Monday, February 08, 2010 07:52 PM -0500 ------ Update at Least Twice a Day

February 8-14, 2010


Lao Officials Force Christians from Worship at Gunpoint (CP)
About 100 local officials, police & villagers put guns to the heads of Christians during their Sunday morning service in a village in Laos last month, forcing them from their worship and homes, according to an advocacy organization.  HRWLRF reported that in Katin village of Ta-Oyl district, Saravan Province
Laos, World Bank reach new grant agreements (VT)
The World Bank will provide Laos with new grants of US$46.5 million to boost development in the education, environment, and energy and mines sectors. According to a press release from the World Bank, the new grants will help the Lao government to implement four projects, including an Educational
Vientiane railway extension on the drawing board (VT or Nation)
The extension of a downtown Vientiane railway link from Thanalaeng station near the Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge to Khamsavat village in Xaysettha district may begin soon. Lao NRADDG Sonesack Nhansana said on Friday the Thai Govt had provided a grant of 10 million baht to conduct a preliminary design
Laos expanding electricity access, boosting power exports (Brunei)
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is helping Laos roll out new power lines in underserved areas which will help improve living standards and increase opportunities to export excess power to neighboring Thailand. ADB is providing a $20 million grant for the first module of the Greater Mekong
Other stories about Laos around the world
... Laos: MMG pays US$280-million tax for 2003-2010 periods (KPL)
... Indochina Bank in Laos celebrates first anniversary (VT)
... Norwegian aid to support UXO clearance (VT)
... Carlsberg Unaware of Public Listing of Beer Lao (ScandAsia)





