ຫນ່ວຍ​ພາ­ສີ​ເຄື່ອນ​ທີ່​ເພື່ອ​ຕ້ານ ແລະ ສະ­ກັດ​ກັ້ນ​ສິນ­ຄ້າ​ລັກ­ລອບ​ຫນີ ພາ­ສີ​ປະ­ຈຳ​ແຂວງ​ຈຳ­ປາ​ສັກ​ໄດ້​ກັກ ຢຶດ​ໄມ້​ປະ­ດົງ​ຈຳ­ນວນ 145 ກວ່າ​ແມັດກ້ອນ ພາຍ­ຫລັງ​ກວດ­ກາ​ພົບ​ເຫັນ​ຜູ້ເຄື່ອນ​ຍ້າຍ​ໄມ້​ທີ່​ບໍ່​ຖືກ­ຕ້ອງ​ຕາມ​ເອ­ກະ­ສານ ປະ­ຈຸ​ບັນພວມ​ຢູ່​ໃນ​ຂັ້ນຕອນ​ດຳ ເນີນ​ຄະ­ດີ​ທາງ​ພາ­ສີ. ອີງ​ຕາມ​ການ​ໃຫ້​ຂໍ້​ມູນ​ຂອງ​ທ່ານ ສາຍ​ຄຳ ດວງ​ມາ­ລາ ຮອງ​ຫົວ­ຫນ້າ​ພາສີ​ເຂດ IV ໃຫ້​ຮູ້ວ​້້າ: ໃນ​ທ້າຍ​ເດືອນ​ທັນ ວາ 2013 ຜ່ານ​ມາ​ນີ້ ພາຍ­ຫລັງ​ມີແຫລ່ງ​ຂ່າວ​ໃຫ້​ຮູ້​ກ່ຽວ​ກັບ​ການ​ເຄື່ອນຍ້າຍ​ໄມ້​ພາຍ​ໃນ​ທີ່​ບໍ່​ຖືກ­ຕ້ອງ​ຈາກແຂວງ​ເຊ​ກອງມາ​ຜ່ານ​ແຂວງ​ຈຳ­ປາ ສັກ ພວກ​ເຮົາ​ຈິ່ງ​ໄດ້​ແຕ່ງ­ຕັ້ງ​ຫນ່ວຍ​ພາສີ​ຕ້ານ ແລະ ສະ­ກັດ​ກັ້ນ​ສິນ­ຄ້າ​ລັກ­ລອບຫນີ​ພາ­ສີ​ທີ່​ຂຶ້ນ​ກັບ​ພາ­ສີ​ເຂດ IV ປະ­ຈຳແຂວງ​ຈຳ­ປາ​ສັກອອກ​ເຄື່ອນ​ໄຫວ​ຕິດຕາມ​ກວດ­ກາ ແລະ ພົບ​ເຫັນ​ລົດ​ບັນ­ທຸກໄມ້​ຈຳ­ນວນ 4 ຄັນ ເຊິ່ງ​ເຈົ້າ​ຫນ້າ­ທີ່​ພວກເຮົາ​ກໍ່​ໄດ້​ທຳ​ການ​ກັກ​ຢຶດ​ໄວ້ ເພື່ອ​ກວດກາ ແລະ ເມື່ອ​ພວກ​ເຮົາ​ກວດ­ກາ​ຕົວ​ຈິງແລ້ວ​ໄດ້​ພົບ​ເຫັນ​ໄມ້​ເປັນ​ປະ­ເພດ​ໄມ້​ຕັບສ່ວນ​ໃຫຍ່​ແມ່ນ​ໄມ້​ປະ­ດົງ ແລະ ບໍ່​ມີຄ້ອນ​ປະ​ທັບ​ຂອງ​ຂະ­ແຫນງ­ການ​ກ່ຽວຂ້ອງ ລວມ​ທັງ​ຫມົດ 145 ກວ່າ​ແມັດກ້ອນ, ໃນ​ນັ້ນໄມ້​ປະ­ດົງ 1.462 ຕັບ, ຄິດ​ເປັນ​ບໍ​ລິ​ມາດ 108 ກວ່າ​ແມັດ​ກ້ອນ ແລະ ໄມ້​ສຳ­ເລັດ​ຮູບ 22.300 ເສັ້ນ ຄິດ​ເປັນ​ບໍ​ລິ​ມາດ 37 ກວ່າ​ແມັດ​ກ້ອນ ເຊິ່ງ​ໄມ້​ຈຳ­ນວນ​ດັ່ງ­ກ່າວ​ນັ້ນ​ເຈົ້າ​ຫນ້າທີ່​ພາ­ສີ​ພວກ​ເຮົາ​ໄດ້​ກັກ​ຢຶດ​ໄວ້​ຮຽບຮ້ອຍ​ແລ້ວ ປະ­ຈຸ​ບັນ​ພວມ​ຢູ່​ໃນ​ຂັ້ນ​ຕອນດຳ­ເນີນ​ຄະ­ດີ​ທາງ​ພາ­ສີ​ຕາມ​ລະ­ບຽບກົດ­ຫມາຍ​ບ້ານ​ເມືອງ. Source: Setthakid

