This page was updated: Sunday, February 04, 2007 03:01 PM -0500






December 21, 2006


Lao-Thai: Big turnout for opening of new bridge (BP)
Thousands of Thais turned out yesterday to celebrate the opening of the 2nd Thai-Lao Friendship bridge that forms a major link of an economic corridor extending from Burma to Vietnam. On behalf of His Majesty the King, Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn presided over the opening
Explore: Laos In Transition (Sinchew)
Many people either haven't heard of Luang Prabang, or think that it is in Thailand. Luang Prabang is actually in Laos. The former royal capital of Laos & a World Heritage site since 1995, this tiny, ancient town of 16,000 people has many well-preserved Buddhist temples and stupas, a royal palace which
Rest of stories about Laos from other sources
... Other stories from VientianeTimes  Need Subscription
... Other stories from Laos NA



December 20, 2006


Thailand, Laos Open Bridge for Trade (AP/Yahoo!)
Thailand and Laos opened a 1 mile bridge Wednesday that connects the two Southeast Asian neighbors as part of a project to improve transportation and trade among countries across the Mekong Delta region. The $70 million bridge spans the Mekong River to connect Thailand's northeastern Mukdahan
Thailand, Laos open second friendship bridge (AFP/Yahoo!)
Thailand and Laos have been celebrating the opening of the 2nd friendship bridge linking the two countries over the Mekong river, which both countries hope will boost trade and tourism. More than 10,000 Thais waved national flags and yellow banners, symbols of the country's monarchy, to herald
New bridge to Laos opened - Mukdahan wonders why (BP)
Despite being planned as a commercial link, the second Mekong bridge linking Thailand and Laos is receiving only a lukewarm welcome from local people, who do not expect any immediate benefits. They welcomed this symbolic and significant part of the East-West Corridor, but said it would be
New bridge to Laos opens today (Bangkok Post)
Villagers gathered on the banks of the Mekong river near the 2nd Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge yesterday to worship the Naga, a mythical serpent believed to be the guardian of the river. They performed Buddhist and Brahman rituals to worship the Naga and ask the creature to bless the new bridge set to open
Laos, Thailand agree Hmong not refugees (Bangkok Post)
Thailand & Laos agreed the ethnic Hmong sheltering in Phetchabun province are illegal immigrants, not refugees, and they will take care of the situation without the help of international organisations... the two countries were working to verify the nationality of the 6,000 Hmong at Ban Huay Nam Khao.



December 19, 2006


Thai-Lao bridge opening sparks crime fears (BangkokPost)
Local authorities have expressed concern over the possibility of an increase in illegal activities following the opening of the new Thai-Lao bridge across the Mekong river. The Govt hopes that the bridge, set to open tomorrow, will help boost the economy in the region. However, police officers and businessmen
No third party involved in the repatriation of Hmong: Laos (AFP/Yahoo!)
Laos can take back the Hmong living in Thailand whose nationality can be proved, but the operation will have to be organized solely between Vientiane and Bangkok, a Lao official has said. The two neighbours have the capacity
Thailand to speed up border demarcation with Laos (Nation)
Territorial disputes, Hmong refugees & the second Thai-Lao bridge over the Mekong River topped the agenda Monday during the bilateral talks between Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont and visiting Lao counterpart, Bouasone Bouphavanh. Govt's spokesman Yongyuth Mayalarp said the Thai sides
Overloaded buses, trucks create road risks (VT)
Trucks loaded with passengers & overloaded buses are continuing to violate regulations by stuffing in too many passengers, to maximise their profits. Whenever someone sees this, they cannot help feeling concerned as to what would happen in an accident, as overloading can result in deaths and injures.
Govt of Japan provides low interest loan to Laos (LNA)
The Government of Japan has decided to provide 500 million yen of Loan to the Government of Laos to support the Second Poverty Reduction Support Operation (PRSO2).  The PRSO2 has been implemented by the World Bank based in Laos.  The PRSO2 loan agreement was signed on 14 December in
Rest of stories about Laos from other sources
... Banpu signs Laos deal (Bangkok Post)
... Trade fair draws thousands of local shoppers (VT)
... High pressure system brings big chill (VT)
... Vietnam, Laos leaders discuss beefing up ties (TN)
... Vanishing Act: It's not just for Norwegians (RFG)
... Appeals Court Upholds Sentence in Attack on Hmong Leader (AP/WS) 
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... Other stories from Laos NA



