Champa Holiday #4

Vol 04 issue 04 champa holidays tour and guide inlao

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champa holiday Issue 04 March - April 2011

ປີໃໝ່ລາວ Pi Mai Lao New Year ສິລະປະມວຍລາວ Lao Martial Arts www.laoairlines.com www.champaholiday.com

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ສານຂອງທ່ານ ດຣ. ສົມພອນ ດວງດາຣາ ຜູ້ອຳນວຍການໃຫ່ຍລັດວິສາຫະກິດການບິນລາວ Message from Dr.Somphone DOUANGDARA President of Lao Airlines

ສະບາຍດີປີໃໝ່ລາວ!

ໃນທ່າມກາງບັນຍາກາດທີ່ປະຊາຊົນລາວ ທົ່ວທັງປະເທດກຳລັງເບີກ ບານມ່ວນຊື່ນກັບການສະເຫລີມ ສະຫລອງ ວຽງຈັນເປັນນະຄອນ ຫລວງ ຄົບຮອບ 450 ປີ ແລະວັນສະຖາປະນາ ສາທາລະນະລັດ ປະ ຊາທິປະໄຕ ປະຊາຊົນລາວ ຄົບຮອບ 35 ປີ ຊຶ່ງລັດວິສາຫະກິດ ການ ບິນລາວ ກໍໄດ້ມີສ່ວນຮ່ວມທີ່ສຳຄັນໃນການປະກອບສ່ວນຮັບໃຊ້ວັນ ສຳຄັນຂອງຊາດດັ່ງກ່າວຄຽງຄູ່ກັບການປັບປຸງແລະພັດທະນາສາຍ ການບິນແຫ່ງຊາດໃຫ້ເຂັ້ມແຂງ ເທື່ອລະກ້າວເພື່ອໃຫ້ຫຍັບເຂົ້າສູ່ ມາດຖານສາກົນ. ນອກຈາກນີ້ ລັດວິສາຫະກິດ ການບິນລາວ ກໍຍັງໄດ້ ຮັບພາລະໃນການຮັບໃຊ້ກອງປະຊຸມລັດພາຄີຄັ້ງທີ່ 1 ວ່າດ້ວຍການ ເກືອດຫ້າມລະເບີດລູກຫວ່ານ (ບອມບີ) ໂດຍໄດ້ຈັດຖ້ຽວບິນຮັບໃຊ້ ຄະນະຜູ້ແທນທີ່ໄປຢ້ຽມຢາມສະໜາມ, ກວດກາເກັບກູ້ລະເບີດທີ່ບໍ່ ທັນແຕກ ທີ່ແຂວງ ຊຽງຂວາງ. ຕັ້ງແຕ່ມື້ສ້າງຕັ້ງມາເຖິງປັດຈຸບັນ ພັກແລະລັດຖະບານ ແຫ່ງ ສປປ ລາວ ຍາມໃດກໍ່ໄດ້ເອົາໃຈໃສ່, ເປັນຫ່ວງເປັນໄຍຕໍ່ລັດວິສາຫະກິດ ການບິນລາວ ຊຶ່ງໄດ້ສະແດງອອກໃນການສະໜັບສະໜູນ ແລະ ອະນຸມັດໃຫ້ລັດວິສາຫະກິດການບິນລາວ ຈັດຊື້ເຮືອບິນໃໝ່ ຊະນິດ ATR72-500 ມາເພີ່ມ ເພື່ອຮອງຮັບງານສຳຄັນ ຂ້າງເທິງ ແລະເຮັດ ການບໍລິການການຂົນສົ່ງທາງອາກາດຂອງລັດວິສາຫະກິດ ການບິນ ລາວ, ຊຶ່ງລຳທີ່ 4 ກໍໄດ້ເດີນທາງມາເຖິງນະຄອນຫລວງວຽງຈັນໃນ ວັນທີ່ 24 ທັນວາ 2010 ທີ່ຜ່ານມາ. ມາຮອດມື້ນີ້ ລັດວິສາຫະກິດ ການບິນລາວ ມີເຮືອບິນ ຊະນິດ ATR72-500 ຈຳນວນ 4 ລຳ ແລະ MA60 ຈຳນວນ 4 ລຳ. ຂ້າພະເຈົ້າເຊື່ອໝັ້ນວ່າ ການນຳໃຊ້ເຮືອບິນໃໝ່ນີ້ ຈະເຮັດໃຫ້ລັດວິ ສາຫະກິດ ການບິນລາວ ໄດ້ຮັບຄວາມໄວ້ວາງໃຈ ແລະຄວາມເຊື່ອ ໝັ້ນຈາກຜູ້ໂດຍສານ ກໍຄືນັກທ່ອງທ່ຽວ ທີ່ໃຊ້ການບໍລິການຂອງ ສາຍ ການບິນພວກເຮົາ. ພວກເຮົາກໍຈະພະຍາມປັບປຸງຕົນເອງ ເພື່ອເຮັດ ໃຫ້ການບໍລິການຂອງພວກເຮົານັບມື້ດີຂື້ນ ເປັນກ້າວໆ ແລະຫວັງວ່າ ຈະໄດ້ຮັບການສະໜັບສະໜູນຈາກບັນດາທ່ານຫລາຍຂື້ນກວ່າເກົ່າ. ດັ່ງນັ້ນ ຂ້າພະເຈົ້າ ຂໍຕາງໜ້າໃຫ້ພະນັກງານ ແລະ ກຳມະກອນຂອງ ລັດວິສາຫະກິດການບິນລາວ ຂໍສະແດງຄວາມຮູ້ບຸນຄຸນ ມາຍັງທຸກ ທ່ານທີ່ເລືອກໃຊ້ການບໍລິການຂອງພວກເຮົາໃນທີ່ຜ່ານມາ ແລະ ໃນໂອກາດ ປີໃໝ່ລາວ ພ.ສ. 2554 ຂ້າພະເຈົ້າຂໍອວຍພອນໄຊ ອັນປະເສີດ ມາຍັງບັນດາທ່ານ ຈົ່ງມີແຕ່ຄວາມຜາສຸກ, ສຸຂະພາບ ເຂັ້ມແຂງ, ປະສົບຜົນສຳເລັດໃນໜ້າທີ່ການງານ ແລະສົມຫວັງໃນ ທຸກສິ່ງ ທີ່ທ່ານປາດຖະໜາ ຕະຫລອດປີໃໝ່ ນີ້ດ້ວຍເທີ້ນ.

Happy New Year!

This Lao New Year falls in the middle of the country’s celebrations of the 450th Anniversary of Vientiane Capital and the 35th Anniversary of the proclamation of the Lao Peoples’ Democratic Republic. Lao Airlines, the National Flag Carrier, is proud to have played an important role in serving these remarkable events of the country in parallel with the improvements and developments in moving closer to International Standards. Alongside this, Lao Airlines has provided services to the First Meeting of States Parties concerning the Cluster Munitions (bombies) by organising the delegates’ field trip flights to Xiengkhouang Province.

Since the establishment of Lao Airlines, the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party and the Government of Lao PDR have supported the airlines and have recently authorized purchase of the brand new ATR72-500 aircraft to add to it’s fleet. This will not only guarantee to service traveller’s needs, especially in light of this years combined celebrations, but also support future expansion of Lao Airlines. The fourth AT arrived in Vientiane on the 24th December 2010. At present Lao Airlines has four ATR72-500’s and four MA0 aircraft.

I believe that the airline operations, with the increased fleet, will render Lao Airlines more confident in the market place.

We will endeavour to improve ourselves and hope to get support from all our loyal and trusted passengers. On behalf of Lao Airlines staff and workers we would like to express our gratitude to all of you for choosing our services and on the occasion of Lao New Year, may I wish you happiness, health, and success for the forthcoming year.

ສາລະບານ

Contents

8 Pi Mai in Luang Prabang 16 “Sabaidee Pi Mai” Lao New Year ສະບາຍດີປີໃໝ່ລາວ 8

18 Lao Food what’s that?

Finger Food - a typical fun way to enjoy food at leisure

21 The Ancient Art Of Lao Boxing 26 Sustainable Development with Renewable Energy ພັດທະນາ ແບບຍືນຍົງ ກັບ ການນຳໃຊ້ ພະລັງງານໃຫມ່ 16

30 Clean Drinking Water ນ້ຳດື່ມສະອາດ 36 Into the wild on a day trip!

38 Phou Khao Khouay 42 ສານຝັນໃຫ້ເປັນດາວ 44 Comings and New Horizions - Lao ຄົນລາວຢູ່ຕ່າງແດນກັບຄືນມາເຮັດທຸລະກິດ

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52 Do’s & Don’ts in Laos

Lao AIrlines In-Flight Magazine EXECUTIVE ADVISER: MR. SOMPHONG MONGKHONVILAY MR. SOUKASEUM PHOTHISANE DR. SOMPHONE DOUANGDARA MR. SOMSANOUK MIXAY MR. CHANTHY DEUANSAVANH Editor-in-Chief: Mr. Soukhee Norasilp Proof editor: Mr. somsouk souksavath Executive Editor: Inphom Deuansavanh English Editor: CJ Jenkins PROJECT MANAGER: ALEXander olsen Graphic Designer: Phitsamai Chanthaboury Xayaphone Thesavong transalation: thanongsak vongsakda PHOTOGRAPHER: Inphom Deuansavanh XAYKHAM Account-Finance: Khounkham Chanthaboury Executive Marketing: Jeppe Bauer Carlsen

jeppe@insmai.com

Marketing & Creation By: insmai Creative Communication Tel/Fax: (856-21) 223590 info@insmai.com | www.insmai.com Owner & Publisher: Inter Media Lao Co.ltd Tel/Fax: (856-21) 480947 intermedia_laos@gmail.com under license of Lao Airlines Lao Airlines Head Office: 02 Pangkham Rd, Xieng Gnune Village, Chanthaboury District, Vientiane, Lao PDR Tel : (856-21) 212051-54, 212016 Fax: (856-21) 212056, 212058 info@laoairlines.com www.laoairlines.com

Editor’s note Dear Readers, The Fourth Champa Holiday Magazine is concurrently being distributed during the Lao New Year, the year of the rabbit, the king of the victors.

There are also two remarkable events taking place; the IX congress of the Central Party and the VII election for the People Assembly Members which will bring in immense advantages to the country.

The tourism conference under the designated title; ’’The Mekong Tourism Forum 2011’’ will be organized on 2728th April 2011 at Champasak Grand Hotel in Pakse, the capital city of Champasak Province. This is also a key event. To be the host country and to have the chance to highlight the ecotourism efforts in the southern province of Laos is both an honour and a great opportunity for our country.

In the previous issue some mistakes were made. Please see below a list of these. We are constantly improving our magazine and endeavour to provide true and correct information. We are sorry for any confusions and misinterpretations that were made. The first errors were (1) The first flight was on the 19th January 1976, (2) the first Captain was Southara Phongkhamphim and (3) the first plane was AN-26 which registered in XW-TCC Along with the coming New Year, we would like to convey our best wishes to our readers as well as the domestic and foreign passengers who use Lao Airlines. Good luck, be vigorous and enjoy the prosperity of your lives.

Thank you and look forward to meeting you in the next issue, Editor in chief Soukkee Nolasilp

ບົດ ບ.ກ ທີ່ຜູ້ອ່ານທີ່ນັບຖື ຈຳປາໂຮລິເດ ເປັນສະບັບທີ 4 ກໍພໍດີປະຈວບເໝາະກັບ ໄລຍະຂອງປີໃໝ່ລາວ ປີກະຕ່າຍ ປີແຫ່ງມະຫາໄຊ. ມີເຫດ ການໃໝ່ ເ ກີ ດ ຂຶ້ ນ ໃນປີ ໃ ໝ່ ປີ ເ ຖາະນີ້ ຫຼ າ ຍເຫດການເຊັ່ ນ : ກອງປະຊຸມໃຫ່ຍຄັ້ງທີ IX ຂອງພັກ, ການເລືອກຕັ້ງສະມາ ຊິກສະພາປະຊາຊົນ ຊຸດທີ VII ຊຶ່ງເປັນຜົນງານໃຫ່ຍໆໃນປີ ມະຫາໄຊນີ້ດ້ວຍ. ກອງປະຊຸມການທ່ອງທ່ຽວ ພາຍໃຕ້ຫົວຂໍ້ວ່າ’’Mekong Tourism Forum 2011’’ ທີ່ຈະຈັດຂຶ້ນໃນ ວັນທີ 27-28 ພຶດສະພາ 2010 ນີ້ທີ່ໂຮງແຮມຈຳປາສັກແກຣນ ເມືອງ ປາກເຊ, ແຂວງຈຳປາສັກ ກໍ່ເປັນອີກເຫດການໜຶ່ງທີ່ເປັນ ເຂດໝາຍແຫ່ ງ ມີ ຄ ວາມພ້ ອ ມໃນການເປັ ນ ເຈົ້ າ ພາບ ແລະ ໂຄສະນາແຫຼ່ງທ່ອງທ່ຽວທີ່ເປັນທຳມະຊາດທີ່ອຸດົມ ສົມບູນຂອງແຂວງພາກໃຕ້ຂອງລາວເຮົາ. ໃນສະບັບທີ່ແລ້ວນີ້ມີການຜິດພາດທາງດ້ານເຕັກນິກບາງ ປະການຂອງເຮືອບິນ ແລະ ນັກບິນຖ້ຽວບິນປະຖົມມະເລີກ ໃນ ວັນທີ 19 ມັງກອນ 1976 ນັ້ນ ຄວາມຈິງແມ່ນແນວນີ້ (1) ນັກບິນຄົນທຳອິດຄື Captian ສູນທະລາ ປ້ອງຄຳພິມ (2) ເຮືອບິນລຳທຳອິດ ຄື ເຮືອບິນອານ 26 (AN-26) ທະ ບຽນ XW-TCC ຂໍອະໄພໃນຄວາມຜິດພາດ. ໃນລິຖີປີໃໝ່ນີ້ຂໍອວຍພອນໄຊບັນດາທ່ານຜູ້ອ່ານ ແລະ ຜູ້ໂດຍສານທັງຫຼາຍທັງພາຍໃນ ແລະ ຕ່າງປະເທດທີ່ໃຊ້ບໍ ລິການ ບໍລິສັດ ການບິນລາວ ຈົ່ງປະສົບແຕ່ໂຊກດີ ມີສຸຂະ ພາບແຂງແຮງ ຮັ່ງມີລ້ຳລວຍທຸກຖ້ວນໜ້າປະກອບໄປດ້ວຍ ອາຍຸ ວັນນະ ສຸຂະ ພະລະ ດ້ວຍເຖີນ. ຂໍຂອບໃຈພົບກັນໃໝ່ສະບັບໜ້າ ໂດຍຄວາມນັບຖື ບ.ກ ສຸຂີ ນໍຣະສິລປ໌

ວາລະສານຂອງການບິນລາວ ຄະນະທີ່ປຶກສາ: ທ່ານ ສົມພົງ ມົງຄົນວິໄລ ທ່ານ ສຸກກະເສີມ ໂພທິສານ ທ່ານ ດຣ ສົມພອນ ດວງດາລາ ທ່ານ ສົມສະນຸກ ມີໄຊ ທ່ານ ຈັນທີ ເດືອນສະຫວັນ ຫົວຫນ້າບັນນາທິການ: ທ່ານ ສຸຂີ ນໍຣະສິລປ໌ ບັນນາທິການພິສູດອັກສອນ: ສົມສຸກ ສຸກສະຫວັນ ບັນນາທິການບໍລິຫານ: ອິນພົມ ເດືອນສະຫວັນ ບັນນາທິການພາສາອັງກິດ: ຊີເຈ ເຈັນກີນ ຫົວຫນ້າໂຄງການ: ອາເລັກຊັນເດີ ໂອນເຊີນ ອອກແບບ ແລະ ຈັດຫນ້າ: ພິດສະໄຫມ ຈັນທະບູລີ ໄຊຍະພອນ ເທສາວົງ ຈັດທຳການແປ: ທະນົງສັກ ວົງສັກດາ ຖ່າຍພາບ: ອິນພົມ ເດືອນສະຫວັນ ໄຊຄຳ ບັນຊີ-ການເງິນ: ກຸນຄຳ ຈັນທະບູລີ ຜູ້ຈັດການ ຝ່າຍການຕະຫຼາດ: ເຈພີ ເຢຍເປີ ຄາຣເຊັນ jeppe@insmai.com ການຕະຫຼາດ-ໂຄສະນາ ແລະ ສ້າງສັນ: ອິນສະໄຫມ ການສື່ສານທີ່ສ້າງສັນ, ໂທແຟັກ: (856-21) 223590 info@insmai.com | www.insmai.com ເຈົ້າຂອງ ແລະ ຜູ້ຈັດພິມ: ບໍລິສັດ ອິນເຕີ ມີເດຍ ລາວ ຈຳກັດ ໂທແຟັກ: (856-21) 480947 intermedia_laos@gmail.com under license of Lao Airlines ສຳນັກງານໃຫຍ່: 02 ຖະຫນົນປາງຄຳ, ບ້ານຊຽງຢືນ ເມືອງຈັນທະບູລີ, ນະຄອນຫຼວງວຽງຈັນ ໂທ : (856-21) 212051-54, 212016 ແຟັກ: (856-21) 212056, 212058 info@laoairlines.com www.laoairlines.com

ITINERARIES

LAOS

Pi Mai

in Luang Prabang Age-old traditions and lavish pageantry

By Somsanouk Mixay

Pi Mai, the Lao New Year, is celebrated in a joyous atmosphere all over the country. But nowhere else does it involve so many age-old traditions and colourful pageantry like in Luang Prabang, the World Heritage city in Northern Laos.

Luang Prabang, a rather quiet and serene town for most of the year, becomes bustling with excitement when April comes.

People are busy cleaning their houses and puttingthe finishing touches to the decoration of the city. Students of the Fine Arts School make a fibre glass animal which is mounted to the procession float of Nang Sangkharn, the New Year Lady.

In temples, novices clean the Vor, the golden palanquins in which abbots of the temples are carried in the processions.

Pou Nyer, Nyar Nyer and their lion cub Singkaeo-Singkham are at the centre of the ceremonies. Pou Nyer and Nyar Nyer are the masks of the legendary ancestors of the Lao people.

Legend goes that, at the beginning of time, a huge vine obscured the earth so that people could not grow rice and vegetables and men and animals faced inevitable death.

King Khun Boulom asked an old couple to cut the vine that nobody was able to get rid of. Knowing that they would certainly be crushed to death by the falling vine, the old couple requested the following generations to remember them.

That is the reason why, in Luang Prabang, before people do anything, they would invite the ancestors to join by saying: Ma Nyer! Kin Nyer! (Come, Nyer! Eat, Nyer!)

The masks of Pou Nyer Nyar Nyer, which are kept in chests in Hor Thevada Luang (Sanctuary of the Great Divinities) at Vat Aham, near Vat Vixun, are invited to come out of their boxes to join Pi Mai celebrations. Each mask is worn by a young man while that of Singkaeo-Singkham, the lion cub, needs two men.

The ancestors and their lion cub perform several duties during the Pi Mai celebrations. First, they must go and fetch water at a spring on the bank of the Nam Khan River, called Bor Nam Kaeo (Spring of Crystal Water). That water, brought in procession in small earthen jars, will be poured by Pou Nyer and Nyar Nyer on Pha Bang, the sacred Buddha image, on the second day of the New Year. The ancestor’s masks participate in the two processions called Hae Nang Sangkharn and Hae Vor. When the first procession, starting from Vat Maha That, also known as Vat That Noi arrives at Vat Xiengthong, the masks will dance there for the prosperity of the nation.

When the second procession, starting from Vat Xiengthong arrives at Vat That Noi, the ancestors will dance; again for the prosperity of the Lao people. Pi Mai celebrations, this year, last from April 14 to April 17. April 14 is the last day of the outgoing year of the Tiger.

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Early that day, there is a traditional market on the city’s main street, stretching from the Kaysone Phomvihane Memorial Park and That Luang Grounds to the Hong Saerk Sports Club and Phousi Hotel crossing. All kinds of handicrafts will be on sale on both sides of the street. But two items are very popular: animals and banners. Animals, including birds, fish, turtles and snails are bought and then released into nature.

This act of giving freedom and life is believed to bring about merits to those who perform it.

Colourful vertical banners depicting mythical animals of the Lao zodiac will be used to decorate sand stupas to be built in the afternoon on the other side of the Mekong River.

Starting at one o’clock, an uninterrupted ballet of pirogues bring revelers across the river to Had Sai Moungkhoun, a sand bank facing Luang Prabang. There, they build sand stupas, which they decorate with the banners. It is believed that each grain of sand delivers the devotees from a sin.

At the same time, a Baci is performed for guests attending the event and traditional sports games are organised on the sand bank. People can visit temples on the right bank of the Mekong River, like Vat Chomphet, Vat Long Khoun and the cave at Vat Tham.

The next day (this year, April 15) is called Mue Nau. This is a special day, which belongs neither to the outgoing year nor to the new year. Nobody should work or sleep during this day.

Hae Vor, the Procession of the Palanquins, is now more commonly known as Hae Nang Sangkharn, (Procession of the Goddess of the Year). This procession derives from a very old legend, that of Phanya Kabilaphom.

The seven daughters of Phanya Kabilaphom symbolise the seven days of the week. Each girl rides her own animal and holds her own regalia. Nang Sangkharn is always the girl representing the last day of the outgoing year. The last day of the year of the Tiger being Thursday (14 April), Thursday girl is Kilini Thevi. She rides an elephant. This year’s animal is the Rabbit. Nang Sangkharn was selected among the most beautiful girls of Luang Prabang in a beauty contest style election involving several stages.

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On New Year’s day (this year, April 16), early in the morning, people in their traditional silk dresses and ritual scarves, holding silver bowls and rice boxes, perform Takbaat, the offering of food to monks. Hundreds of monks and novices in saffron robes from all the temples of the city walk in a single file along the streets and devotees place offerings including glutinous rice and sweets in their alms bowls. After Takbaat, lay people climb Phousi, the sacred hill in front of the Palace Museum. They place small rice balls along the staircases and pray at the stupa on top of the hill, which is the foundation stone of the city of Luang Prabang.