February 1-7, 2010


Laos 'moving toward' Hmong access: US diplomat (AFP/Y)
Laos was "moving toward" allowing access to ethnic Hmong whose repatriation by Thailand in December sparked international outrage, a US diplomat said Saturday. "I think the Lao have indicated that they're moving toward allowing access but (it) may not be as quickly as we would like," 
UXO survey reveals victim, accident figures (VT, ANN, ST or ET)
From 1964 to 2008, more than 50,000 Lao people were the victims of accidents involving unexploded ordnance (UXO), according to the first survey report... About 60 percent (30,000) of people maimed or killed by UXO suffered accidents between 1964 and 1973, said NRA Director Dr Malinga
An everyday miracle in Laos (Australian)
IT is a harsh lesson to watch a young girl learn: tardiness can leave you blind. Ten-year-old Hatsaline has endured a 10-hour bus ride from her village to arrive at the Laotian capital, Vientiane, little more than a half-hour late for her doctor's appointment. She sits alone on a waiting room chair clinging to
Iowa connection to jungle vine bags [from Laos] (Gazette Online)
For thousands of years, bags like these have been handmade only in the homes of the Khmu ethnic group of Laos, a landlocked country in Southeast Asia, which has one of the lowest per capita income levels in the world. The Nature Bags are now being produced for sale to others by the Khmu as part
Laos' Aims Unclear (Radio Free Asia)
The repatriation of more than 4,000 ethnic Hmong people from Thailand to Laos this past Dec. 28-29 has created a current of vehement opposition in the international community, especially among human rights organizations and at the United Nations. Will the issue of the Hmong in the temporary
Vientiane thanks Thai Govt for returning refugees (Bangkok Post)
Vientiane has thanked the Thai Govt for returning 4,000 ethnic Hmong to Laos. It said the decision had boosted relations between the two neighbours. Visiting Lao Deputy Prime Minister Somsavat Lengsavat yesterday said his Govt was delighted that its Thai counterpart had treated the Hmong issue
Laos says UN can visit Hmong returnees (AP/Yahoo, AP/NOK)
A spokesman for Laos' government said Wednesday that United Nations representatives are welcome to visit thousands of ethnic Hmong who were forcibly repatriated from Thailand late last year. Foreign Ministry spokesman Khenthong Nuanthasing told The Associated Press by phone from the capital,
Laos needs China for railway & highway funding (VT or ET)
The government is planning to include the construction of a national railway and super-highway in its next five year socio-economic development plan, according to a senior official from the Ministry of Planning and Investment.... the government was looking for sources of funding to roll out the large-scale
Tap Laos ICT boom, Malaysian firms told (Business Times)
Malaysian firms involved in information and communication technology (ICT) have been urged to take advantage of the boom in the sector in Laos... the time was now ripe for Malaysian ICT companies, to explore the Indochinese nation. "To date, we have only utilised ICT at offices and such. But this is now
Over 80,000 flock to Laos' Vat Phou Festival (VT/ANN)
More than 80,000 people attended the annual Vat Phou Festival in Laos' Champassak province which ended on Saturday (January 30), with the surge in visitors causing traffic jams on the last two nights of the event. Vat Phou is the second World Heritage Site in Laos, after the Unesco added the temple
Laos-UK: Why all football fans should worry about Mike Ashely sweatshop allegations (Mirror Football)
A sweatshop in Laos has been filmed churning out sport clothing on the cheap for SportsDirect, paying workers just £1 a day for a 12 hour shift. Workers hunch over sewing machines enduring searing heat in a factory that
Work to start this year on largest power plant in Laos (VT, ANN)
Construction of the largest electricity power plant in Laos will kick off at the end of this year according to a Lao shareholder in the project. “The ground breaking ceremony for the Hongsa lignite project is planned for November,” Lao HSE Deputy Director General Dr Sayphet Amphayvanh said on Friday
Rights groups push Laos on access to returned Hmong (AFP/Y)
Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and 16 other rights groups on Monday urged Laos to give foreign observers access to thousands of ethnic Hmong expelled from Thailand. In a letter to Lao President Choummaly Sayasone, the organisations expressed "serious concerns for the safety and
Southern Laos: Pakxe airport closes for runway upgrade (VT)
Pakxe international airport in Champassak province will be closed from February 10 to May 10 to upgrade 1,625 metres of runway to meet international standards. During this period, flights to and from Pakxe will be diverted to Savannakhet airport. Director of the Pakxe Airport Improvement
Other stories about Laos around the world
... Laos open to idea of access to Hmong repatriates (ANN)
... Unitel Vietnam presents computers to Lao school (VOV)
... Construction of third Lao-Thai bridge ahead of schedule (LV/KPL)
... Laos: Locals prepare to open homes to Elephant Festival visitors (LV)
... Dr.Frazier Adventure Road Through Laos (M-USA)
... Sepon copper production reaches new record (LV/KPL)
... Five-star hotel to be built in Vientiane by Vietnamese (LV/KPL)
... Viet PM receives Lao education minister (VOV)
... Leading Lao Brewery Company Ready for Public Listing (CRI)
... KT Launches ‘Tribes and Rivers of Northern Laos’ - A 7 Day Tour (TV)
... Laos: Higher education to promote excellence (VT)
... Laos president to visit Japan from Mar 2 (BBC/Investors or AP)
... UK Company to further prospecting oil in Laos this month (LV/KPL)
... LPFL invests US$ 40 million in tree plantation in southern Laos (LV/KPL)
... Honda Foundation awards scholarship to Lao students (LV/KPL)
... Laos invites Indian investment (Express India or MyNews)
... Congress, Hmong Scholar Urge Laos To Admit UNHCR (Scoop)
... Vietnam, Laos to build five-star hotel in Vientiane (VOV)
... Laos Launches Strategy To Address Malnutrition (Bernama)
... Lao-Viet joint stock company to exploit Vung Ang Port approved (ND)
... Laos to pilot plan to narrow Asean development gap (VT)
... Spectacular Vangvieng cave popular with locals (VT)
... Sepon Mine offers copper to Vilabouly Buddha casting (LV/KPL)
Other stories relating to Southeast Asia
... Laos & Vietnam: Tales of Indochina: to open up or not to open up (eTN)
... The Mekong experience: 6 countries, one river (ET)




