation, he said.

According to the Ministry of Information and Culture, establishment of discotheques is illegal in Laos.

However, several business people have opened discotheques in Vientiane using the Lao-style night club licenses after finding that the demand for such entertainment service had been increasing.

Mr Sipheng said the discotheque owners who wanted to keep their entertainment venues open must agree to host live music bands in accordance with the regulation on entertainment venue management.

He said the ministry made the decision to shut down discotheques in the country because it wanted to protect Lao culture.

The move came after officials found that a number of teenagers used discotheques as a place to engage in illicit love affairs.

He also said the discotheques were places where young people practice unacceptable behaviour.

If the authorities allowed them to continue, the younger generation would be influenced by unacceptable foreign culture.

Mr Sipheng expressed confidence the ministry would carry on its policy, although it could face strong opposition from owners of discotheques in Laos.

“We keep close eyes on local authorities to enforce the notice, if they have problems with business people, the ministry will take responsibility over people's complaints,” he said.

He said the ministry had urged local authorities to host meetings with owners of discotheques first so as they can get informed about the government policy and to ensure sufficient time to transform their own entertainment venues into new businesses by the end of this year.

“If they fail to transform their discotheques into new businesses or Lao style night clubs, they will be ordered to shut down,” he told Vientiane Times.

By Ekaphone Phouthonesy
Vientianetimes

Photo: This enormous pineapple is drawing fascinated visitors to the temple where it has been put on display.

Two strange pineapples, one shaped like a dragon and the other shaped like a heart, found at a farm in Vientiane province, are drawing curious crowds.

One amazing fruit, shaped like a heart and weighing 8 kilograms, and another pineapple shaped like a dragon and weighing about 7 kilograms, are now on display in Viengkham district.

As they are so unusual, the couple who found them decided to offer them to Phonesom temple...more >>

Ms Sone, 50, and her family are farmers and grow more than 1,000 pineapples on their land.

“We have no idea how these two pineapples came to be growing on our plantation. My husband asked me to keep them because they are so unusual.”

Last year, she found another pineapple shaped like a heart on her farm. She decided not to harvest it and left in the field, where it was eaten by rats.

This year, she was more surprised to find two more strange pineapples - one shaped like a dragon and one resembling (with a vivid stretch of the imagination) a heart, so she decided to offer them to the local monks.

The pineapples have drawn crowds to the temple. People offer incense and candles and donate money to the strange looking fruit.

Ms Sone cut away the roots from the heart-shaped pineapple, but left the dragon-shaped one intact.

“The heart pineapple is ripe and smells good, but the dragon one is still green.” she said.

“I never expected to see anything like this. I think they are quite special and rare. Now it's up to the monks at the temple to look after them as they see fit.”

By Phonesavanh Sangsomboun
Vientianetimes

(KPL) The Luang Prabang Road was renamed Souphanouvong Avenue, to mark the 100th anniversary of the revolutionary leader痴 birthday of late President Souphanouvong.
This was according to announcement of Vientiane Mayor on 2 June.

The Souphanouvong Avenue is a 3.8-km stretches from Sihom traffic lights near Inpeng temple to the traffic light of Wattay International Airport.

Luang Prabang Road runs 7.3 km long from Wattay International Airport to the junction of Nong Buek village, Nasaithong district.

British national Ms Samantha Orobator, 20, who pleaded guilty to possessing 680 grams of heroin, was yesterday sentenced to life imprisonment by the Vientiane Court.

The trial began at about 2 pm on Wednesday at the Vientiane Court . Proceedings lasted more than three hours while translations were made from Lao into English.

Members of foreign press agencies based in Bangkok from Reuters, AP and the BBC waited beneath the courtroom to learn the results of the trial.

Court Vice President Chanthaly Douangvilay, speaking to Lao and foreign reporters at a press conference following the trial, said Ms Orobator entered the Lao PDR on July 31, 2008, from Bangkok , Thailand , at Wattay International Airport on Thai Airways International flight number TG 691, holding a tourist visa...more>>

She stayed in a hotel in Vientiane until August 5, when she attempted to leave Laos and board a flight that would take her to Sydney , Australia . During departure proceedings at Wattay International Airport, Customs officials and airport authorities detected unusual objects on her body, whereupon the authorities informed drug officials, who determined she was carrying narcotic drugs.

