Sabaidee Lifestyle & Travel Magazine issue 9

ABAIDEE ABA B IDEE BA SA

LIFESTYLE LIFES LIFE STYLE & TR TTRAVEL RAVEL MAGAZINE MAGAZINE | VOL.2 NO.9 | may - june 2013 MA

THE GOLF ISSUE

THE EVOLUTION OF LAOS GOLF

ເຖິງເວລາຂອງກອຟລາວ ໊

LUANG PRABANG LAO OPEN 2013

PROOF POSITIVE OF THE RAPID EXPANSION OF GOLF IN LAOS ECOTOURISM IN NORTHERN LAOS

free

Your complimentary copy available in Laos, Udonthani, Nong Khai and Bangkok

Director's Note

21 March 2013 was another very rapturous day in my life as it was the day we hosted a special party for the occasion of the 1st Anniversary of Sabaidee Magazine.

Almost 2 years ago, I can still remember the atmosphere during the meeting with the team preparing for a new travel magazine - Sabaidee. It was a great moment, realizing we would have a chance to share good things about Laos, including tourism, nature, art, culture, and way of living which all makes Lao people very proud.

During that period of time, I could see that everyone who was involved with the production of Sabaidee Magazine had a ambition to dedicate his / her power to make Sabaidee Magazine one of the most delightful lifestyle and travel publications in Lao P.D.R. We really have experienced a range of emotions during the process, both good and bad! But we did it all together as a team!

It wasn’t until January 2012 that the first issue of the magazine had been distributed to the public and we were encouraged by the feedback from our readers, either positive or negative.

The purpose of organizing a celebratory party on that day was not only to celebrate the 1st anniversary of our beloved magazine but also aimed to express a grateful thanks to all of our sponsors. Without them, it wouldn’t have been possible to move forward to be in the position we see ourselves today.

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ເມືອ ່ ວັນ ທີ 21 ມີນາ 2013 ທີ່ ຜ່ານ ມາ ເປັນ ອີກ ວັນຫນຶງ່ ໃນຊີວດ ິ ຂອງຂ້າພະ ເຈົາ້ ທີ່ ຮູສ ້ ກ ຶ ພາກພູມໃຈເປັນຢ່າງຍິງ່ ເພາະ ເປັນ ວັນ ທີ່ເຮົາ ໄດ້ຈັດ ງານສະຫລອງຄົບຮອບ 1 ປີໃຫ້ກັບວາລະສານສະບາຍດີ. ເມືອ ່ ເກືອບສອງປີທີແລ້ ່ ວຂ້າພະເຈົາ້ ຍັງຄົງຈົດຈໍາບັນຍາກາດການກະກຽມງານວາງ ແຜນການຜະລິດວາລະສານ ສະບາຍດີກັບທີ ມງານໄດ້ເປັນ ຢ່າງ ດີ ເຊິງ່ ເປັນຊ່ວງ ເວລາໃນຊີວດ ິ ທີຂ້ ່ າພະເຈົາ້ ຮູສຶ ້ ກມີຄວາມສຸກໃຈທີໄດ້ ່ ຖ່າຍທອດເລືອ ່ ງລາວດີໆກ່ຽວ ກັບການທ່ອງທ່ຽວຂອງ ສປປ ລາວ ພ້ອມກັບນໍາສະເຫນີພາບຖ່າຍງາມໆທາງທໍາມະ ຊາດ ສິລະປະວັດທະນະທໍາປະເພນີ ແລະ ວິຖຊີ ີ ວດ ິ ທີຫນ້ ່ າພາກພູມໃຈຂອງປະຊາຊົນ ລາວສູສ ່ າຍຕານັກທ່ອງທ່ຽວ ແລະ ຜູສົ ້ ນໃຈທົວ ່ ໄປ. ແລະຂະນະດຽວກັນ ຂ້າພະເຈົາ້ ກໍໄດ້ ່ ເຫັນທີມງານຜູມີ ້ ສ່ວນຮ່ວມຜະລິດວາລະສານ ສະບາຍດີ ທຸກ ຄົນ ມີ ຄວາມ ຕັ້ງ ໃຈ ມຸ່ງ ຫມັນ ້ ແລະ ທຸມ ້ ເທທັງແຮງກາຍ ແຮງໃຈເມືອ ່ ປັນ ້ ແຕ່ງວາລະສານສະບາຍໃຫ້ເປັນວາລະ ສານທ່ອງທ່ຽວ ແລະ ມີຮູບພາບທີເປັ ່ ນ ເອກະ ລັກ ແລະ ຫນ້າ ຕິດຕາມ ອ່ານ ອີກ ສະບັບຫນຶ່ງ ໃນ ສປປ ລາວ ເປັນທໍາ ມະດ າທີ່ເຮົາຕ້ອງພົບອຸປະສັກແດ່ກໍ່ມີສະດວກດີກໍ່ມີ ແຕ່ກໍ່ເປັນບັນຍາກາດໃນການກຽມ ງານທີມ່ ່ ວນຊືນ ່ ຫລາຍ. ໃນທີສຸ ່ ດເມືອ ່ ເດືອນມັງກອນ 2012, ວາລະສານສະບາຍດີສະບັບທໍາອິດກໍໄດ້ ່ ອອກ ເຜີຍແຜ່ແຈກຢາຍສູ່ຜູ້ອ່ານ ແລະ ໄດ້ຮັບການຕອບຮັບທີ່ດີທີ່ສ້າງກໍາລັງໃຈໃຫ້ເຮົາ ກ້າວເດີນໄດ້ຕະຫລອດມາຈົນເຖິງບັດນີເປັ ້ ນເວລາກວ່າຫນຶງ່ ປີແລ້ວທີເຮົ ່ າໄດ້ມີໂອ ກາດເຮັດຫນ້າທີ່ເປັນສື່ທີ່ດີໃນການນໍາສະເຫນີ ແລະ ເຜີຍແຜ່ພາບພົດອັນງົດງາມ ຂອງ ສປປ ລາວ ອອກສູສາຍຕາ ່ ຊາວໂລກ. ໂດຍ ວັ ດ ຖຸ ປ ະ ສົ ງ ກ າ ນ ຈັ ດ ງ າ ນ ໃນ ວັນ ນັນ ້ ນອກຈາກ ຈະ ເປັນ ການສະ ເຫລີ ມສະຫລອງ ຄວາມ ສໍາ ເລັດ ຄົບຮອບ 1 ປີຂອງວາລະສານສະບາຍ ດີແລ້ວ ເຮົາຍັງ ມີຄວາມ ຕັ້ງ ໃຈ ຈິງ ແທ້ ທີ່ ຈະກ່າວ ຄໍາຂອບໃຈຕໍ່ ຜູ້ ສະ ຫນັບ ສະຫນູນຫາກບໍ່ມີການ ສະຫນັບສະຫນູນຈາກທ່ານທັງຫລາຍເຮົາຄົງບໍ່ສາມາດກ້າວເດີນໄປສູ່ຈດ ຸ ຫມາຍ ໄດ້ຢ່າງສະດວກມາຈົນເຖິງວັນນີໄດ້ ້ . ຂ້າພະ ເຈົ້າຈິ່ງ ຂໍ ໃຫ້ ຄໍາ ຫມັນ ້ ສັນຍາ ຕໍ່ຜູ້ສະຫນັບສະຫນູນ ແລະ ຜູ້ອ່ານອີກຄັງ້ ວ່າ ເຮົາ ຈະ ມຸ່ງ ຫມັ້ນ ຕັ້ງ ໃຈ ຢ່າງ ເຕັມ ກໍາລັງ ໃຈການ ສະແຫວງຫາເລືອ ່ ງລາວ ທ່ອງ ທ່ຽວ ໃນແງ່ມຸມຕ່າງໆທີ່ແປກໃຫມ່ ງົດງາມ ມາ ນໍາສະເຫນີຕໍ່ທຸກທ່ານ ແລະ ເຮັດຫນ້າທີ່ ສື່ມວນຊົນທີ່ຊ່ວຍສົ່ງເສີມການທ່ອງທ່ຽວຂອງ ສປປ ລາວ ໃຫ້ ເປັນທີ່ຮູ້ຈັກໃນວົງ ກວ້າງຫລາຍຍິງ່ ຂຶນ ້ ໃນປີຕໍໆ ່ ໄປ.

Once again, as I did at the party, I would like to commit that we will try our best to make a good travel magazine to support and promote tourism in Laos to the world.

Please always think of Sabaidee Magazine when you make your trip in Laos.

ຄົງບໍ່ມີຄໍາໃດຈະສື່ເຖິງຄວາມຮູ້ສກ ຶ ເລິກເຊິງ່ ໃນໃຈຂອງຂ້າພະເຈົາ້ ໃນເວລານີ້ໄດ້ດີ ໄປກວ່າຄໍາວ່າຂໍຂອບໃຈທີທ່ ່ ານທັງຫລາຍໃຫ້ຄວາມສົນໃຈ ແລະ ສະຫນັບສະຫນູນ ວາລະສານຂອງເຮົາມາເຖິງທຸກວັນນີ້ ແລະ ຫວັງເປັນຢ່າງຍິງ່ ວ່າສະບາຍດີຈະໄດ້ ເປັນວາລະສານດ້ານການທ່ອງທ່ຽວທີ່ທ່ານຈະຄິດເຖິງເປັນອັນດັບຕົນ ້ ໆເມື່ອທ່ານ ເດີນທາງທ່ອງທ່ຽວຢູໃນ ່ ສປປ ລາວ.

Thank you for your support!

ຂໍຂອບໃ�

Phanhlakhone Syboonheung The Director

ພ�ນລະຄອນ ສີບຸນເ�ືອງ ຜູອ�ນວຍການ

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T H I S I S SU E

MAY-JUNE 2013 News & Promotion 10 14 57

Sabaidee’s 1st Anniversary Party Bulletin Board Sabaidee Club

Travel 22 36 40 54

Sabaidee Cover Tournament Report On Display Travel Feature

54 Lifestyle 44 46 48

Lao Cuisine Sabaidee Relax Art Scene

Directory & Map 58 59 61 64 66 69 70

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Map of Lao Lao’s General Information Vientiane Directory Vang Vieng Directory Luang Prabang Directory Savannakhet Directory Pakse & Champasak Directory

SA BA ID EE

Eileen Markham

CON TRI BU TORS

Eileen has a lifelong fascination with all things Asian that first led her to Japan to buy stock for her UK business, and later to Thailand, where she’s been living for six years. Writing became a joy after two years’ relaxation in a hot climate, when she took a job as the editor, manager and sometime columnist of a local expat newspaper. After a while, she turned to freelance writing, taking on anything and everything, and three years later she’s still enthusing in print about the amazing beauty and diversity of this region.

Michelle Luehman Michelle has spent the last 20 years living and working around the world, most of that time has been spent living and working around Asia. An avid observer of people and places, she has written extensively about life in Asia, both as a visitor and resident. She has worked for lifestyle and travel magazines around the globe capturing the essence and flavour of life in each different locality.

WHO'S

Joe Williams Joseph is determined to have tried out every profession under the sun by the age of 30. A qualified accountant and parttime English tutor, travel writing seemed the next logical step. Joseph lives in Bangkok but has spent time enjoying the sights and sounds of Laos as well as other South East Asian countries.

