It is a day for Laos when they beat the National football team of Cambodia for 6:2 and claimed the ticket to go to the next round of World CUP 2012 in Brazil.
The home side taking the lead on 19 minutes through Lamnao Singto. Laos went two-ahead just on the half-hour when lanky striker Khampheng Sayavutthi netted a header to put Laos level on aggregate and ahead on the away goals rule. But Cambodia came steaming back with a goal from Chin Chhoeurn to make it 2-1 on the stroke of half-time. Cambodia lead 5-4 on aggregate. 45 minutes to go.
Laos scored again 2 minutes into the 2nd half through Souliya Syphasay to make it 3-1 and 5-5 on aggregate, with Laos ahead on away goals, again. On 55 minutes Lamnao Singto grabbed his 2nd and Laos' fourth to go 4-1 ahead though if Cambodia score again, it will be all-square, on aggregate. Cambodia have scored a 2nd, through Kouch Sokumpheak on 75 minutes and though it's 4-2 to Laos it's 6-6 on aggregate, and away goals all square.
There's got to be more to come. In the extra time, 4 minutes into extra time and Laos stormed ahead, 5-2, through Visay Phaphouvanin, who replaced Lamnao Singto a minute before the end. More over, on 112 minutes Sysomvang Kanlaya, another sub, netted to make it 6-2 to Laos and to end Cambodia's World Cup hopes for another four years.
Next round, Laos will meet China! Don't forget to cheer for Laos again.
It would come as no big surprise if first place in the mathematics national primary school exam last month went to a student from Vientiane where there are more schools, better teachers and numerous modern facilities.
However, this year the accolade went to an eight year old girl from Oudomxay province.
Ms Aksone Vongsay studies at the modest Khamthoun Seuksa Primary and Secondary School in Xay district, where she is admired by teachers and her classmates for her attentiveness and dedication to her work.
Her most recent achievement at the national level brings a sense a pride to the whole school and to the wider population of Oudomxay province.
“She is hungry for knowledge and enthusiastically seeks answers whenever she has something on her mind,” remarked her mother, Ms Viengkhone Vongsay.
“She quickly understands things going on around her. She always asks how things work or what will happen if... Whatever's on her mind, she never hesitates to ask questions.”
According to her class teacher, Ms Anongchit Vongsamphan, Aksone is always in the top two students in the class - usually number one.
Incredibly, despite her young age, Aksone sometimes acts as a substitute teacher when the teacher is out of the classroom.
“Some students quickly forget what they have been taught but Aksone is just the opposite,” said Ms Anongchit.
Aksone not only shines in mathematics but also in other subjects, including general knowledge, literature and English.
The gifted child has been a good student ever since she began her preschool education.
Large towns like Vientiane, Luang Prabang and Savannakhet have a wide choice of both state and private run primary schools. However, the ability of students and teachers in Oudomxay schools is in no way inferior to their counterparts in the major urban areas.
Khamthoun Seuksa Primary and Secondary School uses modern methods to stimulate students' understanding and bolster learning.
As well as following the curriculum set by the Ministry of Education, teachers design lessons that match the real life situations of students, so that they appreciate their content and are eager to learn.
“When students are tired or bored I often talk about my life or something real that's happening in the world which relaxes them and gives them time for thought,” Ms Anongchit said.
“We often urge the children to talk about their lives and future dreams, which helps forge friendships between students and teachers.”
Aksone's only sibling is her younger brother who is also a top student in his class.
At a ceremony celebrating International Children's Day at the school on Monday, Aksone received several prizes including student of the school, best extracurricular student and, unsurprisingly, the top school prize for maths.
Her reward from the school is a scholarship which gives her free food and transport during the next academic year.
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:
New fashion show from Mahason magazine this month featured a Lao super model at the new train station in Vientiane. Click to enlarge the photos, and don't forget to leave your comments or suggestion here.
VIENTIANE, March 2 (Bernama) -- Vientiane expects some 800,000 tourist arrivals this year, compared with some 700,000 last year, Laos KPL news agency reported the Vientiane Tourism Service as saying.
"2009 saw slightly over 711,000 foreign tourists entering Vientiane, lagging behind the 2008's record by 88,049," Head of Vientiane Tourism Service, Khampadith Khemmanith told a press conference.
"The decline in the tourist number is due to the global economic recession, the political unrest in Thailand and the spread of A(H1N1)," he said.
However, investment in tourism over the last one year has been increased, especially in establishing tour operators and hotels.
Khemmanith said that the Tourism Service of Vientiane Capital has several projects to improve the tourism environment in Vientiane .
He also said that that the main tourism markets of Vientiane are the US, Canada, France, England, Germany, the Netherlands, Thailand, Japan, Australia, Malaysia, China and Vietnam.