Ms Orobator signed a letter admitting the items belonged to her and police detained her in accordance with the law.

During subsequent questioning, she also signed reports written by herself dated August 5, 18 and 27, 2008.

Ms Orobator said before she came to Laos she met a man named James in England who asked her to go to Thailand to meet John, his older brother. James gave her the telephone numbers of himself and his brother so she could make contact when she arrived in Thailand .

When she reached Thailand she called the given telephone number, but could not make contact. She called James in England who told her John was now in Laos , and so Ms Orobator herself went to Laos .

In Vientiane she met John and another man named JJ who took her to stay at the Orchid Hotel and later the Phoxay Hotel.

On August 5, 2008, at about 1am the two men gave her heroin, which was contained in 68 capsules and weighed 680 grams. John and JJ wanted her to swallow all the capsules so they could be carried in her stomach. But she was not able to do this and secreted them around her body instead.

While going through security checks at Wattay International Airport later that day, the capsules were detected.

They were sent to the Food and Drug Department of the Ministry of Health to identify the contents, which were confirmed to be heroin.

The Vientiane Court found that Ms Orobator intended to take the heroin to Australia and found her guilty of possessing more than 500 grams of heroin, which is in contravention of the Penal Law of the Lao PDR.

Article 146, paragraph 4, states clearly that any person who possesses, imports, exports, transports or causes the transit through Laos of more than 500 grams of heroin shall receive the death penalty.

Ms Orobator should have rec eived the death penalty. But Article 32 of the Penal Law states it is forbidden to uphold the death sentence on a woman who is pregnant, so the court reduced her sentence to life imprisonment.

Concerning her pregnancy, Ms Orobator told the Lao authorities she conspired with another prisoner, Mr John Watson, to secretly obtain his sperm, which she used to impregnate herself.

When officials took her for a pregnancy test on April 4 this year she was found to be 17 weeks pregnant.

Asked if she would be sent back to England , the court official said this was a matter to be discussed between the two governments. Ms Orobator was born in Nigeria but is now a British citizen.

In a recent development in t he case, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Thongloun Sisoulith and British Foreign Secretary David Miliband on May 7 signed a prisoner transfer agreement in London .

The agreement allows the Lao PDR and the United Kingdom to transfer prisoners to each other's government based on the requirements of the two nations.

Vientianetimes

(KPL) The Lao Bang Fai Association and A?Corps Dance Company are organising the first international dance festival in Laos, Fang Mae Khong Festival, scheduled to be held early next year.

Speaking to journalists at a press conference held in the premises of the Lao Journalists Association, in Vientiane, Mr. Anouza Photisan, Head of Lao Bang Fai Association said that the main aim of this festival is to give support to the young artistes of the Mekong River Basin.

Participation in this festival, he said on 29 May, would give the Lao dancers many opportunities to meet foreign dancers and choreographers and they would also be able to share their culture with the cultures of the dancers from the other Mekong River Basin countries.

More info about Lao bang Fai: http://www.freewebs.com/laobangfai/

(KPL) Four teenage students, their ages ranging from 12 to 15 of Eastern Star Bilingual School in Vientiane, a Turkish-owned and operated educational facility, scored two stunning successes in two international school science project competitions in Turkey and USA, recently.

In doing so, this little known school, nestling among the trees and a lake teeming with fish in Nongbon, skyrocketed and ratcheted itself to capture the pole position of the Vientiane secondary schools informal and unofficial pecking order.

For the I-SWEEP competition in Houston, Texas, USA, the school?s team of two, Phetnary Savannarath and Thipphaohone Naphaivong won the fourth place and in securing this high placing they had beaten most of the competitors from 60 countries and 40 states of USA and the competitors submitted a total of 650 projects...more>>

The other duo, Pathummaly Phommachanh and Phitthannusone Ounaphom competed in the Dreamline competition in Turkey and they won the Bronze medal or third place against stiff competition from science projects from 23 countries and 18 cities in Turkey.
The secret of their successes lies in the articulation, design, manufacture and operation of solar panels that can provide energy, storage of energy and which can function as window curtains.

The four students came up with the idea that instead of placing solar panels on the roofs of houses, they could design them to be like window curtains, place them on windows to catch the sun and at the same time the curtains not only generate energy to light up the house but they can also store energy ? a tri-function device.