January 25-31, 2010



Forestry Bribes Increasing in Laos (Radio Free Asia)
The number of forestry officials in Laos charged with taking bribes is increasing despite an ongoing crackdown, according to a top government lawyer. Rangsy Sibounheuang, deputy chief public prosecutor, said logging companies in central Laos have been bribing officials to cut logs beyond their
Ashley's Laos links investigated (BBC News)
A special Inside Out programme about the controversial owner of Newcastle United football club, being shown tonight, filmed workers in Laos making clothes for his Sports Direct stores. The factory had one sealed air conditioned room to keep cool a computerised sewing machine which was
Laos: The Plain of Jars remains an enigma... (Today Online)
OUR destination was Phonsavanh, where the mysterious Plain of Jars was situated, but the awesome sights began six hours before, when we left Luang Prabang in Laos for the journey south. The scenery was breathtaking as soon as we hit the meandering mountain roads. Our travel companions, three
China Town at That Luang wetland to go ahead: officials (LV/KPL)
A major Chinese investment that will see That Luang wetland and surrounds developed into a new urban centre is still going ahead, according to senior Vientiane officials. Vientiane IDP Director, Mr Sihoun Sithileuxay made the confirmation yesterday to play down widespread speculation that the investor
Travellers urged to get romantic in Laos (Imaginative-Traveller)
Laos could be the perfect holiday destination for romantic explorers, Travel Indochina has suggested. According to Lonely Planet, the country has earned cult status among imaginative travellers who love the location for its relaxing atmosphere and immaculate environment. Travel Indochina agrees,
The US Abandonment of the Hmong (Salem-News)
Many of us may recall the peace loving, and US loyal peoples of Vietnam. There are many stories that have been told of how these wonderful and such courageous folks fought with us, alongside us, protected us, and died with and for us. Some of us remember them as the Montagnards. The Hmong are
For Hmong hunters, a guiding voice in their new home (NY Times)
Along the barren airwaves of AM radio in Northern California, somewhere between gospel music and traffic updates, Yia Yang can be heard telling his devoted listeners to always be aware of their gun muzzles. Skip to next paragraph A 50-year-old Hmong immigrant from northern Laos, Mr. Yang is
Laos denies Hmong are in jail (Gulf Times)
Lao authorities have denied the existence of secret jails in which members of the Hmong minority have allegedly been imprisoned since their forced return to the country last month, media reports said yesterday. “There is no secret jail at all in Borlikhamxay province,” Brigadier General Bouasieng
Laos confirms Hmong returnees treated well (VT/ANN or VT)
The Lao government has confirmed that no Hmong returnees have been imprisoned or persecuted upon their return to Laos . Chairman of the Lao-Thai border security sub-committee, Brigadier General Bouasieng Champaphanh, spoke to local and international media and members of
Vientiane: The planet’s most laid-back capital (Al-Masry Al-Youm)
For the Egyptian traveler, Laos has a one very special appeal. Forget the sumptuous cuisine, the breath taking landscapes, the kind and gentle people. This is a country where we Egyptians can get a visa after we arrive there, with no bank statements or details of our underwear size necessary.
World Bank set to grant US$13m for Ketsana recovery (LV/KPL)
The World Bank is set to provide aid worth US$13 million (more than 110 billion kip) to assist with recovery efforts in the southern provinces affected by tropical storm Ketsana last year. World Bank Country Manager Mr Patchamuthu Illangovan announced yesterday in Vientiane several recovery
Lao-Australian: Let's celebrate our sense of belonging (Australian)
IF you are still unsure about how to celebrate Australia Day, I offer a suggestion. Whenever January 26 approaches, you hear complaints about people not caring enough about the day, about how the occasion is somehow devoid of meaning. Others regard this as just the usual self-loathing of
Lao economic growth second in East Asia (ANN)
The Lao economy has performed well compared to those of its neighbours in the face of the global financial crisis, according to analysis from the World Bank. The bank released its Lao PDR Economic Monitor 2009 last week, showing that the real GDP growth of Laos reached 6.4 percent in 2009,
Laos to allow expatriates to stay longer (LV/KPL)
According to the draft decree, Laotian people overseas will be allowed to stay up to nine months in Laos instead of just 30 days, currently applied for a tourist visa. The draft decree will be submitted to the government for approval. The move is aimed at encouraging overseas Lao to contribute to the national
Other stories about Laos around the world
... New Hin Heub bridge inaugurated (LV/KPL)
... One month to go for 4th Mekong Bridge construction (LV/KPL)
... Lao-American: Mekong Cafe merges 3 cuisines under one roof (OM)
... Lao economy growing almost as fast as China’s (AN)
... MPI helps Laos build development triangle portal (VOV)
... Southern Laos seeks extra funds for storm recovery (ANN)
... Two more bridges to link Thailand & Laos across the Mekong (TDN)
... Time Engineering in Laos data security pact (Star or Bernama)
... UNHCR looks for 'dialogue' with Laos over Hmong (AFP/Y)
... Rep. Kind sends letter to Lao government (WQOW)
... “Hmong refugees to be resettled in 30 days” (Scoop)
... Hmong 'resettled' in Laos (Age)
... Jain Infraprojects to venture into Laos (BS)
... Singaporean company invests in coffee plantation in Laos (MCOT)
... D&O to spend RM50m on Malacca, Laos plants (Business Times)
... Romantic Mekong River sunset cruise is for all (LV/KPL)
... Hophakeo, That Luang & Sisaketh receive over 29,000 tourists in Dec
... Construction of Buddhist University begins (ANN)
... US kids: Lollies for Laos (Fox Wausau)
... Lao President stresses poverty reduction (VT)
... Lao-Khmer-Thai: KSL set to double sugarcane output (BP)
... Japan further support UXO clearance activities in Laos (LV/KPL)
... Vietnam and Laos strengthen co-operation in fighting crime (ND)
... Vietnam VPA, LPA Troops Attack Hmong Christians, Villagers in Laos
... HRW Laos: compensate their land with the reasonable price (PRN)
... Lao domestic elephants may disappear in 50 years (LV/KPL)
... Visit by Lao inspectors to boost Vietnam-Laos ties (ND)
... More Lao stories, please see the right-side bar or at the buttom
Other stories relating to ASEAN
... ASEAN: A wider radius [for the Chinese] (Financial Times)
... Buddhism: Growing With Time (Ground Report)
... Four Mekong nations reaffirm cultural connection (ANN)
... 3G demand surges across Indochina (Bangkok Post)
... India Sets Sights On Asean Look East Policy (BD)
... Mekong Tiger Numbers Have Dropped More Than 70% in 10 Years (Y)





