Lao Voices

Many rice fields that covered the mountainous North of Laos are gone. They are steadily being replaced by rubber trees. The Chinese are coming to Laos and they need their rubber products for their galloping economy. It appears nothing can stop the ever growing Chinese machine that seems perpetually hungry for manufacturing products supplies.
The Chines [...]

Producers seek niche market for roasted coffee
The production of Lao coffee is projected to decline this year due to irregular rainfall, but exporters will focus on creating value added products and seek out foreign niche markets for roasted Lao coffee.
Last year 20,000 tonnes of coffee beans were grown, the highest yield ever in the history [...]

China assists Lao-Viet railway study
The Lao government is conducting a feasibility study for a proposed rail link from Vientiane to Thakhek district, Khammuan province, and on to Muya in Vietnam to connect to the Vietnam Railway Network, a senior official said yesterday.
A group of 12 Chinese technical staff came to Laos three weeks ago and [...]

Lao Airlines welcomes New Year with price hike
In the face of rising fuel prices, Lao Airlines is struggling to make a profit and has announced its intention to charge passengers more for domestic flights starting this month, according to company officials.
The company’s Deputy Director, Mr Ley Bounbandith, confirmed on Friday that the airline would raise [...]

World Bank says Laos more attractive to investors
The World Bank says Laos is now more attractive to investors due to new laws which make it easier to do business.
“Improvements to the financial sector’s legal framework through recently passed laws on commercial banking are attracting new investors to the banking sector and extending financial services more [...]

Europeans keen to join Lao tourism boom
More than 1,000 European visitors expressed an interest in Lao tourist attractions and handmade textiles at the International Tourism Berlin 2008 travel trade fair, according to tourism officials.
“Around 100 European businesses said they would be prepared to work with Lao tourist operators attending the fair, and also made inquiries [...]

There is no stopping now. The plan to develop a modern town at That Luang marsh is on the go.
Govt outlines plans for That Luang marsh development
Vientiane will match other Asean capitals when the That Luang marsh is transformed into a modern town.
Vientiane Mayor Dr Sinlavong Khoutphaythoune told Japanese and local journalists yesterday at the [...]

For those that are living in the US, flying to Laos in the future might be a lot easier. You won’t have to make stop in Taiwan, Thailand or other countries and can go straight to Wattay International Airport in Vientiane after making a stop in Japan.

Laos, Japan mull direct flights
Officials from Laos and Japan [...]

By now you will have noticed that something has seriously gone wrong in the US. Many banks have serious problems and are writing of billions of dollars in “bad loans” aka the “subprimal slime” . The most prominent recent example of that was Bear Stearns, a former triple A bank that fell down hard. The [...]

The Lao Traditional Food Festival of 2008 was also opened to foreign participants so there were a few booths from Thailand, displaying E-San food and products. Som Pa Thong or sour pickled fish was a big hit at the festival. Even my aunt in Vientiane bought some to try it out. When I called her [...]