The Turkish team competed on the design of the system and the USA team?s entry was on operating and designing the device.

According to the four budding young scientists the thinking, trial efforts, design, building and operations of the gadget took a toll on their time, so much so that they agonized over it, had many sleepless nights and in the process shed buckets of tears.

The KPL News reporter asked the principal, Mr Cuma Ali Efeyik whether his school can sustain such a pole position and he said he has an ace card.

?We are building a high-tech school with smart classrooms that can provide cutting-edge and state of the art facilities for students to carry out any kind of academic study, but with emphasis on group science project,? said Mr Ali.

When it is operational and that will be in the near future, this school., Mr Ali claimed, would be in a position to beat any school in Laos in terms of study facilities and he added that its teachers would be nurturing young minds to achieve excellence.

Lao parents can enroll their offspring in this school as long as they have deep pockets as its one-year fee for its secondary section is USD 2,000.

(KPL) Ancient mine shafts suspected to be thousands of years old were found at the Sepon Gold and Copper Operations on 11 April 2009. The artefacts were discovered while miners were excavating the Khanong copper pit which is near the known historic site called the ?Dragon Field? (Thong Na Nguak). The artefacts are constructed in a style very much like that of local fish-traps, According to the source from OZ LXML.

Although not dated yet, it is possible these mine shafts are several thousands of years old. These mine shafts have been extremely well preserved because they have been soaked in saturated soils and not exposed to air since they were abandoned...more info>>

OZ LXML Sepon and the government archaeologists from the Archaeology and Museum Department from the Ministry of Information and Culture are closely working together for the past 12 months to protect the cultural heritage of Lao PDR and follow the national law of Cultural Heritage. The established internal reporting system through the OZ LXML Sepon Cultural Heritage officer worked well and thereby ensured that these remarkable relics of an ancient industrial civilization, which have been hidden for so long, do not vanish again. Dr Thongsa Sayavonkhamdy, Director of the National Heritage Department from the Ministry of Information and Culture and his staff regard the find as ?unique? and praised the good cooperation between his department and OZ LXML Sepon. It is a race against time to properly excavate artefacts before the wet season sets in. Currently, the archaeologists are studying the finds to determine their age and possible uses in the past.

Little is known about the early history of eastern Savannakhet but this is changing rapidly.Early in 2008, a magnificent bronze drum dating back at least two thousand years was found at the Sepon area while the company?s UXO team was searching for UXO. At present, the drum is on display at the National Museum in Vientiane. This find led to several excavations being commenced, all of which have revealed ancient mine workings and smelting in the area.

Crucibles for moulding copper, ancient mines shafts and adits have been found at Peun Baolo on Thengkham and work has begun on excavating what is thought to be the site of an ancient settlement of copper miners at the Dragon Field.An area unknown to history before OZ LXML Sepon?s arrival is now turning out to be a major prehistoric industrial site which may well have traded its products across the whole of Indochina well over a thousand years or more ago. The mining company is proud to work closely with Dr Thongsa and his dedicated team; the operation is happy to provide the Lao PDR with evidence of the cultural wonders of its past and to contribute to the country?s economic development.

Some 100 statutes of Buddha have been stolen or lost in Luang Prabang province over the past five years, according to a 2009 investigation report by the province's Heritage Department.

That Luang temple and Vat Si Phouttabath have suffered the largest losses.

The report stated about 16 statues had also gone missing from Vat Xiengthong, one of the oldest temples in the province.

Luang Prabang Provincial Heritage Department Deputy Director, Mr Bounkhoung Khouthao, said most of the statues were stolen in 2006, with most thought to have been crafted in the 14th century...more >>

The stolen pieces were made of wood or bronze and were taken from 42 temples in the town of Luang Prabang .

“Unfortunately the thefts are continuing,” Mr Bounkhoung said.

The most recently reported theft took place last month at Vat Phousi in the heart of Luang Prabang.

Most people agree the scale of the thefts is reason for officials from the relevant sectors to cooperate more closely and take more steps to tackle the problem.

Some officials fear the mounting thefts could affect the overall image of the World Heritage Site and even the tourism industry.

High market demand for valuable artefacts is increasing the likelihood Buddha images will be stolen. Mr Bounkhoung said an old statue could fetch 200,000 to 300,000 baht (48 million to 72 million kip).