ຄະນະທີ່ປຶກສາ ພ�ດທະລະພ�ງ ຄ�ງວິຈິດ l ວິສິດ ເ�ົາວະລິດຕານ�ນ l ມານະໄ� ອິນແ�ວ l ສ�ມໃ� ພິມຜາສຸກ CONSULTANTS Pattarapong Kongvijit l Wisith Chawalitanon l Manachai Inkaew l Somjai Pimpasouk | ຜູ້ອຳນວຍການ ພ�ນລະຄອນ ສີບຸນເ�ືອງ DIRECTOR Phanhlakhone Syboonheung | ບັນນາທິການອຳນວຍການ ເ�ດ ພິດທະຢາກອນສິນ EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Gaid Kornsilapa | ບັນນາທິການບໍລິຫານ ຄ�ສວນ ຈ�ນທະລາດ EDITOR IN CHIEF Khamsouan Chanthalat | ຫົວໜ້າກຸມ ຜູ້ອຳນວຍການຝ່າຍຂາຍ ແລະ ການຕະຫຼາດ ຣຶຊຸດາ ໂ�ຄະບານ GROUP DIRECTOR OF SALES & MARKETING Ruchuda Pokabal | ບັນນາທິການ ພາສາອັງກິດ ອະລ�ນ ວາດ ENGLISH EDITOR Alan Wass | ບັນນາທິການອອນລາຍ ຂະນິດຖາ ອ�ດຕະເ�ດ ONLINE EDITOR Kanittha Attamate | ຜູ້ອຳນວຍການຝ່າຍຂາຍ ຊາຢາດາ ອະລິຍະພ�ນຈະເ�ີນ SALES & MARKETING DIRECTOR Chayada Ariyaphoncharoen | ປະສານງານການຕະຫຼາດ ບຸນລອດ ສິດທິພ�ງ MARKETING COORDINATOR Bounlod Sittiphong | ທີມງານຂ່າວ ເ�ບພະວ�ງສອນ ບ�ວພາ | REPORTER Thepphavongsone Bouapha | ຈັດໜ້າ ແລະ ອອກແບບ ນ�ດນະລີ ມາທອງ l ທະນະວ�ດ ຄ�ງແ�ນຄ� l ທ�ນຍະລ�ດ ສະທອນລ�ກ l ອະພີດຊະຍາ ພຶກສະອາພອນ LAYOUT DESIGN Nutnaree Mathong l Thanawatt Khongseankhum l Thunyarat Satornlug l Aphitchaya Phrueksa-aphon | ໄອທີ ຈ�ກກິດ ອຸດອນພິມ WEBMASTER Jackkrit Udornpim | ຝ່າຍທຸລະການ ຂ�ນທອງ ທ�ມະວ�ງ ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT Khanthong Thammavong | ຫ້ອງການວາລະສານສະບາຍດີ 256 ບານ ໜອງບອນ ເ�ືອງໄ�ເ�ດຖາ ນະຄອນວງວຽງຈ�ນ ສປປ ລາວ | SABAIDEE MAGAZINE SALES OFFICE THM Lao Co., Ltd. 265 Baan Nongbone, Xayxetha, Vientiane Lao P.D.R | ໂທ / ແຟັກ: +856 21 454782 TEL / FAX: +856 21 454782 | MOBILE: +856 20 5512 2440, +856 20 5884 8376, +66 83 018 4076 (Thai) | ອີເມລ ບັນນາທິການ EDITOR EMAIL: editor@sabaidee-magazine.com | ອີເມລ ຝ່າຍຂາຍ SALES EMAIL: chayada@sabaidee-magazine.com | www.sabaidee-magazine.com | ເຈົ້າຂອງ ແລະ ຜູ້ຈັດພິມ ທີ ເ�ັສ ເ�ັມ ລາວ OWNER &

PUBLISHER THM Lao

HM

LAO

ALSO AVAILABLE AT:

For more information visit www.sabaidee-magazine.com or simply scan the QR code

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All material appearing in Sabaidee Lifestyle & Travel Magazine is strictly copyrighted and all rights are reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in whole or part without the prior written permission to the copyright holder. All articles and photographs published herein are created by the authors and photographers at their own discretion and do not necessarily represent the view of the publisher of the magazine.

Sabaidee Lifestyle & Travel Magazine holds no responsibility or liability arising out of the publication of such articles and photographs.

1ST ANNIVERSARY

CELEBRATES

I T S 1 ST Y E A R A N N I V E R S A R Y

Sabaidee Lifestyle & Travel Magazine recently celebrated its 1st Anniversary Celebration Party at Khob Chai Deu Restaurant in Vientiane. The celebratory event was attended by many guests of honor and member of the media. Mr. Phanhlakhone Syboonheung, the Director of THM Lao and publisher of Sabaidee, gave a welcome speech to all guests in attendance and thanked all advertisers of the magazine. Dr.Khampheng Saysompheng, Luang Prabang Governor, and Mr.Somsanouke Mixay, Vice President of Lao Press Association, both gave memorable speeches blessing the magazine.

Also featured on the stage, Mr. Salem Daiyalad, Director of Commercial, Lao Airlines, and Mr.Inthee Duensavan, President of Inthira Group and Green Discovery, shared their stories and discussed the trends of tourism in Laos in the present day and the near future. The event was a great success culminating in a lucky draw and the presentation of prizes, such as dining and spa vouchers, accommodation packages, and air tickets valued at more than 2,500 USD, to the many lucky winners who attended the party.

Sabaidee Lifestyle & Travel Magazine is a publication featuring information on Lao tourism, detailing travel resources, nature, art and culture, history and the Lao way of life, as well as useful information on accommodation, restaurants, spas, and a great selection of tourist maps. Distributed every two months in Lao, the magazine can be found at cafĂŠs and restaurants, spas, hotels, and can also be downloaded and read on smart phones and tablets.

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ນະຄອນຫລວງວຽງຈັ ນ ເມື່ ອ ວັ ນ ທີ 21 ມີນາ 2013 ວາລະສານສະບາຍດີ ວາລະສານທ ອ ງທ ຽ ວ ແ�ະ ໄ�ຟສໄ� (ຮູ ບ ແບບຊີ ວິ ດ ) ນ້ ອ ງໃຫມ່ ຂ ອງ ສປປ ລ າ ວ ໄ ດ້ ຈັ ດ ງ າ ນ ສ ະ ຫ ລ ອ ງ ຄົ ບ ຮ ອ ບ 1 ປີ ທີ່ ຮ້ າ ນອາຫານ ຂອບໃຈເດີ້ ພ້ ອ ມແຂກຜູ້ ມີ ກ ຽດ ແລະ ຄະນະສມວນຊ�ນ ຮວມງານຢາງອ�ບອຸນ ໂ�ຍ ທານ ພ�ນລະຄອນ ສີບຸນເ�ືອງ ຜູອ�ນວຍການບໍລິສ�ດ THM LAO ຜູຈ�ດພິມວາລະສານສະບາຍດີ ໄ�ຂນກາວ ຕອນຮ�ບແ�ກທມາ ຮວມງານ ແ�ະ ກາວຂອບໃ�ຜູສ  ະ�ບ � ສະ�ູນວາລະສານ ຈາກນ�ນ ໄ�ຮ�ບກຽດຈາກ ທານ ດຣ. ຄ�ແ�ງ ໄ�ສ�ມແ�ງ ເຈົ້ າ ແຂວງໆຫລວງພະບາງ ແລະທ່ າ ນ ສົ ມ ສະຫນຸ ກ ມີ ໄ � ຮອງປະທານສະມາຄ� ມ ນ� ກ ຂ າ ວແ� ງ ສປປ ລາວ ຂນກາວອວຍພອນແ�ວາລະສານດວຍ ນອກຈາກນ ຍ�ງໄ�ຮບ � ກຽດຈາກ ທານ ສະເ�ມ ີ ໄ�ຍະລາດ ຜູ ອ �ນວຍການຝ າ ຍທຸ ລ ະກິ ດ ການຄ າ ສາຍການບິ ນ ລາວ ແ�ະ ທານອິນທີ ເ�ືອນສະ�ນ � ປະທານກຸມ  ບໍລສ ິ ດ � ອິນທິຣາ ແລະ ກລີ ນ ດິ ສ ໂຄເວີ ຣີ ຮ່ ວ ມ ເສວະນາເລື່ ອ ງ ທ່ າ ອຽງ ການເ�ີນທາງທອງທຽວໃ� ສປປ ລາວ ແ� ວ ປິ ດ ທ າ ຍດ ວ ຍການຈ� ບ ລາງວ� ນ ມອບແ� ຜູ ໂ �ກດີ ທີ່ມາຮ່ວມງານໃນຄັ້ງນີ້ ເຊ່ິງມີຂອງລາງວັນຫລາກຫລາຍ ຕັ້ ງ ແຕ່ ບັ ດ ຮັ ບ ປະທານອາຫານ ແພັ ກ ເກຈ ນວດສະປາ ແພັ ກ ເກຈໂຮງແຮມທີ່ ພັ ກ ແລະ ປີ້ ຍົ ນ ມູ ນ ຄ່ າ ລວມກວ່ າ 2.500 ໂ�ລາສະຫະລ�ດ ວາລະສານສະບາຍດີ ເ�ັນວາລະສານທສະເ�ີບ�ດຄວາມ ດ້ າ ນ ກ າ ນ ທ  ອ ງ ທ  ຽ ວ ໃ ນ ສ ປ ປ ລ າ ວ ທີ່ ກ ວ ມ ເ ອົ າ ເນື້ອຫາສາລະກຽວກັບ ແຫລງທອງທ່ຽວທາງທຳມະຊາດ ສິ ລ ະ ປ ະ ວັ ດ ທ ະ ນ ະ ທ ຳ ປ ະ ເ ພ ນີ ປ ະ ຫ ວັ ດ ສ າ ດ ວິ ຖີ ຊີ ວິ ດ ແ ລ ະ ຂໍ້ ມູ ນ ທີ່ ພັ ກ ຮ້ າ ນ ອ າ ຫ າ ນ ສ ະ ປ າ ແລະ ແຜນທີ່ ສ ຳລັ ບ ນັ ກ ທ ອ ງທ ຽ ວ ໂດຍມີ ກ ຳນົ ດ ອອກ ປະຈ�ທຸກໆສອງເ�ືອນ ສະບາຍດີ ເ�ັນວາລະສານ ແ� ກຢາຍລ້ າ ໆທີ່ ຫ າອ່ າ ນໄດ້ ຕ າມຮ້ າ ນກາເຟ ຮ້ າ ນອາຫານ ສະປາ ໂຮງແຮມຕ່ າ ງໆ ແລະ ສາມາດໂຫລດອ່ າ ນໄດ້ ເ�ິງອຸປະກອນແ�ັບເ�ັດ ແ�ະ ສະມາດໂ�ນ ສອບຖາມຂມູນເ�ມເ�ີມໄ�ທໂ�  021 454782, 020 5884 8376 www.sabaidee-magazine.com

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PR BULLETIN

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CREME BRULÉE @ BENONI CAFE Benoni Cafe is currently offering a fantastic 10% discount promotion thier for Passion fruit Creme Brulée from 3 to 5 pm every day. Benoni Cafe is centrally located a few blocks from the Mekong Riverfront. There’s a rush around lunchtime on most days at this busy café so get their as early as you can to taste this sumptuous snack offer. Small portions of well prepared and tasty foods await you at this modern styled Italian/Asian café so don’t miss out on the fun.

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UPSTREAM NAM NGUM DAM TO BECOME TOURIST DESTINATION BY 2015

Plans are in the works from Vientiane Province to develop 10 ha of land in the upstream part of Nam Ngum dam 1, which will become a popular new tourist destination by 2015 with a great choice of facilities and amenities such as a 3-star hotel, restaurants and other facilities according to the provincial plan.

Although there has been lots of interest in the project from both domestic and foreign investors, there is yet no clear policy to attract investors to the project according to Deputy Head of the Vientiane Information, Culture and Tourism Service Mr. Boualy Milattanapheng.

Lots of leisure activities are planned to attract tourists and with the stunning natural views of the islands, the potential for fishing, trekking and home-stays are massive.

“If this project becomes true, it will benefit both private and government sectors,” said Mr. Boualy.

The project will create more income for the 80 families who live in Sokpakeo and other areas nearby.

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STUDENT SMART CARDS LAUNCHED BY BCEL Leading commercial bank Banque pour le Commerce Exterieur Lao (BCEL) on April 24 launched BCEL student cards targeting students of the National University of Laos in Dongdok campus to facilitate and ensure safe payment and transaction.

The card can be used as student ID and ATM card.

“The BCEL student card is a cooperation project between the bank and university and other tertiary educational institutes in Laos. We always pay attention to the development of our banking service. We modernize core banking system in line with our development strategy,” said Director of BCEL, Mr. Vankham Vorlavong.