January 18-24, 2010



Laos: Sex, drugs and inner tubes (Global Post or MinnPost)
Drunk Brits leer at passing female tourists. A Western tourist gets in a public shouting match with her guide. And stoned backpackers lounge gape-mouthed in cafes, eyes glued to televisions playing looping reruns of "Friends" and "Family Guy." Welcome to Vang Vieng, one of Laos' premier
Lao PDR: New project takes bombs and leaves skills (Reuters)
MAG and World Vision have begun an innovative new project to clear unexploded ordnance (UXO) and improve livelihoods in 24 villages in Khammouane Province. The target villages are in Mahaxay District and are all heavily contaminated with UXO, creating an obstacle to development for
Vonekham Guthrie to Speak on Leadership at C.W. Post (CWP)
Vonekham Guthrie, is no stranger to adversity - and perseverance. As an infant living in Southeast Asia, she was tossed over a cliff in Vientiane, Laos during her mother’s effort to escape Communist persecution and provide her daughters with the opportunity to excel. And excel she did! Now a successful
Lawmakers appeal to Laos on behalf of Hmong (WDH)
Wisconsin lawmakers and other members of Congress are concerned about the safety of ethnic Hmong recently deported from Thailand to Laos. Quantcast Reps. Steve Kagen, D-Appleton, and Ron Kind, D-La Crosse, and Democratic Sens. Russ Feingold and Herb Kohl joined several of their House
That Luang residents urged to prepare for relocation (VT)
Hundreds of families living near That Luang Stupa have been told to prepare for relocation, with the redevelopment of the area expected to begin soon to allow completion by November. At least about 251 households will be relocated from the area which will be cleared for the project's implementation
Laos drug Briton Samantha Orobator has jail term cut (BBC)
A British woman serving a life sentence in the UK for drug smuggling in Laos has had her prison sentence reduced. Samantha Orobator, 21, of London, lost a High Court challenge against her continued detention but had the minimum term she must serve cut to 18 months. She claimed she was forced
Laos drug smuggling Londoner loses appeal (AFP/Google)
A London woman who was jailed in Laos for drug trafficking and transferred home to finish her sentence lost an appeal against her continued detention on Wednesday. Samantha Orobator's lawyers had argued that her trial in Laos was a "flagrant denial of justice" and she should never have been jailed.
Golf and the great Lao land grab (Asia Times)
It is easy to be seduced by the peaceful rural scenes, punctuated by rice fields, vegetable patches and reed-filled wetlands. But behind the natural tapestry, tension and anger are brimming over in the local communities near the Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge outside of the Lao capital. The communal
Laos: Asia's New Cultural Hot Spot (Travel & Leisure)
“Consider the dragonfly,” said Nithakhong Somsanith, erstwhile prince of an old lineage in Laos. On a warm day in the ancient royal capital of Luang Prabang, the two of us were seated on the wood veranda of a French-colonial villa. Nearby, in one of the many collect ponds that
Laos prepares to host largest ever elephant festival (ANN or VT)
After the phenomenal success of last year's elephant festival in Xayaboury province in northern Laos, this year's event will go back to its roots in Hongsa district, where it will take place from February 20 to 21. Over 80,000 Lao and foreign visitors attended last year's festival, which organisers French-based
Laos pledges to take care of Hmong returnees (Earth Times, IRIN)
Communist Laos repeated its vow to take care of 4,500 Hmong returnees until they can fend for themselves, but refused to allow the United Nations to interview them, state media and diplomatic sources said Tuesday. Lao Deputy Minister of FA Phongsavath Boupha met with ambassadors from
Govt reiterates policy for Lao-Hmong, welcomes foreign visits (VT)
A senior diplomat has announced that the Lao Govt will be happy to arrange visits to Hmong returnees requested by foreign ambassadors when they have been properly resettled, while reiterating the Govt's humanitarian policy to the returnees. Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Phongsavath Boupha restated
Thai-Lao ties: Overcoming mutual mistrust (Nation)
As it wrapped up the end of last year, Thailand was absorbing harsh condemnation from Western governments and international humanitarian communities for the repatriation of Hmong refugees. Across the border in Vientiane, however, the Lao Govt quietly assessed its western neighbour's
Other stories about Laos around the world
... Lao-Thai border trade slumps (ANN)
... Laos: PanAust's record production amount (BPN)
... Expelled Hmong Imprisoned in Laos (Irrawady)
... Laos hopes better trade pact with India (PTI News)
... Laos: Getting women in the news takes much more than policy (IPS)
... Cao takes heat for comments abroad, calls Laos criticism unfair (Nola)
... Letter to Lao Deputy Prime Minister re: Deported Lao Hmong (WP)
... India-ASEAN trade pact on services in August: Lao Minister (MCOT)
... Iron Age discovery uncovers prehistoric burial customs in Laos (ET)
... Vietnamese, Lao officials discuss inspection work (Nhan Dan)
... Lao-American Obituary: Mouk Phasavath, 1937-2010 (WW)
... Federal Dog Sniffs Out Opium Shipment from Laos At O'Hare (CBS)
... Thousands of lamps to light up Vat Phou festival (LV/KPL or AsiaOne)
... China to Build Laos' First Satellite (Voice of America)
... South-East Asia to step up war on human trafficking (NK)
... Mekong tigers plummet to only 350 (People & Planet)
... Thai CH Karnchang in JV for Lao power plant (Nation)
... Air Asia plans opening new route to Laos (LaoVoices/KPL)
... Southern Laos: Thousands of lamps to light up Vat Phou festival (VT)
... Korean government aids nutritious food to Lao students (LV/KPL)
... Lao-American Obituary: Amphaymany Keohavong, 1970-2010 (Ind)
... Vientiane 450th anniversary countdown begins (VT)
... Vietnamese company to build hydro-electric power plant in Laos (VOV)
... Laos fears it will lose its last elephants (Malaysian Insider)
... Laos: UNHCR still seeking access to deported Lao Hmong (Reuters)
... Hmong teens make it happen: School offers Hmong language class (TP)
... Laos, Korea foster development cooperation (VT)
... SARCO acquires 35% interest in second Lao tenement Yuqida (MFN)
... Laos to showcase Paksong-grown coffee at German trade fair (MCOT)
... Laos to Grant a 3-Month Stay to Overseas Laotians (VOA)
... More Lao stories, please see the right-side bar or at the buttom