He said novices living in Luang Prabang temples had been assigned to sleep close to the rooms in which Buddha statues were housed, but this would only solve the problem in the short term.

What was needed, he said, was for village authorities and temple guards to take more responsibility in preventing the theft of the statues.

Mr Bounkhoung said very few stolen Buddha images had been recovered even though most of them were registered in the province.

He congratulated one British man who brought four Buddha images back to Luang Prabang in 2007 after buying them from traders.

Two of the four images were found in Chiang Mai , Thailand , one in France and another in the UK .

There are known to be at least 20,000 Buddha images in Luang Prabang province, most of them in the main town.

Officials say there are ongoing thefts of Buddha images from Ting Cave , none of which have been registered by authorities.

Officials have met on several occasions to discuss the problem but the thefts continue.

From January to March this year, more than 200 Buddha images were stolen from four temples in Savannakhet province.

Most of them were less than 100 years old, were made of bronze and weighed 100 to 300 grammes.

By Somsack Pongkhao
Vientianetimes

A five-star hotel and the first entertainment complex in Laos, which also includes a casino, was inaugurated recently in Savannakhet province.

The Savan Vegas Hotel and Casino, which is located on the entrepot and intersection of the West-East economic corridor, would make an important contribution to the socio-economic development in Laos central region, local officials said.

Construction of the $US50 million Savan Vegas-hotel project started in August 2007.

MORE PHOTOS >>

(KPL) A small airplane of Lao Air, carrying 11 passengers with its destination to Samneua district, Phongsaly province, made an emergency landing on rice field in Nam Ngum dam area, Vientiane province after its machine stopping suddenly.

Luckily, nobody and two pilots died and injure, according to a press conference of Lao Air Company took place on 21 April, Vientiane.



Director of Lao Air Company, Mr Bounma Chanthavong said that the plane (Cessna 208 Grand Carvan, flight LLL 200) took off from the Wattay International Airport to Samneua district at 10:19 am on 11 April after being on air for a while with about 2,000 metre height and it was about 25 miles or 40 km far away from Nam Ngum dam area.





The machine of plane stopping suddenly, in case of emergency, a pilot major Bountem Souphamisay and his assistance pilot Phoukhao Sinthavong tried to restart its machine again but it was not effect. So the pilot immediately decided to make an emergency landing safely on rice field of Ban Nam Ang, Thoulakhom district, Vientiane province.





This was the first experience of the company since established the company in 2002. Throughout the investigation of expert team of plane machine producing factory found that the plane of turbo propeller has broken leading to its machine stopped. In this case will be further investigated why its turbo propeller broken.

When the weather gets hot, the cicadas chirp, shrubs come into bloom and the air is filled with the scent of frangipani, it is a sure sign that Pi Mai Lao (Lao New Year) is just around the corner.

The New Year water festival is a special festival for the people of Laos and neighbouring countries, where it is celebrated nationwide. This year the festival in Laos takes place from April 14-16.

Champassak Tourism De partment Deputy Director, Sivon Vangkonvilay, said they would hold similar activities to the ones they had last year and that are organised by other provinces - a Nang Sangkhan (Miss Lao New Year 2009) beauty contest and other activities that visitors will enjoy...more >>

This year, however, we are designating a special area for the celebrations by closing the road along the Mekong riverbank. People will be able to have fun down by the river and on the sandbanks, and it will also be easier for the police to manage the crowd and reduce road accidents, Sivon said.

Other plans in Champassak include a larger Miss Lao New Year parade, with decorated floats and more performers and people to be involved. The parade starts in the city centre and will follow a 1km route to Luang temple.

Food and drink stalls will also be set up for visitors in popular tourist destinations such as Khone Phapheng, Vat Phou, Tad Fan, and Pha Suam.

Savannakhet province is preparing for the festival by decorating the city with flowering shrubs and clearing a road to a new tourist site, Nong Lom, which is just outside the city centre. There will be food, local produce and water stalls available. Last year the province attracted 120,000 visitors and this year is hoping to attract as many tourists as possible.

An added attraction in Savannakhet province over the New Year is Tanghang Stupa, where visitors and devotees will gather to pour water on each other and trickle scented water over the ancient Buddha image. The highlight of Lao New Year celebrations in Khammuan province will take on a different face this year as authorities have allocated a specific area for activities in a bid to reduce road accidents. The 1km square area in central Thakhek district is close to the riverside and the provincial stadium.