In 2011, BCEL in cooperation with the China UnionPay launched BCEL - UnionPay Card replacing normal BCEL ATM cards and can be used worldwide.

“The bank has an idea to provide modern facilitates to all strata, so the BCEL has brought a modern technology to serve education sector, particularly students. The using of BCEL student card is safer than normal cash pay means,” he said.

BCEL will issue 52,000 more ATM student cards for students in Savannakhet, Souphanouvong and Champasak universities and six colleges in Vientiane Capital by June this year.

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LAUNCH OF THE 2013 FORD TAURUS AT LAO FORD CITY Lao Ford City have launched the 2013 Ford Taurus, a global One Ford vehicle and the company’s most advanced full-size sedan to date, in Laos. The launching event was held at World Trade Center in Vientiane. Over 60 special guests from the public and private sectors participated in the event.

Ford is raising the bar even higher in Laos with the 2013 Ford Taurus. Sourced out of North America, the Taurus is the first car in Ford’s Lao lineup to offer the advanced 2.0-liter EcoBoost® engine. The Ford Taurus – which delivers excellent fuel economy, advanced technology, design, refinement and enhanced driving dynamics, is now available at Ford showrooms in Vientiane, as well as in Louangphrabang, Savannakhet, Champasack and Hongsa.

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PR BULLETIN

ສອງ ລ ສອງ ເ�ື ອ ງ ສອງ ແ�ນ ດິ ນ ຄາ ລະວາ ນລ�ດຖີບ ມິດຕະພາບ ລາວ- ໄ� (ສະ��ນ ນະ ເ�ດ-ມຸກດາ ຫານ) ຄ�ງ ທີ 1 ສ�ຜ�ດ ມ�ນ ສະ ເ� ແ�ງ ອາລະ ຍະ ທ�ທຄາຍຄື ກ�ນ ທສຸ ດ ໃ� ພູ ມິ ພາກຮວ ມ ສະ ແ�ງ ພະລ�ງ ປ�ນ ລ�ດຖີ ບ ສອດສອ ງ ວິ ຖີ ຊີ ວິ ດ ປະຊາຊ�ນ ແ�ມ ສອງ ຝ�ງ ແ�ນ�ຂອງ 18-19 ພຶດ ສະພາ 2013 ພິ ສູດ ຄວາມ ແ�ງ ແ�ນ ສະ ແ�ງ ຄວາມ ສາມ�ກຄີ ! ສອບຖາມ ລາຍ ລະອຽດ ໄ�ທ ສູ ນ ການທອ ງທຽ ວ ແ�ະ ກີລາ ມຸກ ດາຫານ ໂ� 042 613 827, 042 611 306 ມື ຖື 083 611 0404, 083 667 4049 089 280 9823, 086 468 1741 E ma il outhtabaa@gmail.com, hellolaos@yahoo.com, freetradelaosthai@yahoomcom Website www.guidemukdahan.com

ລ າວ ໂ�ລະຄ�ມ ໃ�ກ ານອຸ ປ ະຖ� �ວງພະບາງ ລາວ ໂ�ເ�ັ ນ ເ�ັ ນ ປີ ທີ II ເ �ັ ນເ�ິ ນ ມູ ນ ຄາ 25,000 ໂ�ລາສະຫະລ�ດ ໃ�ກ ຽດມອບໂ�ຍ ທາ ນ ຖາວອນ ສ�ມ ສະກຸ ນ ຫ�ວ �າ ພະແ�ກການຕະ�າດ ລລທ ແ�ະ ຮ�ບ ໂ�ຍ ທາ ນ ດຣ ຄ�ແ �ງ ໄ�ສ�ມ ແ�ງ ເ�າ ແ�ວງ ແ�ວງ �ວງພະບາງ ທ�ງ ເ�ັ ນ ປະທານຈ�ດ ງານ ແ� ງຂ�ນ ໃ�ຄ�ງ ນ

KAMU LODGE AND VILLA MALY

WELCOME NEW SALES MANAGER Apple Tree Group is strengthening its presence in Laos with the appointment of French native, Coralie Vongsouthi, as sales and marketing manager for boutique resort Villa Maly and eco-retreat Kamu Lodge Experience.

The 31-year-old joins Apple Tree Group in Luang Prabang off her latest post as operations manager for the Elephant Conservation Center in Sayaboury. Vongsouthi is no stranger to the plight of Laos’ gentle giants. She spent four years working with the non-profit organization ElefantAsia before signing on for a stint as a product manager for Elephant Adventures by Green Discovery Laos.

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SABAIDEE COVER

THE EVOLUTION OF

LAOS GOLF Story & Photos : Eileen Markham

LAO MIGHT NOT HAVE THE SAME GOLF HISTORY AS OTHER NATIONS ACROSS THE WORLD, BUT IN TERMS OF GROWTH AND EVOLUTION, THE LAOS GOLF SCENE IS RAPIDLY CHANGING AND BECOMING A GOLF TOUR DESTINATION IN ITS OWN RIGHTS.

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Laid-back Laos is a lesser-known Southeast Asian tourist destination without many of the stresses and pressures common to established vacation hubs. The country’s government is pushing ahead with plans to increase visitor footfall, with golf high on the agenda and new courses under construction. The country’s dramatic, unspoiled scenery gives a new twist to views from the greens, and the facilities being provided by course developers are high in quality and challenging in design.

Already, keen players, their colleagues and their families are helping Laos’ rise in the international golfing league, happy to know that they’re pioneering a great, new golfing nation. Spreading the word about golfing activities and specialist golfing holidays in this fascinating country is a pleasure, whether the day’s play takes place on a country course, metropolitan greens, at a lakeside resort of a World Heritage riverside location.

Courses boast excellent amenities and comprehensive clubhouse facilities, and the condition of the manicured, well-designed fairways is a cause for celebration.

A major factor in enjoyment of a game of golf on a Laotian course is the lack of crowds, even taking into account the increasing number of golfing holidays and packages being offered. Players tend to be serious about their game, with the golfing equivalent of package tourists as yet unaware that the country offers a unique golfing experience. Locals have a better command of the English language than in Thailand, and are genuinely friendly and welcoming.

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ກ ອ ຟລາວ

ເ�ິງວາກີລາກອຟໃ�ປະເ�ດລາວຈະເ�ັນທຮູຈ�ກມາ �າຍປີ ແ�ກໄ�ຮ�ບຄວາມນິຍ�ມແ��າຍເ�ອບດ�ນ ມານ ເ�ິງຈະເ�ັນໄ�ຈາກການທທາງພາກລ�ດ ມີນະໂ�ບາຍໃ�ການສ�ງເ�ີມກີລາກອຟ ແ�ະສະ��ບສະ�ູນການແ�ງຂ�ນກອຟໃ�ລະດ�ບ ສາກ�ນ ລວມທ�ງເ�ັນການປ�ບປຸງພ�ດທະນາ ແ�ະ ກສາງສະ�າມກອຟມາດຕະຖານ�າຍແ�ງ ໃ�ລາວ ເ�ອຂ�ບເ�ອນກີລາ ກອຟໃ�ລາວ ໃ�ເ�ັນອີກຈຸດ�າຍ�ງໃ�ປະເ�ດ ອາຊີຕາເ�ັນອອກສຽງໃ�

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Trends in Southeast

Asian Golf The explosion of golf courses in Southeast Asia over the past decades originated with the increasing popularity of the region as a hub for foreign businesses, upscale tourism to formerly unexplored tropical destinations and the development of the vast region as a retirement hub for Westerners from golfing-friendly countries. As in the West, business deals and the making of like-minded friends began to take place on the region’s golf courses, and a hierarchy of clubs from the exclusive to the everyday became established.

Nowadays, every spa resort and five-star hotel in the region either has its own course or is close to a choice of several courses.

Whilst the popularity of the game was increasing in Thailand and other Southeast Asian countries, Laos, perhaps because of its recent unsettled history and its politics, has remained largely a country of mystery unknown to all but the most intrepid of visitors. Globalisation of golf as a major visitor attraction has led to the recent naming of Vietnam as Southeast Asia’s ‘Undiscovered Golf Destination of the Year’ with Laos not far behind and encouraged by input and investment from Vietnamese developers. The world-class courses in Vientiane and Luang Prabang are now home to international tournaments attracting well-known Western names as well as Southeast Asian masters of the game.

Trends influencing the development of the game in Laos are linked with the increasing number of golfing holidays on offer which stress the quality of the courses as well as the unbeatable beauty of their settings. Luang Prabang is a Unesco World Heritage- listed town for its French colonial history and position on the mighty Mekong River, with its world-class course just 15 minutes from the downtown district attracting an ever-increasing number of players from overseas. Course design across the country is concentrating on blending with the surrounding natural beauty as well as creating an ambience of harmony and tranquility.

The upcoming ASEAN union is expected to see a boom in golfing holidays in the region as free movement between the member states kicks in, with Laos increasing its popularity as a golfing destination as a result. State-ofthe-art new courses are being planned as a response to demand, many of which will be part of luxury hotel and spa developments, giving a complete package for Southeast Asian fans of the ancient game. Golf package tours taking in most ASEAN states are expected to vastly increase the numbers of golfing visitors to Laotian courses as well as generating more top-quality Western interest in the country’s potential as a golfing destination.

Overall, the trend in Southeast Asian golf over the next few years is a vast increase in visitors to lesser-known locations equipped with great courses and plenty of other attractions including culture, tradition and history. Getting away from the golfing crowds by choosing to visit several course in Laos is easy to arrange at present but, after the beginning of 2016, may not be as straightforward as the international golfing world catches on to the country’s potential.

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Major golf events in

Laos

A ground-breaking moment for golf in Laos came when the course at the Luang Prabang Golf Club became the venue for the country’s first Open. Scheduled as the third event in the annual ASEAN PGA 2012 Tour, play took place from April 26 to 29, with entry open to amateur Lao golfers as well as Southeast Asian golf professionals. According to the province’s governor, Dr Khampang Saysompheng, the country’s very first championship golf tournament was the first step in the promotion of golf in Laos to a world-class level. The tournament followed on from Lao’s first taste of professional standard golf, seen during the 2009 South East Asian Games.

Although Luang Prabang Golf Club wasn’t exactly deluged with spectators for the tournament, the competing international players reported they were more than happy with the high standards of the newly constructed course, and ASEAN PGA director referred to the tournament as an inspiring development in golfing in Southeast Asia. Thai professional Thaworn Wiratchant walked away with the US$80,000 prize after a spectacular eight-shot victory, saying he was overjoyed to have won the ground-breaking event and hoped it would encourage more young golfers in Lao to strive for professional status.

As a result of the publicity surrounding Laos’s entry into Southeast Asia’s golfing world, a noticeable increase in the number of visitors arriving to play on the course is boosting the country’s reputation as a golfing destination.

Luang Prabang Golf Club is now a permanent fixture on the annual ASEAN PGA tour, with 2013’s tournament taking place from the 24th to the 27th of April. Prize money for 2013 has seen an increase to US$100,000, with a plethora of leading Southeast Asian players signing up for the circuit. Leaders in the field include Thanyakon Khrongpha, Order of Merit champion Nicholas Fung, Thailand's Wisut Artjanawat, Thammanoon Sriroj, Udorn Duangdecha, Singapore’s Choo Tze Huang, Jay Bayron and Gerald Rosares.

Amateur players from Laos will compete with seasoned professionals, fulfilling ASEAN PGA’s original tour brief in 2007 of developing young golfing talent from across the region. Daliya Saidara, the country’s first golfing professional, will again be the centre of attention for local fans of the sport.

He’s hoping that more major tournaments can be brought to Laos, giving young players like himself a chance to learn and develop their games by playing against Southeast Asia’s best golf professionals. PGA executives state that their main objective is to give ASEAN-based members more top-class playing opportunities by expanding the schedule of the tour and popularizing the sport in golf’s new frontiers.

