Paran, a five-member male vocal group which debuted in 2005, has made inroads all across Asia, including China, Indonesia, Laos, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam and Japan.

Members of Paran held a showcase concert at the amphitheater of Lao ITECC, an exhibition center in Vientiane, the capital of Laos, on April 5. It was the first concert by a male foreign group to attract 10,000 audience members. The event will be televised on Lao Star TV, the public broadcaster of Laos.

Laotian fans, who frequently enjoy Thai TV shows, raved over Paran's performance, although they did not understand the Korean lyrics...more info>>

Fans frantically took photos of the group, waved photographs of the members in the air, screamed and blew kisses to the stage.

Paran returned to Korea and April 7. Soon after their arrival, members of the group wrapped up recording their third studio album, which is slated for release on April 11. The album will be released simultaneously in six Asian countries.

The members recently said they plan to sweep their Korean fans off their feet with their new album.

Source: KBS

Cigarettes put historic sites, status at risk

Story by APIRADEE TREERUTKUARKUL

Luang Prabang has become the first World Heritage city to ban smoking in public places. Eye-catching red and white posters, stickers and mobiles carrying anti-smoking messages both in English and Lao have been put up in every corner, from tourist attractions like the historic Xiangthong temple to accommodation and retail shops of this serene city on the Mekong River in Laos since May 30, World No Tobacco Day.

Apart from health reasons, Luang Prabang residents believe the smoke-free policy will enable them to better conserve the city's historic sites, such as the huen moradok, or colonial-style mansions that were built when the country was still under French rule...more info

Scientific studies have found that cigarettes appear to pose as much danger to the historic landmarks as human health.


The city's residents say some of the ancient buildings have been reduced to ashes over the past few years in cigarette-related fire accidents caused by the carelessness of smokers, who had dropped burning cigarette butts on the floor and ignited the fires.


''Second-hand cigarette smoke is also harmful to the health of non-smokers. We want to make sure no more damage is done to the beautiful and ancient buildings that are still standing and housing rich architectural work out of someone's carelessness, as that could see Luang Prabang being stripped of its World Heritage status one day,'' said Bungon Ritthiphakdee, coordinator of Southeast Asian Tobacco Alliance, a non-governmental organisation advocating the anti-smoking project.


The organisation played an active role in drafting the ''Tobacco Free Luang Prabang'' regulation which prohibits smoking in both indoor and outdoor areas of tourist spots and temples, state offices and public transport.


Any hotels, guesthouses and restaurants which still permit smoking are now required to arrange designated smoking areas for their guests.


According to a public opinion poll conducted by the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA), 96.7% of respondents, including local residents and business operators, agreed with the smoke-free campaign.


About 59% of restaurant operators also agreed to give the campaign a boost.


''In general, most locals dislike cigarettes and second-hand smoke. But they think it is impolite to ask their guests to refrain from smoking. So having this regulation in place helps them greatly. It is good for their health, business and the World Heritage city at the same time,'' said Maniphan Vongphosy, researcher at ADRA. Although the Lao government has had the smoke-free policy in place since 2000, which bans smoking in schools, hospitals, government offices, restaurants and other public places, enforcement was weak.




In order to raise public awareness, anti-smoking activists and the government co-hosted a mini-marathon to campaign for tobacco-free zones on May 30. More than 600 officials, students and local people took part in it. Daeng Boonkamtip, a staff member of the Le Tam Tam guesthouse, said the place has always allowed its guests to smoke since it opened five years ago.


''But now the time has arrived to ban it. The strong smell of second-hand smoke is unacceptable, especially in a small place like ours. Cigarette smoke makes it difficult to breathe during work. More importantly, it drives away non-smoking guests,'' said Daeng, who also attended the campaign activities on May 30.

Kongchan Kommavong, vice-chairman of the Luang Prabang Tobacco Control Task Force, said he believed the regulation would help protect the health of residents in the province, while he also believes that the smoke-free policy benefits the tourism industry in Luang Prabang.

''From now on, our heritage city will be smoke-free. We want to set a good example for other World Heritage sites, and to demonstrate that it is our policy to protect the health not only of the people of Laos, but also of visitors,'' he said.

Source: bangkokpost

The Cells head off to rock Thailand

Popular hard rock band The Cells left Vientiane yesterday to produce a music video in Bangkok , Thailand , and to play concerts in two provinces there.

The band recently signed a contract with GMM Grammy Public Company Limited in Thailand to promote their songs through music videos there... more info

“Prior to signing with GMM, our distributors played our hit single Waan (Sweet) on many radio programmes in Bangkok . The song went to the top of the charts,” the President of Indee Records, Somphathay Southiphong, said.

When GMM Grammy realised how popular the song had become in Thailand , the company offered to sponsor their music video and help promote the band.

“Grammy provided a selection of songs for The Cells to choose from. They then translated the song they chose into Lao. The name of the song they chose is Euay Khou (Teacher), and the company will produce a music video as well,” Indee assistant Mr Toulou said.

The Cells will spend three days making a music video for Waan before taking to the stage in Nakhon Ratchasima and KhonKaen provinces in Thailand on April 9-15.

The Cells are the second Lao band to be supported by a Thai record company; the first was Lao hip hop group LOG.

“I thought I would be celebrating Lao New Year playing water games with my friends, but now we have a mission to do, so we will celebrate with our Thai fans instead,” said the band's guitarist, Radindeuk.

By Souknilundon Southivongnorath

Vientianetimes