For those who don't want to travel out of Vientiane , there is plenty to do here. This year's celebrations will be similar to those in Luang Prabang, with a Nang Sangkhan (Miss Lao New Year) parade. The organisers are currently in the process of selecting the most beautiful young women to sit atop the floats.

Another option for those wanting to celebrate Lao New Year is to take a trip to Viengvieng, where you can be sure of a good time. The limestone mountains, river kayaking, mountain climbing and trekking will get you out of the city. Vangvieng district, in Vientiane province, is a 3-4 hour drive north of the capital.

But if you want a taste of the original spirit of Lao New Year, you should go to Luang Prabang province where you can see the traditional customs on display, as they have been practised for many years.

Director of the Luang Prabang Tourism Department, Mr Khamphuay Phommavong, said this year's activities would be the same as usual, except for a trade fair organised by the Department of Export Promotion of Thailand's Ministry of Commerce.

The trade fair will take place at the That Luang Stupa (the old stadium) on April 10, and will be followed by performances such as magic tricks and songs and dances performed by artists from the Information and Culture Department.

There will also be acts from local recording companies, including The Cells, Overdance, A'pact, Touly, Hip Hop Banna, Black 5, Big T and some Thai artists.

The Nang Sangkhan beauty contest will take place over two days, April 12-13, on the same stage as the concert.

"The Hotel and Guesthouse Association is expecting a large increase in visitors to the province and 90 percent of hotels and guesthouses have already been booked. To accommodate everyone we are working with local residents to provide home-stays ranging in price from 100,000 -150,000 kip. Anyone who's interested can contact us directly," Mr Khamphuay said.

"This year we are working with traffic police and residents in the area of Phousy Stupa to ease traffic congestion and facilitate transportation to and from events by providing car parks. Last year we had a problem with traffic jams due to the large number of visitors all wanting to be in the same place at the same time."

On April 14 everyone can gather to make sand stupas on the riverbank in Chomphet district.

On April 15 there will be a textile exhibition in Phanom village along with traditional dancing by local ethnic groups. There'll also be a baci ceremony followed by the Nang Sangkhan parade in the afternoon, which goes from Thatnoi temple to Xiengthong temple.

On April 16 there will be an almsgiving ceremony at Phousy, followed by a spirit worship ceremony in the evening.

Vientianetimes

(KPL) Assurance Generales du Laos (AGL), an insurance company based in Laos, claimed that at least 80 per cent of the people of Laos do not have any insurance and the main reason is that they are not aware of its importance, but on the contrary the people of developed and developing countries see insurance coverage as cornerstones of their lives.

Laos is one of the least developed countries in the world in connection to the extent of coverage of insurance of its people and this is backed up by the fact that only 12 per cent of its people enjoy any kind of insurance coverage.
Mr Holady Volarath, Deputy Managing Director of AGL told KPL News last week that though a law was passed in 1990 to make it compulsory for vehicle owners to insure their machines but because many people did not see the need to do so and so their vehicles were not insured...more >>

According to its data base, AGL estimated that 500,000 vehicles did not have any insurance coverage and the figure would increase to 700,000 in the near future, but in the meantime the number of accidents would be trending upwards.

He also said its permanent members number 100,000 but he is hopeful that in the near future it would ratchet up to 150,000.

Mr Holady said he felt that the Ministry of Social Security should get more people to buy insurance.

Local authorities will beef up village security forces to protect wild elephants from poaching in Phou Khaokhouay, or ‘ Buffalo Horn Mountain ', National Protected Area after five elephants were shot dead a few weeks ago.

Villagers said two of the five elephants died in Ban Na in Thaphabath district of Borikhamxay province.

The remainder, including a juvenile, were found in Ban Yangkheua in the same district...more >>

Ban Na, located 82km south of Vientiane , relies heavily on tourism income derived from its pachyderms.

The town boasts an elephant observation tower which has proven popular with visitors wanting to see elephants in their natural environment.

While the motivation for the killing has yet to be proven, officials suspect commercial motives.

Poachers usually kill elephants for their valuable body parts, namely tusks, trunks, teeth and tails.