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ການ ແ�ງ ຂ�ນ ກ ອ ຟ ໃ� ລາວ

ເ�ັນຄ�ງທ�ອິດໃ�ປະ��ດສາດວ�ງການກີລາກອຟຂອງ ປະເ�ດລາວ ເ�ອມີການແ�ງຂ�ນລາຍການ�ວງພະບາງລາວ ໂ�ເ�ັນ ເ�ັນຄ�ງທ�ອິດທສະ�າມ�ວງພະບາງ ກອຟ ຄລ�ບ ໃ� ປີ 2012 ແ�ະ ໄ�ຈ�ດຂນ ຕເ�ອງເ�ັນຄ�ງທີ 2 ໃ�ປີນ ເ�ິງຖືເ�ັນ ລາຍການທີ 3 ຂອງການແ�ງຂ�ນ ASEAN PGA TOUR ປະຈ� ປີ 2013 ລະ�າງວ�ນທີ 24-27 ເ�ສາ 2013 ການແ�ງຂ�ນ �ວງພະບາງລາວ ໂ�ເ�ັນ ໃ�ຄ�ງນ ນ�ບເ�ັນການປະກາດຄວາມ ພອມຂອງປະເ�ດລາວໃ�ການຈ�ດການແ�ງຂ�ນກອຟລະດ�ບ ອາຊີບ ແ�ະ ສ�ງເ�ີມ ການທອງທຽວດານກອຟດວຍ

27

Potential of the golf scene and golf tours

in Laos

At the present time, golfing in Laos is in its infancy, although a increasing number of visitors on golf tours in Southeast Asia are including at least one Vientiane course and the Luang Prabang course in their itineraries. Playing here is seen as getting in on the ground floor of what is sure to be a major attraction before long, with the added bonus of lack of crowds and some of the world’s most spectacular scenery and historic attractions. Laos businessmen and politicians are already keen on the game, although its cost, low by Western standards, prevents many talented youngsters from joining in its development. The inevitable increase in the number of golfing professionals in the country will raise the game’s profile, and, as more world-class courses hit the drawing board and become reality; overseas golfers are expected to flock to the greens.

Golf tours in Laos can include the Vientiane courses and Luang Prabang, or can be part of a Southeast Asian tour encompassing several of the excellent Thai courses, those in Malaysia, the Philippines, Indonesia and even Burma, another up-and-coming golfing destination.

Companies promoting golf in Laos as well as other Southeast Asian countries are reporting double-figure increases as high as 50 per cent in bookings, in spite of the world-wide recession 28

and the ongoing Eurozone problems. Both individual and group tours booking fast, spurred on by value for money in an increasingly expensive world and a growing infrastructure including golfing resorts and luxury hotels close to world-class courses such as Luang Prabang.

are

The novelty of golfing in Laos is one of the sector’s main selling points, combined with the beauty of the country and the friendliness of its people. Courses are either brand new or just a few years old, superbly maintained and well-designed to give a challenging but rewarding game. Investment by hospitality companies across the region is continuing, and is expected to increase the number of golfing visitors exponentially; with companies eying neighbouring China as a source of visiting golfers as the game is well-established there. Forwardlooking golf tour operators are concentrating on custom tours with personal services unobtainable through internet bookings. Multi-country packages including Laos are supported by 24/7 hotlines, hassle-free company-owned transport with English-speaking drivers and access to private golf clubs across the region.

The way forward for golfing tours is the boutique approach, especially suitable to Laos with its newly-developed golfing facilities and its link between the game and eco-style tourism taking in its unique culture and history. ‘Must try harder’ is the motto for boutique tour operators nowadays, ensuring that golfers enjoy their stay in iconic places as well as their game. Hotel and golf packages are proving popular, and several companies provide booking services, transportation and other services to golfers who prefer to design their own itinerary. A favourite is a seven-day golf package taking in the Vientiane courses and the Luang Prabang Golf Club course, interspersed with a choice of activities such as city and temples tours, elephant trekking, a tour of caves and rivers or accompanied forays into Laos’s fascinating local markets.

ທາ ແ�ງ ຂອງ ລາວ ໃ� ເ�ອ ງ ການທອ ງທຽ ວ ຕາມ ວິ ຖີ ກີ ລ າ ກ ອ ຟ ປະຈຸບ�ນ ເ�ິງວາການທອງທຽວໃ�ລາວທມຸງ��ນໃ�ນ�ກທອງ ທຽວເ�ີນທາງເ�າມາ�ນກີລາກອຟອາດ ຈະເ�ັນພຽງແ�ການ ເ�ມຕ�ນ ແ�ຈຸດຂາຍທຊ�ດເ�ນດານພູມິປະເ�ດທສວຍງາມ ເ�ິງ ເ�ັນທຕ�ງຂອງສະ �າມກອຟ ທ�ງທນະຄອນ�ວງວຽງຈ�ນ ແ�ະ �ວງພະບາງ ລວມເ�ິງຄຸນນະພາບການບໍລິການຂອງ ສະ�າມກອຟກມີສວນໃ�ການຂ�ບເ�ອນໃ� ສປປ ລາວ ສາມາດເ�ັນຈຸດ�າຍປາຍທາງຂອງນ�ກກອຟ ໄ�ຢາງແ�ນອນໃ�ອະນາຄ�ດອ�ນໃ�ນ

29

Quotes from Lao Golf

ຂາພະເ�າເ�ັນວາປະຈຸບ�ນນ ວ�ງການກິລາໃ�ປະເ�ດລາວມີການພ�ດທະນາ ກາວ�າໄ��າຍ ພນອງຊາວລາວກເ�ັນຄວາມສ�ຄ�ນ ແ�ະ ຫ�ນມາໃ�ໃ� ກ�ບການ�ນກິລາ�າຍຂນ ກິລາກອຟກເ�ນກ�ນ ຈະເ�ັນໄ�ວາທລາວມີ ສະ�າມກອຟຢູ�າຍ  ທແ�ວງວຽງຈ�ນ ແ�ະ ໃ�ນະຄອນ�ວງວຽງຈ�ນກມີ ສະ�າມກອຟຢູເ�ີ  ງ 6 ແ�ງ ທ�ວງພະບາງກມຢູ ີ ແ�ວ�ງສະ�າມ ແ�ະ ກ ກ�ລ�ງກຽມສາງເ�ມອີກ�ງສະ�າມ ສະ��ນນະເ�ດລວມເ�ິງປາກເ�ກມີ ສະ�າມມາດຕະຖານ ລວມທ�ງທຊຽງຂວາງ, ຫ�ວພ�ນ, ອຸດ�ມໄ� ກມໂ�ງ ີ ການສາງ ສະ�າມກອຟໃ�ອານາຄ�ດດວຍ ນອກຈາກນ�ນກຍ�ງມີການສາງໂ�ງແ�ມ ທພ�ກ ຕິດກ�ບສະ�າມກອຟ�າຍແ�ງເ�ອຮອງຮ�ບການຂະ�າຍຕ�ວຂອງກິລາຊະນິດ ນ ຊງກ�ລ�ງໄ�ຮ�ບຄວາມນິຍ�ມເ�ມຂນ ຈະເ�ັນໄ�ວາຄ�ນລາວຫ�ນມາຕີກອຟເ�ມ ຂນ ບວາຈະເ�ັນຜູອາວຸໂ� ຜູຢູ  ໃ�  ໄ�ກາງຄ�ນ ຊາວ�ຸມ ແ�ະ ເ�ົາວະຊ�ນກສ�ນ ໃ�ກິລາກອຟ�າຍຂນ ເ�ງກຸມສຸດທາຍນໄ�ມີການຝຶກຝ�ນຢາງຈິງຈ�ງ ເ�ອເ�ັນ ນ�ກກອຟອາຊີບຂອງລາວໃ�ອານາຄ�ດອີກດວຍ.

ທານ ດຣ ຄ�ແ�ງ ໄ�ສ�ມແ�ງ

Representatives

DR.KHAMPHENG S AY S O M P H E N G LUANG PRABANG GOVERNOR

I may start with the belief that Lao's sport is progressing very well as Lao people have continue to pay more attention to sports, for instance, within the golf community. Nowadays there are six golf courses located in Vientiane, one existing and one under construction in Luang Prabang, one each located in Savannakhet and Pakse, and one under construction in Chiangkwang and Udomsai. Many of the golf courses include luxury hotels inside the project to handle the expansion of golf business in Laos. It's apparent that Lao people, ranging from government ministers and officers, as well as private employees, are very keen on playing golf. So much so that many of them are expected to become professional golfers.

30

ເ�າແ�ວງວງພະບາງ

ລາວມີພູມປະເ�ດ ແ�ະ ພູມອາກາດເ�າະສ�ມກ�ບການລ�ງທຶນສາງ ສະ�າມກອຟ ເ�າະໃ�ຕາງປະເ�ດເ�ນ: ສປ ຈີນ, ສ.ເ�ົາ�ີ, ຍປຸນ �ື ສະຫະພ�ນລ�ດເ�ຍ ເ�ງບສາມາດເ�ີດສະ�າມກອຟໄ� ໃ�ເ�ອອາກາດ �າວຈ�ດ ລາວຈງເ�ັນທາງເ�ືອກທດີສ�ລ�ບນ�ກກິລາກອຟເ�ານ�ນ ດ�ງໃ�ປີ ທຜານມາກມຊາວ ີ ຍປຸນ ແ�ະ ເ�ົາ�ີ ເ�ີນທາງເ�າມາລາວເ�ອຕີກອຟ�າຍ ສ�ມຄວນ ນອກຈາກທ�ວງພະບາງແ�ວ ຂາພະເ�າຈງມີແ�ວຄິດທຢາກຈະ ລ�ງທຶນສາງສະ�າມກອຟຢູວຽງຈ�  ນອີກແ�ງ�ງ ພາກໃ�ອີກແ�ງ�ງ ແ�ວ ກທວ�  ງວຽງກຢາກຈະສາງສະ�າມກອຟພອມຣີສອດດວຍ ເ�າະຂາພະເ�າ ເ�ອ��ນວາໃ�ອານາຄ�ດລາວຈະເ�ັນຈຸດ�າຍຂອງນ�ກກອຟຢາງແ�ນອນ ໂ�ຍສະເ�າະຊາວຈີນ ເ�ງປະຈຸບ�ນນກນິຍ�ມເ�ີນທາງເ�າມາຕີກອຟໃ�ລາວ ເ�າະລາຄາຄາສະ�າມຖືກກວາປະເ�ດຈີນ.

ທານ ບູລະພາ ສ�ນຕິຄ�ງຄາ ປະທານ ສະ�າມ�ວງພະບາງ ກອຟຄລ�ບ

MR.BOUALAPHA SANTIKHONGKHA PRESIDENT OF LUANG PRABANG GOLF CLUB Thanks to our ideal topography, we have an obvious advantage when it comes to the investment for building up a golf course. In comparison to the harsh and cold climates in Japan, Russia and South Korea, which can become an hindrance when constructing and building up a golf course, Laos is a perfect choice for those people in the aforementioned countries to make a beeline to Lao to play golf. Apart from Luang Prabang, I've come up with a concrete plan to build up another golf course in Vientiane and Vang Vieng. The golf course project in Vang Vieng will include a resort. In the close future, I do believe Laos will be another ideal destination for those who love playing golf, particularly for Chinese people who have seen the potential of golf courses in Laos in term of low expense compared to that in China.

31

ເ�ົາຕອງເ�ັດໃ�ຄ�ນຮູຈ�  ກປະເ�ດລາວ�າຍຂນ ໃ�ຮູວາລາວມີສະ�າມກອຟ ມີ ການຈ�ດການແ�ງຂ�ນກອຟ ຄ�ນທເ�ີຍມາ�ນ �ື ມາເ�ງກຈະສາມາດບອກຕໄ� ກ ຖືວາເ�ັນການເ�ມຕ�ນທດີທຈະສ�ງເ�ີມໃ�ລາວເ�ັນຈຸດ�າຍປາຍທາງຂອງນ�ກກອຟ ໄ� ນອກຈາກນ�ນທາງສະຫະພ�ນກອຟແ�ງຊາດລາວກຍ�ງສະ��ບສະ�ູນຊາວ�ຸມ ຈ�ນວນ�ງທພແ�ສະ��ບສະ�ູນໃ��ນກອຟເ�ັນອາຊີບ ຊາວ�ຸມເ�ານ�ນ ບາງຄ�ນຍ�ງຮຽນຢູຕ  າງປະເ�ດ ສວນທຢໃ� ູ ປະເ�ດເ�ົາກພະຍາຍາມ ສ�ງເ�ີມໃ�ໄ�ໄ� ເ�ັບກຽວປະສ�ບການຈາກການແ�ງຂ�ນທ�ວນາເ�ັນລະດ�ບອິນເ�ຢາງລາວໂ�ເ�ັນ ເ�ງ ເ�ົາກ��ງວາຈະໃ�ນ�ກກອຟລາວເ�າຮວມການແ�ງຂ�ນດວຍ.

