The Ministry of Information and Culture decided to withdraw the Best Hip Hop music awards from the band "Pull-T Club" due to their song is a copycat from other country. For more information, read the news below:
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.
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.”
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.
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.
(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.
(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.
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.
(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.
Hmong fashion show unveils new talent A 16-year-old beauty, Ms Yer Vang, won first prize at a Hmong fashion show held in Xaythany district in Vientiane over the weekend.
The well presented and intelligent Ms Yer is a member of the well- known performance group Nasala, which explains her excellent singing, dancing and stage presence.
Audience members were captivated by her beautiful voice when she sang the traditional song Khubthoum , bestowing praises on government leaders in her mother tongue...more info and photos >>
Ms Yer also won the popular vote from the audience in addition to being awarded first place by the judges.
Over two nights, audiences flocked to enjoy the spectacular fashion show and performances of traditional Hmong dancing and singing.
Thirty-one participants from the district were selected to take part in the show by showcasing traditional Hmong clothing and culture, while competing for prizes.
Ms Chua Her, a 17-year-old participant taking a course in environmental studies at the National University of Laos, said after a month of rehearsals and preparation she had learnt how to live alongside different people and express and share ideas and feelings.
She decided to take part in the show because she wanted to entertain people with her singing and dancing skills.
“I felt so excited about performing on stage with friends in front of a crowd. I believe the show has helped build up my confidence and ability,” Ms Chua Her said.
A highlight of the event was a group dance involving all participants dressed in traditional Hmong costumes that originated from Luang Prabang, Xieng Khuang and Huaphan provinces.
Various community groups from Xaythany district were invited to entertain audiences with singing and dancing performances during the event.
Xaythany District Governor Bounthong Phommachan said the fashion show was held to coincide with the Hmong New Year which occurs next month, and aimed to promote tourism in the district.
“We spent a lot of effort and resources to organise this show because we want to preserve and encourage Hmong culture, so people in Laos and foreign countries can learn more about Hmong people and their customs and traditions,” he said.
“Their performances on stage will provide much pride for Hmong people and encourage them to preserve and promote their cultural identity.” Mr Bounthong hoped the success of the event would encourage other ethnic groups to organise similar shows to preserve their cultures.
Organisers hope the event will became an annual affair.
The Los Angeles (L.A.) Weekly profiles a 28-year-old former semipro skateboarder who, after taking a trip to Thailand in 2002 and buying a folk instrument as a souvenir, went on to master it. Jonny Olsen plays a mouth organ called a khaen. He’s now the only white pop star in Laos, shocking Laotians with his khaen chops. It’s a fascinating story...more info>>
When he dug into the history of his instrument and learned of its Laotian origins, Olsen decided he wanted to become a proselytizing spokesperson for Laotian culture; he abandoned all Thailand connections to focus entirely on the lesser-known underdog style of Morlum Lao folk. His second album, all in Lao, took three months to record, and had a final budget of $4,000, which by American studio-a-day rates is absurdly low. The money was recouped by the record label, and Olsen’s songs were an immediate hit on Lao radio and in the karaoke bars.
Signature of an agreement on the draft Sky Train in Vientiane
(KPL) - The signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the proposed construction of a Sky Train (elevated railway) in Vientiane, was held recently in the Lao capital, between Mr. Phetsamone Vilaphanh, Deputy Head of Department of Planning and Cooperation of the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, and Mr. Adrew Khor Poh Kiang, representing the group of Japanese companies Flagship Maglev (FSG) to the south-east Asia, in the presence of Mr. Sithong Thonkèo, vice-minister of Ministry, and Mr. Bounchanh Sinlavong, deputy mayor of Vientiane, reported the newspaper Lao on business...more info>>
According to the contract BOT (build, operation and transfer), FSG will invest 100% in the concession of this project. It provides a survey of construction instead of 6 to 12 months, a site of 4 years and the official entry into service the following year. According to estimates, 51 km of railways will be laid and 6 stations built between the Friendship Bridge Vientiane - Nong Khai and Nong Chanh market - Wattay International Airport - Thong Pong - the National University Dong Dok - The national stadium at Km18 and the National University and Dong Dok city center.