January 11-17, 2010


Laos Steps into the Globalized World [with Chinese Help] (ET)
For China, Laos is attractive both for its natural resources & for its strategic location as a gateway to Southeast Asia. Although logging is supposedly strictly controlled by the authorities, recent visitors to the northern province of Phong Saly observed convoys of trucks with freshly felled timber crossing
Laos would suffer USD 300 million trade deficit this year (KPL/LV)
According to a Ministry of Industry and Commerce ( MOIC) report, Laos would suffer a trade deficit, amounting to USD300 million for the current fiscal year, 2009-2010, due to an expected sharp increase in the volume of imported goods, including commodities from foreign countries.
Thailand blames its critics for Lao-Hmong refugees' fate (SMH)
COUNTRIES concerned for 4500 Hmong people secretly deported from Thailand should have resettled the asylum seekers while they had time, the Thai Prime Minister, Abhisit Vejjajiva, has said. Thailand has been criticised by Australia, the United Nations, the US and others for using the army to
US: Youth tied to Laotian gang gets 40 years for murder (PJ or BG)
A 17-year old Laotian boy with gang ties was ordered to serve 40 years in prison on Friday morning for killing another teenager on Smith Hill during the summer of 2008. Somesack "Sunny'' Phonepraseuth was taken away in handcuffs after Judge Robert D. Krause imposed the sentencing for June
Thailand, Laos expand cooperation (Nation)
Thailand and Laos agreed to expand their bilateral cooperation utilizing the East-West Corridor and initiated a new scheme forjoint-fishery cooperation and improve power grids. In a bilateral discussion Thursday between Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya with his Laotian counterpart, Deputy PM
Laos' Secret Prison Camps: Hmong Appeal (Scoop)
Hmong families from St. Paul, Minnesota and across the United States are appealing for the release of their relatives held in a secret nextwork of prisons and camps in Laos by the Lao Peoples Army (LPA). In the last several days, a team of Australian journalists from “The Age” was barred from entering
UN Wants Access to Lao-Hmong (RFA)
U.N. refugee officials want access to a group of more than 150 ethnic Hmong they believe may have been wrongly repatriated to Laos from Thailand, to find out if they still want to resettle in a third country, according to the refugee agency spokeswoman. Kitty Mackinsey, spokeswoman for the UN
Hmong refugees held secretly in Laos (UPI or Sydney MH)
Four thousand ethnic Hmong asylum seekers are being held in secret Laotian camps after being deported from Thailand, refugee advocates said. On Dec. 28, the asylum seekers were moved out of a Thai refugee camp at Huay Nam Khao and 158 others were deported from a camp in Nong Khai.
Australia-bound refugees stranded in secret Laos camps (Age)
The Age this week reached the main entrance of a camp where some of them are being held. Hundreds of asylum seekers, mainly women & children, stood barefoot in the dirt, behind three metres of razor wire, as loudspeakers exhorted them to move away. But we got no further. As soon as we arrived,
US lawmakers see no ill-treatment of Hmong (AFP/Google)
US lawmakers back from a trip to Laos said they saw no signs of ill-treatment of ethnic Hmong recently expelled from Thailand, but rights advocates voiced fear they would face persecution later. Thailand last month defied US, UN and EU appeals and forcibly repatriated some 4,500 Hmong into Laos.
US congressmen visit Hmong returnees in Laos (Earth Times, ANN)
Three US congressmen visited Hmong refugees who were deported to Laos from Thailand last month despite international concerns that the returnees would face persecution at home, state media said Monday. "There is no indication of discrimination or harassment or mistreatment of the people in