ທານ ຄ�ແ�ງ ວ�ງຂ�ນຕີ

ຮອງປະທານ ສະຫະພ�ນກິລາກອຟແ�ງຊາດລາວ

MR.KHAMPHENG VONGKHANTY

VICE CHAIRMAN OF LAO NATIONAL GOLF First thing first is to promote the Laos' golf community by means of hosting golf tournaments and competitions as I believe this will create word-of-mouth publicity to our golf community to become a first-choice destination among golfers. Moreover, the National Lao Golf Association has been sponsoring a group of talented young golfers; in the meantime, some parents are supporting their kids to become professional golfers. These rising-star golfers are both residing in Laos and living abroad. All of them are encouraged to take part in many international tournaments as it’s another way to improve their golf skills and make the most from their talent. For instance, we're hosting the Lao Open which we hope will be a showcase for some of our young golfers.

M R . D A L I YA S A I D A R A

LAO PROFESSIONAL GOLF PLAYER

ການແ�ງຂ�ນ Luang Prabang Lao Open ໃ�ປີນຖືວາ ສມວນຊ�ນໃ�ຄວາມ ສ�ນໃ��າຍ ສ�ລ�ບຂາພະເ�ານ�ນຮູສຶກວາ ເ�ັຕຕງ ສະ�າມ ຍາກກວາປີທ ຜານມາແ��ອຍ�ງເ ກີນຄວາມສາມາດຂອງຂາພະເ�າ ເ�ືອບຈະຕີບໄ� ເ�ີຍ ຖາທຽບໃ�ປີກອນ ເ�ັຕຕງ ສະ�າມງາຍກວາ ແ�ຂາພະເ�າບໄ�ຄາດ ��ງທຈະໄ�ສູກ�  ບ 1 ໃ� 10 ຂໍພຽງແ�ໄ�ເ�າຮວມການແ�ງຂ�ນກພໃ� ໍ ແ�ວ. ເ�ັນເ�ອງທດີທກິລາກອຟໃ�ບານເ�ົາ ເ�ັນທສ�ນໃ� ແ�ະ ເ�ມໄ�ຮ�ບການຊຸກຍູສ�  ງເ�ີມຈາກທາງພາກລ�ດໃ�ມີຄວາມກາວ�າ ແ�ນວາ ໃ�ໄ�ຍະຜານມາເ�ນທາງສູນ�ກກອຟອາຊີບຂອງຂາພະເ�າ ຕອງຊຸກຍູຊ  ວຍ ເ�ືອຕ�ນເ�ງແ� ເ�າະປະເ�ດເ�ົາບໄ�ຮ�ງມີ ແ�ຂາພະເ�າກຄິດວາ ໃ� ອານາຄ�ດຂາງ�າ ລາວຈະເ�ັນຈຸດ�າຍຂອງນ�ກກອຟ ໄ�ຢາງແ�ນອນ ໃ� ເ�ລານ ລາວມີສະ�າມກອຟ ທໄ�ມາດຕະຖານຢູ�າຍແ�ງ ເ�ງເ�ັນທສ�ນ ໃ�ຂອງນ�ກກອຟຕາງປະເ�ດ ແ�ະ ຈາກບານໄ�ເ�ືອນຄຽງເ�ັນຕ�ນ ໄ� ທໄ� ມາແ�ຢຽມຢາມ ແ�ະ ເ�າມາຈ�ດການແ�ງຂ�ນ ຈ�ດງານຕາງໆຢູເ�  ອຍໆ.

ດາລິຍະ ສາຍດາລາ 32

ນ�ກກອຟມືອາຊີບ

Although my career path as a profes-sional golfer from the previous years was not that easy, as I had to support myself to get on track, it's a good sign that the popularity of golf in Lao has been increasing and the government also helps by promoting and supporting the game. I believe that in the near future, Lao will become one of the best golf destinations in the region. At present, we have many golf courses, with those meeting international standards used as the venues for many international golf events.

Vientiane is the major hub for golf facilities in Laos, offering six courses in total including a driving range. The oldest course in the picturesque city is the Vientiane Golf Club, located close to the downtown area and featuring nine holes and full club facilities. Dating from 1993 and designed by Robert Trent Jones Junior, it’s set in lush greenery and boasts a variety of holes, wide and narrow fairways, tough greens and enough water to cross to make it more than interesting. Open weekends as well as weekdays, its par is 72 and yardage is 6965. The clubhouse has equipment hire, meeting and changing rooms, a bar, restaurant and golf shop and caddies are obligatory.

The South East Asian Games Golf Course is a professional but not too challenging 18-hole facility designed for the 2009 South East Asian Games. Maintenance is excellent given the extended dry season in Laos, with fairways and greens deserving of compliments. The course, floodlit at night, lies just 18kms from Vientiane, and everything from the car park through the clubhouse and its locker rooms is kept in perfect order. Par is 36-36-36, with 27 holes in total and golf buggies must be used.

Located halfway between downtown Vientiane and the Friendship Bridge over the Mekong and boasting lush, manicured greens, the Lao Country Club’s course features 18 holes set over 7303 yards and a par of 72.

It’s open daily between 07:00 and 18:00 and the clubhouse has a terrace, restaurant and bar, a pro-shop, meeting and changing 33

rooms and cart hire. Caddies are obligatory and the club was the inspiration of investors based in Thailand.

Dansavanh Golf and Country Club lies along lovely, lakeside shores some 45kms from Vientiane at Ban Phonkham in Thulakomh District. The course, with its stunning views of picturesque Nam Ngum Lake, is part of the Dansavanh Nam Nhum Resort, and offers 18 holes over a total of 7,107 yards and a par of 72. The clubhouse offers a golf shop, restaurant, changing and meeting rooms, equipment rental and gold buggy hire, and caddies are obligatory. Vientiane’s Dansavanh Hotel provides a free shuttle to the course.

A short, 17km drive from Vientiane is the Long Vien Golf Club with its 18 hole, 72 par course designed and completed in 2012. It’s a new venture and includes a restaurant which opened on New Year’s Day 2013, a floodlit driving range, changing rooms and trolley hire. The Eagle Driving Range is found opposite Vientiane’s Chinese Embassy, is open from 06:00 to 22:00 Mondays through Saturdays and provides refreshments and lessons.

Luang Prabang Golf Club features strongly in Laos golf tours, and has the most dramatic setting imaginable. The course is surrounded by lush rainforest and backed by mountains and the great Mekong River, making playing here a unique experience for its eco-friendly, world-class design and construction. Set just a short drive from UNESCO-listed Luang Prabang, the challenging 18 hole, par 72 championship course is laid out over 7433 yards and commands views over the town, the Mekong and miles of unspoiled natural beauty.

ສະ�າມກ ອ ຟ ໃ� ລາວ ນະຄອນ�ວງວຽງຈ�ນເ�ັນສູນກາງສງອ�ນວຍຄວາມສະດວກ ຂອງກີລາກອຟ ແ�ະ ເ�ັນທຕ�ງຂອງສະ�າມກອຟ 6 ແ�ງ ລວມທ�ງ ສະ�າມຝຶກຊອມກອຟດວຍ ສະ�າມທເ�າແ�ທສຸດໃ�ນະຄອນ �ວງວຽງຈ�ນຄື ວຽງຈ�ນ ກອຟ ຄລ�ບ ເ�ັນສະ�າມ 9 ຂຸມ ລາວ ຄ�ນທຣີ ຄລ�ບ ເ�ັນສະ�າມ 18 ຂຸມ 7303 �າ ແ�ະ ພາ 72 ແ�ນສະ��ນ ກອຟ ຄ�ນທຣີ ຄລ�ບ ເ�ັນສະ�າມທງ�ດງາມ ຕ�ງຢູແ�ມ  ອາງນ�ທ�ມະ ຊາດທກວາງໃ� ຫາງຈາກນະຄອນ�ວງວຽງຈ�ນ 45 ກິໂ�ແ�ັດ ສວນສະ�າມໃ��າສຸດໃ�ນະຄອນ�ວງວຽງຈ�ນໄ�ແ� ລອງວຽນ ກອຟ ຄລ�ບ ເ�ັນສະ�າມ 18 ຂຸມ ພາ 72 ແ�ະ ທເ�ືອງ�ວງພະບາງ ເ�ືອງມໍລະດ�ກໂ�ກ ສະ�າມແ�ມແ�ນ�ຂອງທງ�ດງາມນ�ນກຄື �ວງພະບາງ ກອຟ ຄລ�ບ ກເ�ັນສະ�າມກອຟມາດຕະຖານ ລະດ�ບໂ�ກຂອງປະເ�ດລາວອີກແ�ງ�ງ 34

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TOURNAMENT REPORT

LUANG PRABANG LAO OPEN 2013 POSITIVE PROOF OF THE RAPID EXPANSION OF GOLF IN LAOS

As a showpiece event on the ASEAN PGA Tour, the second annual Luang Prabang Laos Open, which ran from the 24th to the 27th of April of this year, came to a successful finale on Saturday, signifying that the expansion of golf in Laos, and its surrounding regions, is well underway.

This year the prize money was increased from US$80,000 to US$100,000. The Luang Prabang Lao Open now forms the third leg of the 2013 ASEAN PGA Tour, and the circuit this season boasts 12 events, worth a record US$1,095,000.

“I am so impressed with this year’s event, which had been much better prepared than the previous year,” commented the Governor of Luang Prabang, Dr. Khampheng Saysompheng.

“Both the organizers and the players, as well as our sponsors, were all very satisfied and enjoyed the tournament a lot. The weather in Luang Prabang was quite perfect, especially in the morning and evenings, when it was not too hot. The Luang Prabang Lao Open has drawn lots of attention from both locals and tourists, many of whom have come to visit Luang Prabang to play at the challenging Luang Prabang Golf Club.

For me, this event is a great achievement.”

This year, 25-year-old Thai player Namchok Tantipokhakul completed an impressive wire-to-wire victory, holding off his more senior compatriots Udorn Duangdecha and Ratchapol Juntavara, to win by just four shots.

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“It means a lot to me to win a tournament from start to finish. It’s not easy. It’s very hard work.

Four days of tension and concentration,” admitted the young Namchok, whose prize winnings total US$16,260.

Namchok first burst onto the professional circuit back in 2009 when he won twice on the ASEAN PGA Tour, and claimed the Order of Merit title.

It was the second victory in a row for Thailand,

as Thaworn Wiratchant, the current Asian number one, was the runaway winner of last year’s inaugural Luang Prabang Lao Open.

Despite the event being in only its second year, the tournament was covered live for all four days on Laos Star TV – a channel watched by nearly 80 per cent of the country’s population. It was broadcast live for two hours on both Wednesday and Thursday, and four hours each on Friday and Saturday.

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During the tournament an extra buzz of excitement was added as Dariya Saidara, Lao’s only touring professional, was bidding for honours, but unfortunately the young golfer from Lao could not get through to the final.

“Having a PGA Tour event at Luang Prabang was very good for golf in Laos,” said Daliya.

“More people came to see how professionals play in a real event, and how it was staged. And the tournament was given good exposure on television.”

The Luang Prabang Lao Open is a remarkable achievement for the game of golf in a country where the sport is still in its embryonic stage. The tournament’s host, the Luang Prabang Golf Club, is a world-class venue located in Luang Prabang, which is a city in north central Laos that lies about 425 kilometres north of Vientiane. Luang Prabang is also notable as a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the club is only a 15-minute drive from the town centre, and Luang Prabang International Airport.