(KPL) Thai supermarket chain Big C Supercenter will open its branch at Talat Shao in Vientiane by the end of this year, according to Assistant Vice President of Big C Supercenter Public Dry Food Wichai Benyadilok.

Yesterday, Big C Supercenter bought over 40 high-level executive officials and purchasing planners to meet over 100 local entrepreneurs at Talat Shao in Vientiane.

"The meeting is aimed at ensuring the understanding and partnership between senior executive officials of Big C and entrepreneurs in Laos so that Big C has data for customising its marketing strategy for market in Laos," added Mr. Wichai.

VIENTIANE (5 July 2011) – Vietnam and the Malaysia were among the first teams to arrive ahead of the AFF Under-16 Championship which will be held on 7-20 July 2011.

And following their arrival this afternoon, the two teams were given the chance to get a taste of the National Stadium – the venue of the SEA Games last year.

Vietnam took to the pitch first at 3pm before the Malaysians took over an hour later and then followed by Thailand.

Defending champions Vietnam are confident of retaining the crown they won last year after beating China where this time round, they are placed in Group B against Myanmar, Singapore, Cambodia and Philippines.

The Malaysians in the meantime, spent the last week in Chonburi in Thailand where they trained and played two friendly matches.

After the arrivals of Vietnam, Malaysia and Thailand, the other teams to checked in were Cambodia and Timor Leste (pix).

Singapore, Myanmar and Indonesia will arrive later tonight while the Philippines will fly in only tomorrow night.

“They’re still young, so we don’t want to burden them with the goal of winning the tournament,” said Rahim Soekasah from the PSSI Youth Committee.

“For the team, this tournament is a stepping-stone before playing on a bigger stage, the AFC Under-19 Championship, which will start in October.”

The team managers’ meeting will be held tomorrow morning.

AFF U16 CHAMPIONSHIP 2011
VIENTIANE, LAOS
7 – 20 JULY 2011

Group A
1. Laos
2.Thailand
3.Malaysia
4.Timor Leste
5.Indonesia

source: ecom

While Thailand is undergoing a second decade of education reform, Laos is also making changes under a second education reform.

Leaders of the socialist regime in Vientiane are aiming to lessen poverty and educational inequity as well as develop modern industry and valueadded agriculture. They are also seeking international financial support to overcome obstacles and reach these achievements.

Vocational graduates will play a crucial role creating valueadded agriculture when 10 special economic zones, due to be set up by 2020, come into being. These zones will enjoy trade in goods from neighbouring countries and local processed products will also be sold there.

Sengsomphone Viravouth, head of the Department of Planning and Cooperation at Laos' Education Ministry, disclosed the country's educational improvements on behalf of Lao Education Minister Phankham Viphavanh in a recent interview with The Nation and Thai reporters.

What is Laos doing under its second education reform?

The first education reform was between 20052010. The second started from 2011. We'll produce more vocational graduates to support the growth of industry, and some of them will support processed agricultural products for export, run by locals in different parts of the country.

Each province grows different plants. So, the vocational graduates will help add value to the agricultural produce.

Ten special economic zones will be established by 2020, where goods from neighbouring countries will be traded and local processed products will be sold.

However, we have a crisis in the education system. Vocation education produces about 15,000 graduates, while higher education generates up to 100,000 graduates.

Vocational fields are not attractive here because it is difficult to find a job after graduation. Salaries are low.

So, the salary structure will be adjusted to make vocational education more attractive. Infrastructure or the learning environment will be improved.

Teacher allocation to remote areas that will help strengthen basic education in those areas and increases education access are main goals.

What will the ministry do with the teacher allocation and education access?

Teachers prefer not to work in remote areas. By law we cannot force them to work in such places as there is no punishment [if they don't want to]. Therefore, the ministry will have to solve this legal problem to get more teachers sent to remote areas.

Preprimary education is available only for urban students, not those living in rural areas.

We aim to increase the amount of kindergarten students to 200,000 by 2015. From 20112012, we will be initiating a community playgroup project to prepare children in remote areas before they enter primary schools. [But] we have problems with tribal groups who cannot understand the Lao language. There are 49 tribes now, who make up 40 per cent of the population.