Deported Lao-Hmongs no go to third country (Nation)
Over a 100 repatriated Hmong under UN protection have given up plans to resettle in third countries, the Laotian Foreign Ministry said yesterday. "They have changed their minds upon arrival and reunited with Hmong communities in their home country," the ministry's spokesman Khenthong Nuanthasing
Laos expects 1.6 million tourists this year (Brunei FM)
The Lao National Tourism Administration (LNTA) expects to meet its target of 1.6 million visitors this year. According to the tourism plan, the number of tourists will rise to 2.2 million in 2015, three million in 2020, which will generate US$150 to 350 million per year. The government has exerted more
New bishop for Laos diocese (CathNews Asia)
The rector of Laos’ only major seminary, Fr Jean Marie Prida Inthirath, has been named bishop of Savannakhet apostolic vicariate. Bishop-elect Fr Prida, 52, succeeds Bishop Jean Sommeng Vorachak, who died on July 14 from bone marrow cancer, UCA News reports. Fr Prida was rector of St.
Other stories about Laos around the world
... Annual Elephant Festival to hold in Sayaboury (KPL/LV)
... Vietnam-Laos cultural exchange helps boost ties (VOV)
... US senators press Laos for access to Hmongs (Taiwan News)
... Thailand's PM defends Hmong deportation (ANN or Age)
... Romanian-French speleological expedition to Laos (Financiarul)
... The Mekong under threat (China Dialogue)
... Thai-Lao discussing three-country road link under single visa (MCOT)
... Travellr – from web cafe in Laos to major funding round within 6 months
... Lao-American Obituary: Phonethip Mounsithiraj - Gentle spirit (SJ)
... Cambodian ACLEDA bank expands in Laos (Phnom Penh Post)
... Cambodia-Laos IFC fund raises $10m (Phnom Penh Post)
... Best Western to open first hotel in Vientiane, Laos (FTN)
... Indonesia, Laos considering Jakarta-Vientiane flight route (AN)
... Indonesian Foreign minister visits Laos (Antara News)
... Wausau Man Blows Up Bombs to Save Lives in Laos (WDH)
... Unexplained animal deaths in Laos puzzle farmers (AsiaOne)
... Anne Keothavong aims to boost Britain's Fed Cup status (Telegraph)
... Widetech’s Laos gaming club agreement lapses (EM)
... Laos first stop as Phnom Penh goes complaining (BP)
... Vientiane opens new jungle fly attraction (Earth Times)
... Lao Airlines purchases two ARJ21s from China (FG or BF)
... Mekong Dams Could Threaten Aquatic Life (VOA)
... Laos, Vietnam increase border demarcation work (VOV)
... Vietnam and Laos, air/6 nights, from $869 (MSNBC)
... Other stories from Vientiane Times
... Other stories from Laos News Agency




January 4-10, 2010



Lao-Thai: Construction of Chiang Khong bridge across Mekong begins in March (MCOT)
Total costs of construction are Bt1.624 billion, with the Thai and Chinese governments each paying half. Thailand will pay an added Bt45.5 million for work supervision. The 11.6 kilometre two-lane bridge will link Chiang Khong
Hmong advocates say U.S. Govt stood idle during eviction (WDH)
On Dec. 18, the White House released a statement by President Barack Obama extending warm wishes to the nation's citizens celebrating the Hmong New Year -- the first such statement to be released by an American president. By Dec. 24, the U.S. State Department was expressing its "deep
A Plea to the World Over Hmong Sent Back to Laos (NY Times)
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the European Union, the United States and leading human rights groups were right to express dismay over the forced return of Hmong to Laos from Thailand (“Using Force, the Thai Military Begins to Repatriate 4,000 Hmong to Laos,” news article,