Baci ceremonies are organised in most of the homes to wish members of the family and friends good health, happiness and prosperity. Young people perform the Khailava Somma rite, which consists in asking the elder members of the family to forgive them their shortcomings. In hotels and guesthouses, the management also organise Baci for their guests. In the afternoon, the second procession takes place, starting from Vat Xiengthong and proceeding back to Vat Mahathat, or Vat That Noi. In the evening, the Naga, a mythical giant serpent who is the protector of Luang Pra-

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bang, accompanied by hundreds of schoolchildren holding lamps will wind its way down from the top of Phousi Hill to the pond in the Palace Museum where it will rejoin the Nagi and procreate for the prosperity of the country.

On the second day of the New Year (this year, April 17), the Pha Bang Buddha image is taken in a solemn procession from the Museum to nearby Vat May Souvannaphoumaram.

When the statue is installed at Vat Mai, Pou Nyer and Nyar Nyer, the legendary ancestors of the Lao people, are the first to pour scented water on it, followed by dignitaries and the people. The statue will stay three days at Vat May to be worshipped by devotees before being brought in another procession back to the Museum.

In the evening of this day, one episode of Phalak Phalam, the Lao version of the Ramayana, will be performed on the grounds of Vat Mai. After that, several dozens of Nang Kaeo, celestial deities, will perform a 14th century dance for the people.

Water, symbol of purity and renewal

Water plays an important role in Pi Mai celebrations. Houses are cleaned and washed. Buddha images are taken down from family altars to be washed and then sprinkled with scented water by all members of the family during the three days. At each temple, some Buddha images are put in small pagodas in the court so that people can pour scented water on them.

The sacred image of Phabang is brought in a solemn procession from the Museum (former Royal Palace) to nearby Vat Mai Souvannaphoumaram where Pou Nyer and Nyar Nyer, the legendary ancestors of the Lao people, the dignitaries and all people pour scented water on the most venerated statue. In every home, younger members of the family respectfully pour water on the hands or their parents and grand parents in homage and to wish them happiness and longevity. Among young people it is customary to splash water on one another. This is rather pleasant as April is the hottest month of the year.

Baci to wish everyone a Happy New Year On New Year’s Day, in almost every family, people gather for the Baci or Soukhuan ceremony. Baci ia a reminiscence of Brahmanism and Animism.

It is believed that the main parts of the human body are inhabited by Kwan or spirits. In some circumstances, some of those 32 or more spirits may leave the body to wander around and get lost in the universe, thus causing you to become weak and vulnerable to dangers and illnesses. It is therefore important to call those spirits back so that you would retrieve your own self again. This typical Lao ceremony is performed on important occasions in life such as births, weddings, before traveling, convalescence or after the death of a relative and also to welcome important guests.

As participants are seated on the floor, around a tray of flowers and sweets, a celebrant, most of the time a former monk, starts the ceremony with Buddhist prayers and then calls all the spirits back through poetic incantations. Then, participants tie a white cotton thread around one another’s wrist wishing him or her all the best, especially Anyu (longevity), Vanna (beauty), Sukha (health) and Phala (strength) to overcome all dangers. Baci is always followed by a meal.

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The Kabilaphom enigma

Phanya (Lord) Kabilaphom was a Demigod. He was omniscient and powerful. One day, he vas very upset when he heard that a young scholar, Thammabarn Koumarn, the son of a rich merchant who had studied abroad, had acquired universal knowledge including the language of birds. The Demigod summoned the young man to his palace to put to him an enigma. “Where is a man’s Rasi (aura) in the morning, at noon and in the evening?” he asked. If within seven days, he fails to find the answer, he will be beheaded. But if he finds the answer, the Demigod accepts to be decapitated.

After looking through all his books and consulting all eminent scholars in vain, Thammabarn Koumarn was prepared to die.

He went into the forest and lamented under a tree. Suddenly he heard a couple of vultures chatting over his head. As he understood the language of birds he listened carefully to the conversation. “Where and what to eat?” the she-vultures asked. “Don’t worry”, the male said, “we shall feast on Thammabarn Koumarn’s body as he will be beheaded because he cannot answer Phanya Kabilaphom’s enigma”. “Is the enigma that difficult?” the female asked. “Not at all. In the morning the Rasi of man is in his face because the first thing he does when he wakes up in the morning, is wash his wash his face. At noon, it is in his breast as he sprinkles water on it to fight the heat. In the evening, he washes his feet before going to bed”.

On hearing that, Thammabarn Koumarn jumped for joy and rushed to Phanya Kabilaphom’s palace to give the answer.

The Demigod recognized his defeat and accepted to be decapitated. But then, there was a big problem. As he was a powerful divinity, his head, if thrown on the earth, would scorch the whole world; if thrown in the water, all rivers would boil and all fish would die. If thrown into the air, the atmosphere would burn so no being would be able to breathe. That would be the end of the world.

Mr. Somsanouk Mixay has published a book on Luang Prabang and its legends and culture. It is available in bookstores throughout Laos 13

With magnanimity, Phanya Kabilaphom proposed a solution: his head should be placed on a golden tray by his seven daughters and deposited in a profound cave. Once a year, it should be taken out of the cave and carried in processions.

That is why, each year, during Pi Mai, the seven daughters of Phanya Kabilaphom solemnly escort their father’s head on a float in two lavish processions, followed by the whole people of Luang Prabang.

Phanya Kabilaphom’s daughters symbolize the seven days of the week. Each girl rides her own animal and holds her own regalia. Nang Sangkharn is always the girl representing the last day of the outgoing year. The last day of the year of the Tiger being Thursday (14 April), Thursday girl is Kilini Thevi. She rides an elephant. This year’s animal is the Rabbit.

Pou Nyer and Nyar Nyer are the legendary ancestors of the Lao people.

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ປີໃໝ່ລາວ ໄປທຽ່ວວັດ,

ສົງພະ, ຂໍພອນ

ປະເພນີອັນງົດງາມ ຂອງລາວເຮົາ

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ຂໍໃຫ້ພອນຈາກຟ້າ ອາຍຸຍົງຍືນຍາວ ຄວາມຜາສຸກໃຫ້ມາທ້ອນ ສຸຂະພາບ..ພາລານະໄມ ປະສົງແມ້ງທຸກປະການ

ລົງມາສູ່ຊາວລາວ ໝື່ນວະສາບໍ່ມີຮ້ອນ ຄວາມຈະເລີນໃຫ້ມາກ່າຍ ໃຫ້ສຸກໃຈແຈ່ມແຈ້ງ.... ແທ້ແລ້ວ

ມອບແດ່ຊາວລາວຢູ່ທົ່ວທຸກມູມໂລກຈົ່ງມີແຕ່ຄວາມສຸກ ຄວາມສະບາຍປາດຖະນາສິ່ງໃດຂໍໃຫ້ ສົມຫວັງທຸກປະການ... ໂຊກດີປີໃໝ່ ແລະ ຕະຫລອດໄປ...

ຖ່າຍພາບໂດຍ: ອິນສະໄຫມ ການສື່ສານທີ່ສ້າງສັນ ນາງແບບ: ອິນທິຣາ ເດືອນສະຫວັນ ສີລິລັກ ຫມືນກິດຕິລາດ Photography by insmai Creative Communication Models: Inthira Deuansavanh Sililak Mounkitthirath

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Introduction

Kin Khao – ‘eat rice’ is the daily celebration of life, and the way of cooking what you ‘eat with rice’ – kin kap khao – reflects the Lao attitude to life : Simplicity Three rocks, some firewood and a pot will do the trick, and a mortar and pestle would come in handy. Ah, and a steam pot and bamboo basket!

You buy fresh in the market what has been newly gathered and caught along the rivers, in the fields and in the jungle vegetables, leaves, herbs and fish. Whatever livestock runs around the house yard makes for a feast.

Bamboo skewers grill things on the fire while banana leave wrappings roast food in the hot ashes or steam it in the bamboo basket; the pot cooks soups and stews, and fries the odd meat. Mortar and pestle pound roots and spices, chilli pastes and the life sustaining papaya salad; and the steamer and basket makes a home for it all with sticky rice.

With few tools and some herbs the Lao know to magically produce culinary delight, finelybalanced in flavour, varied in preparation, all of it ultra healthy - light and fresh.

Cooking and life - simple, immediate, receiving the abundance of nature with humility. Every meal is Thanksgiving, an auspicious and merry occasion blessed by the presence of family, friends, neigbours and colleagues … or you as the guest, anytime.

Where does this leave you?

Venture on foot or by kayak into the deep countryside for a ‘homestay’, eat in the local street stalls or bypass exercise and culture shock and go adventuring at a restaurant dedicated to serving Lao food in style.

Where daily meals are ‘ingenuity in simplicity’ – sticky rice, a chilli dip, something grilled and something boiled, all of which is accompanied by mountains of fresh herbs – festive occasions justify the extra effort to produce some of the Lao signature dishes to be featured in this magazine’s next issues together with everyday fare for healthy sustenance : Copyright © Vincent Fischer-Zernin 2010

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2.

Finger Food - a typical fun way to enjoy food at leisure Pan Mieng - Pan means to form a

cup made of a salad or cabbage leaf with your fingers. while mieng is the name for the way this assortment is presented and subsequently eaten .

Family members, friends and guests joining in the meal wrap pieces of grilled fish, sausage or any meaty bits on hand in a leaf or a in thin rice paper sheet soaked in water.

To this pan add pickings from the keuang kiang - mint, spring onion, peanuts, chilli, garlic, shallots, star fruit, ginger, lemon grass, white rice noodles - crispy pork skin for fish - round eggplants and whatever waiting to be smothered by a sauce (jeow).

Proceed to pop this little package into your mouth - one bite different from the next. This languorously extends the mealtime to allow for talk and gossip to pass the time of the day in a most leisurely and convivial atmosphere.

The typical jeow is a dip made of pineapple, chillies and garlic, tamarind paste and fermented fish, sugar and salt.

Pan Mieng ‘Pa’

(fish) is the most common version given the number of rivers in Laos which, as the providers of fish, are the principal source of protein for people’s daily diet; it’s available in abundance and inexpensive - go fishing.

The most popular fish nowadays is Pa Nin (an import, admittedly - tilapia - thanks to one Cleopatra) ever so easyly raised in floating water farms up and down the Maekong.

The meat is firm with a pronounced flavour and a bone structure that accommodates amateurs.

Push an honest stalk of lemon grass down its throat, coat it with a generous layer of coarse salt and ... well, grill it ... slowly and gently.

Yoh Khao, that’s ‘wrapped rice’ according to the country of origin, Vietnam, or ‘spring rolls’ to you and me, like in spring - like in fresh. Basically it is any kind of mixed salad minus dressing rolled up in soft rice paper and eaten as finger food. It is served with some out of this world sweet & sour peanut or fruit & honey sauces. For choice you may want to add glass noodles, sliced omelette, minced pork or smoked salmon.

The greasy fried kind has no place in Lao cooking though tourists love them, in flagrant contradiction to their name!

See you for the next issue

Lao Cooking & The Essence of Life - the book

by Xaixana Champanakone is available at Monument Books in Vientiane, Luang Prabang and Pakse or online at tropicaldesignfz. net/book

Khop Chai Deu, located next to the Fountain in the center of Vientiane, serves all these exotica in a very cosmopolitan way; here you only have to be adventurous enough to use your fingers and Go For It.

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Muay Lao is an ancient form of martial arts, closely related to Muay Thai. Some would say they are exactly the same.

Muay Lao however, is widely regarded as being the more ancient and closer to the original form.

ມວຍລາວ ແມ່ນສິລະປະ ແຫ່ງການຕໍ່ສູ້ ແຕ່ເກົ່າ, ຊຶ່ງຄ້າຍຄືກັບມວຍ ໄທ. ບາງຄົນກໍເວົ້າວ່າ ແມ່ນສິລະປະແບບດຽວກັນ, ແຕ່ຢ່າງໃດກໍ ຕາມ ຕຳລາມວຍລາວ ແມ່ນກວ້າງຂວາງກວ່າຍ້ອນເຫັນວ່າເປັນແບບ ເກົ່າ ແກ່ກວ່າ ແລະ ຄືກັບຕົ້ນຕຳລາຫຼາຍກວ່າ.

It is a full contact striking martial art and is in the same class as the Korean “Taekwondo” and the Chinese “Wing Chun” sports.

ມັນເປັນສິລະປະແຫ່ງການຕໍ່ສູ້ ຢ່າງເຕັມຮູບແບບ ແລະ ຈັດເປັນ ຂະໜານດຽວກັບ ມວຍເກົາຫຼີ “ເທກວນໂດ” ແລະ ມວຍຈີນ “ວິງຈູນ”.

Thought to have originated in either present day Cambodia as “Pradal Serey” or as being a development of Kung Fu brought to the region by the mysterious Funan Empire, pre dating the Angkor kings, the true origins of Muay Lao is still shrouded in mystery. Its variations are found throughout South East Asia and every country has its own version.

Besides the now very popular “Muay Thai” in Thailand, in Cambodia it is known as “Pradal Serey”, in Myanmar “Lethwei” and in Malaysia “Tomoi”. All of these are similar but each has its own culture and traditions surrounding it.

Today, Muay Lao is the official contact sport of Lao P.D.R but is practiced only by a handful of professionals. The younger generation is starting to open their eyes to the traditional martial arts and both participants and spectator numbers are on the rise throughout the country. Muay Lao was represented in the 2009 South East Asian games held in Vientiane and was one of the major spectator attractions, which gives promise of a bright future.

Muay Lao utilizes more contact points than original Thai style kickboxing but besides that they are the same. Muay Lao is in many ways the overlooked “older brother” of Muay Thai and the popularity of the Thai version is to a very large extent due to the financial investment that both Thai and foreign companies have put into it. For the kickboxing connoisseur, Muay Lao will always be the true martial art of the region.

ຕາມຄວາມຄິ ດ ອາດຈະກຳເນີ ດ ມາຈາກມວຍກຳປູ ເ ຈັ ຍ ຫຼື ແ ມ່ ນ ມວຍ ປະເພດໜຶ່ ງ ທີ່ ໄ ດ້ ຮັ ບ ການພັ ດ ທະນາມາຈາກມວຍກັ ງ ຟູ ທີ່ ໄ ດ້ ນ ຳເຂົ້ າ ມາໃຊ້ໃນຂົງເຂດໂດຍ ອານາຈັກ “ຟູນານ” ທີ່ ມະຫັດສະຈັນ. ກ່ອນກະສັດ ອັງກໍ, ຕົ້ນສະບັບມວຍ ລາວ ທີ່ແທ້ ຈິງນັ້ນຍັງບໍ່ອາດຢັ້ງ ຢືນໄດ້ຢ່າງຊັດເຈນເພາະຍັງເຊື່ອງຫງຳຄວາມລັບຢູ່. ມີແບບມວຍ ແຕກຕ່ າ ງກັ ນ ຫຼ າ ຍແບບທີ່ ສ າມາດຄົ້ ນ ພົ ບ ໃນອາຊີ ຕ າເວັ ນ ອອກ ສ່ ຽ ງໃຕ້ ແລະ ແຕ່ ລ ະປະເທດກໍ ມີ ເ ອກກະລັ ກ ສະເພາະຕົ ນ ຂອງໃຜ ມັນ. ນອກຈາກມວຍເຫຼົ່ານີ້ ມວຍໄທທີ່ມີຊື່ສຽງ ໃນປະເທດໄທ. ໃນປະເທດກຳປູເຈຍ ໄດ້ ເອີ້ນກັນວ່າ ມວຍ “ປຣາດອນ ຊິເຣ”. ໃນ ມຽນມາ ເອີ້ນວ່າ “ ເລດໄວ” ແລະ ໃນມາເລເຊັຍ ເອີ້ນວ່າ” “ໂທມອຍ”. ສັງລວມແລ້ວ ສີລະປະຂອງມວຍທັງຫມົດເຫຼົ່ານີ້ ມີພື້ນຖານຄ້າຍຄື ກັນ ແລະ ແຕ່ ລາຍມວຍ ກໍປະກອບດ້ວຍວັດທະນະທຳ ແລະ ຮີດ ຄອງປະເພນີຂອງແຕ່ລະປະເທດປະສົມປະສານໄປນຳ. ມາຮອດທຸກມື້ນີ້ ມວຍລາວໄດ້ຈັດເຂົ້າເປັນມວຍກິລາທາງການ ຂອງ ສປປ ລາວ ແຕ່ ການຝຶກຝົນຍັງໄດ້ປະຕິບັດ ດ້ວຍສີມືອາຊີບ ເທົ່ານັ້ນ. ແຕ່ມາຮອດ ລຸ້ນໜຸ່ມ ໃນຍຸກໃຫມ່ ພວກເຂົາເຈົ້າແມ່ນເລີ່ມເປີດຕາ ເບິ່ງສິລະປະແຫ່ງການຕໍ່ສູ້ ແລະ ຈຳນວນ ຜູ້ເຂົ້າ ຮ່ວມແຂ່ງຂັນ ແລະ ຜູ້ເຂົ້າຊົມ ໄດ້ຄ່ອຍເພີ່ມຂຶ້ນໃນຂອບເຂດທົ່ວປະເທດ. ກິລາມວຍລາວ ໄດ້ຖືກສະເຫນີ ເຂົ້າແຂ່ງຂັນ ໃນງານກິລາມະຫະກຳ ອາຊີຕາເວັນອອກສ່ຽງໃຕ້ ປີ 2009 ທີ່ຈັດຂຶ້ນທີ່ນະຄອນຫຼວງວຽງຈັນ ແລະ ໄດ້ຖືກສະຫຼຸບຄວາມວ່າເປັນກິລາໜຶ່ງທີ່ຜູ້ເຂົ້າຊົມສົນໃຈຫຼາຍ, ຊຶ່ງໃຫ້ຄຳຫມັ້ນສັນຍາວ່າ ມວຍລາວ ຈະຕ້ອງມີອານາຄົດທີ່ແຈ່ມໃສ. ມວຍລາວ ແມ່ນຳໃຊ້ຈຸດຕົງເປົ້າຫຼາຍກວ່າແບບເຕະ ຂອງມວຍໄທ. ນອກຈາກແບບດັ່ງກ່າວນີ້ແລ້ວ ສ່ວນແບບອື່ນໆ ແມ່ນຄ້າຍຄືກັນ. ຖ້າສັງເກດເບິ່ງພາບລວມແລ້ວ ມວຍລາວ ແມ່ນມວຍ “ອ້າຍໃຫຍ່” ຂອງມວຍໄທ ແຕ່ສຳລັບ ຊື່ສຽງ ເຫັນວ່າມວຍໄທ ກວ້າງຂວາງກວ່າ ຍ້ອນເຫດຜົນ ການລົງທຶນ ດ້ານການເງິນ ໂດຍບໍລິສັດ ພາຍໃນ ແລະ ຕ່າງປະເທດ. ສຳລັບ ຜູ້ທີ່ມີຄວາມຮູ້ ທາງດ້ານສິລະປະມວຍບູຮານ ແລ້ວເຫັນວ່າ ມວຍລາວ ຈະເປັນສິລະປະແຫ່ງການຕໍ່ສູ້ໃນຂົງເຂດ ນີ້ຕະຫຼອດໄປ.

21 ຖ່າຍພາບໂດຍ: ໄຊຄຳ Photogrpher: Xaykham

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ຖ່າຍພາບໂດຍ: ໄຊຄຳ Photographer: Xaykham

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ຖ່າຍພາບໂດຍ: ໄຊຄຳ Photographer: Xaykham

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25

Sustainable Development with Renewable Energy

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Expanding access to electricity in poor rural Lao provinces has many challenges, often leaving villagers with little choice but to burn fossil fuels for power, and in the process releasing harmful gases into the environment.Fortunately, thanks to the establishment of Sunlabob in 2000, a Lao based company specializing in renewable energy solutions, villagers now have affordable, reliable and safe energy options.

Nang, a 9-year-old girl, giggles as she slowly turns the pages of a storybook just before going to bed at night. In the past, reading was less enjoyable for Nang as she had to breathe in harmful fumes from the kerosene lamp that provided light for her. Lack of available fossil fuels to light up the lamps also meant that Nang could not read as often as she wanted to once it got dark. Â Â

One such renewable energy program that has created a huge impact in Laos is the Solar Lantern Rental System (SLRS). Over 10,000 systems have been installed in 450 locations across Laos, improving the lives of thousands of Lao villagers who previously lived on kerosene lamps for light.

Besides Nang, 264 other villagers in Ban Nampha, a remote Lao village, are also slowly seeing their lives improve thanks to the Solar Lantern Rental System (SLRS) installed by Sunlabob in September 2010. In the past, not many activities could take place in the village once the sun had set. Now, children are able to study at night, men can take the lamps out to go hunting, and women can weave and cook. The villagers can use the lamp for many purposes because the lamps are portable, can be hung up, stood on a surface, or carried whilst illuminated. Â Families who have the solar lanterns can stay awake much longer and are able to work longer compared to families who cannot work as soon as it gets dark.