Out of a total six million people, there are 98,000 kindergarten students, 900,000 primary school students, 330,000 lower secondary school students, 100,000 upper secondary school students, plus 100,000 others in informal education.

Now, 93 per cent of primary school students on average have access to education. We aim to reach 98 per cent in 2015. The average figure hides the truth that those in rural areas, some provinces can get only 4050 per cent of children into school.

As many as 70,000 students in Prathom 1 (Grade 1) dropped out this year, up from 60,000 last year. A number of students in poor families dropped out to work and earn a living.

Lack of opportunity and access to education and dropouts are major problems that need to be addressed.

Japan is helping us to create educational infrastructure to support more students and the Asian Development Bank funds new textbook production for the new curriculum.

With limited budget and educational resources, how will Laos improve education levels?

The government knows we don't have enough budget to develop the country. It has disseminated policies and development plans in eight clusters to foreign countries. Education is among the clusters, as we want to ask them to donate money to the country to increase citizens' capabilities.

The government invests 100 billion kip (Bt378 million) while 600 billion kip (Bt2.27 billion) money is donated by foreign countries. So, we rely on foreign countries' financial assistance. So, the government is open for financial assistance from these countries

Laos received 1,888 billion kip (Bt7.2 billion) for education from foreign donors this year.

Over the past five years, we received 6,000 billion kip (Bt22.8 billion) for educational development, but we will need to pay 14,000 billion kip (Bt53.2 billion) for the next five years. The demand will double.

We have policies, a strategic vision from 20002020 and a national plan of action to draw donors' financial assistance after they clearly know how we are going to develop education, and tackle the problems and challenges we are facing.

With the ASEAN economic community coming, how is Laos preparing for this?

The government is trying to develop a quality educational curriculum. We collaborate with United Nations Children's Fund to create schools of quality as well as project standards and to improve our curriculum.

Neighbouring countries speak English. So, we focus on teaching English. Now, some primary students study a bilingual curriculum. Prathom 3 (Grade 3) students will have to study English. Those living in border provinces have to study neighbouring countries' languages, including Thai and Vietnamese.

Source: www.nationmultimedia.com

Miss Asian America 2009, Amy, is now in Laos, and is a model for Mahason Magazine. Check out her beauty and her interview below !!!






(click at photos to enlarge !)

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.

Source: Vientianetimes

Officials from Laos and Japan will conduct a feasibility study of direct flights between Nagoya Airport in Japan and Wattay International Airport in Vientiane.

The Director General of the Civil Aviation Department, Mr Yakua Lopangkao, told Vientiane Times yesterday that Lao officials will first collect basic information regarding potential passenger demand.

“We expect to collect the information within the next two months and then we will send it to Japan,” he said. “We will meet with Japanese officials a month later.”

Mr Yakua observed that more people are flying from America and Japan to Indochina, especially to Laos...more info>>

Mr Yakua said that last year Prime Minister Bouasone Bouphavanh visited Japan and met with his Japanese counterpart to discuss various areas of cooperation. One of the issues discussed was the possibility of a direct flight from Nagoya to Vientiane.

Laos has direct flights to several countries, including Thailand, China, Cambodia and Vietnam. Air Asia started direct flights from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia , late last year.

A flight between Laos and Singapore is also under consideration, Mr Yakua said.

“Last month, we had meetings with representatives from airlines in Singapore who told us they needed a more detailed survey before any developments could take place,” he added.

A direct flight to Myanmar is also under discussion, as officials believe such a move could boost tourism in the region.

“Our government has an open policy concerning flight connections with any foreign country to encourage tourism in Laos ,” Mr Yakua said.

Earlier last year, the Lao government granted visa exemptions to Japanese tourists to strengthen relations between the two countries.

This has led to an increasing number of Japanese visitors to Laos.

According to the Lao National Tourism Administration, in 2005 around 23,000 Japanese visited Laos and in 2006 this figure increased by just two percent.

But in 2007 the figure jumped by 34 percent as a result of the visa exemption.

Tourism officials confirmed that the number of Japanese tourists was increasing, contributing to economic growth.

By Somsack Pongkhao
Vientiane Times

Well -known recording studio Valentine Music is set to delight fans with performances by a fabulous line-up of artists on February 14 to mark their 5 th birthday.

The free concert will kick off at 7pm on Thursday at the Lao-ITECC, and feature their latest and greatest artists as well as some old favourites, including Ting Phailavan, Touly, Lady, Secret, Boxer, Funny Girl and Easy...more

“Our studio, founded in 2003, has produced numerous albums by Lao artists, and greatly expanded the repertoire and diversity of our music scene. Our main objective is to continue to develop and promote local music and support aspiring young singers,” said the Director of Valentine Music, Mr Phoutthachanh Paphasala.