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O N D I S P L AY

HISTORY LESSONS AT THE LAO NATIONAL MUSEUM story : Alan Wass photo : Gaid Kornsilapa A VISIT TO THE LAO NATIONAL MUSEUM, ALSO KNOWN AS THE LAO NATIONAL HISTORY MUSEUM, IS AN EXCELLENT WAY TO LEARN ABOUT THE HISTORY, CULTURE AND PEOPLE OF LAOS WHILE SPENDING A COUPLE OF HOURS OUT OF THE SUN. MANY OF THE EXHIBITS ARE A BIT FADED AND THE OLD FRENCH COLONIAL BUILDING IS FALLING APART, BUT THE MUSEUM COVERS A LOT OF GROUND, FROM PREHISTORIC TIMES TO THE MODERN DAY.

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Although the range of artifacts and photographs is not as comprehensive or as well organized as you might expect in a national museum, there are nonetheless some fascinating exhibits here. The ground floor houses a mixture of ancient items such as dinosaur bones, pottery shards and Khmer sculptures that trace the early history of the region.

Upstairs, you will find more detail in the exhibits, which depict the turbulent modern history of Laos from the Siamese invasions and the French colonial period to the American military presence during the Vietnam War, and through to the present day. There is a heavy emphasis on the struggle for independence and the introduction of communism in 1975, which explains why the museum was originally named the Lao Revolutionary Museum.

Opening Hours : From 08:00 to 12:00 and 13:00 to 16:00, seven days a week.

Closed on public holidays.

Location : The Lao National Museum is located in the centre of town on Thanon Samsenthai, one block from the Lao Plaza Hotel and in front of the Tennis Club and the National Stadium.

How to get there : You can easily walk, ride a rented bicycle, or take a tuktuk or jumbo to the National Museum from anywhere in central Vientiane.

Thanon Samsenthai is one of the main boulevards in the city, and runs parallel with the river.

ຮຽນຮູປະ��ດສາດລາວ ທພິພິທະພ�ນແ�ງຊາດລາວ ພິ ພິ ທ ະ ພ� ນ ແ � ງ ຊ າ ດ ລ າ ວ ຕ�ງ ຢູ ກ� ງ ກ� ນ ຂ າມ ກ� ບ ຫໍ ວ�ດທະນະທ� ແ�ງ ຊາດ ລາວ ເ�ັ ນ ສະຖານ ທ ວາງສະ ແ�ງ ບູຮານ ວ�ດ ຖຸ�າກ �າຍ ຕ�ງແ�ຍຸກກອນ ປະ��ດສາດເ�ັນ ສິລາຈາລືກ ອາວຸດ ເ�ອງ ດ�ນຕີ ອຸປະກອນໃ�ສອຍຕາງໆ ຮູບແ�ບອາຄານ ເ�ັນສະຖາປ�ດຕະຍະກ� ແ�ບຝຣ�ງ ໃ�ອະດີດໃ�ເ�ັນທ ພ� ກ ຂອງຝຣ� ງ ເ� ອ ຄ� ງ ລ າ ອານາ ນິຄ� ມນ ເ�ັ ນ ສະຖານ ທ �າສ�ນໃ�ອີກແ�ງ�ງທຜູມາທອງທຽວນະຄອນ�ວງ ວ ຽ ງ ຈ� ນ ຄ ວ ນ ທ ຈ ະ ເ � າ ມ າ ຢຽ ມ ຊ� ມ ແ � ະ ສຶກ ສາ ປະ�� ດ ສາດ ຂອງ ປະ ເ�ດ ລາວ ເ�ອ ຄວາມ ເ�າ ໃ� ທຖືກຕອງ. ພິພທ ິ ະພ�ນແ�ງຊາດລາວເ�ີດໃ�ເ�າຊ�ມໃ�ວ�ນ ແ�ະ ເ�ລາ ໃ�ໂ�ງລາຊະການ

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LAO CUISINE

Hor Mok Pa

Lao Traditional Dish story : Somchanh | photo : Gaid P. Kornsilapa

Hor Mok Pa is a Lao national dish rich with wonderful herbal ingredients that creates visual and aromatic highlights. Cooking Hor Mok Pa is easy as all you have to do is just put everything into the mortar and crush until the fish and all the ingredients are totally mixed together, then add some coconut milk and spoon about a cup of mixture from the mortar to a bowl made of banana leaf and steam the packets in a cover steamer over boiling water for 30 minutes. Serve it with sticky rice.

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��ກປາ ອາຫານລາວເ�ີມ �� ກ ປາ ອາຫານ ລາ ວ ແ�ບ ດ�ງ ເ�ີ ມຈະ ມີ ກນຫອມ ຂອງ ໃ� ຕອງ ແ�ະ ຜ�ກ ນາງ ຕູ ເ�ງ ເ�ອ ທານ ໄ�ຮ�ບ ປະທານກ�ບ ເ�າ �ຽວ �ງ ສຸກ ໃ�ຮອນໆ ທອອ ນ ນຸມ ຍງ ເ�ມ ຄວາມ ປະ ທ�ບ ໃ� ໃ� ລ�ດ ຊາດ ຂອງ ��ກ ປາ ລາວ. ��ກປາ ລາວ ແ�ບດ�ງເ�ີມຈະປຸງແ�ງຕາມສູດຂອງ ແ�ລະທອງຖນເ�ນ ພາກເ�ືອຈະຫອມ�ນດວຍ ກ ນ �າກ ແ�ນ , ພາກ ກາງ ຫອມ ໃ� ນາງ ຕູ ແ�ະ ຜ� ກ ຊີ , ພ າກ ໃ � ຫອ ມ ໃ � ຜ�ກ ຂ ະ ແ �ງ ແ� ທ ເ�ັ ນ

ເ�ກະລ�ກລາວຄືການຫຸມຫດວຍໃ�ຕອງທເ�ອ�ງ ສຸ ກ ແ�ວ ຈະ ຫອມ �ນ ຊວນ ຮ�ບ ປະທານ. ��ກ ປາ ລາວ ສູ ດ ດ�ງ ເ�ີ ມອາດ ມີ ການ ດ�ດ ແ�ງ ແ�ງ ເ�ີ ມ ເ�ອ ນ�ຂນ ໂ�ະ ໃ� ຮາ ນ ອາຫານ, ພ�ດ ຕະຄານ �ື ໂ�ງ ແ�ມ ແ�ະນ� ໃ� ທາ ນ ສ�ຜ�ດ ລ�ດ ຊາດ ດ�ງ ເ�ີ ມ ໄ� ໃ� ແ� ລ ງ ທ ອ ງ ທ ຽວ ທ ຕິ ດ ພ� ນ ກ� ບ ວິ ຖີ ຊີວິດ ຂອງ ຊາວ ບ າ ນ ທ ຕ� ງ ຖ ນ ຖານ ຢູ ແ�ມ ແ� ນ� ສາຍ ຕາ ງໆ ໃ� ລາວ.

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Special thanks to Indestructible Rock Restaurant at Villa Ban Lakkham, Luang Prabang Tel: +856 71 252677 45

SABAIDEE RELAX

REVITALIZING YOUR LIFE AT HEALING HANDS

e g a s s a M & a p S story & photo : Gaid Kornsilapa

HEALING HANDS SPA & MASSAGE AT DON CHAN PALACE HOTEL IS CRITICALLY-ACCLAIMED AS A RARE YET EXCLUSIVE SPA IN VIENTIANE,LAO PDR, FEATURING AN IMPRESSIVE REPERTOIRE OF TREATMENTS TOGETHER WITH DEFINED PRODUCTS AND A TAILOR-MADE SERVICES FROM A TEAM OF EXPERIENCED THERAPISTS.

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Located on the 3rd floor of Don Chan Palace Hotel, Healing Hands Spa & Massage offers all guests enriching experiences within an unconventional and relaxing environment in their nice and spacious private rooms.

Guests are spoiled with a wide selection of treatments ranging from Natural Aromatherapy Oil Massage, Lao-style Herbal Massage, Laotian Traditional Body Massage, Body scrub and Reflexology. One signature treatment is a three-hour course that includes every one of the treatments. For Sabaidee’s readers, we strongly recommend to opt for Natural Aromatherapy Oil Massage which will make you refreshed and rejuvenated from the soft yet firm pressing and kneading.

Zap stress, indulge your body and boost your mood with these exotic experiences on the 3rd Floor, Don Chan Palace Hotel. For reservations: call (856) 21 244288 ext. 6011.

ຟນຄືນຄວາມສ�ດຊນທ

Healing Hands Spa & Massage Healing Hands Spa and Massage ທໂ�ງແ�ມດອນ ຈ� ນ ພາ ເ�ດ ເ�ັນ ອີກ �ງ ໃ� ບ ພທ ໃ� ແ�ງ ຂອງ ສະ ປາ ໃ� ນະຄອນ�ວງ ວຽງຈ�ນ ທ ສາງ ຄວາມ ຮູສຶ ກ ແ�ກ ຕາງ ທ�ງ ດານ ສະຖານ ທ ຄຸນນະພາ ບຂອງ ຜະລິດ ຕະພ�ນ ທີຣທ ເ�ັນ ແ�ະ ການ ນວດ ຂອງ therapist. ຕ�ງຢູ ຊ�ນ 3 ໃ�ສະລອຍ ນ� ໃ� ຮ� ມ ແ�ະ ຟິຕ ເ�ສຂອງ ໂ�ງ ແ�ມ ດອນ ຈ� ນ ພາ ເ�ັດ Healing Hands Spa and Massage ຈງ ໃ� ຄວາມ ສະດວກ ສະບາຍ ແ� ແ�ກ ທ ມານ ວດ ຫ ອ ງ ນອນ ສະອາດ ໂ�ງສະບາຍ ເ�າະກ�ບການພ�ກກາຍພ�ກໃ� ໃ�ບ�ນຍາກາດ ຜອນຄາຍ ດວຍທີຣດເ�ັນ�າກ�າຍ ບວາຈະເ�ັນນວດ ອະ ໂ�ມາ ນວດ ສະ �ູ ນ ໄ� ລາວ ນວດ ແ�ນ ລາວ ຂ�ດ �າ ນວດ ຕີນ �ື ຈະ ເ�ືອກ ຄອສພິ ເ�ດ ທ ລວມທຸກຢາງ ໄ� ໃ � 3 ຊ� ວ ໂ�ງ ກ � າ ສ� ນ ໃ� ສ�ລ� ບ ຜູ ອານ ສະບາຍດີ ຫາກ ຢາກ ລອງ ນວດ ທ ສະ ປາ ແ� ງ ນ ຂໍ ແ�ະ ນ� ນວດ ອະ ໂ�ມາ(Natural Aromatherapy Oil Massage) ທານ ຈະ ໄ� ສ�ຜ� ດ ນ��� ກ ການ ກ� ດ �� ກ ແ� ນ ແ� ນຸມນວນ ເ�ັດ ໃ� ຮູສຶກ ຜອນຄາຍ ແ�ະ ສາງຄວາມ ມີ ຊີວິດຊີວາເ�ອ ສ�ເ�ັດທີຣທເ�ັນ ລ�ດຄວາມຕຶງຄຽດ ແ�ະ ສາງຄວາມສ�ດ ຊນຄືນກ�ບມາອີກຄ�ງທຊ�ນ 3 ໂ�ງແ�ມດອນຈ�ນພາເ�ດ ໂ� ຈອງໄ�ທ (856) 21 244288 ຕ 6011.

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ART SCENE

PROJECT SPACE : A GATEWAY FOR ARTISTIC EXPRESSION Story : Michelle Luehman photo : Gaid Kornsilapa HOUSED OVER A CLASSIC 3 STOREYS , 4 IF YOU INCLUDE THE TERRACE, THIS 1970’S BUILDING, WHICH TYPIFIES MUCH OF THE ARCHITECTURE OF INDOCHINA, IS CALLED PROJECT SPACE AND IS AN INTRIGUING BUILDING THAT MERGES THE OLD WITH THE NEW. MANY OF THE TEXTURES, TEXTILES, AND ARTIFACTS ARE AN ARTISTIC INTERPRETATION OF THE TRADITIONAL. THE BRAINCHILD OF JEAN-PIERRE DOVAT, A LONGTERM RESIDENT AND PROMINENT ARCHITECT, WHOSE DESIGNS ARE SHAPING MODERN LUANG PRABANG, SEES THE SPACE AS A DESIGN STUDIO, EXHIBITION COME ARTISTIC NURTURING CENTRE. 48

Project Space, under his watchful eye, is here to help Lao nationals develop their artistic expression.