December 18, 2006


Thousands of Laotian refugees in Thailand may be forced to return home (AP/IHT)
Thousands of Hmong refugees in Thailand could be forced to return to Laos under a deal announced Monday between the 2 countries, despite concerns that they would face political persecution. More than 6,500 Hmong have
Thailand buys more power from Laos (TNA, Nation or DJ)
Thailand on Monday signed a MoU with Laos to buy more electricity from the landlocked country with an aim to cater to the kingdom's rising demand for power & to strengthen the security of the power supply for the future. Under the terms... Thailand will increase its purchase level to 5,000 megawatts of
Laos to issue 1.5 billion baht bonds for Nam Ngum 2 dam (Reuters/Yahoo!)
The Lao Govt plans to issue bonds worth up to 1.5 billion baht ($42.5 million) to help finance the country's Nam Ngum 2 dam project, a Thai government spokesman said on Monday.  "The Lao Govt will be first country to issue Thai
Lao-American: Nobody's 'little slave' (Columbian)
On a good day, Bounsang Khamkeo could collect rainwater to splash on his face. On a very good day, his makeshift trap would snare a rat, & Khamkeo could enjoy meat for supper.  Such days were few in prison. More frequently, the hours in the jungle "re-education camp" were marked by suffering, abuse
Lao garden to become permanent fixture (Bangkok Post)
Lao Prime Minister Bouasone Bouphavanh handed his country's garden at the Royal Flora Ratchaphruek 2006 to the government, making it a permanent fixture in Chiang Mai province. Mr Bouasone, who presided over a ceremony to deliver the garden yesterday, is on an official visit to Thailand.
Malaysia to build budget housing in Laos (VientianeTimes)
Malaysian businessmen have expressed interest in building a 400 unit apartment building in Vientiane to provide low cost accommodation for Lao people. The homes will be sold, rented or leased to low income workers, especially government officials such as teachers, former soldiers and police
Lao-Thai Relations: Villagers lament loss of their land (BP)
Most people are rejoicing at the sight of a second bridge across the famous Mekong river linking Thailand and Laos.  People are talking of boosted trade and tourism for both countries and of a rich future for areas near the crossing. But there is an another, less publicised, side to the story. 
Lao-Hmong deportation attempt damages Thailand (Nation)
Believe it or not, Thailand almost slipped and morphed into a pariah state last week. It almost happened while former US President George Bush and his wife Barbara were in town as guests of Their Majesties the King and Queen. While Their Majesties & the special guests were having dinner, preparations
Rest of stories about Laos from other sources
... More Thai businessmen to invest in Laos, says Thai PM (TNA)
... Triumphant silver medallist returns (VT)
... Vietnamese PM to visit Laos (VT)
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... Other stories from Laos NA



December 17, 2006


From books to bombs -- Kronenwetter couple devoted to helping Laos recover from war (Wausau DH)
Jim Harris of Kronenwetter might just be the most unlikely bomb removal expert that you'll ever meet. After all, this is a 58-year-old guy with a bad back who started a career in education as a kindergarten teacher and ended it in
2nd Thai-Lao Bridge: Bridging the Divide (Bangkok Post)
The second Thai-Lao bridge linking Mukdahan province to Sauvannakhet in Laos is scheduled to open on Wednesday -- more than a decade after the project was initiated in 1990. Presiding over the opening ceremony will be Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn. Representing the Lao