Boys' own adventure [in Laos] (BT) Chris Johnston and his family immerse themselves in neighbourhood life in the royal city of Luang Prabang. The morning market in the central northern Laos city of Luang Prabang sells food, mainly. But we do buy three priceless brass figurines, so small & gorgeous, the perfect things to take away from a wonderful, long family adventure like this.

The Cuisine of Laos (Associated Centen)
Not many people know what the residents of Laos eat. The cuisine of Laos in not well-known in the west. If westerners have experienced it at all, it may have been lumped in with Vietnamese or Thai cuisine, or a generalized "Southeast Asian" cuisine. True, there are some similarities across all of
Lao-Thai: Fallen pawns in US's strategic game (Asia Times)
Thailand's recent decision to send back more than 4,000 ethnic Hmong refugees to neighboring Laos has raised hackles with human-rights groups and stoked tensions with the United States and United Nations. The forced repatriation marks a controversial closure to the US Central Intelligence
KFAED provides USD 25 mln loan to Laos (Zawya or MENAFN)
Kuwait FAED signed Thursday, in Vientiane, an agreement on providing the first loan to Laos, at value of KD 7.53 million (about USD 25 million), to assist it in funding an electricity project.  Both also signed another agreement on the execution of the project... The project aims to provide electricity to about
Rights body too slow in taking up Lao-Hmong issue (Nation)
Thailand's National Human Rights Commission has moved too slowly to protect thousands of Hmong ethnic minorities from Laos. The commission has called a meeting to discuss the issue today - a week after all 4,500 Hmong have been repatriated from Phetchabun's Ban Huay Nam Khao and
US: Hmong want answers on deportations (Star Tribune or MPR)
About 400 Hmong immigrants and their families gathered Tuesday night in St. Paul to stand as one in seeking answers about the forced repatriation of more than 4,500 Hmong from refugee camps in Thailand to Laos, a country they left for fear of persecution. "There's a lot of anger, pain, confusion and
Cambodia lectures Lao officials on temple dispute with Thailand (ET)
Cambodia's deputy FM visited Laos to provide a background briefing on Preah Vihear, an 11th-century Hindu temple on the Thai-Cambodian border that has sparked a nasty diplomatic spat between the two countries, news reports said Wednesday. Long Visalo on Tuesday gave a lecture to more
Execution threat forces Vang Pao to cancel Laos trip (Sac Bee)
Gen. Vang Pao has canceled plans to stage a peaceful return to Laos this week after the communist regime announced he would be executed as a Vietnam War criminal if he goes back. In a dramatic speech before 1,000 Hmong at the Big Fresno Fairgrounds on Dec. 22, Vang declared it was time
Laos' ex-gen Vang Pao cancels his trip home (Nation or UPI)
Exiled Hmong leader Vang Pao has cancelled his plan to visit Laos this week after Laos government said he would face death penalty if he returns home, a California-based newspaper reported Tuesday. His son Cha Vang and his confidant Charles A Waters failed several attempts to negotiate with Lao
Laos 'Priestly vocations growing slowly' (UCANews)
Laotian seminarians face formidable challenges, but their enthusiasm and perseverance in their priestly studies helps them overcome obstacles, says their formator. One major challenge is seminarians' "low level of education compared with those from other countries," said Thai Redemptorist Father
Zip-line adventure awaits Vientiane visitors (Korean Herald)
It may not be quite like Tarzan but swinging between the trees on a zip-line is now a new adventure for visitors to the Nam Lik Jungle Fly. This activity has been set up in Senxoum village, Phonhong district, Vientiane province, and is about 70km north of Vientiane . Open recently, the new adventure site has
Vietnam firm tees off in huge Lao golf project (AsiaOne or DT)
A Vietnamese company is developing a one-billion dollar golf and tourist resort in Laos, one of the largest ever foreign investment projects in the impoverished country, state media reported. Long Thanh Golf Trading and Investment Co said it had kicked off construction of the project in the Lao
New law gives foreign investors land use rights in Laos (VT)
The Govt decided to raise the minimum amount invested for ownership of residential land use rights in Laos from US$300,000 to US$500,000. Foreign investors who met this requirement would only be allowed to obtain residential land use rights in certain areas. Vientiane & provincial authorities will decide
Defaulting the Hmong (Fredericksburg)
SOME AMERICANS are alive today because of what the Hmong-- mountain-dwelling Laotians--did during the Vietnam War: harass North Vietnamese columns along the Ho Chi Minh Trail, gather intelligence on the enemy, and rescue downed airmen before they fell into communists' clutches
Other stories about Laos around the world
... Woman (Thongsy Thannavong) sentenced in drug distribution web (FB)
... North American Zoos Fund Elephant Conservation Worldwide (ENS)
... Laos, Guangxi boost economic investment & relationship (MCOT)
... Indonesian foreign minister to visit Laos (Earth Times)
... Viet, Lao, Cambodian banks team up for better service (Inv)
... Vietnam helps Laos build radio-television station (VOV)
... Daily blog tracks Penn’s archaeological research in Laos (PB)
... Theravada Buddhism: The walk of austerity (The Star)
... Canada targets Thailand for Lao-Hmong refugee treatment (Star)
... Editorial: Allow immediate access to Lao-Hmong refugees (GBPG)
... Lao-Cambodia Governments Discuss Cooperative Ties (Bernama)
... Hmong seek answers about Thai repatriation (PP)
... Hmong group calls for monitors in Laos (PB)
... Wisc Hmong look to Congress to help relatives in Thailand camps (FN)
... EOE makes its 1st journey over Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge (LTM)
... Hmong: Fears About Relatives in Laos (UNPO)
... Leaders condemn forced deportation of Hmong (DP)
... Two weeks on the Mekong (BackPacker)
... U.S.: Killer of Hmong war vet gets 38 years (Fresno Bee)
... Other stories from Vientiane Times
... Other stories from Laos News Agency





