Contest winners to promote mobile phone company

The Samart I-mobile Phone Company selected six teenagers to represent the company, during the final round of its I-mobile Star Challenge 2007 contest held in Vientiane on Sunday.

Twelve teenagers, from Luang Prabang province and Vientiane , took part in the contest.

The company launched the challenge in the last few months, calling for talented young people to participate in a contest to find dynamic young presenters. From the 12 finalists, six were selected to represent the company in commercial pitches on Thai television...more info and photos !!

Mr Vithaya Pholthisane came first, Ms Mayla-ong was the runner-up, Mr Inthanouxay Akhalath came third, and Ms Phetdavanh Duangvilay came fourth.







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Two others, Ms Yadmany Sivixay and Mr Inthanongsak, also received congratulatory prizes.

Most of the contestants will visit the company's headquarters, I-mobile by Samart Company (Sayam), in Bangkok, Thailand, to promote Lao traditions, culture and tourist attractions.

“The first thing they will do is visit the headquarters of the I-mobile phone company in Thailand . They will talk to the media as well as join in concerts with popular Thai singers Thaithanium and Amita Marie Young (Tata Young) in Bangkok from May 25-26,” Sayam International company chairman, Mr Sayam Ramasoot, said yesterday.

“We will promote Lao culture, traditions and tourist sites by airing footage taped of the many activities the contestants took part in before they reached the final round,” Mr Sayam said.

The company will encourage the winners to be good role models for Lao teenagers during their year long tenure.

“We will help them to reach their goals during the year. If any of them wants to become a singer or an actor, we will support them and promote them in Laos and Thailand ,” he explained.

The contest started at 7pm on May 20 at the International Trade and Exhibition and Convention Centre with a video of the activities the 12 contestants had attended in the run-up to the contest.

During the final round, the 12 finalists sang in musical dramas, performed song and dance routines and answered questions from the Master of Ceremonies.

“We spent a lot of money on the stage setting for each contestant. Various techniques for lighting and sound were brought in from Thailand so that the atmosphere suited the character of each performer,” Samart I-mobile Managing Director, Ms Suphitcha Ramasoot, said.

After the performance, local rock band The Cells were invited on stage to play their hit numbers, also popular in Thailand, such as Wan (Sweet), Khon Mue Song (Second Hand), Dee Kua Bor Mee Phai (Better than Nothing) and Leuk Leuk (Deep into My Heart).

The company also invited Thai singer Dom Pakonrum to perform, and he was warmly welcomed by local fans.

By Souknilundon Southivongnorath

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.