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.
A five-star hotel and the first entertainment complex in Laos, which also includes a casino, was inaugurated recently in Savannakhet province.
The Savan Vegas Hotel and Casino, which is located on the entrepot and intersection of the West-East economic corridor, would make an important contribution to the socio-economic development in Laos central region, local officials said.
Construction of the $US50 million Savan Vegas-hotel project started in August 2007.
(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.
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.
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 Vientiane Urban Development and Administration Authority expects lighting in Vientiane to be improved in time for the city's 450th anniversary as the Lao capital.
Good street lighting and traffic lights can help reduce road accidents and theft as well as making Vientiane more attractive Municipal authorities are asking for more than 52 billion kip (US$6 million) to brighten up the streets of Vientiane ahead of the city's 450th anniversary as the Lao capital, in 2010...more>>
The Vientiane Urban Development Administration Authority (VUDAA) says the funds are necessary to modernise streetlights and traffic lights in the capital so equipment is standardised and regular maintenance can be carried out.
Major roads including Kaysone Phomvihane and Asean roads have been rebuilt, but street lighting has not yet been installed due to a lack of funds.
The authority also needs money to pay its electricity bills. Electricité du Laos bills the authority more than 100 million kip for street lighting each month and VUDAA has outstanding bills of more than six billion kip.
VUDAA Vice President, Mr Ketkeo Sihalath, said lighting improvements were one of six targets for the capital ahead of the anniversary. The other goals include enhanced security, cleanliness, green spaces, overall attractiveness and modernisation, all aimed at creating an aesthetically pleasing city.
Street lighting is essential in a town the size of Vientiane . In addition to reducing road accidents, streetlights also reduce the risk of theft and other crimes, Mr Ketkeo said.
He said there were not enough staff in his office to manage the daily workload and he asked for the public's help in informing the authority when streetlights and traffic lights malfunction.
Vientiane has four street lighting systems: automatic, switch-operated, solar powered and lights whose damaged cables have to be repaired manually.
Each system has its own problems. Lights that turn on automatically suffer from irregular electricity supply and power outages cause the system to reset the timing so the lights don't switch on when they should.
Another major problem is the shortage of spare parts. For example, the streetlights along Lane Xang Avenue near Patuxay are no longer being produced by the Chinese manufacturer. The company now produces a new model and no longer makes parts for older models.
“We need to change all of these lights so we know we can obtain spare parts for them,” Mr Ketkeo said.
Officials encounter similar problems when it comes to traffic lights. Mr Ketkeo said it was difficult to get new parts to replace faulty equipment.
Several traffic lights in the capital are out of action after being damaged in accidents. This is causing confusion and congestion at road junctions, which heightens the risk of accidents, especially now there are so many vehicles on the roads.
Mr Ketkeo said when traffic lights were broken it took a long time to repair them because it was difficult to obtain new parts. Yet again, the traffic lights installed in Vientiane were imported from China some years ago and the manufacturer is now producing a new model, so spare parts are difficult to find.
The traffic lights at the km 6 junction on Kaysone Phomvihane Road ceased to function three months ago when a vehicle ploughed into them and damaged the electrical system.
This has caused erratic traffic flow at the junction and VUDAA has asked Electricité du Laos to help repair the lights.
VUDAA wants to make public the difficulties it faces after hearing endless complaints from motorists about the damaged traffic lights.
Officials are well aware that when traffic lights are not working they pose a serious risk to motorists.
A resident of Xiengda village in Xaysettha district, Mr Mee, 32, said there were often accidents on Kamphengmeuang Road at night, especially at the junction with the road leading to Dongkhamxang Finance School.
He said last week he saw a motorbike hit a bicycle at about 7pm. The motorist told police he did not see the bicycle because it was too dark.
Mr Mee said there were street lights along the road but not all of them were switched on in the area where the accident occurred.
Last year 2,190 accidents were recorded in the capital, according to the Vientiane Traffic Police Department.
In the first six months of 2007 there were 1,191 accidents, but records for the same period in 2008 showed an increase to 1,296 incidents.
From January to June this year 274 accidents were reported in Sikhottabong district, the highest number recorded in any district of Vientiane.
Mr Ketkeo issued a call for assistance to help VUDAA achieve its goals.
“We want streetlights and traffic lights to be integrated into a modern system with a centralised switch. We also need to make sure we have spare parts so we can replace components when lights are broken,” he said.
“We are fairly confident we will achieve our goals ahead of the anniversary celebrations in 2010.”
Hard rock band, Cells, won four categories of the first Lao Music Awards, held at the National Culture Hall on Saturday.
The band took out the prizes for best album, most popular song and best rock song, and Cells' vocalist Athisak Rattanavong won best songwriter of the year.