He is constantly working with and searching for artists who are seeking to present their own interpretation of what it means to be Lao. The individuals can be self taught, come from a long line of craftsmen and women, or be graduates from the art schools and institutions within Lao itself. His only concern is that they show a spark of creativity and story telling which goes beyond the superficial and seeks to demonstrate the artist’s perceptions, understanding and reality of their Lao. In this space he has connected history with a very modern Lao. On level 3, through his collection of beautiful artifacts, many ceremonial, some of the artisan techniques in the display are no longer available in Lao, so you get a sense of the traditional. Side by side with these rare pieces are interspersed items which display his own interpretation of traditional Lao floor lights, traditional weaving designs and modern furnishings. Along one wall are images, black and white photographs, from the height of Indochina and French colonial influences capturing and defining life of the 1920s and 30s.

The second floor currently houses traditional photographs from a young Lao photographer, a talented, but quirky ink artist and an interesting painter.

The ground floor is designed to showcase the ever changing exhibitions. Currently on display is the work of a young Thai artist and sculptures heavily influenced

by the drawings of Leonardo Da Vinci. The space is for both the artist to show the world his/her works and for the visitor to see the emerging works of artists perceived to show both talent in construction and thought. Exhibitions are sourced and curated locally and many of the pieces are for sale. These pieces for sale are not cheap mementos from the night market but are pieces of art, carefully crafted, well thought through, and often one of a kind and occasionally limited edition. Money from the sale of the students and artists’ works goes directly to the student and artist Jean-Pierre is always seeking artisans and crafts people who are willing and able to take the traditional fabric, designs and perspectives of Lao and twist them towards a more individual interpretation. In his own work, as an interior designer, he seeks to create chic, classic aesthetics in household décor which is transportable in time and place. He does this so that the discerning purchaser does not, upon returning back to their home, wonder what to do with the recently purchased memento that looked so beautiful in the shop but so out of place back in their house.

The occasional international artist brought in to work at the space will work with students from the art institutes to create blended pieces of work and items that showcase Luang Prabang. With each visiting artist there is a clear understanding that there is an open invitation for art students and graduates to participate with the artist to create something, the aim being to exhibit that piece within the artist’s exhibition. It is an exchange program where the artists, both current and emerging, share and exchange ideas and techniques.

Jean-Pierre takes on the roll of guide and mentor; his roll is not to shape the artistic direction of the artist, but to allow the creative space and imagination of the artist to roam freely. His only caveat is that the artist must keep their own integrity and independence of thought and expression. So he encourages them and pushes them to test their own artistic boundaries. The ownership of the search and expression must forever remain with the artist.

49

A n n u a l l y, and often in conjunction with ‘The Library’, there is a photographic exhibition where the pieces are presented both as stills and as moving images interspersed with conversations and discussion pieces from the individual artists. The competition is portraiture and is designed for them to capture their life, and to explore what it means to be them and to show in their own images and share with their own words what they have photographed and why.

His vision for Project Space is to continue as a sponsor of traditional heritage and modern art. His aim is to keep the soul and integrity of the artist and their heritage alive. Each exhibition gives careful consideration to these aspects of the work of the individual. The aim is to maintain the diversity of the mediums and to allow the artists to show creativity regardless of the form in which the art takes. He believes that for this to take place, it is his responsibility and the responsibility of those that view the art to: 1. know yourself; 2.

Understand them (Lao artists) and 3. Respect them.

He works closely with his Lao partners and staff to make sure that he maintains this relationship between himself and the people he works with. They have full permission to correct him, should he falter in this endeavour of understanding and awareness.

He believes this is vital to creating an environment that allows the artist and artistry to flourish.

Traditional arts and crafts are alive, well and stepped in tradition, personal exploration and interpretation for many is very new.

His would like very much to see Project Space as a place where people use knowledge to promote thought development while maintaining love and respect for the traditional heritage which shapes this beautiful city and its people. The aim for the future is for Project Space to continue to be a place and become a force which finds, promotes and gives Luang Prabang in its entirety a facility in which to express themselves creatively within the full scope of art and architecture.

ເ�ີດປະຕູສູງານ  ສິນ ທ�ວງພະບາງ

ຫາກໃ�ໄ�ມາຢຽມຢາມ�ວງພະບາງ ແ�ະ ເ�ງຫາຫອງ ວາງສະແ�ງສິລະປະຮວມສະໄ�ດີໆ ໃ�ເ�ືອງມໍລະດ�ກ ໂ�ກແ�ງນ ລອງແ�ມາທ “ເ�ທີ�ວງພະບາງ” (Luang Pranbang Project Space) ຫອງສະແ�ງງານທຕ�ງຢູ ພາຍໃ�ຫອງແ�ວຮູບຊ�ງຄລາດສິກ 3 ຊ�ນ �ື 4 ຊ�ນ ຖາ ນ�ບ ລວມດາດ ຟາ ເ�ີ ງສຸດ ເ�ັນ ອາຄານ ເ�າແ�ທສາງຂນ ໃ� ຍຸກ 70 ຕາມ ຮູບ ແ�ບ ສະຖາປ�ດຕະຍະ ກ� ອິນໂ� ໄ� ນາ ແ� ໄ� ຮ�ບ ການ ອອກ ແ�ບ ດ�ດ ແ�ງ ຕ�ບ ແ�ງ ພນທໃ� ສອຍ ໂ�ຍ ມອງ ປີ ແ� ໂ� ວາທ(Jean-Pierre Do vat) ນ�ກອອກແ�ບຜູມີຖນຖານທພ�ກຢູທເ�ືອງນມາຍາວນານ ໃ�ກາຍເ�ັນຫອງສະແ�ງສິລະປະງານຜາ ແ�ະ ງານສີມື ສະຕູ ດິ ໂ� ຫອງ ປະຕິບ�ດ ການ ທາງ ສິລະ ປະ ແ�ະ ການ ອອກແ�ບ ທເ�ງລ�ງຕ�ວສວຍງາມທຸກຊ�ນທຸກມຸມ. ສ� ນ ໃ� ລາຍ ລະອຽດ ເ� ມ ເ�ີ ມ ໂ�: +856 71 213091 www.projectspace-luangprabang.com 50

The annual New Year’s celebration and water festival known as Songkran is probably the most anticipated event of the year in Thailand, and this year the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), in conjunction with Siam Paragon, threw the people of Bangkok a special 2-day party to mark the occasion.

Traditionally Songkran is a time for Thai people to pay respect to their elders, clean their homes, and cleanse Buddha images from household shrines (as well as Buddha images at monasteries) by gently pouring water mixed with a Thai fragrance over them. It is believed that doing this will bring good luck and prosperity for the New Year.

As part of the Songkran Splendours event at Parc Paragaon (part of the Siam Paragon Shopping complex in downtown Bangkok), 5 different Buddha shrines were set up for Thais, and tourists alike, to cleanse the Buddha. The 5 washing stations each in turn represented a different region of the kingdom – central, eastern, southern, northern and Isaan – and visitors were encouraged to learn more about Thai traditions and the Thai way of life.

A special performance stage was also set up at Parc Paragon, and bands such as Buddha Bless, Sixty-Nine Band, and the all-girl singing group Harmony Princess, kept the passersby entertained throughout the day and on into the night. In-between shows there were traditional dance performances, featuring colourful elaborate costumes and showcasing the 5 regions’ unique Songkran festival rituals, as well as 2 exciting sets of music performed by Sawasdee, a band that incorporates a mix of modern and traditional instruments.

The huge holiday crowds that visited Siam Paragon over the course of the 2-day Songkran weekend were delighted with this special attraction that had been prepared for them. Some audience members even joined in on the dancing fun when a group of traditionally costumed dancers moved into the audience to perform a ‘water splashing dance’ – a definite hit with the assembled crowd.

Also a hit with the sun-soaked crowds was the staff at the Minute Maid Pulpy drink booth who were giving out complimentary sips of orange juice and fruit punch to the parched masses. ASEAN Tripper Magazine also had a display booth set up, where free copies of the magazine, and free plastic waterproof Songkran phone protectors, were being given away to the eager public.

The event, organized by The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and Siam Paragon, and supported by Nok Air, BandOn Radio, Vejthani Hospital, Rongramdee.com, Minute Maid Pulpy, and ASEAN Tripper Magazine, was a terrific success all round and no doubt will become an annual tradition. Mr. Somchai Chompunoi, Executive Director for the TAT Central Region, presided over the opening ceremonies and expressed his pleasure at seeing how so many visitors had turned out for the 2-day affair.

“It’s easy to see why the TAT’s weekend campaign slogan – Falling In Love with Thailand – was so fitting, since there’s so much to fall in love with here in the land of smiles,” Mr. Somchai Chompunoi

T R AV E L F E AT U R E

ECOTOURISM IN NORTHERN LAOS

By Eileen Markham

THE LANDLOCKED, LAID-BACK COUNTRY OF LAOS IS A JOURNEY BACK IN TIME TO AN ASIAN EXPERIENCE FAST DISAPPEARING IN THE REST THE OF SOUTHEAST ASIA REGION. HOME TO MULTIETHNIC PEOPLES, MAGNIFICENT SCENERY, A THRIVING BUDDHIST CULTURE AND A FASCINATING HERITAGE, LAOS IS AN INCREASINGLY POPULAR PLACE FOR ECO-EXPLORING IN ITS REMOTER REGIONS WITH THEIR BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY AND UNIQUE TRIBAL CULTURES. UNLIKE ITS NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES, LAOS BOASTS A NATIONAL ECOTOURISM STRATEGY AIMED AT CONTROLLING THE NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF MODERN TOURISM ON ITS CULTURE, ENVIRONMENT AND SUPERB NATURAL BEAUTY.

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The mighty ‘mother river’ Mekong forms the country’s border with Burma before running southeast through the infamous Golden Triangle and creating the border with Thailand. In the south, it’s a crucial part of the massive Tonle Sap seasonal lake and river network near Phnom Penh, shaping the remote landscape and climate of the Lower Mekong Basin which is home to most of the land of Laos. Aquatic biodiversity along the giant river is greater than anywhere except the Amazon basin, and includes the endangered Irrawaddy dolphin, the protected giant river carp and the equally huge Mekong catfish.

Many of the 49 ethnic groups in Laos are found in the foothills and mountains of the northern region, far off the beaten tourist track and often only accessible on foot or by 4W drive vehicles. Exotic Luang Prabang, a mix of traditional wooden homes and French colonial architecture, is a good base for guided eco-exploration of this isolated region. Travel takes hours or even days, whether by road or boat along the Mekong and its tributaries, but the journey is unforgettable. The tiny town of Nong Khiaw lies along the banks of the River Ou, nestling between towering limestone crags, and is a hub for jungle trekking to the Pha Tok Caves and over 100 waterfalls.

Even more remote is the riverside village of Muang Ngoi Neua, only accessible by boat and a low-key favourite with intrepid backpackers.

The mountains are home to hilltribe villages and the scenery is breathtaking. If you’re travelling from Luang Prabang by boat to the north, you’ll stop off for the night at the sleepy Golden Triangle village of Pakbeng in Bakeo Province, close by the Bokeo Nature Reserve with its endangered black crested gibbons.

Once believed to be extinct, there are now 400 of these rare primates in the reserve, protected by a conservation project.

With its up-close and very personal experience of hilltribe life in northern Laos taking in villages, upland rice fields and pristine forests on the mountain slopes in Luang Namtha province, the Ban Nalan trail gives two days of guided exploration supported by the

Nam Ha Ecotourism Project. Beginning in Ban Chalemsouk, a Khmu tribal village, the route climbs through forests to a ridge with stunning views, passing by the habitats of a variety of flora and fauna. You’ll spend the night at Ban Nalan on the Nam Ha River, with supper taken at a village home. The second day’s trek passes through Ban Namkoy, home to a Lanten tribe and continues down to Ban Namlue village, home to both Khmu and Lanten peoples.