ພັດທະນາ ແບບຍືນຍົງ ກັບ ການນຳໃຊ້ ພະລັງງານໃຫມ່ ການຂະຫຍາຍໄຟຟ້າ ສູ່ແຂວງຊົນນະບົດໃນປະເທດລາວ ມີຫຼາຍ ສິ່ງທ້າທາຍ, ບາງເທຶ່ອ ຈະເຮັດໃຫ້ຊາວບ້ານມີໂອກາດທາງເລືອກ ນ້ອຍ, ແຕ່ການໃຊ້ນ້ຳມັນພື້ນເມືອງເພື່ອເປັນພະລັງງານ ແລະ ຂະບວນການນັ້ນ ເປັນການປ່ອຍໃຫ້ ອາຍແກສ ເຂົ້າສູ່ ສີ່ງແວດ ລ້ອມ. ກໍຍັງມີໂຊກດີ ແລະ ຂໍຂອບໃຈ ທີ່ ບໍລິສັດ ພະລັງງານແສງ ອາທິດ ຊັນລາບອບ (Sanlabob) ໄດ້ຮັບການສ້າງຕັ້ງຂື້ນ ໃນປີ 2000, ເປັນບໍລິສັດ ທີ່ຕັ້ງຢູ່ ປະເທດລາວຊຶ່ງມີຄວາມສຳນານງານ ສະເພາະໃນການແກ້ໄຂພະລັງງານໃຫມ່ ໃຫ້ແກ່ຊາວບ້ານ, ຊຶ່ງ ການປະຕິບັດໂຄງການ ມາຮອດປັດຈຸບັນ ເຫັນວ່າເປັນຜົນງານທີ່ ສາມາດຮັບເອົາໄດ້ ເປັນທາງເລືອກອອກໃຫມ່ທີ່ໜ້າເຊື່ອຖື ແລະ ໃຫ້ພະລັງງານໃຫ້ຮັບປະກັນຄວາມປອດໄພ. ໂຄງການພະລັງງານຟື້ນຟູໃຫມ່ເປັນໜຶ່ງໂຄງການທີ່ສ້າງ ຜົນກະ ທົບທີ່ໃຫຍ່ຫຼວງ ໃນປະເທດລາວ ນັ້ນແມ່ນ ໂຄງການ ລະບົບເຊົ່າ ພະລັງແສງອາທິດ. ມາຮອດປັດຈຸບັນນີ້ ທົ່ວປະເທດ ລາວ ໄດ້ຕິດ ຕັ້ງຫຼາຍກວ່າ 10,000 ລະບົບ ຢູ່ໃນ 450 ແຫ່ງ, ຊຶ່ງກຳລັງປັບ ປຸງຊີວິດການເປັນຢູ່ ຂອງຊາວບ້ານຫຼາຍພັນຄົນ ຜູ້ທີ່ເຄີຍໃຊ້ຊີວິດ ຢູ່ພາຍໃຕ້ແສງຕະກຽງນ້ຳມັນກາດ.

ນອກຈາກ ນາງ ນາງ ຍັງມີ ປະຊາຊົນຊາວບ້ານຈຳນວນ 264 ຄົນ ທີ່ບ້ານ ນ້ຳປາ ທີ່ເປັນບ້ານຫ່າງໄກສອກຫຼີກຍັງໄດ້ເຫັນຊີວິດໄດ້ ຮັບການປັບປຸງໄປຢ່າງຊ້າໆ ຂອບໃຈນຳ ລະບົບພະລັງໄຟ ແສງ ອາທິດ ທີ່ໄດ້ຕິດຕັ້ງ ໂດຍບໍລິສັດ ຊັນລາບອບ ໃນເດືອນກັນຍາ ປີ 2010. ໃນເວລາຜ່ານມາ ກິດຈະກຳຫຼາຍຢ່າງບໍ່ສາມາດປະຕິບັດ ໄດ້ໃນບ້ານ ເມື່ອລະບົບ ພະລັງງານໄຟ ແສງອາທິໄດ້ນຳເຂົ້າມາ ຕິດຕັ້ງແລ້ວ. ປັດຈຸບັນນີ້ ເດັກນ້ອຍສາມາດຮຽນໜັງສືໄດ້ຍາມກາງ ຄືນ. ຜູ້ຊາຍ ຊາວບ້ານ ສາມາດຖືໂຄມໄຟອອກໄປລ່າສັດ ແລະ ແມ່ຍິງສາມາດ ຕ່ຳຫູກ ແລະ ແຕ່ງຢູ່ຄົວກິນ. ຊາວບ້ານພາກັນໃຊ້ໄຟໄດ້ໃນຫຼາຍຈຸດ ປະສົງ ຍ້ອນວ່າໂຄມໄຟ ແສງອາທິດ ສາມາດຈັບຖືໄປມາ ສາມາດເກັບຫ້ອຍໄວ້, ສາມາດ ວາງໄວ້ໃນບ່ອນພຽງ ຫຼື ສາມາດ ຈັບຫີ້ວ ໃນເມື່ອໄຟຮຸ່ງຢູ່. ຄອບຄົວທີ່ມີຈານແກ້ວເກັບແສງອາທິດ ສາມາດໄດ້ຮັບແສງສະ ຫວ່າງເປັນເວລາຍາວນານກວ່າແລະ ສາມາດເຮັດວຽກງານໄດ້ ດົນນານກວ່າເກົ່າ ຖ້າສົມທຽບກັບກັບຄອບຄົວທີ່ບໍ່ສາມາດເຮັດ ວຽກຕໍ່ໃນເມື່ອເວລາຄວາມມືດມາເຖິງໂດຍການນຳໃຊ້ໄຟແສງ ອາທິດ, ດຽວນີ້ ຊາວບ້ານໄດ້ມີແຫຼ່ງເຊື້ອໄຟ ນັ້ນສະແດງເຖິງ ຄວາມມີສຸຂະພາບດີ. ເມື່ອກ່ອນ ປະຊາຊົນໃຊ້ຕະກຽງນ້ຳມັນກາດ ແລະ ການໃຊ້ ໄຟແສງອາທິດ ໄດ້ກຳຈັດ ຄາບອນ ໄດອອກໄຊ ແລະ ອາຍແກສທີ່ເປັນອັນຕະລາຍ. ໂຄມໄຟ ແສງອາທິດຍັງປະ ກອບເຊື້ອໄຟທີ່ເປັນນ້ຳແຕ່ມີຄວາມສາມາດ ເຜົາໃໝ້ ແລະໃຫ້ໄຟ ຫຼາຍກວ່າ ແສງສະຫວ່າງ ຈາກແຫຼ່ງໄຟຟ້າ.

ນາງ ນາງ ເດັກຍິງອາຍຸ 9 ປີ, ຍີ້ມເມື່ອນາງເປີດໜ້າປື້ມນິທານ ກ່ອນຈະເຂົ້ານອນໃນຍາມຄ່ຳຄືນ. ເມື່ອກ່ອນ ການອ່ານບໍ່ຄ່ອຍ ເບີກບານມ່ວນຊື່ນປານໃດເພາະ ນາງ ນາງ ຕ້ອງໄດ້ຫາຍໃຈເອົາ ຄວັ ນ ໄຟທີ່ ມີ ພິ ດ ຮ້ າ ຍຈາກຕະກຽງນ້ ຳ ມັ ນ ກາດທີ່ ນ າງໃຊ້ ເ ປັ ນ ແສງສະຫວ່າງ. ເມື່ອໃດ ຫາກມີການຂາດແຄນນ້ຳມັນພື້ນເມືອງ ເພື່ອເຮັດແສງສະຫວ່າງໃຫ້ຕະກຽງ ຫມາຍຄວາມວ່ານາງບໍ່ສາ ມາດອ່ານໜັງສືຕາມຄວາມຕ້ອງການ ເພາະມັນເກີດມີຄວາມມືດ.

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With the solar lanterns, villagers now have a light source that is healthy. Previously, kerosene lamps were used and these lamps emitted lots of carbon dioxide and harmful gases. The lamps also contain flammable liquids that have more probability of causing burns and fires than any electric lighting source. Each year, many homes and even entire communities worldwide burn to the ground due to fires starting from toppled kerosene lamps. The solar lanterns, on the other hand, neither produce harmful emissions, nor pose any technical risks to the user. Typically a kerosene lamp consumes around 40 liters of kerosene per year, emitting nearly 100 kg of carbon dioxide (CO2), which are saved when households switch to solar lanterns.

Many villagers were eager to scoop up a lantern as soon as the lanterns arrived in the village. One striking difference was the number of glowing houses that night compared to the night before. Light from the lanterns could be seen illuminating from every opening of a house. The valley was dappled with glowing households where before, it was almost pitch black.

The SLRS also triggers the entrepreneurship mindset of villagers.

For example, the village technician/village entrepreneur now has a business under him as he collects charging fees from villagers in return for charging the lanterns, and maintaining the system. The lanterns also give villagers opportunities for income generating activities. Women can now weave more and produce more items for sale.

Thanks to the solar lanterns, Ban Nampha villagers now have an improved quality of life.

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ແຕ່ລະປີ ມີຫຼາຍຄົວເຮືອນ ແລະລວມທັງ ຊຸມຊົນໃນທົ່ວໂລກ ໄດ້ຈູດ ເຜົາດິນຢູ່ເທິງໂລກໜ່ວຍນີ້ລົງດິນແລ້ວ ເພາະວ່າຕະກຽງນ້ຳມັນກາດ ໄດ້ເລີ່ມເຜົາຈູດບັນຍາກາດມາແຕ່ຂ້າງເທິງ. ລະບົບໄຟແສງອາທິດ ໃນອີກດ້ານໜຶ່ງ ລະບົບໄຟແສງອາທິດ ບໍ່ພຽງແຕ່ສາມາດກຳຈັດ ສິ່ງທີ່ ອັນຕະລາຍແຕ່ຍັງ ຢັບຢັ້ງ ຄວາມຜິດພາດດ້ານເຕັກນິກ ແກ່ຜູ້ຊົມໃຊ້ອີກດ້ວຍ. ຕາມປົກກະຕິ ຕະກຽງ ທີ່ໃຊ້ນ້ຳມັນກາດ ແມ່ນກິນນ້ຳມັນປະມານ 40 ລິດ ຕໍ່ປີ, ສາມາດກຳຈັດ ກາກບອນ ໄດອອກໄຊ (CO2) ໄດ້ 100 ກິໂລ, ແຕ່ເມື່ອເວລາເຮົາໃຊ້ລະບົບແ ສງອາທິດ ສາມາດປະຢັດລາຍຈ່າຍດັ່ງກ່າວ. ຊາວບ້ າ ນຈຳນວນຫຼ າ ຍມີ ຄ ວາມ ກ ະ ຕື ລື ລົ້ ນ ຕໍ່ ແ ຜ່ ນ ແ ກ້ ວ ເ ກັ ບ ແ ສ ງ ອ າ ທິ ດ ເ ມື່ ອ ເ ວ ລ າ ໄ ດ້​້ ນ ຳ ເ ອົ າ ແ ຜ່ ນ ເ ກັ ບ ແ ສ ງ ດັ່ ງ ກ່ າ ວ ເ ຂົ້ າ ມ າ ໃ ນ ບ້ າ ນ . ອັ ນ ໜຶ່ ງ ທີ່ ມີ ຄວາມແຕກຕ່ າ ງເຫັ ນ ວ່ າ ມີ ຫຼ າ ຍ ເຮື ອ ນມີ ໄ ຟໄຕ້ ໃ ນເວລາກາງຄື ນ ເ ມື່ ອ ສົ ມ ທ ຽ ບ ໃ ສ່ ເ ມື່ ອ ກ່ ອ ນ . ໄຟທີ່ ເ ກັ ບ ມາຈາກແຜ່ ນ ເກັ ບ ແສງ ສາມາດໃຫ້ ແ ສງສະຫວ່ າ ງໄປໃນ ທົ່ ວ ເ ຮື ອ ນ ທີ່ ຮ່ ອ ມ ພູ ໄ ດ້ ເ ກີ ດ ມີ ແສງສະຫວ່ າ ງໃນຕົ ວ ເຮື ອ ນຊຶ່ ງ ເ ມື່ ອ ກ່ ອ ນ ແ ມ່ ນ ເ ກື ອ ບ ວ່ າ ເຕັມໄປດ້ວຍຄວາມມືດ. ໂຄງການລະບົ ບ ໄຟແສງອາທິ ດ ຍັ ງ ຊ່ ວ ຍ ໃ ຫ້ ຜູ້ ປ ະ ກ ອ ບ ກ າ ນ ໃ ຫ້ ແກ່ຊາວບ້ານ. ເຊັ່ນ ຕົວຢ່າງ ນັ ກ ວິ ຊ າ ກ າ ນ ບ້ າ ນ / ຜູ້ ປ ະ ກ ອ ບ ກ າ ນ ບ້ າ ນ ປັ ດ ຈຸ ບັ ນ ສ າ ມ າ ດ ດ ຳ ເ ນີ ນ ທຸ ລ ະ ກິ ດ ເ ມື່ ອ ເ ວ ລ າ ລ າ ວ ໄ ດ້ ເ ກັ ບ ຄ່ າ ບໍ ລິ ກ າ ນ ສາກໄຟ ຈາກຊາວບ້ານ ເພື່ອນຳ ກັບໄປໃຊ້ລະບົບສາກໄຟ ແລະ ບຳລຸງຮັກສາ. ແຜ່ນເກັບໄຟຍັງສາ ມາດສ້ າ ງໂອກາດໃຫ້ ຊ າວບ້ າ ນ ສ້າງກິດຈະກຳສ້າງລາຍຮັບຕ່າງໆ. ແ ມ່ ຍິ ງ ໃ ນ ປັ ດ ຈຸ ບັ ນ ສ າ ມ າ ດ ຕ່ຳແຜ່ນແພ ແລະ ສາມາດຜະລິດ ໄດ້ຫຼາຍກວ່າເກົ່າ ເພື່ອນຳໄປຂາຍ. ຂໍຂອບໃຈນຳລະບົບ ເກັບແສງອາທິດ, ປັດຈຸບັນ ຊາວບ້ານ ນ້ຳປາ ໄດ້ພັດທະນາຄຸນນະພາບຊີວິດ ຂອງເຂົາເຈົ້າແລ້ວ.

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SUNLABOB Over the years, Sunlabob has revolutionized the rural electrification world by bringing technologically sound products as well as innovative operational and business models to one of the poorest countries in the world.

Besides selling hardware and providing commercially viable energy services for remote areas where the public electricity grid does not yet reach, Sunlabob is also a training company, providing practical trainings for both rural small energy entrepreneurs to become successful businesspeople, as well as public village committees to learn the skills of good local governance.

Sunlabob also engages in Private Public Partnerships whereby public grants are utilised for capacity building, public infrastructure, and R & D efforts.

The company firmly believes in the involvement of local actors as an essential ingredient for the success and sustainability of rural development projects. Aside from private and public sector investors, the key partners in this project are members of the off-grid communities targeted by this project, who assume roles of a village energy committee and a village technician. These respectively ensure local governance, and operation of charging stations as small businesses under a franchise agreement.

Sunlabob Director Andy Schroeter was one of three Social Entrepreneurs recognized as leading social innovators in Asia during the World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting of the New Champions 2010, held in Tianjin, People’s Republic of China, on 13-15 September. The Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship was cofounded by Klaus Schwab, Founder and Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum, and his wife, Hilde.

Since its inception in 2000, the Foundation has been identifying the world’s leading social entrepreneurs in over 40 countries around the globe. Social entrepreneurs implement innovative and pragmatic solutions to social problems by tackling the root causes and creating social transformation. Selected social entrepreneurs of the Schwab Foundation network participate in World Economic Forum events, thus providing unique opportunities for them to connect with business, political and leaders

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ບໍລິສັດ ພະລັງງານໄຟຟ້າຊັນລາບອບ (Sunlabob) ເປັນເວລາຫຼາຍປີແລ້ວ ທີ່ ບໍລິສັດ ພະລັງງານໄຟຟ້າ ຊັນລາບອບ ໄດ້ເຮັດການ ປະຕິວັດໂລກໄຟຟ້າ ແຫ່ງຊົນນະບົດ ໂດຍການນຳສະເຫນີ ຜົນຜະລິດ ທີ່ມີມາດຕະຖານ ທາງດ້ານ ເຕັກໂນໂລຊີ, ທັງເປັນການສະເຫນີ ຕົວແບບ ຂອງ ແນວຄິດໃຫມ່ ແລະ ທຸລະກິດ ເຂົ້າໄປເຖິງປະເທດໃດໜຶ່ງ ທີ່ ທຸກຍາກທີ່ສຸດ ຢູ່ໃນໂລກ. ນອກຈາກການຂາຍເຄື່ອງປະກອບ ແລະ ຕອບສະໜອງ ການບໍລິການການຄ້າ ທີ່ຈຳເປັນສຳລັບຊີວິດປະຈຳວັນໃຫ້ ແກ່ຊົນນະບົດຫ່າງໄກ ສອກຫຼີກ ເປັນຕົ້ນແມ່ນເຂດທີ່ ຕາຂ່າຍ ໄຟຟ້າຍັງບໍ່ໄດ້ຕິດຕັ້ງໄປເຖິງ. ບໍລິສັດ ພະລັງງານໄຟຟ້າ ຊັນລາບອບ ຍັງມີຄວາມສາມາດຈັດການຝຶກອົບຮົມ, ເປັນຕົ້ນ ແມ່ນການຈັດຝຶກອົບຮົມກັບທີ່ ໃຫ້ແກ່ ຜູ້ປະກອບການ ທາງດ້ານ ພະລັ ງ ງານຂະໜາດນ້ ອ ຍເພື່ ອ ໃຫ້ ເ ປັ ນ ນັ ກ ທຸ ລ ະກິ ດ ທີ່ ຮູ້ ເ ຮັ ດ ວຽກງານສຳເລັດ ແລະ ຄະນະກຳມະການປົກຄອງບ້ານ ເພື່ອສາ ມາດກຳຫຼັກວິຊາການປົກຄອງທີ່ດີໃຫ້ແກ່ທ້ອງຖິ່ນຂອງຕົນ. ບໍລິສັດ ຊັນລາບອບ ຍັງມີຄູ່ຮ່ວມມື ທັງພາກລັດ ແລະ ເອກກະຊົນ ແລະ ບ່ອນທີ່ລັດໃຫ້ການຊ່ວຍເຫຼືອລ້າ ໃນການສ້າງ ຄວາມສາມາດ, ກິດຈະກຳ ກໍ່ສ້າງໂຄງລ່າງພື້ນຖານຂອງລັດ ແລະ ແຮງງານທີ່ໃຊ້ໃນການເຮັດວຽກ R & D efforts. ບໍລິສັດມີຄວາມເຊື່ອຫມັ້ນຢ່າງໜັກແໜ້ນໃນການປະກອບສ່ວນ ຂອງຜູ້ປະຕິບັດງານໃນທ້ອງຖິ່ນເປັນສ່ວນປະກອບຂອງຜົນສຳ ເລັດ ແລະ ຄວາມຍືນຍົງ ຂອງໂຄງການ ພັດທະນາຊົນນະບົດ. ນອກຈາກ ການລົງທຶນ ຂອງພາກສ່ວນເອກະຊົນ ແລະ ລັດ, ຄູ່ຮ່ວມມືຕົ້ນຕໍ ແມ່ນສະມາຊິກບັນດາກຸ່ມບ້ານທີ່ບໍ່ມີຕາຂ່າຍໄຟ ຟ້າໄປເຖິງ ຖືວ່າເປັນເຂດເປົ້າຫມາຍຂອງໂຄງການ, ຕົວແທນ ຜູ້ນັ້ນ ຕ້ອງແມ່ນບຸກຄົນທີ່ຮັບປະກັນ ຮັບຜິດຊອບວຽກດ້ານນີ້ ຕ້ອງແມ່ນກຳມະການ ພະລັງງານ ບ້ານ ຫຼື ນັກວິຊາການບ້ານ. ທັງນີ້ກໍແມ່ນເພື່ອຮັບປະກັນໃຫ້ແກ່ການປົກຄອງທ້ອງຖິ່ນ ແລະ ການປະຕິບັດງານ ຂອງສະຖານີ ເກັບກະແສໄຟ, ເປັນທຸລະກິດ ຂະໜາດນ້ອຍ ຢູ່ພາຍໃຕ້ສັນຍາໂຕແທນຜະລິດຕະພັນຂອງ ບໍລິສັດ.

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Clean drinking water improves lives of Sangthong district villagers Another program that has the potential to create huge developmental impact is the Solar Powered Water Purification System (SPWPS), which allows villagers to have access to clean drinking water.

Safe drinking water is a basic human need. Unfortunately, for people in developing countries, this need is often unattainable.

In Lao PDR, only half of the population has access to safe drinking water. Lack of access to clean water contributes to keeping whole communities in poverty and causes serious illnesses such as diarrhea, the biggest cause of child death in Lao PDR today.

Combining state-of-the-art technology and an innovative operational model, Sunlabob’s Solar Powered Water Purification System addresses this issue. The system provides technology to supply clean drinking water in communities where traditional solutions cannot be applied.

In Sangthong district, where Sunlabob installed a Solar Powered Water Purification System (SPWPS), villagers used to have to source for water from nearby rivers, wells or rainfall. As the water was dirty, villagers had to collect firewood or purchase charcoal to boil the water, resulting in several hours lost a day collecting firewood.

Moreover, the burning of firewood also gave off harmful fumes. For villagers who preferred to boil water using charcoal, the average cost for charcoal was an average of 40,000kip/kg. This is rather pricey, considering the average monthly income for the villagers is only 256,000 kip. With the SPWPS, water costs only 2,000 kip for a 20 liters container.

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Since the installation of the system, more than 2,300 people in 4 villages of Sangthong district now have access to clean drinking water. Residents use the Sang River as a source of water for the purification facility. The facility is managed by a Village Water Committee on behalf of the village, who selects a village technician (VT) to run the service. The village technician is then in charge of delivering the water to all 4 villages. The money generated pays for maintenance of the system. This ensures that the system is sustainable in the long run, and has a lasting impact on the quality and productivity on villagers’ livelihoods. Renting and operating a recharging station provides an opportunity for the VT to develop a business. The VT has a vested interest in maintaining and operating this system as his income will be derived from the success of his operation. The VT sells the water at a price that enables him to provide a salary for himself and to pay the rental fee for the system (which goes towards paying for the system maintenance and any administrative costs for the Village Water Committee).

Sangthong district is one of the poorest districts in Vientiane, but now, 50% of the district’s population has access to clean drinking water.

For people living in rural areas that are not yet connected to the national grid, renewable energy is the most viable option. It can however be costly and requires innovative operational and business models to keep its programmes sustainable. Sunlabob’s Solar Lantern Rental System and Solar Powered Water Purification System have certainly proven themselves as initiatives that have combated the challenges, and will continue to be implemented throughout Laos.