Regarding technology, FSG will use the latest machines called "Technology of the 21st century" that will allow cars to move automatically airlines through the magnetic field, as levitation. This technology is already being used in Nagoya, Japan. In addition, with this same technique, Japan and the Republic of Korea also signed a cooperation contract in the construction of the railway under the ocean with a length of over 500 kms between Japan and Busan of South Korea.
According FSG, the construction cost will amount to around 300 - 400 million U.S. dollars. Once this project successful, FSG wishes to make the ambitious concession, as always BOT, a Sky Train linking the countries of Asean among themselves and with Laos shook the center.
The most positive magnetic rail network is that its system complies with urban use because the wheel moving at 10 cm from the road and there is no friction, the train is perfectly silent, which is ideal sound environment issue.
(KPL) The Lao government gives green light for local investors to build the night bazaar is located behind the National Stadium, at the centre of Vientiane Capital. According to a report from Lao Jewelry Association disclosed that the Night Bazaar Construction Project kicked off officially, after the government gave green light to local businesspeople. This night bazaar will become an important place to provide more opportunities for Vientiane residents and visitors are able to buy different things...more info>>
Mr Phouvong Phamisith, President of the Lao Jewelry Association said that we were very pleased that the state organisation trusted us to build the night bazaar construction project which was a joint venture among local businesspeople of the Lao Jewelry Business Group.
He said that the night bazaar construction started in May 2008 and it will be over in 2009 with a total worth of 25 billion kip which comprises 200 booths.
According to the plan, the night bazaar will open 24 hours for all people. The bazaar is to promote the socio-economic development plan and give more opportunities local businesspeople to operate business.
The majority goods will be available for sale including handicraft, souvenir, foods, silk textile, jewelry and agricultural products.
Photo:The movie theatre at Lao-ITECC was packed to capacity when people came to see Sabaidee Luang Prabang from June 5 to 7.
Audiences packed the theatre at Lao-ITECC on June 5 to 7 to watch the film Sabaidee Luang Prabang, a Lao-Thai co-production which premiered in Laos on May 23.
The film pans the major provinces of Laos , taking in Pakxe, Vientiane and the allure of the country's biggest drawcard, the World Heritage-listed town of Luang Prabang . It describes the growing love between the two main characters, and features comic episodes that introduce a lighter touch.
The film stars Bangkok-based Lao-Australian actor Ananda Everingham as Sorn, a first-time visitor to Laos , and Ms Khamly Pallawong as Noi, his tour guide from Vientiane.
The Lao co-director, Lao Art Media president Anousone Sirisackda, said the producers were pleased with the feedback they had received from audiences and critics...more
He said Ministry of Information and Culture officials who had attended the premier at the National Culture Hall had expressed their satisfaction with the film's content and message.
“We are pleased with our achievements; this could be the new face of the Lao film industry after more than 30 years without a full-length feature production,” Mr Anousone said.
“Even though the film depicted the most significant aspects of Lao culture and lifestyle, we were sorry that time and budget constraints prevented us from making a more in-depth portrayal of Laos .” “We're not expecting to earn much from the film,” Mr Anousone said. “The main benefit of the production is the publicity that Laos will get. We'll definitely make another film, but we have to consider many factors. The good feedback we've received is a strong inspiration to do more.”
The production team is planning to screen the film to audiences in Luang Prabang, Champassak and other major provinces.
Another large crowd is expected when the film is shown at the National Culture Hall in Vientiane on June14.
Popular Malaysian singer-songwriter and actor Michael Wong will arrive in Vientiane next week, according to the World Vision Office to Laos yesterday.
Mr Wong will visit Laos from June 10-14 as World Vision Malaysia 's goodwill ambassador. He will visit development projects in Khammuan and Savannakhet provinces.
During his time in Laos Mr Wong will trek through poor rural villages to meet children and families living in poverty, and learn how he can respond to the needs of the communities they live in. He will also visit exciting projects to understand how community development works in Laos and how these projects improve the lives of poor people...more info>>
After his visit, Mr Wong will return to Malaysia to raise awareness and promote the fight against poverty in Laos and in other parts of the world.