Pic: Courtesy of Flickr.com
No agreement yet on new Thai-Lao bridge (Bangkok Post)
The countdown for the opening of the new Thai-Lao bridge linking Mukdahan & Savannakhet has begun, but agencies have yet to reach a legal agreement to regulate transnational traffic. The 1.6km-long, two-lane bridge, which was completed on Dec 2, is part of the so-called East-West Corridor linking
Hmong refugees deserve better (The Nation/ANN)
Issues related to Hmong ethnic rebels said to be fighting a protracted jungle war against the communist government inside Laos and Hmong refugees who have sought shelter in Thailand continue to crop up intermittently. Invariably, these issues involve alleged brutality by the Lao military against the rebels
Rest of stories about Laos from other sources
... Donors increase support to Mekong River Commission (VN)
... Humane approach to migrant labour (Nation/AsiaNewsNet)



December 16, 2006


Laos refugee 'bins baby' in California (Bangkok Post)
Prosecutors in California have charged a woman with murdering her toddler and stuffing his body in a trash bin near her home. Thirty-year-old Phatsary Panyavong, known as Erika, allegedly told investigators that she accidentally overdosed the 19-month old boy. She was arrested Tuesday, hours after
Hmong in Laos: Old Allies, Tagged 'Terrorist' (Washington Post)
Perhaps no group is more harmed by this legislation - with its absurdly broad definition of "terrorist activity" - than the Hmong, a hill tribe of northern Laos. Beginning in 1961, the Hmong were recruited by the CIA to halt the spread of communism in their country. The "secret war" waged here in northern Laos
Laos DPM to visit Singapore for 5-day official trip (CNA)
The Deputy PM of Laos, Mr Somsavat Lengsavad, will make a 5-day official visit to Singapore from Dec 17-21. His visit is at the invitation of Professor S Jayakumar, Singapore's Deputy PM & Coordinating Minister for National Security.  During his visit, Mr Lengsavad will meet Professor Jayakumar




December 15, 2006


First Laos bacteraemia study highlights need for local knowledge (Eurek Alert)
For the first time, researchers in Laos have published a study on the causes of bacteraemia, or blood infections caused by invasive bacteria, in the local population. The study, published in the American Journal of Hygiene and
Laos to exempt Japanese tourists from visa requirements from Jan. 1 (Kyodo NS/Yahoo! or Japan Today)
Laos will exempt Japanese from visa requirements for short-term stays from Jan. 1 in a bid to strengthen the two countries' ties, visiting Laotian Foreign Minister Thongloun Sisoulit said Friday.  Doubling as Laos's deputy PM
Police to issue no-helmet fines (VientianeTimes)
The Vientiane Traffic Police have issued a final warning to all motorbike riders that from January 1, 2007, they will start issuing fines to those found not wearing helmets. “We will fine anyone who doesn't follow the regulations,” said Vientiane Traffic Police Chief Lieutenant Colonel Khamsome Luangnor.
Laos ready to accept more than 7,000 Hmong in Thailand (TNA/MCOT)
The Lao government is prepared to accept more than 7,000 Hmong now living in makeshift camps in a Thai northern village if it could verify that they have fled from Laos, according to Thailand’s supreme commander Gen. Boonsang
Rest of stories about Laos from other sources
... Minister responds to public concerns (VT)
... Foot and mouth disease strikes Vientiane (VT)
... Thai & Lao police get child sex crimes training (BP)
... Hmong-American: Doualy Xaykaothao, NPR Biography (NPR)
... Other stories from VientianeTimes  Need Subscription
... Other stories from Laos NA