“During the past five years of hard work we have also been involved in many social activities, including holding concerts to support education, and the promotion of better health awareness amongst teenagers.”

“This is a great opportunity for us to gather together old and new singers, and there will also be some special surprises for concertgoers on the day.”

“This concert will unfortunately not be as big as last year, because we are currently very busy recording albums for some of our new artists, and working on a music contest that we plan to hold soon. Also a number of artists are busy with their exams and don't have the time for rehearsals,” explained Mr Phoutthachanh.

One of the latest albums released by Valentine Music is a VCD by Ms Bidasak Si-akkhaphom, also known as Touly, and the album, packed with pop-dance hits, is shaking up the local entertainment scene.

Her performance this Thursday will include many of the songs that have made her famous, including ‘Just Say Hi' - a popular love song on FM radio at present.

Ting Philavanh will also star in the Valentine's Day line-up, singing numbers from her second album ‘The Real Me', including the pacy ‘My Boy' and her emotional ballad Vao Ma Pheua Yang (Why did you say that to me?).

Other bands on the bill include Secret, Boxer, and Easy, who will contribute their harder style for local rockers, as well as a number of other surprises the company has in store for the crowd.

“Straight after the concert, on February 17, we will hold a song contest at the Talat Sao Shopping Mall, in which nine finalists will compete to become one of three selected best singers,” Mr Phoutthachanh said.

“These winners will work closely with our company and develop their voice and performance styles. We will then record and produce an album with them, after signing recording contracts, and together we will produce some more fantastic music for the public.”

By PHOONSAB THEVONGSA

Vientianetimes

(KPL) The Vice President of the Lao National Assemble, Dr. Xaysomphone Phomvihane, representing the Lao PDR, has announced the acception of Laos to host the 17th Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum in 2009.

Dr. Xaysomphone made his announcement at the recently ended 16th Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF), held on 20-24 January, in Oakland, New Zealand.
The participation of Lao National Assembly was in response to the inviation of the President of New Zealand Parliament and APPF, Ms. Margaret Wilson.
The forum drew representatives from 21 APPF member countries and nine observation countries...more info>>

The meeting adopted join-statement and 23 resolutions on politics, socio-economic affairs, and the c-operation between APPF member countries in the future.
The meeting also raised Korean penilsular, mines, and the situation in Middle-East, Iraq and South Asia.

Discussed at the meeting were also the negative impacts of climate change to the sustainable development, the impacts of energy sortage to both international and regional trade development.

Resolutions on preparing for response to the threats of natural disaster, epedemic diseases and the promotion of women’s participation in economic and politic areas, the management of fisheries in south Asia, water resource management, and human rights were also approved at the meeting.

Dr. Xaysomphone also paid a courtesy visit to the President of New Zealand Parliament and New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark. The Lao delegation also met foreigners to promote culture, tourism and investment in Laos.

Source: kpl

Indee Records, the most popular music industry in Laos, officially released their new artist, Nalin Daravong, to the public on 11th December 2007.

Young talented Narin, 19, is now studying at the faculty of Economic, National University of Laos. She loves singing and has been singing since she was very young for many occations. The most outstanding of her performance was during the "Close up music contest award 2006" where she had to compete with more than 100 contestants and she was the winner in that time.

Her first single album entitled "Wao Bar Bar" or "Why Do You Say That?" draws inspiration from modern punk, 90s alterna-pop, 50s rock and the music of the Caribbean. The song composers for this album was Lao producer "Mee Sourinthone" in collaboration with versatile Indee artists such as Aluna, Silvia, Tou and the Cells.



Info: ecom & Indee

China Southern to launch Guangzhou-Vientiane flight

China Southern Airlines will launch direct flight service between Guangzhou, capital of South China's Guangdong Province, and Vientiane of Laos from November 6.

This will be the only flight linking Guangzhou and Laos.

With the flight dubbed CZ3057, Airbus A319 aircraft will take off from Guangzhou at 8:50 a.m. every Tuesday and Friday, and reach Vientiane at 10:20 a.m. The returning flight CZ3058 will take off at 11:20 a.m. from Vientiane and arrive in Guangzhou at 14:40.

China Southern is one of the top three airlines in China. The other two are Air China and China Eastern Airlines.

Xinhua

Mr Vilasith Savath or Sith, 22, was announced as the first winner of the Mr Clear 2007 contest at Romeo nightclub in Vientiane on Sunday.