The Nam Ha National Protected Area ranges from the lowland Luang Namtha Plain to the 2,000m high northern mountains, and is a treasure trove of varied natural wildernesses and biodiversity. Tigers, leopards, Asian elephants, several deer species, 288 bird species of which at least 19 are of conservation concern, soft shell turtles and an incredible range of flora can be seen. The region can be explored by mountain bike, on foot or by boat, with an increasing number of eco tour companies offering guided trips or help in arranging your self-guided itinerary. This region has the largest number of ethnicities in Laos, with the major tribes, Hmong, Tai Lue, Akha, Lahu, Mien and Khmu, spread out over diverse districts. The villagers still live according to their unique, centuriesold cultures and beliefs, unaffected as yet by the modern world.

Phu Den Din National Protected Area lies in the far northeast of the country close by the Vietnamese border. Access to its remoteness is by boat or on foot, and there are no planned activities here as yet. From Phongsaly, a short drive to the village of Ban Haxta on the River Ou gives access to a river boat, but the trip involves fording several rapids and takes at least half a day. On foot, it takes a full two days. Tiny villages hold the region’s scattered tribal population, and the old-growth forests in its tropical northern wildernesses are home to elephants, gibbons, der, otters, many bird species including Fish eagles, and diverse reptile and insect species. Very few ecotourists make it here, and the ethnic villages are unspoiled, giving an experience rare in the modern world.

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Another largely unspoiled natural habitat is found in the far northeast of Laos, nestling in rugged hills soaring to 2,000m at their highest points. Nam Et National Protected Area is approached with some difficulty from Xieng Tong district, and boasts primary forests, many endangered species and a vast variety of biodiversity. It’s the source of many rushing rivers, but as yet has no kayaking or other watery adventures. Tigers, leopards, Sambar deer and the white-cheeked gibbon can be seen on river trips from local villages, and birdlife is everywhere.

Conservation is huge here as poaching, especially of tigers, is rife, and enforcement ranger teams patrol local markets looking for rare plant species and animal parts.

The only area in Nam Et National Protected Area open to ecotourists is set around the Nam Nern River and involves a guided two or three day/nighttime tour on a traditional long-tailed boat, viewing the wildlife and learning about this unique region. Bird watching, tracking wildlife

movements at a salt lick, hiking and helping discover medicinal plants are part of the trip. Your guides are ethnic Khmu, and give an understanding of survival in this remote, spectacular location. You can also learn about the conservation efforts being made here, again with a focus on the illegal trade in tiger parts. Revenue from the tours is divided between the 14 tribal villages involved and is used for small-scale development.

All the villages are involved in conservation efforts, and a visit here is eco-tourism at grass-roots level.

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EE D I A B A S E? N I Z A MAG

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CLUB Every month in Sabaidee Club we like to say a big thank-you to you, our readers, for being so loyal and supporting us each issue by giving away prizes and vouchers so you can experience Laos at our expense. This month’s Sabaidee Club prize is a voucher to enjoy the stunning treatments at Dhammada Massage Oasis, Luang Prabang, for 1 hour. All you have to do is visit our Facebook fan page at www.facebook.com/sabaideemagazinee and tell us why you like Sabaidee Magazine.

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Map Of Laos 58

Flight No.

QV441 QV445 QV4571 QV4575 QV442 QV446 QV4570 QV4574

QV311 QV920 QV312 QV921 QV515 QV212

QV921 QV920

QV517

QV535 QV536

QV911 QV912

QV817 QV818

QV881 QV882 QV635 QV636 QV633 QV634

QV513 QV931 QV514 QV930

QV315 QV313 QV930 QV316 QV314 QV931 QV811 QV812

QV517 QV513 QV518 QV211 QV212

QV515 QV516

QV223 QV224 QV223 QV224

Flight schedule by Lao Airlines

International Routes

Valid from 20 May 2013 to 26 Oct 2013

Routing Dep Arr AC VIENTIANE - BANGKOK - VIENTIANE Daily VTE - BKK 07:30 08:35 320 VTE - BKK Daily 18:35 19:40 320 13:50 14:55 734 VTE - BKK Daily Daily 22:50 734 VTE - BKK 21:45 Daily 320 BKK - VTE 09:35 10:40 Daily 20:30 21:35 320 BKK - VTE 11:45 12:55 734 Daily BKK - VTE 734 Daily BKK - VTE 21:00 19:50 VIENTIANE - HANOI - VIENTIANE 15:15 16:25 320 VTE - HAN Daily 21:05 321 Daily VTE - HAN 20:05 Daily 320 HAN - VTE 17:25 18:35 Daily 09:55 11:00 321 HAN - VTE VIENTIANE - HOCHIMINH - VIENTIANE 1356 6:30 10:00 AT7 VTE - SGN VIENTIANE - DANANG - VIENTIANE 247 14:20 17:15 AT7 DAD - VTE VIENTIANE - PHNOMPENH - VIENTIANE 13:15 321 Daily VTE - PNH 11:45 Daily 321 PNH - VTE 17:50 19:20 VIENTIANE - SIEMREAP - VIENTIANE 247 06:30 09:25 AT7 VTE - REP VIENTIANE - SINGAPORE - VIENTIANE 357 12:20 320 VTE - SIN 08:20 320 357 SIN - VTE 13:20 15:20 VIENTIANE - INCHEON - VIENTIANE 06:40 320 246 VTE - ICN 00:10 320 246 ICN - VTE 7:45 11:15 VIENTIANE - KUNMING - VIENTIANE Daily 09:50 320 VTE - KMG 07:30 Daily 320 KMG - VTE 10:50 11:10 VIENTIANE - GUANGZHOU - VIENTIANE 246 16:10 320 VTE - CAN 13:10 246 320 CAN - VTE 17:10 18:40 LUANGPRABANG - CHIANGMAI - LUANGPRABANG 234567 14:10 AT7 LPQ - CNX 13:10 AT7 234567 CNX - LPQ 15:00 16:00 LUANGPRABANG - BANGKOK - LUANGPRABANG 09:15 AT7 Daily LPQ - BKK 07:30 AT7 Daily BKK - LPQ 10:25 12:05 LUANGPRABANG - SIEMREAP - LUANGPRABANG 14:20 AT7 1356 LPQ - REP 11:00 16:10 AT7 Daily LPQ - REP 14:15 AT7 1356 REP - LPQ 15:00 18:20 AT7 Daily REP - LPQ 16:55 18:50 LUANGPRABANG - HANOI - LUANGPRABANG 15:20 AT7 247 LPQ - HAN 14:20 18:10 AT7 Daily LPQ - HAN 17:10 20:45 AT7 Daily LPQ - HAN 19:30 AT7 247 HAN - LPQ 16:00 17:00 AT7 Daily HAN - LPQ 18:50 19:50 AT7 Daily HAN - LPQ 12:10 13:35 LUANGPRABANG - JINGHONG - LUANGPRABANG 47 12:20 AT7 LPQ - JHG 10:20 AT7 47 JHG - LPQ 13:20 13:20 PAKSE - SIEMREAP - PAKSE 09:25 AT7 247 PKZ - REP 08:25 AT7 1356 PKZ - REP 13:20 14:20 AT7 247 REP - PKZ 10:05 11:05 PAKSE - DANANG - PAKSE AT7 247 PKZ - DAD 12:50 13:40 AT7 247 DAD - PKZ 14:20 15:10 PAKSE - HOCHIMINH - PAKSE AT7 1356 PKZ - SGN 08:25 10:00 AT7 1356 SGN - PKZ 10:40 12:15 PAKSE - BANGKOK - PAKSE AT7 13567 PKZ - BKK 09:20 12:00 AT7 13567 BKK - PKZ 12:40 15:20 SAVANNAKHET - BANGKOK - SAVANNAKHET AT7 13567 ZVK - BKK 10:30 12:00 AT7 13567 BKK - ZVK 12:40 14:10 Days

RMK 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

PKZ PKZ 0 0

PKZ 0 0 0 0

0 0

0 0 0 0 0 0

PKZ 0 PKZ 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

ZVK ZVK 0 0

Flight No.

Days

QV111 QV101 QV103 QV905 QV102 QV112 QV104 QV904

Daily Daily Daily 5 Daily Daily Daily 3

Domestic Routes

Routing Dep Arr VIENTIANE - LUANGPRABANG - VIENTIANE

VTE - LPQ 08:55 09:45 VTE - LPQ 11:45 12:30 VTE - LPQ 16:30 17:15 VTE - LPQ 13:10 14:00 LPQ - VTE 13:30 14:15 LPQ - VTE 7:35 08:25 LPQ - VTE 18:15 19:00 LPQ - VTE 15:45 16:35 LUANG PRABANG - PAKSE - LUANG PRABANG 1356 LPQ - PKZ 11:00 12:40 1356 PKZ - LPQ 16:40 18:20 VIENTIANE - OUDOMXAY - VIENTIANE Daily VTE - ODY 10:00 10:50 Daily ODY - VTE 11:20 12:10 VIENTIANE - HOUEISAY - VIENTIANE 67 VTE - HOE 13:10 14:05 124 VTE - HOE 13:10 14:05 3 VTE - HOE 13:10 14:05 5 VTE - HOE 13:10 15:10 67 HOE - VTE 14:35 15:30 124 HOE - VTE 14:35 15:30 16:35 3 HOE - VTE 14:35 5 HOE - VTE 15:40 16:35

QV513 QV514

QV501 QV502

QV901 QV901 QV903 QV905 QV902 QV902 QV904 QV905

AC

RMK

AT7 AT7

0 0

AT7 320 320 MA6 320 AT7 320 MA6

AT7 AT7

AT7 MA6 MA6 MA6 AT7 MA6 MA6 MA6

LUANG PRABANG - HOUEISAY - LUANG PRABANG MA6 LPQ - HOE 14:40 15:10 HOE - LPQ 15:45 16:35 MA6 VIENTIANE - LUANGNAMTHA - VIENTIANE Daily AT7 VTE - LXG 13:30 14:25 Daily LXG - VTE 15:05 16:00 AT7 VIENTIANE - XIENGKHUANG - VIENTIANE VTE - XKH 11:10 11:40 Daily AT7 Daily XKH - VTE 12:20 12:50 AT7 VIENTIANE - PAKSE - VIENTIANE 1356 VTE - PKZ 06:30 07:45 AT7 VTE - PKZ 06:30 07:45 AT7 247 Daily VTE - PKZ 11:00 11:50 320 Daily 12:55 13:45 320 PKZ - VTE 17:15 AT7 247 16:00 PKZ - VTE 1356 16:00 17:15 PKZ - VTE AT7 VIENTIANE - SAVANNAKHET - VIENTIANE 12345 06:00 07:00 VTE - ZVK AT7 12345 13:40 14:40 VTE - ZVK AT7 12345 9:30 10:30 ZVK - VTE AT7 12345 17:30 AT7 18:30 ZVK - VTE PAKSE - SAVANNAKHET - PAKSE PKZ - ZVK 13567 9:20 9:50 AT7 ZVK - PKZ 14:50 AT7 13567 15:20

QV905 QV904

5 3

QV601 QV602 QV401 QV402

QV515 QV517 QV301 QV302 QV212 QV304 QV203 QV205 QV204 QV206

QV223 QV224

Remarks: All times are local times

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

0 0 0

0 0 LPQ 0 0 LPQ 0 0 0

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

1=Monday, 2=Tuesday, 3=Wednesday, 4=Thursday, 5=Friday, 6=Saturday, 7=Sunday

*QV4570/QV4571/QV4574/QV4575 Operated by THAI AIRWAYS *QV920/QV921/QV930/QV931 Operated by VIETNAM AIRLINES

IMPORTANT NOTICE : All schedules/types of aircraft and informations are subject to change without prior notice and to government approval. For more information, please contact any Lao Airlines reservation of ice.

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reservation@laoairlines.com