He will be promoting a special campaign called the “30 Hour Famine” through which young people learn about poverty and are given opportunities to raise money and awareness to eradicate poverty and hunger around the world.
The hope is that through Michael Wong's personal experience and example, the youth of Malaysia will become more active in their support for those living in poverty, especially children.
Michael Wong has recorded over 8 albums and has 10 movie and drama appearances to his credit. He is in the Malaysia Book of Records as the Malaysian Chinese male composer with the highest number of awards and also for his best selling album entitled Tong Hua. He has earned 44 awards for his music.
Gaining more and more recognition globally, Mr Wong was recently appointed as Tourism Malaysia 's ambassador. His participation in the A Music records label in Hong Kong has also gained him more recognition in Asia .
World Vision is an international NGO working in 31 districts of 6 provinces in Laos to create lasting change for children, families, and communities living in poverty. Through child sponsorship funding, World Vision works in many sectors, such as mother and child health, food security, and education.
Korea 's famous Break-Boys, or B-Boys, will take to the stage in Vientiane for two performances in June.
Two break-dancing teams and a beatbox expert will perform “Flying Higher”, at the National Culture Hall on June 4 and 5 from 7.30pm.
The performances will feature 22 dancers from Korea 's Gambler Crew and Animation Crew, in addition to the music of Beatbox Eunjun, who is credited with establishing the beatbox genre in Korea.
Highlights will include power moves, acrobatic dances, beatboxing and hip-hop music. “Flying Higher” aims to show the audience how freedom can be expressed through creative dance movement...more info>>
A B-Boy or B-Girl is a person devoted to hip-hop culture, specifically the break dance element. The term originated with the first hip-hop DJ, Kool DJ Herc, who, on noticing the reaction of some dancers to drum breaks, named them Break-Boys or B-Boys.
The performances are sponsored and organised by the Korea Foundation, the Embassy of the Republic of Korea to Laos , and the Lao Ministry of Information and Culture.
The Embassy of the Republic of Korea yesterday announced the performances, which will be free.
Lao pop star Nalin Daravong, who sings Vao Ba Ba (Why Do You Say That?), will feature at the first Asia Pop Concert in Japan on May 25.
Nalin's performance in Japan has been made possible by the concert's organisers, who have invited one artist from each of seven Asian countries: Laos , Thailand , Myanmar , Japan , Republic of Korea , Cambodia and Vietnam .
Each year, the concert will be hosted by one of the countries on the list and next year it will be the turn of Thailand . Only the hottest pop star from each country will be invited to appear on stage.
Ms Nalin said she was very proud and excited to have been chosen to perform at this event...more info>>
“The concert's organisers chose me because when they came to research the music market in Laos in February, my song Vao Ba Ba was top of the charts and was often being played on radio and television,” she said.
“I'm going to perform three Lao songs, Vao Ba Ba , Lom Pak Pao (Lip Service) and Hak Kheu... (Love is…), and one Japanese song,” she said.
The event consist of two performances – the first in Yokohama and the second in Kibuya.
In February Nalin gave an interview to an entertainment programme on Tokyo TV channel NHK, about both her work and entertainment in Laos in general.
The programme, which is unrelated to the Asia Pop Concert, interviews artists in Asian countries on entertainment issues and focuses on the popular artists in each country, and will broadcast live.
Director of Indee Records Anouluck Pathammavong said “During Nalin's visit to Japan we plan for her to make some music videos in cooperation with a video production team here. They are my partners and distribute Lao songs in Japan .”
Nalin's breakthrough came in 2006, when she won the Close Up Music Award; her winnings included a contract with Indee Records.
She first appeared as a backing vocalist on the song Khon Meu Song (Second-Hand Person) by local hard-rock favourites, The Cells.
Indee was impressed enough with her work to hold on to her the following year. This led to her debut album being produced by a line-up including Alouna, Tou, Silvia and Cells' vocalist Sak.