December 14, 2006


Lao-US citizens slain in execution-style killing (Bangkok Post)
Two Lao-born American men were shot dead in Ubon Ratchathani on Wed. in what was believed to be a murder linked to an anti-Vientiane resistance movement. Somwang Kaewmaneewong, 65, and Sukan Wichathep, 61, were the victims of an execution-style killing by a man who shot them both in
2 Lao-Americans killed in Thailand (AP/Yahoo!, WJLA)
Two Laotian-American men were shot to death Wednesday at a bus station in northeastern Thailand after returning from a trip to Laos, and Thai police said they suspect a political connection to the killings. Initial investigations showed the killings were "related to the conflict in Laos," said police Lt. Col. Saran
2 Lao-Americans shot dead in Thai border town (TheNation)
Two Laotians with American citizenship were shot dead execution-style in Thailand while returning from their communist homeland, police said Thursday. Soukanh Visathep, 65, a former Lao police officer, and Somvang Keomanyvong, 61, a former army officer, were shot and killed by a lone
Vongdeuane, a true American artist with Lao heart (VOA)
Vongdeuane Manivong a young vibrant Laotian American visual artist of Texas has came along way to express her ideas into art works. Vongdeuane and her family resettled in Texas, USA in 1987 as refugees from Laos. As a young child, Vongdeuane likes to draw and make toys for herself & her sister
2nd Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge opens Wednesday (TNA/MCOT)
The 2nd Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge will be officially opened next Wednesday by HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of Thailand & Lao Vice President Bounnhang Vorachith, a senior Thai official said on Thursday. Songsak Paecharoen, director general of the Highways Department, said the opening
Ford grants 200 million kip to environment and heritage protection (Laos NA)
The Ford Motor Company has provided grants of 200 million kip (US$20,000) to projects of conservation and preservation of environment, culture and heritage in Laos. The ceremony of such award was held here on Dec. 12
First private school in Laos to offer MBA (VientianeTimes)
Now that the Govt has recognised the role of education in development, plans for programmes to improve education standards are finally being realised. Lao people are hopeful education standards will improve and that the Lao education system will soon be recognised worldwide. The government has
Rest of stories about Laos from other sources
... Lao prime minister due for official visit (BP)
... Laos: Special zone slated for development (VT)
... Public urge Laos Govt to solve problems (VT)
... Laos: National Assembly session focusses on poverty reduction (PAM)
... Viet PM to visit Cambodia, Laos, Thailand (PD)
... Hmong educator launching charter school (PP)
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... Other stories from Laos NA



December 13, 2006


Over 400 ethnic Hmongs surrender in Laos (AP/Yahoo!, BH)
More than 400 members of the Hmong hill tribe minority who have been on the run for decades from the communist government of Laos surrendered to the authorities there on Wednesday, supporters of the group said. he group, which came out of the jungle to Ban Ha village in the central province of
Laos blasts UNHCR for involvement in Hmong deportation (Playfuls or DPA/Bangkok Post)
Laos on Wed. blasted the UNHCR for getting involved in a move by Thailand to deport 152 Hmong back to Laos, describing the deportation as a bilateral issue. "The issue is related to Laos & Thailand & there is no reason third
Illegal import cars to crack down in Champassak (Laos NA)
The customs officials of Champassak province in collaboration with its security authorities is concentrating on crack down illegal import cars are being increased in the province...  At present, the committee is able to enlist 2,742 vehicles registered, of which 159 were cars but only 2,410 vehicles
TAGS signs Lao contract (TheNation)
Thai AGS is diversifying into property development, with a first contract from Laos to develop a business, entertainment and educational centre. Managing director Anupong Rojanakarin said the company signed a memorandum of understanding on Tuesday with the Lao government.
Rest of stories about Laos from other sources
... Special zone slated for development (VT)
... Public urge Laos Govt to solve problems (VT)
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... Other stories from Laos NA