The event was held by the Unilever Thai Trading Ltd, a distributor of Clinic Clear Shampoo which held this event to select presenters and advertising models.

“I did not think I would win as there were so many smart-looking guys on the stage with me, but I just did my best,” Mr Sith said....more info >>

Vilasith, originally from Luang Prabang province, received a prize of 2.5 million kip, the Clinic Clear trophy 2007, a Clinic Clear gift set, and will become a promoter for the company for one year.



The runner up, Mr Santi Luangkhot or Dono, 17, was voted the Sexiest Man and received prizes worth 1.5million kip plus a Clinic Clear gift set.

The third place prize for the Most Active Man went to Mr Inthanousin Sivilaisak or Ai, 18, who received 1 million kip and a Clinic Clear gift set.



The Most Charming Guy was Mr Phongsathon Vongthavon or Billy, 20, while the Healthiest Man was Mr Vixayaphone Phoneseua or Gig, 22, and the Best Sportsman was Mr Phouttakon Bouttaveht or Ae, 25, each of whom received 600,000 kip and a Clinic Clear gift set.

The Manager of Clinic Clear Thailand, Ms Alounny Atsavalerthsak said, “The contest, entitled Mr Clear 2007 , represents the first time that we have held such a competition in Laos . The idea was to choose well-presented young men to appear in newspapers, magazines and on billboards advertising our products here.”




The organiser opened applications last month, over 50 people participated and six contestants were chosen to compete on Sunday.

The event opened with a showcase of breakdancing skills by dancers from the Lao Bangfai Breakdancing Club and was followed by a fashion show where six young men modeled sportswear and casual clothes.

During the evening there were many games, with the winners receiving company products as prizes.

The event also featured a mini-concert by artists from Indee Records including Modern Dance, Princess and LOG, who entertained the audience before the announcement of the winner.

The votes that decided the winner were 50 percent from the judging panel and 50 percent from the audience.

MORE PHOTOS*

By PHOONSAB THEVONGSA
September 04, 2007
Vientianetimes

An Italian Reality Show Programme, Donnavventura , sent a caravan driving through Vientiane yesterday to promote Lao traditions, culture and tourism.

The caravan arrived in Vientiane last Sunday with four Mitsubishi Tritons, driven by six Italian models from Donnavventura , who are here to promote Lao tourism.



“ Donnavventura is a famous programme in Italy , so the caravan will promote our tourism resources in the country when it is broadcast overseas,” President of Mitsubishi Motors in Vientiane , Mr Thinnakone Thongkham, said at the caravan press conference yesterday in Vientiane...more info and photos here...

He added that those six women had been selected from 40,000 hopefuls in Italy for the Donnavventura caravan. “It was a great opportunity to promote our country in Europe ,” he said.



The caravan started at Vientiane tourism resources in the centre of the city, such as the Patouxay monument and the That Luang stupa, before moving on to the Lao National Tourism Administration. The Mitsubishi Motor Company in Vientiane organised a special baci ceremony to welcome them.



“We started the caravan in early July, driving through Malaysia , Thailand , Myanmar , then here to Laos . We will continue on through Vietnam , Cambodia , Singapore , Indonesia , the Philippines and Brunei , ending the trip around October,” the Donnavventura caravan team leader, Mr Maurizio Rossi, explained.




Today the caravan is heading to the north of Laos to visit Luang Prabang province, then stopping in Oudomxay and Phongsaly provinces before driving into Vietnam .

“They will spend six days travelling in the north of Laos along road number 13, to record beautiful images of Laos for the reality show programme in Italy,” the Director General of the Press Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr Yong Chanthalangsy, said yesterday.





“We cooperated with the Lao National Tourism Administration to support the caravan because it will promote our tourism resources, especially making viewers aware that travelling in Laos is safe,” he explained.

BySouknilundon Southivongnorath
Vientianetimes
More photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/dkj_pdr/

Photo: Eager students with Arif Khan in Vientiane

A peaceful country and a popular tourist destination with a population of about six million, famous for its beautiful water falls and ancient Buddhists Temples, Laos was the home for an Olympic Solidarity course from 7th to 10th June 2007.

Led by Pakistan Arif Khan, organised under the auspices of the ITTF Development Programme and with an ITTF Level One Coaches course being the curriculum; a successful itinerary was completed in the Sports Hall of Laos National University in Vientiane... more info


Popularity
Table tennis is the third most popular sport in this country after football and badminton・ said Arif Khan. Olympic Solidarity and the International Table Tennis Federation have been doing a great deal to develop and popularise the sport in Laos; this was the fourth course that was arranged in the last four years.・br>
Enthusiasm
A total of sixteen coaches came from all parts of the country to attend this course. 鄭ll the coaches showed a lot of interest in learning everything about the game・ continued Arif Khan. 溺ost of the classes went on longer than scheduled owing to the enthusiasm shown by the coaches, as they tried to get more information; seven coaches out of sixteen passed the examination.・br>
Good Organisation
The enthusiasm motivated Arif Khan who clearly appreciated the efforts that had been made to run a successful programme.