Deputy Head of Phou Khaokhuay National Protected Area, Mr That Keothone, said authorities were still analysing the bullets for clues.

“We are encouraging people in the 10 villages living nearby the protected area to be our ‘eyes and ears', as well as to report strange sightings or incidents to authorities immediately,” he said.

Yesterday, district authorities met with residents of the 10 villages to discuss preventive measures as well as how to boost villagers' participation in the protection of elephants from poaching.

Head of tour guides at Ban Na, Mr Bounthanom Inthilath, said Thaphabath district's Agriculture, Forestry and Tourism Office had issued a notice barring villagers from interfering with the elephant remains.

“Those who interfere with the dead elephants will be considered to have been associated with the crime,” he said.

“At the meeting we agreed to add extra village security force patrols to protect the conservation area. The reason is because village security men know a lot about the protected area.”

People in Ban Na say the elephants are their most important source of income, and losing them would mean hardship for many.

Mr Bounthanom said the villagers had been earning income from tourists coming to watch wild elephants since the opening of the elephant observation tower in April, 2005.

Villagers benefited from domestic and overseas visitors who spent money on home-stay accommodation, tower entry fees, village tour guides, food and the purchase of hand-made products and souvenirs from the village.

Mr Bounthanom said last year the village earned about 100 million kip from tourists coming to see the elephants.

“More tourists now want to see the elephants, but my concern is that if elephants are scared of poachers, they won't come to the tower and finally no tourists will come here. All of us will be affected,” he said.

It was unclear how many wild elephants there are in Phou Khaokhouay, but Mr Bounthanom said about 40 elephants were reported in 2005.

Meanwhile, officials said one elephant was also reported killed in Phou Phanang National Protected Area. They called for urgent attention from the relevant sectors to address the issue.

By Somsack Pongkhao
Vientianetimes

(KPL) Ancient human fossils aged around 11,000 years old have been found in Luang Prabang province, said an archaeologist.

Dr. Joyce C White, who is also Senior Research Scientist at University of Pennsylvania, the United States, held a press conference here last week saying the Middle Mekong Archaeological Project (MMAP) with co-operation with the Heritage Department, the Ministry of Culture and Information and the University of Pennsylvania, had found five ancient human fossils in Vangtaleo Cave, Ban Phadeng Neung, Luang Prabang district in the same name province.

The discovery was the oldest human fossils ever found on the earth, said Dr. White.
In 2007, MMAP discovered a grave with ancient human fossils identified to have at least 1,800 years old in Phouphakhao Cave in Phonesavad village, Luang Prabang district, Luang Prabang province.

The Middle Mekong Archaeological Project in Laos was approved by the government in 2005. It is a survey conducted along three rivers such as Nam Khane, Nam Seuang and Nam Ou in Luang Prabang. A few months after its approval the project discovered 58 ancient caves in the province.

New orchid species discovered in Laos
A new orchid species of the genus Paphiopedilum has been discovered in Borikhamxay province by an orchid lover, Mr Sulivong Luang Aphay.

He said he discovered the flower in January 2008 growing on a limestone outcrop. For the whole year of last year he sought to identify the flower and finally proposed it as a new species to world experts familiar with the genus Paphiopedilum.

He consulted Mr A. Schuiteman, a taxonomist at the National Herbarium of the Netherlands , Assoc.Prof. Dr Bouakhaykhone Svengsuksa of the National University of Laos , and Mr P. Bonnet, a botanist at the French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development.

Experts from these three institutes are involved in a project concerning the trade and conservation of orchids in Laos named ORCHIS.

They studied Mr Sulivong's new flower and gave it the scientific name of Paphiopedilum barbigerum var.sulivongii and announced it in the world's leading German orchid magazine “Orchideenjournal” as Paphiopedilum barbigerum TANG & F.T. WANG var.sulivongii SCHUIT & P. BONNET var.nov.

The new species was announced in the journal's February issue, the first to be published this year. Its scientific name is now recognised as valid worldwide, Mr Sulivong said...more info >>

Mr Schuiteman and Mr Bonnet said Paphiopedilum barbigerum TANG & F.T. WANG was the main Chinese species, which had some outlying and distinctive populations in Vietnam - Paphiopedilum barbigerum var.coccineum and Paphiopedilum barbigerum var.aspersum. Now the species Paphiopedilum barbigerum var.su livongii has been identified in Laos .