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ນ້ຳດື່ມສະອາດ ສາມາດປັບປຸງຊີວິດ ຊາວບ້ານ ໃນເຂດເມືອງ ສັງທອງ ຍັງມີໂຄງການໜຶ່ງ ທີ່ສາມາດສ້າງຜົນກະທົບ ໃນທາງບວກ ຢ່າງຫຼວງ ຫຼາຍ. ໂຄງການນີ້ເອີ້ນວ່າ ລະບົບກັ່ນກອງນ້ຳດ້ວຍພະລັງຂອງແສງ ອາທິດທີ່ສາມາດເປີດໂອກາດໃຫ້ຊາວບ້ານເຂົ້າໄປເຖິງນ້ຳສະອາດ. ການມີນ້ຳດື່ມທີ່ປອດໄພ ແມ່ນພື້ນຖານຄວາມຕ້ອງການຂອງມະນຸດ. ແຕ່ ຍັ ງ ມີ ໂ ຊກຮ້ າ ຍສຳລັ ບ ປະຊາຊົ ນ ໃນປະເທດດ້ ອ ຍພັ ດ ທະນາ ຄວາມຕ້ອງການດັ່ງກ່າວນີ້ ຍັງບໍ່ທັນໄດ້ນຳໃຊ້. ທີ່ ສປປ ລາວ, ປະຊາຊົນ ມີພຽງເຄິ່ງໜຶ່ງທີ່ສາມາດເຂົ້າໄປເຖິ ງນ້ຳ ດື່ມທີ່ປອດໄພ. ການບໍ່ສາມາດເຂົ້າໄປເຖິງນ້ຳສະອາດ ເປັນສິ່ງໜຶ່ງທີ່ ຄອບງຳ ໃຫ້ທົ່ວຊຸມຊົນ ມີຄວາມທຸກຍາກ ແລະ ເປັນສາຍເຫດໃຫ້ເກີດ ມີຄວາມເຈັບເປັນຕ່າງໆ ເຊັ່ນ ພະຍາດຖອກ ທ້ອງ ຊຶ່ງເປັນສາຍເຫດໃຫ້ ເກີດມີການເສຍຊີວິດຂອງເດັກນ້ອຍໃນ ປັດຈຸບັນ ທີ່ ສປປລາວ. ປະກອບກັບການສະເໜີ ລະບົບເຕັກໂນໂລຊີໃໝ່ ແລະ ຕົວແບບ ແນວຄິດໃຫມ່ ລະບົບກັ່ນກອງນ້ຳ ໂດຍແສງອາທິດ ຂອງບໍລິສັດ ຊັນລາບອບ (Sanlabob) ໄດ້ສະເໜີແກ້ໄຂບັນຫານີ້ດ້ວຍ. ລະບົບ ຍັງສະໜອງເຕັກໂນໂລຊີໃນການສະໜອງນ້ຳສະອາດໃຫ້ແກ່ຊຸມ ຊົນ ໃນເຂດທີ່ການແກ້ໄຂຂອງ ຊຸມຊົນ ຍັງບໍ່ສາມາດແກ້ໄຂໄດ້. ທີ່ເມືອງສັງທອງ ບໍລິສັດ ຊັນລາບອບ ໄດ້ຕິດຕັ້ງລະບົບກັ່ນນ້ຳ ດ້ວຍ ແສງອາທິດ, ເປັນເຂດເມືອງທີ່ຊາວບ້ານໄດ້ໃຊ້ແຫຼ່ງນ້ຳ ຈາກຫ້ວຍຮ່ອງທີ່ຢູ່ໃກ້, ນ້ຳສ້າງ ຫຼື ນ້ຳຝົນ. ເປັນນ້ຳທີ່ເປື້ອນເປິະ ຊາວ ບ້ານ ຈຳເປັນຕ້ອງໄດ້ຊອກຫາຟືນ ຫຼື ຊື້ຖ່ານຫີນມາຕົ້ມນ້ຳ, ຊຶ່ງເຮັດໃຫ້ຊາວບ້ານເສຍເວລາຫຼາຍຊົ່ວໂມງໃນການຊອກຫາຟືນ ຍິ່ ງ ໄປກວ່ າ ນີ້ ກ ານນຳໃຊ້ ຟື ນ ຍັ ງ ໃຫ້ ຄ ວັ ນ ໄຟທີ່ ເ ປັ ນ ອັ ນ ຕະລາຍ ສຳລັບຊາວບ້ານທີ່ໃຊ້ຖ່ານຫີນ ລາຄາສະເລ່ຍ ແມ່ນ 40,000 ກີບ ຕໍ່ກິໂລ. ສັງເກດ ຕີລາຄາເບິ່ງແລ້ວເຫັນວ່າ ມູນຄ່າໃຊ້ຈ່າຍນັ້ນ ມີລາຄາ ແພງ ຖ້າສົມທຽບໃສ່ລາຍຮັບສະເລ່ຍຂອງຊາວບ້ານ ແມ່ນ ພຽງແຕ່ 256,000 ກີບ ຕໍ່ເດືອນ ຖ້າໃຊ້ລະບົບກັ່ນນ້ຳສະອາດດ້ວຍ ແສງອາ ທິດ ມູນຄ່າມີພຽງ 2,000 ກີບ ຕໍ່ຖັງ 20 ລິດ. ນັບຕັ້ງແຕ່ໄດ້ຕິດຕັ້ງລະບົບດັ່ງກ່າວ, ປະຊາຊົນ ຫຼາຍກວ່າ 2,300 ຄົນ ໃນ 4 ບ້ານ ທີ່ເມືອງສັງທອງ ໃນປັດຈຸບັນໄດ້ນຳໃຊ້ນ້ຳສະອາດ. ປະຊາຊົ ນ ໄດ້ ນ ຳໃຊ້ ນ້ ຳ ສັ ງ ເປັ ນ ແຫຼ່ ງ ກຳເນີ ດ ໃຫ້ ຄ ວາມສະດວກ ໂດຍການຄຸ້ ມ ຄອງຂອງຄະນະກຳມະການນ້ ຳ ປະຈຳບ້ າ ນຕ່ າ ງ ໜ້ າ ໃນນາມບ້ າ ນຜູ້ ທີ່ ຈ ະເລື ອ ກເອົ າ ນັ ກ ວິ ຊ າການນ້ ຳ ປະຈຳບ້ າ ນ ມາດຳເນີ ນ ກິ ດ ຈະການ ຈາກນັ້ ນ ກໍ ຮັ ບ ຜິ ດ ຊອບໃນການສູ ບ ສົ່ ງ ນ້ຳເຂົ້າໄປເຖິງ 4 ບ້ານ. ເງິນທີ່ຈາ່ ຍໃນການດຳເນີນງານແມ່ນ ເພື່ ອ ນຳໃຊ້ ບ ຳລຸ ງ ຮັ ກ ສ າ ລ ະ ບົ ບ . ທັ ງ ນີ້ ກໍ ເ ພື່ ອ ຮັ ບ ປະກັ ນ ໃຫ້ ລ ະ ບົ ບ ສາມາດນຳໃຊ້ ແ ບບຍາວນານ ແລະ ມີ ຜົ ນ ກະທົ ບ ຍາວນານ ໃນການປັບປຸງຄຸນນະພາບ ແລະ ປະສິດທິພາບ ຜະລິດຕະພາບ ຊີວິດການເປັນຢູ່ຂອງຊາວບ້ານ. ການເຊົ່າ ແລະ ການດຳເນີນການ ຂອງສະຖານີພະລັງງານສາມາດເປີດໂອກາດໃຫ້ແກ່ນັກວິຊາການ

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ບ້ າ ນໃນການພັ ດ ທະນາທຸ ລ ະກິ ດ ຂອງຕົ ນ . ນັ ກ ວິ ຊ າການນ້ ຳ ປະ ຈຳບ້ານຄວນນຳໃຊ້ຜົນປະໂຫຍດ ໃນການບຳລຸງຮັກສາ ແລະ ດຳເນີນງານລະບົບນີ້ ເພື່ອເປັນລາຍຮັບທີ່ໄດ້ມາຈາກ ຜົນສຳເລັດ ຂອງການດຳເນີນກິດຈະການຂອງເຂົາ. ນັກວິຊາການນ້ຳປະຈຳ ບ້ າ ນຕ້ ອ ງເຮັ ດ ໜ້ າ ທີ່ ຂ າຍນ້ ຳ ໃນລາຄາທີ່ ຕົ ນ ເອງສາມາດແບ່ ງ ເບີກເປັນເງິນເດືອນເປັນຂອງຕົນເອງ ແລະ ພຽງພໍກັບການ ຂາຍ ໃຫ້ແກ່ຄ່າເຊົ່າໃຫ້ແກ່ລະບົບ (ຊຶ່ງຈະສາມາດໃຊ້ຈ່າຍໃນການບຳ ລຸງຮັກສາ ແລະ ເປັນງົບໃຊ້ຈ່າຍບໍລິຫານຂອງຄະນະກຳມະການ ນ້ຳປະຈຳບ້ານ) ສັງທອງເປັນເມືອງໜຶ່ງ ທີ່ທຸກຍາກທີ່ສຸດ ໃນນະຄອນຫຼວງວຽງຈັນ ແຕ່ປັດຈຸບັນ ປະຊາຊົນ ຈຳນວນ 50% ສາມາດເຂົ້າເຖິງນ້ຳດື່ມທີ່ ສະອາດ. ສຳລັບປະຊາຊົນ ທີ່ຢູ່ໃນເຂດຊົນນະບົດ ທີ່ຍັງບໍ່ສາມາດຕິດຕໍ່ ກັ ບ ລະບົ ບ ຕາຂ່ າ ຍ-ສາຍສົ່ ງ ແຫ່ ງ ຊາດ, ທາງເລື ອ ກນຳໃຊ້ ພ ະ ລັງງານໃຫມ່ ເປັນທາງເລືອກ ທີ່ສຳຄັນກັບຊີວິດ. ແຕ່ວ່າຕ້ອງ ມີການໃຊ້ຢ່າງຄຸ້ມຄ່າ ແລະ ຕ້ອງການແບບດຳເນີນງານແນວ ຄວາມຄິດໃຫມ່​່ ແລະ ເຮັດທຸລະກິດເພື່ອຮັກສາໂຄງການໃຫ້ຍືນຍົງ. ໂຄງການສ້າງຕິດຕັ້ງລະບົບພະລັງແສງອາທິດ ແລະ ລະບົບເຊົ່າ ແ ຜ່ນແກ້ວກັ່ນນ້ຳດ້ວຍແສງອາທິດຂອງບໍລິສັດຊັນລາບອບ ໄດ້ພິສູດ ໃຫ້ເຫັນຢ່າງຖືກຕ້ອງວ່າເປັນສິ່ງປະດິດຄິດຄົ້ນອອກມາໃຫມ່ ແລະ ຈະໄດ້ຮັບການຈັດຕັ້ງປະຕິບັດໃນຂອບເຂດທົ່ວປະເທດຂອງລາວ.

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Into the wild on a day trip!

By Dr. Klaus SCHWETTMANN, Senior Adviser for Sustainable Tourism Just 40 km from Vientiane rests a sleeping beauty, unnoticed or even unknown to many. “Phou Khao Khouay” is one of the most outstanding nature reserves in Laos. Its name translates into “Mountain of the Buffalo Horn” though it is difficult to detect any obvious similarity between the flowery name and the actual mountain range. The shape is rather reminiscent of a flat headed man with a long nose and strong protruding chin. Toothless, perhaps, and snobbishly with the nose up, he’s blinking at you while wearing a daring hat…

Phou Khao Khouay is the only park within a one-day-tour range by car from Vientiane and easily accessible from different directions: north, west, and south. However, only the more or less peripheral areas can be reached by vehicle.

The park covers an area of 2000 km² with peaks up to 1671m (Phou Ho in the east) and 1668m (Phou Sang, west). This mountain range boasts a wide range of rock (sandstone) formations with steep slopes but also extensive plateaus, many vegetation types as different as they can be, countless small river systems and 2 hydropower reservoirs – and is still home to a considerable array of astonishing wildlife. Flagship creatures are the Asian Elephant, the Clouded Leopard, the White-cheeked Gibbon, and the Green Peafowl, to name only a few, as members of the “endangered species family”. Even the Siamese Crocodile is said to live in some of the rivers.

Tourism highlights are the Elephant Observation Tower of Ban Na, the orchid treks near Ban Hatkhai, Tad Xay and Tad Leuk waterfalls, and the pine tree area in the western Thulakhom district. Of special interest may be the Long Xan valley with its Hmong and Yao villages and gateway to Xiengkhouang province and the wonderful limestone scenery of the former Xaisomboune Special Zone. The valley follows the northern ridge of Phou Khao Khouay.

Ban Na (only 81 km from Vientiane) is the starting point for treks through bamboo groves and dense jungle particularly along the beautiful Nam Hi stream. The area however is famously known to be the last refuge of a herd of wild elephants. These impressive animals can be watched from the village’s Elephant Observation Tower, strategically located at a natural saltlick. However, a guarantee for elephant sightings cannot be given.

Orchids are another attraction of Phou Khao Khouay. More than 250 species out of 500-600 described in Laos have been spotted here to date! Starting in Ban Hatkhai (100 km from Vientiane), special orchid treks with an expert guide can be booked to discover the astonishing variety in size, shape, color, and habitat adaptation of this wonderful and most beloved plant family. An orchid heaven indeed!

Tad Xay is probably the most beautiful waterfall inside Phou Khao Khouay. Though not overly spectacular with its 10-12 m height, the steps cascade down in the midst of an evergreen forest setting making this place so charming. A large pool beneath the fall invites for a refreshing swim

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all year round, and it’s a great picnic area as well! Another waterfall only 800m downstream plunges 40-50 meters down a cliff. Bring your wine, baguette and cheese (or whatever you personally prefer) and you will feel like you are in paradise.

Don’t forget to bring back your empty bottle, it wouldn’t be nice to step on shattered glass the next time! The falls can be reached by car via Ban Hatkhai directly (7 km from the village), but the road is currently heavily eroded in some places. Another option would be to drive up to the village and embark on a short boat trip and trek through great forest.

Yet another natural setting can be found at Tad Leuk (ca. 125 km). This waterfall doesn’t make your jaws drop but it’s the synthesis of all features of this place that render it so appealing. Like at Tad Xay, the water at Nam Leuk can be fierce in the rainy season. During the dry period, however, the river bed is a wide sandstone plateau with the river reduced to a small and calm flow of crystal clear water. Tad Leuk is a perfect “multipurpose” ground for spending your leisure time and ideal for children. Camping (spacey tents and other equipment can be rented for a small fee), sports, bathing, nature discovery on specially designed nature trails, trekking - all can be done there. A Swedish-built Information Center gives some preliminary but valuable insights into the forest ecosystem and its flora and fauna. This place can easily be reached directly by car.

A cultural highlight just a kilometer from Ban Na is the highly revered monastery of Phabath with its little twin temple Phonsanh, only 3 km away, nestling under huge mango trees on a small hill and overlooking the Mekong. Wat Phonsanh captivates one’s imagination through its location at the river in a beautiful forest setting and illuminated by intriguing sunsets. Take a glimpse of the old window carvings as well.

According to the legend, Wat Phabath has been built on the site where Lord Buddha once stepped over the Mekong and left a huge footprint. Don’t miss the reclining Buddha, the bell

tower, and the picturesque temple ground further to the in the back. Both temples are worth a stop-over while en route to Phou Kho Khouay.

For more information, have a look into the Phou Khao Khouay website www.trekkingcentrallaos.com

All major places mentioned are starting points for trips deeper into the forest and within an easy range from Vientiane, for instance Ban Na (80 km; 1 ½ hours drive), Ban Hatkhai (100 km; 2 hours), Tad Leuk (127 km; less than 2 ½ hours). The road conditions are from very good (Highway No. 13) to moderate (to Ban Hatkhai and dirt road to Tad Leuk for few kilometers).

Even a tiny car can manage all the way to Tad Leuk nowadays – at least in the dry season. Nevertheless, one should watch out for latest information when heavy rains fall.

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T

in Phou Khao Khouay

The National Protected Area of Phou Khao Khouay is one of the most spectacular nature parks in the region. It lies within the mountain range of the same name and holds treasures of unspoiled nature that is hard to find anywhere else. In order to get there, one needs means of transportation (and more specifically a 4 wheel drive car), as the infrastructure is still in development.

If you are anywhere but Vientiane, you will need to board a Lao Airlines flight to VTE. From there, rent a 4 wheel drive at Europcar, driver is optional but a good idea if you want the “guided tour�.

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W

e are being picked up at our respective homes by the Europcar driver, Mr Nhit, who is eager to get the 4 wheel drive on the road before the morning traffic rush sets in. He is constantly checking the rearview mirrors, watching out for the ever present scooters that have replaced the bicycle as the main transportation in Vientiane.

The four of us (driver, photographer, a biologist, and me) are sitting comfortably in the Ford 4-wheel drive pickup, talking silently among ourselves as to match the quiet of the dawn coming up over the reddish-brown countryside.

We pass along half finished housing where people are residing as they construct it, giving us the privilege of a snapshot of the local inhabitants as they wake up to the chores of the day.

The driver signals now and again to get the odd cow or goat off the road or to make sure that our fellow motorists are aware of our presence. Luckily, the traffic in Laos is not the fast paced kind you will find in Vietnam or Thailand so even novice 4-wheel drivers can feel safe exploring this beautiful country.

As our small expedition is nearing the destination of Phou Khao Khouay, the mountains from which the protected area takes its name, slowly appear through the mist. We take a turn up a small dusty road to reach our first destination of the Temple of Vat Phabath where the Lord Buddha took a step over the Mekong.

It’s a quiet place on this day, the Temple grounds only show a handful of child monks setting out to work in the compound, smiling and waving at us as we take their pictures. The annual festival that is held here, commemorating the step of Buddha, is still echoing through the temple. Hundreds of people flock here every year to pay their respects to the foot print of Buddha which is placed in the main temple and covered in Frangipani flowers, gold and silver bowls and incense. It is the size of a bathtub and has been strengthened with plaster to stand the test of time.

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Leaving Vat Phabath behind, we soon approach the village of Ban Na where we meet Mr. Bounthanom Inthilard, famous for his work in protecting the wild Elephants of the area. He has appeared in local newspaper articles and on television programmes, such as Animal Planet, about the threat to the wild elephants and is highly regarded among his peers, both locally and abroad. Ban Na has a history of living with these elusive creatures. For centuries they have co existed with elephants but in recent years they have focused on protecting them through enlightenment and tourism, seeing them not as a source of income but as an integrated part of their daily life.

In 2005 with the help of the German Development Program and financial support by the Canada Fund, an elephant observation tower was built, to accommodate a handful of overnight guests. This is a truly unique experience that is not found anywhere else in the country. For a small amount of money, guests can stay and eat with the locals and, if lucky, get a peek at the herd of pachyderms that inhabit the area.

Leaving Ban Na behind, we drive the last part of the way to Phou Khao Khouay. The road soon transforms into a meandering ochre colored trail, rising and falling like a rollercoaster and our driver seems like he is in home waters. He tells us that in the wet season, this road is impassable and the traces of reconstruction that are seen all along the way, convinces us he isn’t exaggerating. The roadside vegetation has been painted red from the dust and stands in stark contrast with the green lush backdrop of the forest jungle.

From time to time huge trucks will pass us from the front and Mr. Nith negotiates the tight space allowed to us with expertise. The rest of us can only sit back and trust in his abilities, which thankfully never fails.

The national protected area is opening up before us with its entire splendor. Our biologist starts to share his knowledge of this amazing place, giving proof of his expertise in and his love for Phou Khao Khouay.

In safe hands. Our driver Mr. Nith.