The course was very well organised and all the facilities were excellent; this was all due to the efforts of Mr. Kasem Inthara the General Secretary of Laos National Olympic Committee and Mr. Phimmasone Vilaysouk General Secretary of the Laos Table Tennis Association・ continued Arif Khan. However, the person who really worked hard and made sure that everything ran smoothly was the untiring Miss Somchai Vongsa; she is not only the back bone of the national table tennis association but also the Deputy Secretary.

Positive Effect
Good organisation is the key to success and is having a positive effect in Laos.

典he Laos Table Tennis Association seems to be doing well in raising the standard of the game amongst the juniors; they recently hired a Chinese coach to train their junior players to prepare for the South East Asia Junior Table Tennis Championships which they are organising in Vientiane from 15th to 19th June 2007・ explained Arif Khan. 典hey will be sending their team to train for two months in China this year to prepare for the South East Asia Junior Table Tennis Championships which is going to be held in December.
However, the main focus at the moment is the South East Asia Games which Laos will organize in 2009 and are most certainly they will be hoping to end proceedings with a medal haul.

Thanks
There is a very positive attitude in Laos at the moment and the officials are thankful for the support given.

泥r. Phouthong Sengakhom the President of Laos Olympic Association, Miss Sengduen Lachanthaboun President of Laos Table Tennnis Association, Mr. Kasem Inthara General Secretary Laos Olympic Committee and Mr. Phimmsone Vilaysouk General Secretary Laos Table Tennis Association have very kindly told me to thank Olympic Solidarity and the International Table Tennis Federation・ said Arid Khan. 摘specially they asked me to thank Mr. Adham Sharara ITTF President and Mr. Glenn Tepper ITTF Development Manager for providing them the opportunity to develop the game in Laos.・br>
Seizing the Chance
The opportunity has been provided but Laos is making the most of the opportunity.

的t is through the efforts of Mr Adham Sharara and Mr Glenn Tepper that further growth is possible, thus the standard of play not only in the Vientiane region will improve but they will progress internationally・ continued Arif Khan. 擢urthermore, they hope that Olympic Solidarity and the International Table Tennis Federation will further extend their co-operation and will help provide technical assistance in organising the 2009 South East Asia Games successfully.

No doubt they will receive whatever support is needed but it would seem they have a very good organisation in Laos, and whatever help is afforded, however great or small, the 2009 South East Asia Games will be a success.

Source: www.ittf.com

France help Laos to prepare for francophonie ministerial meeting
(KPL) A French Development Agency (AFD) of France provided recently a grant aid worth 300,000 Euro or US$ 390,000 to the Lao PDR. This grant fund will be used for the installation of the light system in some important places and buildings in the Vientiane Capital.

The installation of light system in Vientiane is a part of the preparation for hosting the Francophonie Ministerial Meeting which is expected to be held in Vientiane on 19-21 November 2007. This is a final preparing meeting before the francophonie summit will be opened in Paris.

The hosting of this francophonie ministerial meeting is reflecting to the co-operation of Laos to the francophonie affairs.

A representatives from more than 60 countries worldwide are invited to take part at this meeting.

The assistance of France is considered as a big contribution for improving the Vientiane Capital.

The signing ceremony for the grant aid was held on 31 May at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs between Mr. Hiem Phommachanh, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and French Ambassador to Laos.

Source: kpl.net.la

A Singaporean student who believes that Asean schools should offer safe sex education as part of their teaching curriculum has won first place in the Young Speakers Contest in Vientiane .

According to an announcement of the judging committee of the contest, released on Tuesday at the Farewell Dinner for the Participants of the 9 th Educational Forum and Young Speakers Contest at the Cosmo Hotel in Vientiane , Ms Crystella Prathap, a Singaporean university student, took first place in the competition, receiving a cash prize of US$ 1,000.

Ms Prathap is a young student who strongly expressed her opinion that safe sex education would be the best way to reduce numbers of people in the region infected with HIV/AIDS.

She explained that when people know the way to prevent the disease, they apply that knowledge and avoid becoming infected with incurable diseases, according to a member of judging committee, the Acting Dean of the Faculty of Letters, Associate Prof. Dr Buasavanh Keovilay, one of the judges.