Dec. 28, 2009-Jan. 3, 2010


End Thai expulsion of Lao Hmong—UN experts (Inquirer)
The ongoing forcible return of a large number of ethnic Lao Hmong, despite a chorus of international protests, including from UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, have sparked the concern of independent United Nations human rights experts. Earlier this week, some 4,000 ethnic Hmong Laotians were

Thai troops deport 4,000 Hmong to Laos (The News) Pic: Courtesy of BBC News Thai troops have completed the repatriation of more than 4,000 ethnic Hmong to Laos amid criticism by the United States and other nations fearing that the returnees could face persecution by the Laotian government. The repatriation on Monday and Tuesday all but ended the Hmong's three-decade search for

Laos tells UN it's too soon to visit Hmong (AP/Yahoo!)
Laos denied the U.N. immediate access to 4,500 ethnic Hmong who were forcibly repatriated from Thailand, saying Wednesday it would "complicate" matters but that international observers could visit later. Thailand deported the Hmong on Monday in a massive 24-hour military operation, ignoring pleas by
Laos says no need to fear for Hmong deportees (AFP/Yahoo!)
Laos insisted Wednesday that the international community need not fear for thousands of ethnic Hmong expelled from Thailand, after the United Nations and US lawmakers sought access to the deportees. Bangkok sparked outrage on Monday when it defied global criticism & used troops to forcibly repatriate
Time in Laos opens woman's eyes and heart (Statesman Journal)
There is something almost counterintuitive about the generosity shown by people who truly are indigent: Those with the least frequently are the most willing to give. That phenomenon has not escaped the notice of Leslie Engle, a 2003 Dallas High School graduate who works for the non-profit charity
Laotian family celebrates 30 years in Holland, Michigan (WZZM)
The beginning of 2010 starts the 31st year in America for a Laotian family in Holland. "We love it here," says Valaphone Phothisans. The Phothisans avoided possible imprisonment and execution by the new communist leaders of Laos by secretly walking through the night to a refugee camp in Thailand.
Hunger looms in Laos after Ketsana (SOS CV)
Tens of thousands of families face desperate food shortages after tropical storm Ketsana battered Laos. Twenty-eight people were killed and more than 200,000 others affected when the extreme weather hit the country’s south in late September, causing an estimated £56million worth of damage.
Other stories about Laos around the world
... Ukraine ready to sign contracts on delivery of 3 aircraft to Laos... (Inf)
... Fresno's Hmong new year celebration ends with mixed feelings (FB)
... Hmong leaders seek help from Obama (Fresno Bee)
... Minn. Hmong await news of relatives in Laos (ST)
... Our View: Hmong refugee treatment a real concern (WRT)
... Wisc UCMAA calls for oversight for Hmong group in Laos (WDH)
... Laos: Motorists urged to stay safe this New Year's Eve (VT)
... Other stories from Vientiane Times
... Other stories from Laos News Agency







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