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ສູນກາງຊາວໜຸ່ມ ແລະ ລາວອາຣ໌ທ ມີເດຍ

ສານຝັນໃຫ້ເປັນດາວ

ປັ້ນຊາວໜຸ່ມລາວເປັນສິລະປິນ

ສູ ນ ກ າ ງ ຊ າ ວ ໜຸ່ ມ ປ ະ ຊ າ ຊົ ນ ປ ະ ຕິ ວັ ດ ລ າ ວ ແ ລ ະ ບໍ ລິ ສັ ດ ລາວອາຣ໌ທ ມີເດຍ ໄດ້ຈັດປະກວດນັກຮ້ອງນັກສະແດງ ພາຍໃຕ້ຊື່” ສານຝັນໃຫ້ເປັນດາວ” ຂຶ້ນນັບແຕ່ວັນທີ 18 ກຸມພາ ທີ່ຜ່ານມາ ເພື່ອຊ່ວຍສານຝັນຂອງບ່າວ-ສາວ ຊາວໜຸ່ມລາວໃຫ້ກາຍເປັນຈິງ ໃຫ້ ເ ຂົ າ ເຈົ້ າ ກາຍເປັ​ັ ນ ດາວເດັ່ ນ ທີ່ ພ ຽບພ້ ອ ມດ້ ວ ຍຄຸ ນ ສົ ມ ບັ ດ ສິນທຳ ແລະຄວາມສາມາດ ສົມກັບຄຳຂວັນທີ່ວ່າ “ຊາວໜຸ່ມລາວ ແມ່ນສິນໄຊ ແຫ່ງ ຍຸກສະໄໝ”. ໃນງານຖະແຫຼງຂ່າວ ຊຶ່ງຈັດຂຶ້ນໃນຕອນຄຳ່ວັນທີ 7 ກຸມພາ 2011 ທ່ານ ອະນຸສອນ ສິຣິສັກດາ ໃນນາມ ປະທານ ບໍລິສັດ ລາວອາຣ໌ ມີເດຍ ຜູ້ຈັດຕັ້ງປະຕິບັດໂຄງການສານຝັນໃຫ້ເປັນດາ ວ ທັງໃນນາມ ຜູ້ຕາງໜ້າ ສະມາຄົມຜູ້ຜະລິດພາບ ແລະ ສຽງ ແລະ ສະມາຄົມນັກ ທຸລະກິດໜຸ່ມສະເໜີວ່າ: ໂຄງການນີ້ໄດ້ຮັບຄວາມ ສົນໃຈຈາກ ຊາວໜູຸ່ມຫຼາຍ ໃນແຕ່ລະພາກ ຄາດວ່າທົ່ວປະເທດ ຈະ ມີສະໝັກຜູ້ເຂົ້າຮ່ວມທັງໝົດບໍ່ຕຳ່ກວ່າ 500 ຄົນ. ການປະກວດ ຮອບຄັດເລືອກຈະຈັດຂຶ້ນ ໃນ 4 ເມືອງໃຫຍ່ຄື: ທີ່ ນະຄອນຫຼວງວຽງຈັນ, ຫຼວງພະບາງ, ສະຫວັນນະເຂດ ແລະ ປາກເຊ ແຕ່ລະແຫ່ງນັ້ນ ເລືອກເຟັ້ນເອົາຜູ້ທີ່ມີຄວາມກະຕືລືລົ້ນ ມີພອນສະ ຫວັນ ແລະ ມີຄວາມສາມາດໂດດເດັ່ນ ຈຳນວນ 20 ຄົນ ເຂົ້າສູ່ຮອບ ສຸດທ້າຍ ແລ້ວນຳມາເຂົ້າຮັບການຝຶກອົບຮົມ ດ້ານການສະແດງ ທີ່ ນະຄອນຫຼວງວຽງຈັນ ທ່ານ ອະນຸສອນ ສິຣິສັກດາ ໃຫ້ຄວາມເຫັນຕື່ມວ່າ: ຜ່ານການ ປະກວດຮອບຄັດເລືອກ ເຫັນວ່າ ຜູ້ເຂົ້າຮ່ວມປະກວດຈຳນວນ ຫຼາຍຄົນທີ່ມີຄວາມໄຝ່ຝັນ ມີຄວາມກະຕືລືລົ້ນ ມີພອນສະຫວັນ ແລະ ສະແດງອອກໃຫ້ເຫັນວ່າ ມີຄຸນສົມບັດ ພຽງພໍທີ່ຈະກ້າວ ໄປເປັນນັກສະແດງ ທີ່ດີໃນອະນາຄົດ ຫາກໄດ້ຮັບການຝຶກຝົນ ຫຼໍ່ຫຼອມ. ແຕ່ໜ້າເສຍດາຍທີ່ ພວກເຮົາມີພື້ນທີ່ຈຳກັດ ດັ່ງນັ້ນ ຈຶ່ງໄດ້ຄັດອອກ ເພື່ອເອົາແຕ່ຜູ້ທີ່ໂດດເດັ່ນທີ່ສຸດເຂົ້າ ສູ່ການຝຶກ ຝົນຫຼໍ່ຫຼອມຕໍ່ໄປ

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ສ່ວນຜູ້ທີ່ ບໍ່ຜ່ານການຄັດເລືອກນັ້ນ ພວກເຮົາຍັງຈະຊັກຊວນເຂົາ ເຈົ້ າ ໃຫ້ ເ ຂົ້ າ ມາຮ່ ວ ມໃນກິ ດ ຈະກຳການບັ ນ ເທີ ງ ດ້ າ ນອື່ ນ ໆຂອງ ບໍລິສັດເປັນຕົ້ນວ່າ: ການສະແດງຮູບເງົາ ການສະແດງລະຄອນ ການເປັນພິທີກອນ ເປັນນັກຮ້ອງ… ດັ່ງນັ້ນຈຶ່ງ ຮຽກຮ້ອງໃຫ້ ພວກນ້ອງນຸງ່ ຈົ່ງຢ່າເສຍ ກຳລັງໃຈ ຢ່າລະຄວາມ ຫວັງຄວາມຕັ້ງໃຈ ຈົ່ງຝຶກຝົນຫຼໍ່ຫຼອມ ຕົນເອງ ເພື່ອລໍ ໂອກາດຄັ້ງຕໍ່ໄປທີ່ຈະມີຂຶ້ນໃນ ອະນາຄົດ.

ຈຳນວນ 20 ຄົນນັ້ນ ຈະໄດ້ຂຶ້ນເວທີສະແດງຢູ່ ນະຄອນຫຼວງ ວຽງຈັ ນ ໂດຍມີ ກ ານຖ່ າ ຍທອດສົ ດ ທາງໂທລະພາບໃນແຕ່ ລ ະ ອາທິດ ຊຶ່ງເລີ່ມແຕ່ ວັນທີ 26 ມີນາ ເຖິງ ວັນທີ 14 ພຶດສະພາ ລວມ 8 ອາທິດ. ຜູ້ຊົງຄຸນວຸດທິໃນແຕ່ລະດ້ານຈະປະກອບຄຳ ຄິດເຫັ​ັນໃຫ້ຄຳແນະນຳຕໍ່ນັກສະແດງ ແລະ ພ້ອມກັບມະຫາຊົນ ທົ່ວໄປໃຫ້ຄະແນນ (ຮ່ວມໂຫວດ) ຜ່ານຮູບແບບຕ່າງໆເຊັ່ນ: ເຄື່ອຄ່າຍໂທລະສັບມືຖື ເພື່ອຄັດເອົາ 10 ຄົນເຂົ້າສູ່ຮອບສຸດທ້າຍ, ແລະປະກາດຜົນການຕັດ ສີນໃນທີ່ສຸດ. ທັງໝົດນີ້ຈະເປັນລາຍ ການປະກວດໃນຮູບແບບຕໍ່ເນື່ອງ ຫຼື TV Reality ຄັ້ງທຳອິດໃນລາວ ຊຶ່ງ ຄາດວ່າ ຈະມີຜູ້ຄົນທັງພາຍໃນ ແລະ ຕ່າງປະເທດ ໃຫ້ຄວາມສົນໃຈສູງ. ຫຼືເຂົ້າຊົມເວັບໄຊ www.laodreamstar.com E-mail: contact@laodreamstar.com

ວົງອິນພຸດ ປະສົບຜົນສຳເລັດແບບທີພໍໃຈ ທ່ານເຄີຍຮູ້ບໍ່ວ່າ ກວ່າທີ່ຈະມີສິນລະປິນກຸ່ມນັກຮ້ອງອອກມາ ໃຫ້ເຮົາໄດ້ຟັງຜົນງານແຕ່ລະຄົນໄດ້ຜ່ານອຸປະສັກຫຼາຍໆ ຢ່າງ ກວ່າຈະມາເປັນນັກຮ້ອງໃຫ້ເຮົາຮູ້ຈັກໄດ້ໃນວົງການບັນເທີງ ບາງຄົນກໍ່ມີຄວາມຝັນ ແຕ່ບໍ່ມີໂອກາດ, ບາງຄົນມີໂອກາດ ແຕ່ກໍ່ເຮັດບໍ່ປະສົບຜົນສຳເລັດເພາະແຕ່ລະຢ່າງມັນຕ້ອງໃຊ້ ຄວາມສາມາດບວກກັບໃຈມັກດ້ານນີ້ແທ້ໆ ແລະ ທີ່ສຳຄັນມັນ ຕ້ອງໃຊ້ໄລຍະເວລາເພື່ອຈະເຮັດໃຫ້ຜົນງານມີຄຸນນະພາບດີ. ມີ ວົ ງ ໜຶ່ ງ ທີ່ ຂ້ ອ ຍ ຢ າ ກ ນ ຳ ສ ະ ເ ໜີ ເ ພ າ ະ ເ ປັ ນ ວົ ງ ທີ່ ມີ ຜົ ນ ງານເພງກຳລັງຮິດໃນຕອນນີ້ ບໍ່ວ່າຈະເປັນທາງຄື້ນວິທະຍຸ ຫລື ທາງໂທລະພາບຊຶ່ງ ມີກະແສຕອບຮັບເປັນທີ່ໜ້າພໍໃຈ ນັ້ນກໍ່ແມ່ນ ວົງອິນພຸດ ສັງກັດຢູ່ຄ້າຍ TK Enter ພວກເຂົາມັກ ໃນດ້ານການຫລີ້ນດົນຕີ ແລະ ມີຄວາມຝັນຄືກັນ ຜ່ານມາວົງ ນີ້ເລີມກ້າວເຂົ້າໃນວົງການບັນເທີງຕັ້ງແຕ່ ປີ 2003 ໃນໄລຍະ ໜຶ່ງພວກເຂົາກໍ່ຫາຍງຽບໄປຈາກວົງການບັນເທີງເພື່ອໄປສ້າງ ຜົນງານເພງໃໝ່ໃຫ້ມັນດີຂຶ້ນກວ່າເກົ່າ. ພວກເຂົາໄດ້ປັບປຸງໃຫ້ ມີແນວເພງຫຼາກຫຼາຍສະຕາຍກວ່າເກົ່າຊຶ່ງເໝາະສົມແກ່ຍຸກ ປະຈຸບັນ ແລະ ແລ້ວກໍ່ປະສົບຜົນສຳເລັດພໍສົມຄວນ.

ວົ ງ ອິ ນ ພຸ ດ ມີ ນັ ກ ຮ້ ອ ງນຳຊື່ ວ່ າ ໂກ້ ແລະ ໄດ້ ມື ກິ ຕ້ າ ມາໃໝ່ ເ ປັ ນ ຜູ້ ຍິງຊື່ ວ່າ ນ້ອຍ ເພງທີປ່ອຍອອກມາທຳອິດ ແມ່ນເພງ ບອກເລີກ ຊຶ່ງມີ MV ທີ່ກິນໃຈ. ໄດ້ປ່ອຍອອກອາກາດທາງໂທລະພາບລາວ ຕອນ ນີ້ກໍ່ມີ MV ເພງທີ ສອງອອກມາຄືເພງ ຂໍໂອກາດ ເປັນແນວເພງ ຫວານໆ ໜ້າຮັກໜ້າຮັກ ແລະ ໃນໄວໆນີ້ ວົງອິນພຸດ ກໍ່ຈະມີອາລະບຳເຕັມອອກ ມາຂໍໃຫ້ແຟນເພງຊ່ວຍສະໜັບສະໜູນ.

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Weddings, Home Comings and New Horizions Lao overseas return to do Business in the P.D.R.

ຮູ້ຈັກກັນໃນງານວິວາ, ຄິດກັບມາບ້ານເກີດ ແລະ ນຳໃຊ້ຄວາມຄິດໃຫມ່ -

ຄົ ນ ລ າ ວ ຢູ່ ຕ່ າ ງ ແ ດ ນ ກັ ບ ຄື ນ ມ າ ເຮັດທຸລະກິດ ທີ່ ສປປລາວ

W

eddings are meant to be the beginning of a beautiful relationship both for the bride and groom and sometimes also for people who meet there. This is exactly how it went when Bee and Peter met at their cousins wedding in Sydney, however theirs became that of a business relationship. After finding out that they both shared the dream of returning to their native Laos for many of the same reasons they decided that it was time to realize that dream. Now, just a few years down the road they run a very successful creative media production company and are pioneering the rise of professional video production.

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ການສ້ າ ງຄອບຄົ ວ ແມ່ ນຈຸ ດເລີ ່ ມຕົ ້ ນຊີ ວິ ດ ທີ ່ ສ ວຍງາມ ຂອງເຈົ ້ າ ບ່ າ ວ ແລະ ເຈົ ້ າ ສາວ ລວມທັ ງ ເປັ ນງານນັ ດ ພົ ບ ໃຫ້ ຄົ ນ ເຮົ າ ໄດ້ ຮ ູ ້ ຈັ ກ ກັ ນ. ນີ ້ ແ ມ່ ນຊີ ວ ິ ດຕົ ວ ຈິ ງ ຂອງ ບີ ແລະ ປີ ເ ຕີ ພົ ບ ກັ ບ ໃ ນ ງ າ ນ ດ ອ ງ ຂ ອ ງ ພີ ່ ນ້ ອ ງ ພວກເຂົ າ ທີ ່ ເ ມື ອງ ຊີ ດ ເນ. ເຖິ ງ ຢ່ າ ງໃດກໍ ດີ ທັ ງ ສ ອ ງ ໄ ດ້ ລົ ມ ກັ ນ ກ່ ຽ ວ ກັ ບ ກ າ ນ ດ ຳ ເ ນີ ນ ທຸ ລ ະ ກິ ດ . ຫຼ ັ ງ ຈ າ ກ ພົ ບ ປ ແ ລ ະ ແ ລ ກ ປ່ ຽ ນ ຄວາມຄິ ິ ດເຫັ ນ ເຫັ ນ ວ່ າ ແຕ່ ລະຄົ ນມີ ແ ຜນ ກ າ ນ ຂ ອ ງ ຊີ ວິ ດ ວ່ າ ຈ ະ ຕ້ ອ ງ ກັ ບ ຄື ນ ກັ ບ ມ າ ປະເທດລາວ ບ້ າ ນເກີ ດເມື ອ ງນອນ ແລະ ຍ້ ອ ນທັ ງ ສອງມີ ເ ຫດຜົ ນ ຄື ກັ ນ ຫຼ າ ຍຢ່ າ ງ ພວກ ເຂົ າ ໄດ້ ຕັ ດ ສີ ນ ໃຈວ່ າ ມັ ນ ເຖິ ງ ໂອກາດທີ່ ຈ ະ ສ້ າ ງ ຄ ວ າ ມ ຝັ ນ ໃ ຫ້ ເ ປັ ນ ຈິ ງ ປ ະ ຈຸ ບັ ນ ນີ ້ ໃນພຽງບໍ ່ ເ ທົ ່ າ ໃດປີ ເຂົ າ ເຈົ ້ າ ໄດ້ ເ ລີ ້ ມ ສ້າ ງ ເສັ ້ ນ ທາງແຫ່ ງ ຊີ ວ ິ ດ ທີ ່ ມີ ຜົ ນສຳເລັ ດ ໃນການ ສ້ າ ງຕັ ້ ງ ບໍ ລິ ສັ ດ ຜະລິ ດ ວຽກງານສື ່ ມ ວນຊົ ນ ແລະ ທົ ດລອງເລີ ່ ມ ສ້ າ ງ ວິ ດິ ໂ ອ ເປັ ນ ອາຊີ ບ.

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B

ee was originally born in Vientiane 37 years ago, but migrated to the States with his parents when he was 6 years old. He grew up in Hawaii and Alaska and moved to Seattle for work.

“There was always the dream of returning, I guess… I think it was all the stories my parents told, it was kind of a fairytale place. And the food of course I love the food ” he says explaining why he decided to return. “ also I wanted something different from life. I was working in IT for T-Mobile but no matter how successful I was, it just seemed that something was missing.

The fast paced high pressure environment of corporate US, I don’t know… I just wasn’t enjoying life” “I remember arriving; in the beginning all seemed so chaotic; so many opportunities, so many young people scrambling to create opportunity! After a while it all started to make a bit more sense. Everything here is really based on relations and that is really part of what I like about it. I mean there are really very few developed systems for finding information about companies here so it is all about who you know” ບິ ມີຖິ່ນຖານກຳເນີດທີ່ວຽງຈັນ ກ່ອນຫນ້ານີ້ 37 ປີ ແຕ່ໄດ້ອົບ ພະຍົບໄປຢູ່ສະຫາລັດອະເມລິກາ ກັບ ພໍ່ແມ່ ເມື່ອມີອາຍຸ 12 ປີ. ລາວໄດ້ເຕີບໂຕ ທີ່ ຮາວາຍ ແລະ ອາລາສະກາ ແລະ ມາຢູ່ເມືອງ ຊິດໂທ ເພື່ອເຮັດວຽກ “ ຂ້ອຍຄິດວ່າ ຂ້ອຍ ຈະກັບຄືນບ້ານເກີດເມືອງນອນຢູ່ສະເຫມີ ຂ້ອຍຄິດ ເຖິງ ເລື່ອງທັງຫມົດ ທີ່ພໍ່ແມ່ເຄີຍໄດ້​້ເລົ່າສູ່ຟັງ ມັນເປັນນີຍາຍ ທີ່ ດີ ແ ລະອາຫານລາວກໍ ເ ປັ ນ ອາຫານທີ່ ຂ້ ອ ຍລື ມ ບໍ່ ໄ ດ້ ”ລາວໄດ້ອະທິບາຍ ວ່າ ເປັນຫຍັງທີ່ລາວຢາກກັບຄືນ “ຍັງ ມີບາງສິງບາງຢ່າງທີ່ແຕກຕ່າງອີກທີ່ຕ້ອງການຈາກ ຊີວິດ. ຂ້ອຍເຮັດວຽກກ່ຽວກັບ ໄອທີ ເພື່ອເຮັດວຽກໃຫ້ ບໍລິສັດມືຖື ທີໂມບາຍ (T-Mobile). ແຕ່ຢ່າງໃດ ກໍຕາມມັນບໍ່ຂື້ນກັບຜົນ ສຳເລັດທີ່ຂ້ອຍເຮັດໄດ້. ແຕ່ກໍຍັງເຫັນວ່າຂ້ອຍຍັງຂາດສີ່ງ ໃດໜຶ່ງ. ການເຮັດວຽກ ຢ່າງຮີບດ່ວນ ເປັນວຽກທີ່ໜິບຮັດ ຈາກ ສະພາບແວດລ້ອມອ້ອມຂ້າງ ໃນການດຳເນີນງານທີ່ ສະຫະລັດ ຂ້ອຍບໍ່ຮູ້ ...... ຂ້ອຍ ຍັງບໍ່ມ່ວນຊື່ນ ເພາະຄິດວ່າ ຕົນເອັງຍັງຂາດສີ່ງໃດໜຶ່ງໃນຊີວິດ.” “ຂ້ອຍຍັງຈົດຈຳ ໃນເວລາເລີ່ມຕົ້ນ ເພາະໄດ້ປະເຊີນ ໜ້າກັບຄວາມຫຍຸ້ງຍາກສັບສົນ: ທັງເປັນການສ່ຽງ ແລະ ທັງ ເປັນການເປີດໂອກາດ. ດັ່ງນັ້ນ ຄົນໜຸ່ມຈີ່ງຕ້ອງສ້າງໂອ ກາດ. ຈາກນັ້ນບໍ່ພໍພຽງໃດກໍມີຄວາມຄືບໜ້າ. ທັງມົດຢູ່ທີ່ນີ້ ແມ່ນຂື້ນການເຮັດວຽກແບບມີສາຍພີ່ນ້ອງ ແລະ ນັ້ນແມ່ນ ພາກສ່ວນໜຶ່ງທີ່ຂ້ອຍມັກ, ຂ້ອຍໝາຍຄວາມວ່າ ຄວນຈະ ຕ້ອງໄດ້ສ້າງລະບົບພັດທະນານ້ອຍໜຶ່ງ ເພື່ອຊອກຫາຂໍ້ມູນ ກ່ຽວກັບການສ້າງຕັ້ງບໍລິສັດຢູ່ທີ່ນີ້ ນັ້ນແມ່ນກ່ຽວກັບຄົນທີ່ ເຈົ້າຮູ້ຈັກ.”

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P

eter was born in Luang Prabang and moved to Sydney as a kid. He has a similar story to tell of growing up and dreaming about Laos whilst also not completely feeling like he fit in where he was. So, once he and Bee started talking, they realised how much they had in common and it didn’t take long for them to decide to do something about it. Shortly after the wedding, they both packed their bags and were in Laos to build a business together: Chilax Productions a high-end video production house that does everything from commercials, to instruction videos and to fully fledged TV programs.

A graduate of film production from the SAE institute of Sydney, Peter also sees his homecoming as an opportunity to give something back to the country and to help influence the direction and the development of the media and entertainment business here. “One of our greatest challenges has been finding professionals to wok here. There are no schools and no one teaching these kind of things, so we actually also have to educate our clients sometimes, simply because they have never really tried to work with professionals before in this field, so there is a huge potential for a company like ours, but it is not always easy.”

ປີເຕີ ເກີດທີ່ຫຼວງພະບາງ ແລະ ຍ້າຍມາຢູ່ເມືອງ ຊິດນີ ໃນເວລາໄວເດັກ ທີ່ມີຊີວີດໄວເດັກທີ່ຄ້າຍຄືກັນໄນການເຕີບ ໃຫຍ່ ແລະ ກໍມີຄວາມຝັນກ່ຽວກັບການກັບຄືນສູ່ເມືອງລາວ ດັ່ງນັ້ນອີກເທີ່ອໜຶ່ງທີ່ທັງສອງໄດ້ລົມກັນ ແລະ ກໍໄດ້ເຜີຍແນວ ຄວາມຄິດທີ່ຄືກັນເພື່ອຈະສ້າງສີ່ງໃດໜຶ່ງນັ້ນ, ຈາກນັ້ນ ບໍ່ດົນ ປານໃດທີ່ທັງສອງໄດ້ ພົ ບ ປະສັ ງ ສັ ນ ໃນງານແຕ່ ງ ງານຂອງ ພີ່ນ້ອງ ພວກເຂົາທັງສອງກໍໄດ້ຫອບກະເປົາ ແລະ ມາປະ ເທດລາວເພື່ອເຮັດທຸລະກິດ: ໂດຍໄດ້ສ້າງຕັ້ງ ບໍລິສັດ ຊີ ແ ລ ກ ສ ( C h i l a x ) ເ ພື່ ອ ຜ ະ ລິ ດ ວີ ດີ ໂ ອ ເ ລື່ ອ ງ ຕ່ າ ງ ໆ ເພື່ອດຳເນີນທຸລະກິດ ແລະ ສ້າງລາຍການໂທລະພາບ. ປີເຕີ ໄດ້ສຳເລັດການຜະລິດຟີມທີ່ສະຖາບັນ ແຊ (SEA) ທີ່ເມືອງຊີດເນ ແລະ ລາວຍັງໄດ້ເຫັນວ່າການ ກັບຄືນບ້ານເກີດເມືອງນອນ ແມ່ນໂອກາດໜຶ່ງທີ່ຈະນຳ ສີ່ງໃດໜຶ່ງກັບຄືນປະເທດ ແລະ ນຳມາຮັບໃຊ້ ແລະ ພັດທະນາ ທຸລະກິດ ທາງດ້ານສື່ມວນຊົນ ແລະ ການ ບັນ ເທິ ງ ຊຶ່ ງ ເປັ ນ ວຽກທີ່ ທ້ າ ທາຍໜັ ກ ໜ່ ວ ງໃນເຮັ ດ ອາຊີ ບ ນີ້ ທີ່ ປະເທດລາວ ໜຶ່ງໃນການທ້າທາຍອັນໃຫຍ່ຫຼວງຂອງພ ວກເຮົາຄື​ືໄດ້ຖືກພົບວ່າເປັນວຽກງານອາຊີບ ທີ່ເຮັດທຸລະ ກິດຢູ່ທີ່ນີ້ ເພາະວ່າຍັງບໍ່ທັນມີໂຮງຮຽນປະເພດນີ້ ແລະ ບໍ່ມີໃຜສອນວິຊາການນີ້, ດັ່ງນັ້ນ ພວກເຮົາຕ້ອງໄດ້ໃຫ້ການ ສິດສອນແກ່ລູກຄ້າແບບງ່າຍໆ ຍ້ອນວ່າ ພວກເຂົາຍັງບໍ່ທັນ ໄ ດ້ ທົ ດ ລ ອ ງ ເ ຮັ ດ ວ ຽ ກ ໃ ນ ສ າ ຍ ອ າ ຊີ ບ ນີ້ ມ າ ແ ຕ່ ກ່ ອ ນ . ດັ່ ງ ນັ້ ນ ພ ວ ກ ເ ຮົ າ ຕ້ ອ ງ ໃ ຊ້ ສັ ກ ກ າ ຍ ະ ພ າ ບ ດ້ າ ນ ວິ ຊ າ ການເພື່ອສ້າງຕັ້ງບໍລິສັດນີ້ ແຕ່ຕ້ອງໄດ້ຄຳນຶງວ່າມັນບໍ່ ແມ່ນ ເລື່ອງງ່າຍປານໃດ”

Apart from building a highly professional media production business both Peter and Bee also strongly emphasise that they want to help build up the local human resources, and so when you come to their office there are always at least a couple of young guys hanging around playing with equipment or intensely watching a 3D animation movie to check out some new tricks or learn a new angle to play.