The judge said the first winner argued that Asian students should never be shy about talk about HIV/AIDS prevention....read more >>

“I asked the winner to talk about the fact that some people in Asean nations consider HIV/AIDS prevention a taboo issue in society. Does she think the introduction of such curriculum would encourage young people to have more love affairs?” she recalled.

The winner responded well, saying that since it was impossible to prevent young people from engaging in love affairs, the only way to is to tell them how to protect themselves, according to Dr Buasavanh.

“She answered that the curriculum will not encourage students to have love affairs but will tell them how to protect themselves from infection with HIV/AIDS,” she added, quoting the winner's answer.

The second and third places in the annual contest went to Filipino university student Mr Kikko Angelo Ramos, who received an award of US$500 and Singaporean university student Ms Ling Pei Shan, who received US$250.

The topic of the contest was “One Asean at the Heart of Dynamic Asia”. In the second round, contestants were given a different topic. Each had some time to prepare their presentation before they spoke in front of the judging committee.

Dr Buasavanh said that the Singaporean and Philippine contestants were advantaged among the students from other Asean nations because as they speak English as their official language, while students from other nations speak English as a foreign language.

“These students do not only speak English well but they also come up with critical thinking and vision,” she said.

Dr Buasavanh said that the Lao contestant was selected from among the best students in the English Department of the Faculty of Letters, but was shy about presenting her ideas in public and did not have a str ong vision.

She said Lao students needed to learn a lot about how to speak in public and how to present logical reasons to convince the public about what they believed in.

A member of the contest's organising committee, Dr Alongkone Saignaleuth said the National University of Laos had been a competitor in the contest since it began in 1997. A Lao student took second place in the contest two years ago in the Philippines , he said.

By Ekaphone Phouthonesy

The searching for the best Lao high school students nationwide in 4 respective subjects: Mathematic, Lao literature, Physics and chemistry was officially announced in Vientiane this week. To my surprise, the score of mathemetic had a very big jump between the first and third winners. This indicated that the level of mathematic in Laos is still far away from international standards. To view full results in Lao language, click here:.

*(ຂປລ):ກົມສາມັນສຶກສາ, ກະຊວງສຶກສາທິການ ໄດ້ປະກາດຜົນການ ແຂ່ງຂັນສອບເສັ່ງນັກຮຽນເກັ່ງ ວິຊາຄະນິດສາດ, ພາສາລາວ ວັນນະຄະດີຄັ້ງທິ XVIII ແລະຟິຊິກສາດ, ເຄມີສາດຄັ້ງທີ V ຊັ້ນມໍ6 ປະຈຳສົກຮຽນ 2006-2007 ຊຶ່ງໄດ້ມີການຈັດຕັ້ງການສອບເສັງ ລະຫວ່າງ 24-27 ເມສາ 2007 ຢູ່ທີ່ສະຖາບັນຄົ້ນຄວ້າ ເສດຖະກິດ ແຫ່ງຊາດ ນະຄອນຫລວງວຽງຈັນ ເພື່ອກະກຽມ ຄັດເລືອກເອົານັກຮຽນເກັ່ງໃນ 4 ວິຊາ ເປັນຕົວແທນເຂົ້າຮ່ວມ ການແຂ່ງຂັນໃນລະດັບປະເທດ ຊຶ່ງ ນັກຮຽນເກັ່ງ ໃນ 4 ວິຊາທີ່ສາມາດສອບເສັງໄດ້ປະເພດທີ I ຫາ ທີ III ລວມມີ 12 ຄົນຄື:

ປະເພດທີ I

ວິຊາຄະນິດສາດໄດ້ແກ່ ທ້າວ ວ່າມົວ, ນັກຮຽນຊັ້ນ ມສ ວຽງຈັນ ນະຄອນຫລວງວຽງຈັນ ໄດ້ຄະແນນ 9,5.

ປະເພດIວິຊາພາສາລາວ-ວັນນະຄະດີ ໄດ້ແກ່ ທ້າວ ໄຊຍະສິນ ພົມມະຈັນ, ນັກຮຽນຊັ້ນ ມສ ໂຮງຮຽນກ້າວໜ້າ ນະຄອນຫລວງວຽງຈັນ ໄດ້ຄະແນນ 8,7.

ປະເພດI ວິຊາເຄມີສາດ ໄດ້ແກ່ທ້າວ ເມັ່ງເລົ່າ ນັກຮຽນ ມ ປາຍ ໂຮງຮຽນໂພນສະຫວັນ ແຂວງຊຽງແຂວງ ໄດ້ຄະແນນ 8. ແລະ ປະເພດ I ພາກວິຊາຟິຊິກສາດ ໄດ້ແກ່ ທ້າວ ຄຳຈັນ ຊົ່ງ ນັກຮຽນ ມສ ສັນຕິພາບ ແຂວງຫລວງພະບາງ ໄດ້ຄະແນນ 7.

