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.

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.

By PHOONSAB THEVONGSA
Vientianetimes