“It is something we are really serious about. We want to give local creative talent an opportunity to grow and express themselves. These guys have nowhere to go and so we really want to be the place for these young people to come and develop and learn the craft of filmmaking in a professional way”.

When Peter says professional he certainly has the track record to prove that!

In Australia he worked for clients such as YSL, Coca Cola, Jim Beam and Toyota. Locally they have already done work for several big banks including BCEL and BFL, and also Lao Telecom.

More so, Chillax has just launched their biggest project to date: The Tiger Battle of the Band – a countrywide music show with band style idols in a televised competition to become the new top band of the Lao music scene, no doubt one of the most ambitious TV projects so far in Laos. As if that wasn’t enough The Chillax Company is now expanding into other media such as graphic design and websites. Peter puts the ambitions of the company very plainly: “We basically want to help the whole media industry grow to a point where clients that demand international standards no longer need to go to Thailand or Singapore but can get it done here locally. This will also mean that things will be made more according to our culture and more directed towards the local market”.

So what started out as a nice dinner conversation seems to have turned into something that has not only had great impact in both their lives but evidently on the Lao media and entertainment industry at large. Furthermore, it seems that they are not alone in this pioneering return of overseas resources. 10 years ago you heard a lot of Lao Youth dreaming about living in the States, however now it seems that more and more overseas Lao are coming back to live here.

A trend that is both fueled by the explosive growth of the economy and also the increasing national pride. Laos is growing cool, simple as that!

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ນອກຈາກ ການຜະລິດ ສີ່ງສື່ມວນຊົນ ທັງສອງ ປີເຕີ ແລະ ບີ ຍັງໄດ້ ເນັ້ນໜັກວ່າ ເຂົາເຈົ້າຕ້ອງການສ້າງຄົນລາວ ແລະ ເມື່ອໃດທ່ານ ມີໂອກາດມາສັງເກດເບິ່ງຫ້ອງການພວກເຂົາ ທ່ານກໍຈະໄດ້ເຫັນ ພະນັກງານໜຸ່ມ ທີ່ກຳລັງເຮັດວຽກ ຫຼື ສຶກສາເບິ່ງ ຟີມຮູບເງົາ ເພື່ອກວດກາ ສີ່ງທີ່ຜິດປົກກະຕິ ຫຼື ຮຽນຮູ້ກັບວິຊາການໃຫມ່. “ມັນເປັນວຽກທີ່ຕ້ອງເອົາໃຈໃສ່ ພວກເຮົາຕ້ອງການຢາກໃຫ້ຄົນ ລາວເຮົາມີຄວາມສາມາດ ມີໂອກາດເຕີບໃຫຍ່ ແລະ ສະແດງ ໃຫ້ເຫັນບົດບາດຂອງເຂົາເຈົ້າ. ພະນັກງານໜຸ່ມເຫຼົ່ານີ້ ບໍ່ມີທາງ ເລືອກອື່ນທີ່ຈະໄປ ແລະ ພວກເຮົາຕ້ອງການສ້າງສະຖານທີ່ນີ້ ເພື່ອໃຫ້ຊາວໜຸ່ມໄດ້ມີວຽກງານເຮັດ ແລະ ເຂົ້າມາພັດທະນາ ຕົນເອງພ້ອມທັງເຮັດ ແລະ ຮຽນຮູ້ກ່ຽວກັບການສ້າງຮູບເງົາທີ່ ຖືເອົາວິຊາການນີ້ເປັນອາຊີບ”. ເມື່ອເວລາ ປີເຕີ ເວົ້າເຖິງວິຊາຊີບ ຂອງລາວວ່າໄດ້ຮັບການ ພິສູດມາແລ້ວຢ່າງຈະແຈ້ງ! ເຊັ່ນທີ່ ປະເທດອົດສະຕຣາລີ ລາວໄດ້ເຮັດວຽກໃຫ້ລູກຄ້າ ເຊັ່ນ: ບໍລິສັດ ວາຍແອດເອນ (YSL), ໂກກາໂກລາ (Coca Cola), ຈິມບິມ (Jim Beam) ແລະ ໂຕໂຢຕາ (Toyota). ຢູ່ທີ່ປະເທດລາວບໍລິສັດຂອງລາວໄດ້ເຮັດວຽກໃຫ້ທະ ນາຄານໃຫຍ່ຫຼາຍແຫ່ງ ເຊັ່ນ ທະນາຄານ ການຄ້າຕ່າງປະເທດ, ທະນາຄານ BFL ແລະ ບໍລິສັດ ລາວ ໂທລະຄົມ ນອກຈາກນີ້ ບໍລິສັດ ຊິແລກສ ຍັງດຳເນີນໂຄງການໃຫຍ່ທີ່ສຸດສ້າງ ວົງດົນຕີ ເດີ ໄທເກີ ບັດເຕີນ ເປັນວົງທີ່ມີຊື່ສຽງ ມີການແຂ່ງກັນສະ ແດງໃນໂທລະທັດ ແລະ ເປັນວົງທີ່ຢູ່ແຖວໜ້າທາງດ້ານ ດົນຕີລາວ ແລະ ກໍຖືວ່າ ເປັນໂຄງການ ທີ່ສຸມທຸກຄວາມພະຍາຍາມຫຼາຍຢ່າງ ຢ່າງໃນປະເທດລາວ.

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ຖ້າຫາກຍັງບໍ່ກຸ້ມຕົນເອງ ບໍລິສັດ ຊີແລກສ ຍັງໄດ້ຂະຫຍາຍ ວຽກ ສີ່ມວນຊົນ ເຊັ່ນ: ການອອກແບບ ຈັດໜ້າ ແລະ ສ້າງຖານເວບ ໄຊອີກຕື່ມ. ປີເຕີ ໄດ້ສຸມສຸດຄວາມສາມາດ ໃສ່ວຽກບໍລິສັດ: “ ໃນພື້ນຖານຫຼັກ ແລ້ວ ພວກເຮົາຕ້ອງການຊ່ວຍສ້າງອຸດສະຫະກຳ ສື່ສານໃຫ້ເຕີບ ໃຫຍ່ ໃຫ້ໄດ້ຕາມຄວາມຕ້ອງການຂອງລູກຄ້າ ຄືຕ້ອງສ້າງໃຫ້ ໄດ້ມາດຕາຖານສາກົນ ໃນບໍ່ຊ້າກໍຈະໄປທຽບທັນ ປະເທດໄທ ຫຼື ສີງກາໂປ ແຕ່ວ່າດຽວນີ້ຈະຕ້ອງເຮັດໃຫ້ມັນເດີນໄດ້ດີທີ່ສຸດຢູ່ ພາຍໃນປະເທດນີ້ສາກ່ອນ ຈຶ່ງຈະຄ່ອຍຈະ ຂະຫຍາຍອອກໄປ ຊື່ງສີ່ງທີ່ຈະຜະລິດຫມົດນີ້ ແມ່ນອີງຕາມວັດທະນະທຳ ຂອງພວກ ເຮົາ ແລະ ສຸມໃສ່ຕະຫຼາດພາຍໃນປະເທດ.” ການສົນທະນາທີ່ພາເຂົ້າແລງເຫັນວ່າ ມີບາງຢ່າງໄດ້ເກີດຂື້ນ ມັນ ບໍ່ພຽງແຕ່ເປັນຜົນກະທົບທີ່ດໃ ີ ຫ້ແກ່ຊີວິດພວກເຂົາທັງສອງ ແຕ່ຍງັ ຈະຄ່ອຍເປັນຄ່ອຍໄປໃນການສ້າງອຸດສາຫະກຳ ທາງດ້ານສີ່ມວນ ຊົນ ແລະ ການບັນເທິງ ແລະ ຍີ່ງໄປກວ່ານັ້ນ ຍັງເຫັນວ່າພວກເຂົາບໍ່ ໄດ້ຢູ່ໂດດດ່ຽວເພື່ອທົດລອງຄວາມຮູ້ມາຈາກຕ່າງປະເທດ. ສິບປີ ກ່ອນໜ້ານີ້ ພວກເຮົາ ມັກຈະໄດ້ຍິນຂ່າວວ່າ ຊາວໜຸ່ມລາວ ແມ່ນມີຄວາມຝັນຢາກໄປຢູ່ສະຫະລັດ ແຕ່ມາຮອດ ປະຈຸບັນນີ້ ຄົນ ລາວຢູ່ຕ່າງປະເທດ ຫຼາຍຄົນໄດ້ກັບຄືນມາຢູ່ທີ່ນີ້. ແນວໂນ້ມ ແມ່ນ ເພື່ອສ້າງເສດຖະກິດໃຫ້ເຕີບໃຫຍ່ ແລະ ເພື່ອກຽດຂອງຊາດ, ລາວ ເປັນປະເທດ ທີ່ມີຄວາມສະຫງົບສຸກ ແລະ ຢູ່ຮ່ວມກັນແບບ ລຽບງ່າຍ.!

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Restaurants Vientiane

Vientiane

Luang Prabang

Khop Chai Deu The Place where the world meets. 54 Setthathirat Rd, Namphou Fountain, Vientiane, Lao PDR. Tel/Fax: (856) 21 -251564 www.khopchaideu.com

La Gondola 101/7 Ban Wat Chane Chao Anou Rd., Chanthabury, P.O.BOX 9198, Vientiane Lao PDR. Tel: (856) 21 -264057 Mob: (856) 20 -5926 232 E-mail: pierluigimarcon@hotmail.com

Blue Lagoon Café Blue Lagoon Café serves an Extensive menu of food, cocktails, Coffees and wines Ban Choumkhong, Luang Prabang, Lao PDR. Tel: (856) 71 -253698 E-mail: info@blue-lagoon-cafe.ch www.blue-lagoon-cafe.com

Sophisticated Fusion Suchi & Japanese Food Open every day Hang Boun Road, Ban Haisok, Tel: +856-21 265 000

La Scala Km3, Ban Beungkayong, Vientiane, Lao PDR. Tel: (856) 21 -485006 Mob: (856) 20 -2225354 E-mail: lascsla_delishop@yahoo.com L’Adresse de Tinay P 141 Samsenthai Rd, Unit 118, Vientiane, Lao PDR. Mob: (856) 20 -6913434 E-mail: tinay.intha@gmail.com Lao Garden P 131 The Deua Rd, Ban Watnak, Vientiane, Lao PDR. Tel: (856) 21 -312930 Le Prevencal P 155 Aucun doute les meilleures Pizzas De Vientiane sa pud est dans votre assiette Namphu Square, Vientiane, Lao PDR. Tel: (856) 21 -219689 Mob: (856) 20 -5614092 Camacrafts P 89 Nokeo koummane Rd., Mixay Village, P.O.Box 4556, Vientiane, Lao PDR. Tel: (856) 21 -241217 E-mail: et@camacrafts.org www.camacrafts.org

Indochina Spirit Ban Vat That 50-51, Opposite the Fountain on the Mainroad, Luang Prabang, Lao PDR Tel: (856) 71 -253080, 252372 Mob: (856) 20 -5670189 E-mail: indochina2us@yahoo.com Sushi Japanese Retaurant Ban Visoun, Visounnarth Rd, Luang Prabang, Lao PDR Mob: (856) 20 -7518300 Rama Hotel Luang Prabang Khmu Restaurant P 52 Tel: (856) 71 -212092 Mob: (856) 20 -5570505 E-mail: malatravelservice@yahoo.com Morning Glory Café Morning Glory Café Sakarine Rd., Ban Wat Sene, Luang Prabang, Lao PDR. Mob: (856) 20 -7858344 www.mg-restaurant.com

Guest Houses Vientiane

Luang Prabang

Nam Lik Eco Village Vientiane Province, Lao PDR Mob: (856) 20-5508719, 5596724 E-mail: malicafe@hotmail.com www.namlik.com

Bouakham Guest House Ban Pakham, Souvannabanlang Luang Prabang, Lao PDR Tel/Fax: (856) 71-254991 E-mail: bouakham_gh@yahoo.com www.green_laos.com

Haysok Ban Haysok ChanthabulyDist.

Tel: (856) 21 -218844 Mob: (856) 20 -5513779 Naphavong Ban Haysok ChanthabulyDist.

Tel: (856) 21 -240888 Mob: (856) 20 -5385175 Nita Ban Sailom ChanthabulyDist.

Tel: (856) 21 -213986 Mob: (856) 20 -7762777

Handicrafts Magic Lao Carpets Ban Nongdouang Tai Sikhottabong District, Lao PDR. Tel: +856-21 216 854 Fax: +856-21 215 639 E-mail. lanico@laotel.com www.magiclaocarpets.com

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Channuane Guest House p 200 Ban Hoa Siang, Luang Prabang, Lao PDR Tel: (856) 71 -252078 Mob: (856) 20 -5518815 E-mail: somtcit@channuane.com www.channuane.com Hotel Villa Ban Lao p 229 Thammamikarath Rd., Ban Mano, P.O.BOX: 888, Luang prabang, Lao PDR Tel: (856) 71 -252078 Fax: (856) 71 -212438 E-mail: info@banlaohotel.com www.banlaohotel.com Sokdee Residence P211 Ban vat Nong, Kounxoa Rd, Luang Prabang, Lao PDR Tel: (856) 71 -252555, E-mail: sokdeeresidence@gmail.com

Pakse Phaythavone Ban PhonsaAt Pakse District.

Tel: (030) 213623 Mob: (856) 20 -5432110 Phonesavanh Ban Thalouang Pakse District.

Tel: (031) 212842 Mob: (856) 2277277 Sala Ban Thasalakham Pakse District Tel: (031) 212725 Fax: (031) 213110 Thaluang Ban Thalouang Pakse District Tel: (031) 251399 Mob: (856) 5530113 Santisouk Ban Oudomsavanh Tel: (031) 25 2649 Mob: (856) 563 2442 Somvang Vongsouvan Ban KeoOudom Pakse District Tel: (031) 21 3413

Hotels Vientiane

Luang Prabang

Pakse

Aroon Residence Hotel Saylom Rd Ban Hatsady Neua Chanthabuly District. Vientiane Capital Tel: (856) 21 263023 – 4 Fax: (856) 21 263025 Mob: (856) 20 77777108 Email: booking@aroonresidencehotel.com www.aroonresidencehotel.com

Ancient Luang Prabang Sisavangvong Rd, Ban Bakham, Luang Prabang, Lao PDR Tel: (856) 71 -212264 Fax: (856) 71 -212840 E-mail: info@ancientluangprabang.com www.ancientluangprabang.com

Inthira Hotel Ban Vat Amard, Champasak District Champasak Province, Lao PDR. Tel/Fax: +856-31 214 059 E-mail: info@inthirahotel.com www.inthirahotel.com

Axay Phatthana Hotel 359 Phonsinuan Rd. Sisattanak District. Vientiane, Lao PDR Tel: (856) 21 454316 Mob: (856) 20 77444472, 22280222, 22222015 Email: Avs_Asxay@hotmail.com Phasouk Residence Ban Xieng Gneun, Wat Xieng Gneun Rd Vientiane Lao PDR Tel: (856) 21 243415, 264158 Fax: (856) 21 243414 Email: info@phasoukresidence.com www.phasoukresidence.com Green Park 248 Khouvieng Rd, P.O Box: 9698, Vientiane Lao PDR Tel: (856) 21 -264097 -9 Fax: (856) 21 -263064 E-mail: info@greenparkvientiane.com www.greenparkvientiane.com Hotel Lao 43/7 Hengboun Rd, Vientiane, Lao PDR Tel: (856) 21 -219280-1 Fax: (856) 21 -219282 E-mail: hotellao@laotel.com Lane-Xang Hotel Fa Ngum Rd, P.O BOX: 280, Vientiane, Lao PDR Tel: (856) 21 -214 100-7 Fax: (856) 21 -214108 E-mail: hotel-lanexang@yahoo.com Lao Plaza 63, Samsenthai Rd, Vientiane, Lao PDR Tel: (856) 21 -218800-01 Fax: (856) 21 -218800-9 E-mail: sales@laoplazahotel.com www.laoplazahotel.com

Mekong River View Hotel P 192 Mekong Riverside Rd, Xieng Thong Village, P.O.Box 183, Luang Prabang, Lao PDR Tel: (856) 71 -254900 E-mail: hotel@mekongriverview.com www.mekongriverview.com Le Bel Air Boutique P 199 1 Old Bridge, Luang Prabang, Lao PDR Tel: (856) 71 -254699 Fax: (856) 71 -410488 Mob: (856) 20 -5-410488 E-mail: info@leblairhotel.com Luang-Prabang River Lodge P 201 Bam Paxom Khomkong Rd, Along Tha Mekong Riverside Tel/Fax: (856) 21 -253314 Mob: (856) 20 -5-405192 E-mail: kllpq@laotel.com Rama Hotel P 217 Ban Visoun, Visounnarath Rd, Luang Prabang, Lao PDR Tel: (856) 71 -212247, 253255 Fax: (856) 71 -253266 E-mail: reservation@ramahotel.net www.ramahotel.net

Champa Hotel No. 13 Rd, P.O.BOX 504, Pakse Champasak,Lao PDR Tel: (856) 31 -213649 Fax: (856) 31 -212765 E-mail: Champaresidence@yahoo.com Champasak Palace Road No.13, Ban Prabath P.O.BOX: 718 Champasak Province, Lao PDR Tel: (856) 31 -212263, 212777-80 Fax: (856) 31 -212781, 252131 Kingfisher Ecolodge Ban Khiet Ngong (Phou Asa) Champasak Province, Lao PDR Tel: (856) 20 -5726315 E-mail: info@kingfisherecolodge.com www.kingfisherecolodge.com Salal Done Khone 4 000 Islands, Champasak, Lao PDR Tel: (856) 30 -5256390 Fax: (856) 30 -5260701 E-mail: saladonekhone@salalao.com www.saladonekhone@salalao.com

Lao Spirit Resort Nam Khan River 15 km out of Luang Prabang Mobile: +856-20 58553133 E-mail: info@lao-spirit.com

La Folie Lodge Pathoumphone Don Daeng P.O.BOX: 668 Champasak province, Lao PDR Tel: (856) 30 -5347603 Mob: (856) 20 -5532004 Email: reservation@lafolie-laos.com www.lafolie-laos.com

Oudomxay

Khammouane

Vanghai Village, Xay City, Oudomxay Province, Lao PDR Mobile: +856-20 23968111, 23966333 Tel: +856-81 212 881, Fax: +856-81 212882 sales@chrminglaohotel.com reservation@chrminglaohotel.com manager@chrminglaohotel.com www. chrminglaohotel.com

Inthira Hotel No. 079, Unit 4 Anou Road, BanThakhek Kang, Thakhek District Khammouane Province, Lao PDR. Tel/Fax: +856-51 251 237 E-mail: info@inthirahotel.com www.inthirahotel.com

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Lao people traditionally greet each other by pressing their palms together to ‘NOP’, although it is acceptable for men to shake hands.

In Laos your head is ‘High’, your feet ‘Low’.

Using your feet for anything other than walking or playing sport is generally considered rude.

Touching someone’s head is very, very impolite.

Lao people appreciate clean and neatly dressed visitors.

Bathing nude in public is impolite.

Please remember to take your shoes off before you enter a Lao person’s home.

Remember, your head is ‘high’, your feet ’low’, it is polite to gently crouch down when passing someone who is seated.

Never, ever step over someone in your path.

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Kissing and hugging in public is impolite.

Please be discrete.

Lao people speak softly and avoid confrontation. Please do not shout or raise your voice.

Before you take a photo of someone ask if it is ok.

Please do not distribute gifts to children as it encourages begging, but give to an established organization or village elders instead.

Try eating delicious Lao food whenever you can. It helps local business and Lao farmers.

Please show respect and dress neatly while in temples and when taking photos.

There are many other sacred items and sites in Lao. Please don’t touch or enter these places without permission.

Monks are revered and respected in Laos. However woman should not touch a monk or a monk’s robes.

Please help to keep Laos clean and beautiful by not leaving litter. Picking up rubbish sets a good example for Lao youth.

The illegal sale of wildlife and wildlife products endangers many species native to Laos. Help protect Lao wildlife by refusing to buy wildlife products.