Mr Shuiteman and Mr Bonnet said the new species differed from var.barbigerum in having much larger flowers, which were similar in size to those of var.coccineum.

Other differentiating features include broader leaves and a densely purple-veined dorsal sepal with branching veins, which distinguishes it from all other known forms of this species.

“Paphiopedilum species are considered to be endangered and all species of the genus are treated in accordance with Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora,” Mr Sulivong said.

Mr Sulivong has dedicated himself to the discovery and identification of orchids. He said his work was inspired by the German explorer Wilhelm Micholitz (1854-1932), who collected the Paphiopedilum gratrixianum almost 104 years ago in 1905 from the Annam region which is now part of Laos .

This species has been recorded as a native species of Laos , found in the south of the country.

He said about 66 Paphiopedilum species had been recorded worldwide.

Mr Sulivong has immersed himself in the study of all the Paphiopedilum species that grow wild in Laos , to make sure they are conserved.

He has found 10 Paphiopedilum species growing wild in the forests of Laos including Paphiopedilum sukhakulii, whose existence was previously unknown.

By Phon Thikeo
Vientianetimes

A groundbreaking ceremony for the third Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge linking Laos 's central province of Khammuan and Thailand 's north-east Nakhon Phanom province took place on Friday at both ends of the bridge.

The ceremony was presided over by Lao Vice President Bounnhang Vorachit and Her Royal Highness Princess Mahachakri Sirindhorn of Thailand .

The event was also attended by Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Thongloun Sisoulith, and other high-ranking officials.

Thailand has invested more than 1.7 billion Thai baht to build the bridge, with construction work slated to begin in June. It is estimated the bridge will be finished within 36 months...more>>

The Lao side of the bridge is located in Thakhek district's Veuntai village, 13 km from the district centre. In Thailand , the bridge will begin in Nakhon Phanom district's Horm village.

The bridge will consist of prestressed concrete box girders 13 metres in width. There will be two traffic lanes each 3.5 metres wide and two footpaths each 1.25 metres wide.

The bridge itself will be 780 metres long and will link Thailand's national road No. 212 and Lao national road No. 13 south over a distance of 5,225 metres.

The bridge construction agreement was signed by the two governments on December12, 2007. The project will create a twin city between Laos and Thailand under the Ayeyawady-Chao Praya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy.

Dr Thongloun said the bridge would play an important role in government efforts to convert the geographically landlocked country into a land link, to integrate the Lao economy with that of the region and beyond.

“Since Laos was established, the government has considered transportation infrastructure development its top priority in converting our landlocked country into a land link and transit country,” he said.

Dr Thongloun said he appreciated the Thai government and people's financial assistance in investing in the project.

The bridge will link the north-east part of Thailand with central Laos and Vietnam .

Once the bridge is complete, it will boost trade and economic competitiveness by lowering fees currently charged by ferries to transport goods cross the Mekong River , said Khammuan provincial Industry and Commerce Department Director, Mr Singphet Keosopha.

He said the bridge would also save time. The ferry takes at least 30 minutes to cross the river but using the bridge will reduce the time to 10 minutes.

So far, there are two bridges linking Laos and Thailand across the Mekong . One between Vientiane and Nong Khai opened in 1994 and the second, linking Savannakhet province in Laos and Mukdahan province in Thailand , opened in 2006.

By Souksakhone Vaenkeo
Vientianetimes

(KPL) Thailand tops the foreign investment in Laos with 1.5 billion US dollars invested in various projects in the last eight years, has said the Investment Promotion Department, Ministry of Planning and Investment.

The department said in its recently released report that the investment from Thailand made Vietnam and China the second and third largest foreign investment in Laos although they ranked first and third largest in the first nine months of 2008, in which Vietnam contributed 181 million US dollars and China did 111 million US dollars to the investment environment of Laos.

Thailand, also the first largest trade partner of Laos, ranked second in the list of foreign investment in the first nine months of 2008, which invested 173 US dollars in various projects across the country.

Top ten largest foreign investors in Laos in the last eight years include
1. Thailand, 2. China,
3. Vietnam, 4. France,
5. Japan, 6. The Republic of Korea,
7. India, 8. Australia,
9. Malaysia and 10. Singapore.