Prizes were awarded in 14 categories. The most popular artist of the year was awarded to Ting Phailavanh, while Aluna Thavonsouk and Tone Aniluth won the best female and best male artist awards.
Other winners included Secret (best duo or group), Bidalak Si-akkhaphom, known as Touly, and Khannakhon Xayakham, known as Cream, (best new artist) and LOG song E-Yang Ka Dai (best hip hop or R&B Song)....more info>>
The best pop song was awarded to Khuam Houseuk Bok by Aluna Thavonsouk, best country song went to Khoy Nong Mayam by Bounleua Valideth and best folk song to Lam Siphandon by Viengphou Nounim.
Best song producer went to Soulinthon Khounsathon (known as Mee) and Manoxay Keonakhon (known as No).
The Lao Music Awards is the first event of its kind to recognise successful Lao songwriters, performers and producers.
The Ministry of Information and Culture's Fine Arts Department Acting Director General is Mr Xaysavath Singnamvong. He said he was proud to host the event and hoped it would promote the growth of art and culture in Laos , particularly the music scene.
“This will become an annual event and will help to raise the standard of the music industry in Laos to equal footing with the international entertainment scene,” he said.
Celebrations for the Lao Music Awards began at the National Culture Hall on Saturday morning and attracted more than 5000 people throughout the day and evening. Events during the day included games, activities and a music and dance competition.
The awards ceremony took place in the evening and artists walked a red carpet into the venue. It was broadcast live on Lao TV and featured performances by Tone Anilouth, Cells, Meduzia, LOG, Sam, Nalin, Aluna, Ting Phailavanh and B-Hero.
Organisers presented a special prize to Mr Sisana Sisane, to honour him for promoting Lao art and culture. Mr Sisana is a song writer and a past Minister of Information and Culture.
Winners in each category received a uniquely designed vintage record player incorporating the Lao national flower dok champa (frangipani), and gift sets from Tigo and Close Up toothpaste.
(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.
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.
A total of 14 awards will be presented at the first ever Lao Music Awards to be held on July 26 in Vientiane
Last Friday, a press conference was organised by Sengdara Communications at the Lao Plaza Hotel to announce the categories in which awards will be presented. The event was attended by the Acting Director General of the Fine Arts Department, Mr Xaysavath Singnamvong, and Vice President of the Lao Journalists' Association, Mr Somsanouk Mixay.
The press conference featured performances of the event's theme song performed in both pop and country music style and closed with a lucky draw for two air tickets to Malaysia .
The awards ceremony will promote the local music industry and acknowledge the wealth of quality Lao performers and their work...more info>>
“This will be the first ever event in Laos to recognise successful songs and artists, as well as those working behind the scenes especially song composers and producers,” said Sengdara Communications Director Viroun Sengdara.
“The awards ceremony will become an annual event and will help to raise the standard of the music industry in Laos to equal that of neighbouring countries,” Mr Viroun said.
“The establishment of the Lao Music Awards is in accordance with the government's policy to promote art and culture.”
Awards will be presented in 14 categories, including prizes for the best album, song, group, new artist, male and female artist, most popular artist and country or folk artist of the year.
Trophies will also be given for the best traditional Lao, pop, rock and hip-hop artists of the year. The best producer and composer of the year will also be honoured.
Winners in each category will receive a uniquely designed vintage record player or gramophone incorporating the dok champa (frangipani), the Lao national flower.
“Applications for the awards are open to all Lao artists. Entries will be accepted until May 15. A judging panel and the general public will then spend 10 days selecting the winners,” said Head of Office of Sengdara Communications, Mr Somsack Khandavong.
“A judging panel together with public votes will select four finalists in each category to appear at the awards ceremony, as well as selecting the winners on the night.
Members of the public can vote by sending an SMS through the Tigo network and by completing competition details on specially marked products offered by event sponsors,” Mr Somsack said.
The 2008 Lao Music Awards will be held at the National Culture Hall and will be broadcast live on Lao TV channels. People can obtain tickets to the event by purchasing specially marked products offered by event sponsors and following instructions on the packaging to receive tickets.
'Sabaidee'…First of all, I would like to ask all Thais out there for their love and support. My name is Lang-Sitthiprasert Kaewjaras. I am a 20-year-old from Laos, currently in my final year at the National University of Laos's Faculty of Economics. I am the only child in my family.
My dad is 66 years of age and his name is Dang Kaewjaras. He used to work at the Laos Ministry of Foreign Affairs before he resigned to work for Laos Airline. He has since retired. My mum, Sawatsri Kaewprasert, is now 59 years old and runs her own beauty salon. She hardly has any rest because she has so many customers!).