Please help prevent forest fires.

Laos loses a little of its heritage every time an antique is taken out of the country. Please do not buy antique Buddha or other sacred items. Instead, support local craftsmen by purchasing new, quality handicrafts.

The use of drugs is illegal in Laos. The consequences may be severe for you and Lao society.

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INTERNATIONAL ROUTE Valid from 27 MAR 2011 to 30 OCT 2011

FLT No

AC

STP

ວຽງຈ ັນ - ບາງກອກ - ວຽງຈ ັນ QV414 Daily VTE BKK QV415 Daily VTE BKK QV4571 Daily VTE BKK QV4575 Daily VTE BKK QV424 Daily BKK VTE QV425 Daily BKK VTE QV4570 Daily BKK VTE QV4574 Daily BKK VTE

Day

Routing

Dep

Vientiane - Bangkok - Vientiane 07:20 08:40 ` 16:30 17:50 13:50 14:55 21:50 22:55 09:40 11:00 18:50 20:10 11:45 12:55 19:50 21:00

Arr

AT7 AT7 737 737 AT7 AT7 737 737

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

ວຽງຈ ັນ - ຮາ່ ໂນຍ ້ - ວຽງຈ ັນ QV312 1234567 VTE HAN QV840 Daily VTE HAN QV322 1234567 HAN VTE QV841 Daily HAN VTE

Vientiane - Hanoi - Vientiane 14:30 15:50 18:10 19:10 16:30 17:55 08:30 09:35

AT7 320 AT7 320

0 0 0 0

ວຽງຈ ັນ - ພະນ ົມເປັນ - ວຽງຈ ັນ QV841 Daily VTE PNH QV840 Daily PNH VTE

Vientiane - Phnompenh - Vientiane 10:20 11:50 15:50 17:20

320 320

0 0

ວຽງຈ ັນ - ສຽມຣຽບ - ວຽງຈ ັນ QV512 123.5.7 VTE REP QV522 123.5.7 REP VTE

Vientiane - Siemreap - Vientiane 06:30 09:25 10:05 13:00

AT7 AT7

PKZ PKZ

ວຽງຈ ັນ - ຄຸນມິງ - ວຽງຈ ັນ QV817 1234567 VTE KMG QV827 1234567 KMG VTE

Vientiane - Kunming - Vientiane 06:40 08:50 09:50 12:10

AT7 AT7

0 0

ວຽງຈ ັນ - ໂຮຈ ິ ນ ິ - ວຽງຈ ັນ ່ ມ QV515 246 VTE SGN QV525 246 SGN VTE

Vientiane - Hochiminh - Vientiane 07:00 10:45 11:45 15:30

MA6 MA6

PKZ PKZ

ຫລວງພະບາງ - ຊຽງໃໝ່ - ຫລວງພະບາງ QV635 23567 LPQ CNX QV645 23567 CNX LPQ

Luang Prabang - Chieng Mai - Luang Prabang 13:10 14:10 15:00 16:00

AT7 AT7

0 0

ຫລວງພະບາງ - ບາງກອກ - ຫລວງພະບາງ QV633 1234567 LPQ BKK QV643 1234567 BKK LPQ

Luang Prabang - Bangkok - Luang Prabang 07:30 09:10 10:20 12:00

AT7 AT7

0 0

ຫລວງພະບາງ - ສຽມຣຽບ - ຫລວງພະບາງ QV513 146 LPQ REP QV869 12356 LPQ REP QV523 146 REP LPQ QV868 12356 REP LPQ

Luang Prabang - Siemreap - Luang Prabang 10:50 14:20 10:30 12:10 15:00 18:30 12:50 14:30

MA6 F70 MA6 F70

PKZ 0 PKZ 0

ຫລວງພະບາງ - ຮາ່ ໂນຍ ້ - ຫລວງພະບາງ QV313 24567 LPQ HAN QV868 12356 LPQ HAN QV323 24567 HAN LPQ QV869 12356 HAN LPQ

Luang Prabang - Hanoi - Luang Prabang 16:40 17:40 15:10 16:00 18:25 19:25 08:55 09:50

AT7 F70 AT7 F70

0 0 0 0

ປາກເຊ - ສຽມຣຽບ - ປາກເຊ QV512 123.5.7 PKZ REP QV513 146 PKZ REP QV522 123.5.7 REP PKZ QV523 146 REP PKZ

Pakse - Siemreap - Pakse 08:25 09:25 13:20 14:20 10:05 11:05 15:00 16:00

AT7 AT7 AT7 AT7

0 0 0 0

ປາກເຊ - ບາງກອກ - ປາກເຊ QV213 357 QV223 357

PKZ BKK BKK PKZ

Pakse - Bangkok - Pakse 09:25 12:10 13:10 15:45

MA6 MA6

ZVK ZVK

ປາກເຊ - ໂຮຈິມນ ິ - ປາກເຊ QV515 246 QV525 246

PKZ SGN SGN PKZ

Pakse - Hochiminh - Pakse 10:50 12:10 13:10 14:30

MA6 MA6

0 0

ສະຫວ ັນນະເຂດ - ບາງກອກ - ສະຫວ ັນນະເຂດ QV213 357 ZVK BKK QV223 357 BKK ZVK

Savannakhet - Bangkok - Savannakhet 10:50 12:10 13:10 14:30

MA6 MA6

0 0

DOMESTIC ROUTE

Valid from 27 MAR 2011 to 30 OCT 2011 FLT No

Days

Routing

Dep

Arr

Ac

ວຽງຈ ັນ - ຫລວງພະບາງ

QV101 QV103 QV109

1234567 1234567 1234567

VTE LPQ VTE LPQ VTE LPQ

Vientiane - Luang Prabang 11:50 12:30 AT7 16:30 17:10 AT7 09:30 10:10 MA6

ຫລວງພະບາງ - ວຽງຈ ັນ QV102 QV104 QV110 QV110

1234567 1234567 146 2357

LPQ VTE LPQ VTE LPQ VTE LPQ VTE

Luang Prabang - Vientiane 1310 13:50 17:50 18:30 19:10 19:50 10:40 11:20

ຫລວງພະບາງ - ປາກເຊ - ຫລວງພະບາງ QV513 QV523

146 146

AT7 AT7 MA6 MA6

..3.5.7 ..3.5.7

VTE ZVK ZVK VTE

..3.5.7 ..3.5.7

PKZ ZVK ZVK PKZ

Vientiane - Savannakhet - Vientiane 07:30 10:00 MA6 15:10 17:40 MA6

PKZ PKZ

Pakse -Savannakhet - Pakse

09:25 15:10

10:00 15:45

MA6 MA6

0 0

Vientiane - Pakse - Vientiane 06:30 07:45 AT7 07:30 08:45 MA6 07:00 08:15 MA6 11:45 13:00 AT7 16:25 17:40 MA6 14:15 15:30 MA6

0 0 0 0 0 0

ວຽງຈ ັນ - ປາກເຊ - ວຽງຈ ັນ

QV512 QV201 QV515 QV522 QV202 QV525

123.5.7 357 246 123.5.7 357 246

VTE PKZ VTE PKZ VTE PKZ PKZ VTE PKZ VTE PKZ VTE

ວຽງຈ ັນ - ອຸດ ົມໄຊ - ວຽງຈ ັນ QV501 QV502

246 246

VTE ODY ODY VTE

Vientiane - Oudomxay - Vientiane 13:20 14:10 MA6 14:50 15:40 MA6

ວຽງຈ ັນ - ຫວ ້ ຍຊາຍ - ວຽງຈ ັນ QV901 QV902

246 246

VTE HOE HOE VTE

Vientiane - Houeysay - Vientiane 13:10 14:05 MA6 14:45 15:40 MA6

ວຽງຈ ັນ - ຫລວງນຳ້ ທາ - ວຽງຈ ັນ QV601 QV602

135 135

VTE LXG LXG VTE

Vientiane - Luang Namtha - Vientiane 12:30 13:30 MA6 14:10 15:10 MA6

ວຽງຈ ັນ - ຊຽງຂວາງ - ວຽງຈ ັນ QV401 QV402

1357 1357

Remark: All times are local time

1: Monday

2: Tuesday

3: Wednesday

4: Thursday

5: Friday

6: Saturday

7: Sunday

VTE XKH XKH VTE

0 0 0 0 0 0

ປາກເຊ - ສະຫວ ັນນະເຂດ - ປາກເຊ

QV213 QV223

0 0 0

Luang Prabang - Pakse - Luang Prabang 10:50 12:40 MA6 16:40 18:30 MA6

LPQ PKZ PKZ LPQ

ວຽງຈ ັນ - ສະຫວ ັນນະເຂດ - ວຽງຈ ັນ QV201 QV202

STP

Vientiane - Xiengkhuang - Vientiane 13:20 13:50 AT7 14:30 15:00 AT7

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

2 Pangkham Rd., P.O. Box: 6441 Vientiane Lao P.D.R Tel: 856-21 212057, 856-21 212051-54 Fax: 856-21 2065, 856-21 2056 www.laoairlines.com

LAO AIRLINES OFFICES VIENTIANE HEAD OFFICE

02 PANGKHAM STREET, P.O BOX 6441 Tel: ( 856- 21 ) 212057 Fax : ( 856 21 ) 212065 www.laoairlines.com TICKET & RESERVATION

Tel: ( 856 – 21 ) 212051-54 Fax : ( 856 – 21 ) 212056 Email: reservation@laoairlines.com, ticketing@laoairlines.com AIRPORT OFFICE

Tel: ( 856-21 ) 512028 ( International Airport ) Tel: ( 856-21 ) 512 000, 512 004 ( Domestic Airport )

AREA LAOS

THAILAND

VIETNAM

LUANGPRABANG ( LPQ ) Tel : ( 856-71 ) 212172 Fax : ( 856-71 ) 212406 Email : addy@laoairlines.com Tel : ( 856-71) 212173 ( Airport ) Fax : ( 856- 71 ) 252264 Email : lpq@laoairlines.com

BANGKOK Town office 491/17 ground Fl, Silom plaza Silom road ,Bangkok 10500 Tel: ( 66-2 ) 236 9822, 2369823,

237 8044 Fax: ( 66-2 ) 236 9821 Email: bkkrrqv@ksc.th.com

HANOI No 40 QUANGTRUNG STR. HANOI VIETNAM Tel: 84-4 942 5362 FAX: 84-4 942 5363 Sita: HANTOQV Email: laoairlines.han@fpt.vn

LUANGNAMTHA ( LXG ) Tel : ( 856-86 ) 212072 FaX : ( 856-86 ) 212073 Email : lxg@laoairlines.com Tel : ( 856-86 ) 312180,

312053 ( Airport ) OUDOMXAY ( ODY ) Tel : ( 856- 81 ) 312047, 312146 Fax : ( 856 -81 ) 212229 Email : ody@laoairlines.com

Airport office 2nd Floor of AOB building Room No. Z010 Tel: (662) 134 2006 to 2008 Fax.: (662) 134 2009 Check in counter No. 7/10 (Opposite of Check-in row “R” Tel: (662) 134 2010 Fax: (662) 134 2011

XIENGKHUANG ( XKH ) Tel : ( 856 – 61) 312027 Fax : ( 856 – 61 ) 312487 Email : xiengkhouang@laoairlines.com Tel : ( 856-61) 312177 ( Airport )

CHIANGMAI 2/107 Rajchapuak,Huaykew Road Amper muang Chiangmai 50300 Tel: ( 66-53 ) 223 401 Fax: ( 66-53 ) 223 400 Sita: CNXRRQV Email: qvcnx@loxinfo.co.th

HOUEISAY ( HOE ) Tel : ( 856 – 84 ) 211026 Fax : ( 856 – 84 ) 211471 Email : hoe@laoairlines.com Tel : ( 856 – 84 ) 211494 ( Airport )

UDON THANI Udon Thani Airport Tel /Fax: 66- 42 931 559 Email : qvuth@laoairlines.com

PAKSE ( PKZ ) Tel : ( 856 – 31) 212252 Fax ( 856 – 31) 212751 Email : pkztoqv@laotel.com Tel: ( 856 – 31 ) 251460 ( Airport ) SAVANNAKHET ( ZVK ) Tel: ( 856-41 ) 212140, Fax: ( 856-41 ) 251060 Email : zvk@laoairlines.com

CAMBODIA PHNOMPENH 58 B Sihanouk Avenue Phnompenh Tel: (855-23 ) 222956 Fax: ( 855-23 ) 216 563 Sita: PNHRRQV laoairline.qvpnh@online.com.kh SIEM REAP 114 Sala Khanseng Village, road no 6 Svay Dongkhom Commune, Siem Reap District, Siem Reap Province Tel: ( 855-63 ) 963 283, 963169 Fax: ( 855-63 ) 963283 Email: qvrep@camitel.com CHINA

KUNMING No 96 East Dong Feng Road, Camellia Hotel, Kunming, Yunnan, China 650041 Tel : +86 871 3163000 ext 5166 P.T. Air Cargo Co.,Ltd. ( For Cargo ) Tel/Fax: +86 871 3125748 Building 301, Room 427-428, Mobile: +86 13987182913 Customs Free Zone Suvarnabhumi E-mail : KUNMING@laoairlines.com, Airport, 999 Moo 7, Rachathewa, Bangphli, Samutprakan 10540 Tel : 66-02-1346721 (Auto) Fax : 66-02-1346453-4 E-mail : adulp@ptcargo.com

APG Global Associates GSSA in France, Germany, Italy, Spain & United Kingdom Axis House 242 Bath Road Heathrow HB3 AY United Kingdom Tel: +44(0)844 482 1670, Fax :+44(0)844 482 1668 www.apg-ga.com

SWEDEN STOCKHOLM P.O Box 22308, Kungsholmsgatan 10, S-104 22 Stockholm , Sweden Tel : + ( 46 ) 8545 91668, Fax : + ( 46 ) 8612 0592 Email : willy.hsieh@lao-airlines.com ISRAEL Euromart, 29 Ben Yehuda St. Tel Aviv Israel P.O.Box - 3254 Tel Aviv Israel, Tel +972 3 7952127 Mobil tel nbr is +972 52 5442354 Fax : +972 3 6005919 Email : euromart@netvision.net.il JAPAN ATB., Ltd 6F WANAMI BLDG, 6F NIHOMBASHI KAYABA-CHO, CHUO-KU, TOKYO, JAPAN 103-0025 TEL : ( 81-3 ) 5623 3858 FAX: ( 81-3 ) 5623 3859 E-mail : qv@lao-airlines.jp ,

res@lao-airlines.jp KOREA GLOBAL AIR SYSTEM Rm 902, Kwang Hwa Mun Bldg, 211, Sejongno Chongno-Ku, seoul , Korea Tel : ( 822 ) 3708 8524 Fax : ( 822 ) 3708 8520 Email : kashar@globalair21.com MYANMAR ASIA Tourex Travel Service Ltd. 3 (B), Myaynigone Plaza, Sanchaung Township, Yangon, Myanmar (Burma) Tel: (951) 538 596, 501 112, 534 773 Fax: (951) 513 432 Email: khakha@mtourex.com.mm

MALAYSIA MAPLE AVIATION PTE, LTD CP57 SUITE 1705 17th floor CENTRAL PLAZA JALAN SULTAN ISMAIL 50250 KUALA LUMPUR TEL : ( 60 ) 321443101 / 3077 FAX : ( 60 ) 321429392 Email : maple_kl@tm.net.my SINGAPORE MAPLE AVIATION PTE,LTD 133 NEW BRIDGE ROAD # 14-05 CHINA TOWN POINT SINGAPORE 059413 TEL: ( 65 ) 65383787, 65385515 FAX: ( 65 ) 65383183 maplessin@singnet.com.sg SITA : SINGSCO TAIWAN Taiwan Orchid Express Inc. 11F, No25, Chang An E Rd., Sec1, Taipei, Taiwan Tel: 886-2-25682121, Fax: 886-2-25213991 E-mail: info@toe.com.tw U S A ( PSA ) GOOD LUCK TOUR AND TRAVEL 2021 THE ALANMEDA SUIT 199 SAN JOSE CA 95126 TEL: 408-243 7628 Fax: 408-243 8168 Email: goodlucktour@gmail.com UNIVERSAL TRAVEL 4400 47th AVENUE, SACRAMENTO, CA 95824 Tel: ( 916 ) 429- 2711 Fax: ( 916 ) 429-1910 Email : univerasltvl@aol.com

EXCELTRAVEL 4885E, Kings canyon, Fresno CA 93727, USA Tel ( 559 ) 455 19159 Fax ( 559 ) 455 1965 exceltravelus@yahoo.com S N T TOURS & TRAVEL 1151 N EUCLID ST # B ANAHEIM CA 92801 Tel : 714-991-7801 Fax : 714-991-7808 Mobile: 714-313-2356 Email : snttravels@yahoo.com US GATEWAY TRAVEL 4100 Spring Valley Road, suite 202 Dallas, TX 75244 Tel : 972-503-7888 Fax: 972-934-4612 Email : gttdfw@gtttravel.com; US GATEWAY TRAVEL ( GTT International ) 1300 Godward St. N.E. Suite 3120 Minneapolis, MN 55413 Tel: 612-872-4931 Fax: 612-872-4932 hanna.msp@gtttravel.com

AVIATION GSA CO. 1065 Budapest Nagymezo utca47 Tel:(361)3022484, 3541849 Fax:(361)354 1848 mobile:(36)306977353 rsardi@t-online.hu

Vientiane Capital of Lao PDR Vientiane is Southeast Asia’s most laid-back capital. This city boasts outstanding French colonial architecture and low level buildings that are spread out in the city, enhancing a cultural and relaxed atmosphere. Life in this pleasant capital is slow-paced and there is always only a light flow of traffic, even during rush hour! We explore this little, peaceful capital at a leisurely pace visiting some of the finest and most important historical sites in Laos

LA

OS

Vientiane

How to reach Vientiane ?

You should take Lao Airlines flight from Bangkok with 02 daily flights. from Hanoi/ Kunming / Siemreap daily flights, from Hochimin 3 flights a week ( Tue, Thu & Sat ).

Vientiane Free & Easy stay 3 days

Vientiane stop over 3 days

Code: CPH71

Code:CPH72

Enjoy the Free & Easy stay package to Vientiane the capital of Laos, which includes round trip Air ticket of Lao Airlines, 02 nights accommodation a hotel room of your choice with daily breakfast, round trip Airport transfer and half day tour.

Vientiane stop over tour is included round trip Air ticket of Lao Airlines, Transportation in private car, Accommodation in twin shared room, English speaking guide, Admission fee to indicated sights, daily breakfast at hotel, Gov’t tax and service charge and tour program as belows:

Program Day1. Arrival Vientiane On arrival in the Laos capital of Vientiane, you will be met and transferred to your centrally located hotel. Vientiane is a charming and fascinating capital, with an interesting mix of Lao, Thai, Chinese, Vietnamese, French, and American influences.

After a short rest, we start visiting the major sights of the capital; including the Wat Sisaket, the oldest temple with thousands of miniature Buddha statues, and the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo, which previously housed the famous Emerald Buddha Image. Enroute to Lao’s national icon, the precious and sacred structure of

That Luang Stupa, you will have the opportunity to take some pictures of the imposing Patuxay Monument, which is known as Vientiane’s own Arc de Triumph.

The Mekong riverside is the perfect place to end the day and admire the sunset.

Overnight in Vientiane (B)

Day2. Vientiane – Nam Ngum Lake After breakfast, we head out of the city and make our way to Nam Ngum, a huge reservoir created by damming the Nam Ngum River. We stop over at Ban Keun, which is famous for its salt extraction plant and a village that distills the local Lao whiskey. On arrival at Nam Ngum Lake, we embark on a long tail boat visiting fishing villages in the various islets.

We take a short walk to explore the lifestyle of the local fishermen. On return, [if time permits], perhaps you might want to experience gambling at the legal Lao casino located in the valley where you can also enjoy a beautiful view of the lake. We return to Vientiane by late evening. Overnight in Vientiane (B)

Day3. Vientiane - Departure After breakfast, we visit the Morning Market (if time permits). The tour ends after your transfer to the airport for departure (B)

For more information please contact Champa holidays tour or Lao Airlines offices Tel: ( 856-21 ) 219932, Fax: ( 856-21 ) 212058, Mobile:2413161 , 2224884 Email: info@laoairlines.com, sales@champaholidays.com, www.champaholidays.com

Pakse city ( Champasak ) Pakse stop over 3 Days Code : Champa3.2

Progam Day1. Arrival – Pakse – Don Khone On arrival at Pakse, drive out towards Khong Island. On the way we make a short detour to visit Pha Suam waterfall and to explore the ethnic minority villages of Lao Teung. We continue our journey by motorboat to Don Khong, the largest island in the South Mekong river region known as the 4000 islands, one of the most scenic areas in Laos. Overnight in Don Khong (L/D)

Day2. Khong Island- Done Khone-Pakse Following breakfast, we enjoy a visit to the surrounding countryside, and embark on a long tail boat tour of the Don Khone area, which takes you to visit the remains of the French period and Liphi Waterfall or “the Corridor of the Devil”. We return to the mainland at the fishing village of Ban Nakasang and drive further south to visit Khone Phapheng. Khone Phapheng is considered the largest waterfall by volume in South East Asia; this is a really impressive near the Lao-Cambodian border, set within an area which is teeming with wildlife, making this area one of the most breathtaking destinations in Laos. Afterwards we drive back to Pakse. Overnight in Pakse (B/L/D)

Pakse Free & Easy stay3 Days

Pakse Splendid

Code : Champa3.1

We explore the beautiful region of Pakse, located in the southern part of Laos, also home to the famous Ancient Khmer ruins of Wat Phou from the 5th century and the awe-inspiring Khone Pabeng waterfall, the biggest in Southeast Asia! The surrounding forests teem with flourishing vegetation and you will be greeted by the friendly, waving locals as we visit a few villages. You will take a trip to the Boloven Plateau, which will provide you with a refreshing break from the heat and allow you to observe the cultivation of rich coffee, tea and crops on our way.