ປະເພດທີ II

ວິຊາຄະນິດສາດ ແມ່ນ ທ້າວ ດາທໍ ເພຍຫລວງ ນັກຮຽນ ມສ ຫລັກ 52 ແຂວງວຽງຈັນ ຄະແນນ 5,25.

ວິຊາພາສາລາວ-ວັນນະຄະດີ ທ້າວ ຈັນສະມຸດ ສາຍພາກພູມ ນັກຮຽນຊັ້ນ ມສ ໂຮງຮຽນຕົ້ນເຜີ້ງ ແຂວງບໍແກ້ວ ຄະແນນ 7,9.

ວິຊາເຄມີ ໄດ້ແກ່ ທ້າວ ວຽງໄຊ ມສ ສັນຕິພາບ ແຂວງຫລວງພະບາງ ເສັງໄດ້ຄະແນນ 7,

ວິຊາຟິຊິກສາດ ແມ່ນ ນາງ ອາລິຍາ ບູລົມ ນັກຮຽນ ມສ ສະຫວັນ ແຂວງສະຫວັນນະເຂດ

ປະເພດທີ III

ວິຊາຄະນິດສາດ ແມ່ນທ້າວ ເຊັ່ງວ່າງ ນັກຮຽນຊັ້ນ ມ​ໍປາຍ ໂພນສະຫວັນ ແຂວງຊຽງແຂວງ ໄດ້ຄະແນນ3,5.

ວິຊາພາສາລາວ-ວັນນະຄະດີ ແມ່ນນາງ ບຸນເຮືອງ ໂພສານ ມສ ໂພນໄຊ ແຂວງຈຳປາສັກ ໄດ້ຄະແນນ 7,3. ວິຊາເຄມີສາດ ໄດ້ແກ່ ນາງ ສາຍສຸລິທອນ ສໍປະເສີດ ມສ ສະຫວັນ ແຂວງສະຫວັນນະເຂດ ໄດ້ຄະແນນ 6,

ວິຊາຟິຊິກ ແມ່ນທ້າວ ວິລະຍຸດ ວົງສົມໄຊ ນັກຮຽນ ມສ ວຽງຈັນ ນະຄອນຫລວງວຽງຈັນ ໄດ້ຄະແນນ 5

ໃນລະຫວ່າງການສອບເສັງນັ້ນ ໄດ້ມີນັກຮຽນມັດທະຍົມເຂົ້າຮ່ວມໃນ 4 ວິຊາ ມີທັງໝົດ 68 ຄົນ ຍິງ 24 ຄົນ ທີ່ມາຈາກ 16 ແຂວງ ແລະ ນະຄອນຫລວງວຽງຈັນ.

ສຳລັບນັກຮຽນເກັ່ງປະເພດທີ I ຫາ III ສອບເສັງທີ່ໄດ້ຄະແນນແຕ່ 6 ຂຶ້ນໄປທາງກະຊວງສຶກສາທິການໄດ້ມອບທຶນພິເສດ ສາມາດເຂົ້າຮຽນຢູ່ມະຫາວິທະຍາໄລແຫ່ງຊາດ ໂດຍບໍ່ໄດ້ສອບເສັງຜ່ານ ແລະເສຍຄ່າຮຽນ ແຕ່ຜົນການສອບເສັງຈົບຊັ້ນມ 6 ທຸກວິຊາຕ້ອງໄດ້ ຄະແນນ 5 ຂຶ້ນໄປ./.

ຄັດຈາກຫນັງສືພິມປະຊາຊົນ

Photo: Kayak in Vang vieng, Laos.

(KPL) Tourism sector attracted over 1.2 million tourists last year, increased by 11% from the year before.

President of National Tourism Administration, Mr Somphong Mongkhonvilay said “2006 was another year the tourism sector has kept its constant growth.”
Last year, the revenue raised by tourism sector was US$ 173.2 million, equivalent to five percent of the national gross domestic product (GDP).
Forty-five tour companies were registered last year, while the number of guesthouses and hotels was increased by 17%. There are over 2,100 guesthouses and hotels nationwide.

“The constant growth of tourism sector in the recent years is due to the certain tourism promotion policy of the government,” said Mr Somphong. “The government has invested in the development of tourism infrastructure such as airports and roads accessing provinces and neighbouring countries. In addition basic facilities have been built to meet the demand of tourists.”
Laos has exempted visas for visitors from eight ASEAN member countries, and a non ASEAN country Japan.