I never thought I would enter the entertainment business even though I had the opportunity several times in the past. I had a pretty straightforward childhood. My mum tells me I wasn't any trouble when she took me to the temple on Buddhist holy days. A lot of people came and talked to me when my mum took me out as I looked different, as if I were half-foreign...more news and photos>>
I think I am tall because I liked drinking milk. My mum says I hardly drank water, only milk and milk. She says that I drank several liters of milk a day. I was lucky to enjoy drinking milk, otherwise I would have been much shorter than this!
I never thought I would enter the entertainment business even though I had the opportunity several times in the past. I had a pretty straightforward childhood. My mum tells me I wasn't any trouble when she took me to the temple on Buddhist holy days. A lot of people came and talked to me when my mum took me out as I looked different, as if I were half-foreign.
I think I am tall because I liked drinking milk. My mum says I hardly drank water, only milk and milk. She says that I drank several liters of milk a day. I was lucky to enjoy drinking milk, otherwise I would have been much shorter than this!
The Lao Brewery Company (LBC) yesterday introduced their latest product, a new variety of beer named Lanexang, to provide beer drinkers with a wider selection.
“We have been making preparations and conducting market analysis for the release of this product since 2005, so today we're very pleased to announce another new product is ready for release,” LBC Senior Deputy Managing Director, Mr Sounthone Phommachack, said at a press conference to announce the product yesterday...more info>>
“The logo of our new beer pictures the head of an elephant. We're not concerned consumers won't recognise it as a Beerlao product just because it doesn't show our traditional tiger head logo. In fact we have plans to introduce other new products with logos featuring various national symbols,” Mr Sounthone said.
“We have ideas about introducing other products with names such as Mekong beer and That Luang beer, because these are very popular names in Laos .”
“We called the new beer Lanexang because historically Laos is referred to as ‘the land of a million elephants'. Our new product marks the company's achievement in operating for 35 years and also celebrates International Labour Day, which occurs on Thursday,” Mr Sounthone said.
The company also held a ceremony recently to mark the first sales of beer produced at its second factory, located in Nongveng village, Pathoumphon district, Champassak province. The first factory is situated at Km 12 on Thadeua Road in Hadxaifong district, Vientiane .
The company's two breweries are currently able to produce 200 million litres of beer annually.
Beerlao accounts for 99 percent of domestic beer sales and is exported to 12 countries.
The company contributes large amounts to the national budget, last year earning 500 billion kip for the government.
Well known Korean pop idols Paran melted spectators' hearts on Saturday at celebrations in Vientiane to mark the first anniversary of Tigo, a mobile phone operator.
The exciting concert took place at the Lao-ITECC in front of a crowd of more than 7,000 fervent spectators, with free games, activities and give-aways.
The concert kicked off with some of Vientiane 's top acts, such as Idols, Punky Dolls, LOG, Overdance, Moderndance, A Pact, Nalin, Aluna and Sam, and hard rock groups Uluvus and The Cells before the appearance of Korea 's grooviest band.
The audience raised their voices like a siren and the ground before the stage shook when Paran appeared for their provocative song and dance act, and greeted the audience with a burst of Lao...more info>>
The band played hit songs from their first two albums, such as Five Steps, First Love and others before the concert had to be stopped because of strong winds on stage.
Tigo staff gathered on stage to blow out candles on their birthday cake in between acts.
The name Paran (which means blue in Korean) is an acronym comprised of the members' stage names. The band has five singers: Joo Jong Hyuk also known as Ryan, Yang Seung Ho or Neo, Lee Soo In or P.O., Choi Sung Wook or Ace, and Kim Jae Sub or A.J., who also raps for the group. They are all aged between 15 and 23.
“We are so happy and exited, because this is our first time in Laos , and it is great to perform in concert to commemorate Tigo's first anniversary,” said Ryan at a media conference at Green Park Hotel on Friday.
The band's first album was entitled I Hold My Breath , and came out in September 2005. Their follow up release was called Beyond the Blue Sky , in September 2006.
“Since I've been here one night, I only have two impressions: one is that the weather here is better than in the Republic of Korea now, where it is still cold, but here it's neither very hot nor cold, which is more comfortable,” said Ace.
“Besides that, Laos still preserves a lot of its nature. I saw green mountains as our flight came across from Vietnam , and now I can also say that here it is peaceful and there is very little traffic.”
“Another thing is the warm welcome we're received from people here, especially the smiles of the Lao women which make me want to stay longer,” Ace said.
Before the band arrived in Laos they toured countries such as Thailand , Taiwan , Singapore , Vietnam and Indonesia .
This is the second time the Millicom Lao Company has brought a Korean band to Laos . In December they presented one of Korea 's most famous girl bands, Baby Vox Re.V, to perform in concert to welcome in the International New Year.
By PHOONSAB THEVONGSA Vientianetimes http://samakomlao.blogspot.com
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.