Enjoy the free & easy stay package in Pakse the southern city of Laos . You may connect Lao Airlines flight from Bangkok, Hochiminh, Luangprbang and Vientiane.

Program: Day1 : Meet at Pakse Airport meet and transfer to hotel for check in and relaxation.

Day3. Pakse - Departure

Day2 : Enjoy breakfast at hotel and free leisure or you may contact hotel counter for city tour yourself.

After breakfast, free at leisure for shopping, then transfer airport. (B)

Day3 : After breakfast, free leisure and

Package includes

transfer to Airport for check in and fly back

- Roundtrip Air ticket of Lao Airlines - Two nights accommodation in hotel in twin sharing room - Transportation in private car - English speaking guide.

- Daily breakfast at hotel - Admission fee to indicated sights

Package includes - Roundtrip Lao Airlines - Two nights accommodation in hotel room - Daily breakfast - Round trip Airport transfer

You can reach Pakse by Lao Airlines flights from Vientiane, Luangprabang, Siemreap, Bangkok and Hochiminh

Flight Schedule from Hochiminh Hochiminh-Pakse Tue, Thu, Sat Dep/11.45 Arr/13.45

Pakse-Hochiminh Tue, Thu, Sat Dep/09.15 Arr/10.45

For more information please contact Champa holidays tour or Lao Airlines offices Tel: ( 856-21 ) 219932, Fax: ( 856-21 ) 212058, Mobile:2413161 , 2224884 Email: info@laoairlines.com, sales@champaholidays.com, www.champaholidays.com

Luang Prabang World Heritage City Luang Prabang is a beautiful and tranquil dream-like setting with a fusion of foreign influences and splendid landscape and scenery, making this an idyllic, unspoiled and charming destination for visitors. It is no wonder this amazing city has been declared a World Heritage City by UNESCO. The ancient city was the former capital of Laos, with a reign of more than 63 kings over 600 years. Luang Prabang is known as the ‘Thousand Pagoda City’, and there are countless intriguing architectural highlights in this sleepy and once royal capital.

How to reach Luang Prabang ?

You can take Lao Airlines direct flight from Bangkok, Chiangmai and Hanoi with dailythree times a week from Siemreap 3 daily flights from Vientiane.

Luang Prabang Free & Easy 3 Days Code: CPH11 Enjoy the free & Easy stay package in the World Heritage city of Laos which includes round trip Air ticket of Lao Airlines, 2 nights accommodationin a hotel room of your choice with daily breakfast , round trip airport transfer and half day city tour.

Luang Prabang stop over 3 Days Code : CPH12 Luangprbang stop over tour includes a round trip Air ticket of Lao Airlines, Transportation in private car, Accommodation in twin shared room, English speaking guide, Admission fee to indicated sights, daily breakfast at hotel, Gov’t tax and service charge and tour program as below.

Program Day1.

Arrival – Luang Prabang Arrival at Luang Prabang airport , you will be met and transferred to your hotel. After a short rest, we visit the impressive stupa of Wat Visoun and the shrine of Wat Aham and Wat Mai. We then climb up to the top of Mount Phousi for an enjoyable exploration of the sacred, gilded stupa as well as a beautiful sunset view of the city and the Mekong River. From there, we explore the Night Market, where you can find a lovely selection of handmade textiles made by the hilltribe and local people surrounding Luang Prabang. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Day2.

Luang Prabang – Pak Ou Cave

On this today, we enjoy a short-guided tour seeing the city’s oldest temples of Wat Sene and the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, which represents classical Laotian architecture. We then embark on a cruise upstream on the Mekong River, which also gives us a breathtaking view of the tranquil countryside as well as exploring the mysterious Pak Ou Caves, two linked caves crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by devoted pilgrims.

Along the way, we will stop at the village of Ban Xanghai, where the local rice wine is produced. On return, we take a short drive to another small village Ban Phanom, which is famous for its hand weaving. Overnight in Luang Prabang (B)

Day3.

Luang Prabang - Departure

Visit the National Museum (closed Tuesdays) at the former Royal Palace. It displays a collection of artefacts reflecting the richness of Lao culture dating from the days of the early kings right through to the last sovereign. There will also be time for us to look around the Central Market.

After visiting these sights in the morning, there may be free time (depending on your flight) to venture into town and stroll around the shopping area. The tour ends after your transfer to the airport for departure (B)

For more information please contact Champa Holidays Tour or Lao Airlines offices Tel: ( 856-21 ) 219932, Fax: ( 856-21 ) 212058, Mobile:2413161 , 2224884 Email: info@laoairlines.com, sales@champaholidays.com, www.champaholidays.com

Luang Prabang World Heritage City

Luang Prabang Wonder 4 Days

Day2.

Luang Prabang – Pak Ou Cave

Code: CPH13 Enjoy with Luang Prabang Wonder 4 days 3 nights which includes Round trip Air ticket of Lao Airlines, Transportation in private car and Accommodation in twin shared room.

Boat trip as stated in above sights, English speaking guide, Admission fee to indicated sights, daily breakfast at hotel, Gov’t tax and service charge and tour program as bellow:

Program Day1.

Arrival – Luang Prabang Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Luang Prabang has been claimed by UNESCO to be ‘the best preserved city in South East Asia’. During our time here, we visit the impressive stupa of Wat Visoun and the shrines of Wat Aham and Wat Mai. We then climb up to the top of mount Phousi for an enjoyable exploration of the sacred, gilded stupa as well as a panoramic view of the city at sunset and the Mekong River. From there, we explore the Night Market, where you can find a lovely selection of handmade textiles made by local and hilltribe people surrounding Luang Prabang. Overnight in Luang Prabang (B)

Today, we enjoy a short-guided tour seeing the city’s oldest temple of Wat Sene and the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, representing classical Laotian architecture.

We then embark on a cruise upstream on the Mekong River, which also gives us a breathtaking view of the tranquil countryside as well time to explore the mysterious Pak Ou Caves, two linked caves crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by pilgrims. Along the way, we stop at the village of Ban Xanghai, where they make the local rice wine. On return, we take a short drive to Ban Phanom, a small village known for its hand weaving. Overnight in Luang Prabang (B)

Day3.

Luang Prabang–Khouangsi Waterfall An optional early start gives you the fantastic opportunity to participate in the daily morning rituals of saffron-clad monks collecting offerings of Alms (often in the form of sticky rice) from the faithful residents. This tradition is very unique in Laos, being the only Buddhist nation still preserving the ritual. From there you will visit the morning Phousi Market, where you will see such diverse offerings as

dried buffalo skin, local tea and saltpeter among the chickens, vegetables and hill-tribe weavings. Laos is also known for its traditional crafts, and today you will visit local villages of Lao ethnic minority groups at Ban Ouay, a Hmong village, Ban Ou, Lao Oum Village and Ban Thapene, all Khmu villages. This then takes us to the beautiful Khouangsi Waterfall where you can cool off with a refreshing swim in the pools or walk along the forest trails. After returning to Luang Prabang by late afternoon, we continue to Ban Xangkhong, a village well known for its silk weavings and for its Saa (jute) Papermaking. We return to the city by late evening to admire the sunset at Wat Siphouthabath. Overnight in Luang Prabang (B)

Day4.

Luang Prabang - Departure Today we visit the National Museum (closed Tuesdays) at the former Royal Palace. It displays a collection of artefacts reflecting the richness of Lao culture dating from the days of the early kings right through to the last sovereign. There will also be time for us to look around the Central Market. After visiting these sights in the morning, there may be free time (depending on your flight) to venture into town and stroll around the shopping area. The tour ends after your transfer to the airport for departure (B)

For more information please contact Champa Holidays Tour or Lao Airlines offices Tel: ( 856-21 ) 219932, Fax: ( 856-21 ) 212058, Mobile:2413161 , 2224884 Email: info@laoairlines.com, sales@champaholidays.com, www.champaholidays.com

Ho Chi Minh City - Vietnam

Formerly known as Saigon ...

How to reach Ho Chi Minh city ?

You may take Lao Airlines flight from Vientiane or Pakse to Hochiminh on Tue, Thu & Sat.

Ho Chi Minh Free & Easy stay 3 days Code: CPH61 Enjoy the Free & Easy stay Package in the historical Ho Chi Minh city which includes round trip Air ticket of Lao Airlines, two nights accommodation in three star hotel with daily breakfast, round trip Airport transfer and half day tour in Ho Chi Minh city.

Ho Chi Minh-Mekong Delta 3 Days Code: CPH62 The Ho Chi Minh Mekong Delta 3 days 2 nights includes round trip Air ticket of Lao Airlines , 2 nights accommodation in twin sharing room, Daily breakfast & 1 Lunch at hotel, transportation in private car, Entrance fee to tourist sight seeing and one day tour to Mekong delta including tour guide as program bellows:

Day1 : Meet on arrival at Tan San Airport and transfer to hotel for check in and free leisure or shopping.

Day2: Ho Chi Minh – Mekong Delta – Ho Chi Minh ( Meals: B/L ) After breakfast , departure at 8:00 am, driving to Mekong Delta, the large rice basket of Vietnam. Visiting Vinh Trang pagoda. Cruising on Mekong river to the Island for sight seeing the daily activities of the local people (having coconut juice on the boat).

Taking a paddle boat to go along the small canal, visiting bee farm, orchards, enjoying tea, honey, seasonal fruits, sweets, amateur traditional music performance, seeing coconut candy mill - Lunch on the island.On the way back, stopsover at the workshop for shopping.

Day3: Depart Ho Chi Minh ( Meals: B ) After breakfast at Hotel , Free leisure or free shopping and transfer to Tan Son Nhat airport for the departure flight.

Ho Chi Minh Vung Tau 3 Days Code: CPH63 Ho Chi Minh Vung Tau 3 days 2 nights which includes round trip Air ticket of Lao Airlines , 2 nights accommodation in twin sharing room, full board meals , transportation in private car, Entrance fee to tourist sight seeing , tour guide and tour program as bellows:

Day 1: ARRIVE HO CHI Minh – CITY TOUR (L,D) Arrive Ho Chi Minh by QV515 at 10.45.

Welcome by friendly guide then transfer to Hotel. Buffet lunch at leisure.

PM: City tour: visit China Town - Thien Hau Pagoda - Remnant War Museum - Reunification Hall (Formerly Presidential Palace) - Opera House - City Hall - Drop at Main Post Office & Notre Dame Cathedral for taking pictures - On the way going back to the Hotel, stop at Lacquewares factory for shopping. Back to hotel. Set dinner at Sapphire Hotel.

Day 2: HCMC – VUNG TAU – HCMC (L, D) Morning depart for Vung Tau, a famous tourist spot. Free for swimming and sea bathing at Mariana Club. Set lunch at the local seafood restaurant. Visit memorial statue of Saint George (30m high) on Small Mountain - the highest Saint statue in Viet Nam, visit Niet Ban Tinh Xa, the most beautiful pagoda in Vung Tau on a hill-slope facing the sea. Back HCM City on the way stop at LongThanh to buy fruit of the season. Arrival HCMC, set dinner on Saigon floating restaurant. Transfer back to hotel for leisure time.

Day 3: HO CHI Minh – VIENTIANE Free time until transfer to Airport Free time until for a flight 11.45am. End of service.

Amazing Angkor , Siem Reap - Cambodia How to reach Angkor wat ?

You may take Lao Airlines flight from Vientiane or Pakse with daily service or depart from Luangprabang on Mon, Thu & Sat.

Angkor Wat CPH41 : Free & Easy stay 3 Days 2 Nights Enjoy the Free & Easy stay Package in the Siem reap city which includes - Round trip Air ticket of Lao Airlines - Two nights accommodation in three/ four star hotel with daily breakfast.

- Round trip Airport transfer.

Angkor Wat Amazing CPH42 : Full Package 3 Days 2 nights Visit the Amazing Angkor city 3 days 2 nights with Champa holidays which includes Roundtrip Air ticket of Lao Airlines.

- Two night accommodation in hotel on twin sharing room.

- Full board meals, Transportation (car, van or bus).

- Entrance fee to tourist sight seeing.English / Thai speaking guide and tour program as following :

Day 01: Arrive – Siem Reap ( L/D) Arrive at Siem Reap International Airport and transfer to hotel for Check in and visit the National Museum and have lunch .

Afternoon visit the Wat Thmei Artisan Angkor, Old Market , dinner at Koulen II Restaurant with Apsara Dance, visit Night Market back to Hotel.

Day 2 : Angkor Thom ( B/L/D ) Atfer breakfast at hotel visit South Gate of Angkor Thom, Bayon temples, Bapuon, Phimenakas, Terrace of Elephant and Leper King. In the afternoon, visit Ta Prum temple, Takeo, Angkor Wat temple and Sunset On Bakheng Hill , dinner and back to hotel.

Day3 : Siem reap – Pakse/ Vientiane ( B ) Breakfast at Hotel, visit old market and transfer to Siem Reap International Airport to fly back.

Angkor Wat - Phnom Penh Sihanoukville

Day 3: City tour Phnom Penh – Sihanoukville ( B/L/D ) At 8.00am Guide and Van pick up customers to visit Royal Palace, Museum , Killing field , And have lunch at Tonle Basac restaurant and 1.00pm start to Sihanoukville atand check in to Hotel Golden Sand and have dinner at Beach Restaurant.

Day 4: Sihanoukville At 8.00am guide and van will pick up and take to Ream Beach. Lunch at Beach Restaurant and afternoon visit to the Ochheuteal beach with dinner at a beach restaurant.

CPH42 : Full Package 6 Days 5 Nights

Day 5 : Sihanoukville – Siem reap ( B/L/D )

Day 01: Arriving Siem Reap ( L/D)

At 8.00am visit Sihanoukville Market and start back to have lunch at TonleBasac Restaurant , and back to check into the Hotel and have dinner at Sophea AngkorPich Restaurant .

Arrive at Siem Reap International airport and transfer to hotel for Check in lunch at Sophea Angkor Pich Restaurant then visit South Gate of AngkorThom , Terrace of Elephant, Angkor Wat and Sunset bakheng , diner at Kolen II Restaurant, Day2: Tonlesab – Phnom Penh ( B/L/D ) At 7.30am Guide and Van pick up customers to visit the Tonlesab, and have lunch at Kolen II restaurant 12.00pm start to Phnom Penh and check in to 3 Star hotel and have dinner at the Tonle Basac restaurant.

Day 6 : Siem reap – Pakse/ VTE ( B ) Breakfast at Hotel, visit old market and transfer to Siem Reap International Airport to fly back.

Jinghong -China Visit Jinghong , Xishuang Banna

Located in the south of Yunnan Province, Jinghong is the political, economic and cultural center of Xishuang Banna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, which is a supernatural oasis in southwest China, while Jinghong is just a bright pearl in the oasis.

Attractive Xishuang Banna The tropical flowers and plants Garden, Meng tropical Botanical garden, Tropical rain forest valley, Menggle great Buddhist monastery, mengle cultural park, Manting park, Dai ethnic garden, Wild elephant ravine, South medicinal Plants garden, the virgin forest park and mengjinglai village etc..

How to reach Jinghong Travel with Lao Airlines direct flight from Luang Prabang on Friday and Sunday, Also you could connect flight from Vientiane.

Jinghong Free & Easy stay 3 days 2 Nights Code: CPH51 Enjoy & relax with the free & Easy stay package in Jinghong Xishuang Banna which includes round trip Air ticket of Lao Airlines , 2 Nights accommodation in four star hotel with daily breakfast and Airport transfer.

Day1 : Take Lao Airlines flight QV818 to Jinghong , meet in the airport and transfer and visit Bage Temple( Head Temple in Xishuangbanna), check in and have a rest in the hotel. Overnight at Jinghong

Day2 : After breakfast at hotel, transfer to Virgin forest Park, than transfer to Ganlanba in the after lunch, and sightseeing Code: CPH52 in the local bazaar and the villages of Dai people and visit the Dai Garden, take part Spend your holidays with Jinghong stop in the water splashing, and have dinner over 3 days 2 nights which include Round- with sing and dance show.Overnight at trip Air ticket of Lao Airlines,Two night ac- Jinghong commodation in three star hotel on twin sharing room, Full board meals ( Chinese Day3 : Breakfast & check out from hotel food ), Transportation(car, van or bus)., En- , tour in the Flower Garden, after lunch, trance fee to tourist sight seeing.Lao / eng- transfer to the airport to fly back to Lulish speaking guide and tour program as angprabang or Vientiane. bellows : Jinghong stop over 3 Days 2 nights

For more information please contact Champa Holidays Tour or Lao Airlines offices Tel: ( 856-21 ) 219932, Fax: ( 856-21 ) 212058, Mobile:2413161 , 2224884 Email: info@laoairlines.com, sales@champaholidays.com, www.champaholidays.com

Kunming, China Attraction Stone Forest

The Stone Forest is a national 4A scenic spot 86 kilometers from Kunming. A karst landform 200 million years old, known in Yunnann as the “First Wonder under the Sun”. The Stone Forest and Imperial palace in Beijing, the Terra Cotta Warriors in Xi’an and the mountains and rivers in Guilin have been generally recognized as four main scenic spots in China.

Yuantong Temple

It is situated at the foot of Yuantong Hill. It is the largest Buddhist temple in downtown Kunming, with a history of around 1,200 years. It combines both the Buddhist and Daoism architectural styles because it was once rebuilt as a Daoism temple.

Western Hills(Xishan) & Dragon Gate

scenic spot. It boasts a dense foest and ancient temples such as Sanqingge, Taihua and Huating built in the Yuan Dynasty built in the Yuan Dynasty, as well as Dragon Gate carved into the cliff over 72 years ago.

Dianchi Lake

CPH21 : Kunming Free & Easy stay 3 Days 2 Nights.

Renowned as the “pearl on the plateau”, with many natural historic historic and cultural attractions around the lake, it is the largest lake in Yunnann.

Enjoy the free & easy stay 3 days 2 nights which include round Air ticket , 2 nights accommodation in hotel room with daily breakfast and round trip Airport transfer.

Yunnann Ethnic Villages

CPH22:

A national 4A scenic spot and a window on the ethnic culture of Yunnann, where you may see traditional buildings of different ethnic groups in Yunnann and enjoy various ethnic customs and culture.

Jiu Xiang Karst Cave

The area is 100 km away from Kunming, 30 km from Stone Forest tourism spot. The total area of Jiu Xiang landscape area 278 square km. There are vivid natural landscapes imposing underground pes, and archaic cultural and special folk custom. It is a unique international sightseeing geological park.

Bamboo Temple

It was initially built in the early Yuan Dynasty and has been the largest Buddhist temple in Yunnan since the introduction of Dhyana to Yunnann from the Central Plains. It is famous for the five hundred Buddhist saint caricatures, a masterpiece of Chinese folk statuary.

Golden Temple

The Golden Temple was constructed by Wu Sangui in 1671 A. D..

The temple is made of copper and reflects the reflects the excellent metallurgical and casting technology more than 300 years ago in Yunnann. The temple weighs 250 tons and is 6.7 meters high. It is the largest and heaviest as well as the best preserved copper temple in China.

Kunming stop over 3 days 2 nights Spend your holidays in with a stop over 3 days 2 nights which include round trip Air ticket of Lao Airlines, Two nights accommodation in hotel in twin sharing room, Full board meals , private transportation, entrance fee to tourist sight seeing, tour guide and tour program as follows:

D1 VTE/KMG ( Western Hills & Jiu Xiang Caves) (L / D) Take flight QV817 (06:30-09:40) to Kunming Airport, meet and transfer to the Forest Park of the Western Hills, 26 km away from the downtown and is located on the edge of Dianchi Lake, we will visit the Dragon Gate consisting of of the Sanqing Temple Complex and the Dragon Gate Grotto Complex. In the afternoon, transfer to Jiu Xiang, and tour in Jiu Xiang Limestone Caves. Transfer to the Stone Forest, check in the hotel. Overnight at the Stone Forest.

D2 Stone Forest/Kunming ( B / L / D ) Tour in the Stone Forest in thewhich consists of innumerable bizarre-shaped ancient limestone cliffs and peaks created by mind and water erosion more than 200 million years ago. Then return back to Kunming in the afternoon.

D3 Departure ( B ) Breakfast at hotel, free leisure and transfer to the airport for departure at 10:45

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Kunming, China CPH23 :

Kunming Attraction 4 Days 3 Nights Choose the Kunming attraction 4 days 3 nights tour which includes a round trip Air ticket of Lao Airlines, Three night accommodation in hotel in a twin sharing room, Full board meals , private transportation, entrance fee to tourist sight seeing, tour guide and tour program as follows::

D1 VTE/KMG ( Western Hills & Golden Temple) (L / D) Take flight QV817(06:30-09:40) to Kunming Airport, meet and transfer to the Forest Park of the Western Hills, 26 km away from the downtown and is located on the edge of Dianchi Lake. We will visit the Dragon Gate which consists of the Sanqing Temple Complex and the Dragon Gate Grotto Complex. Then we will visit the Golden Temple reputed to be built in 1871 with 250 tons of solid bronze, largest bronze hall in China. Overnight Kunming.

D2 Jiuxiang Cave & Stone Forest ( B / L / D ) Transfer to Jiuxiang in the morning, and tour in Jiuxiang Limestone Caves. Than transfer to the Stone Forest in the afternoon, check in at the hotel and overnight at the Stone Forest.

D3 Stone Forest/Kunming ( B / L /D ) Tour the Stone Forest in the morning, a massive collection of grey limestone pillars formed about 270 million years ago which were split by rain water and eroded to their present fanciful forms. In the Stone Forest, the stone peaks rise abruptly, stalagmites crowd together like sharp swords piercing toward the sky and the group of stones look much like a mighty forest. Return back to Kunming in the afternoon.Overnight in Kunming.

D4 Departure ( B ) Transfer to the airport for departure in the morning (QV827 10:45-12:00).

For more information please contact Champa Holidays Tour or Lao Airlines offices Tel: ( 856-21 ) 219932, Fax: ( 856-21 ) 212058, Mobile:2413161 , 2224884 Email: info@laoairlines.com, sales@champaholidays.com, www.champaholidays.com

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