December 12, 2006


Thailand to get 3,000 & 5,000 MW electricity from Laos (BA)
The energy ministry has revealed that they are planning to sign an agreement with Laos to purchase between 3,000 and 5,000 MW of electricity from Laos later this year. "5,000 MW is feasible," Energy Minister Piyasvasti was quoted by VNA as saying. He also said that the agreement to acquire more
Thailand will not force Hmong back to Laos (Reuters/Y!, BP)
Thailand will not force a group of 152 ethnic Hmong to return to Laos, where human rights groups say they face possible persecution from the communist government, a senior official said on Tuesday. "They will be offered land or jobs in Laos, but if they still don't want to go, they don't have to," said
Hmong surrender ends Oroville group's quest (CER)
Hundreds of starving Hmong Vietnam War veterans and their families, in hiding for more than three decades in the mountains of Laos, have agreed to surrender to the communists, dashing an Oroville group's quest to rescue them. "They had very little to eat and were under constant military attacks,"
Law enforcers learn to combat human trafficking (VT)
Laos has several laws relating to the prevention of human trafficking, but not enough officials know how to apply them properly, a senior legal official said yesterday. “Officials have little knowledge of human trafficking, so they need to learn before they enforce the laws to combat trafficking,” said the Deputy
Rest of stories about Laos from other sources
... NA opens ordinary session (VT)
... Trade fair to promote Lao handicrafts (VT)
... HCM City and Vientiane push for stronger co-operation (ND)
... Book outlines new funeral rites for Hmong Catholics (WDH)
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... Other stories from Laos NA



December 11, 2006


International Corruption: Laos at the bottom list (LNA or VT)
The 2006 Transparency International Corruption Perception Index ranks Laos 111 out of 163 countries, according to the opening remarks by Setsuko Yamazaki UNDP Resident Representative to Laos. On the occasion of International Anti-Corruption Day last Friday held in Vientiane, where was
Thailand should stop deportation of Hmong refugees to Laos (BBS News or Reuters)
A group of 152 Hmong refugees & asylum seekers, including 77 children & eight infants, face grave danger of persecution due to Thailand’s decision to forcibly return them to Laos. At least 104 members of this group have been
TAGS to sign contract for Laos complex (Bangkok Post)
Thai Airports Ground Services (TAGS) is about to seal a contract to develop a multipurpose complex on 3,000 rai of land in the southern Lao province of Savannakhet in a bid to find new sources of income after failing to win ground services contracts at Suvarnabhumi airport, its managing director
Lao-Thai: Countdown to bridge opening (VientianeTimes)
Kaysone Phomvihane City , a district of Savannakhet, is preparing to attract more tourists and development, in the lead up to the opening of the second Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge. The edifice of the border checkpoint of the Lao side has been decorated with flowers and plants, and the improvements to
Rest of stories about Laos from other sources
... Lao legislators to discuss some key socioeconomic issues (PD)
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... Other stories from Laos NA



December 10, 2006



Laos digs deeper to help foreign miners (The Age, AAP/Y!)
THE Laos Govt is reviewing its foreign investment regulations to provide clarification for Australian and other overseas companies operating in the South-East Asian developing nation's mining industry. Mid-tier Australian miner Oxiana is Laos' largest private employer and its Sepon project there
2nd Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge will bring benefits (ThaiNews)
Mukdahan Governor Boonsom Phirinyawong said the second Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge which connects Mukdahan in Thailand with Laos’ Savannakhet will strengthen relationships between Thailand and its neighboring countries, especially those in the Indochinese peninsular.
Hmong leaving to pursue dreams, new and old (PJ)
In 1979, Yua See Yang and his family joined a worldwide diaspora of Hmong refugees after Communists overtook their Laotian homeland. Resettled in Providence, Yang discovered that his hill-tribe existence of plowing fields by hoe and scythe had little relevance in an urban environment. Yang shed his
Rest of stories about Laos from other sources
... NA chairman meets Vientiane delegation to discuss Lao ties (VN)
... Phil Karber goes back to the future in Indochina (Taipei Times)



December 09, 2006


Vientiane: Treasures Without the Crowds (NY Times, backup)
Feel like taking a few days’ break from the hectic Southeast Asian tourism circuit? Then point yourself toward Vientiane, Laos’s easygoing capital. There are no mobs of aggressive taxi drivers at the airport nor packs of begging youths, and hawkers barely merit the name as they casually mind
Miners digging for value in Laos (Herald Sun)
ROX Resources geologist Paddy Maguire was desperate to watch his beloved home state of Queensland play in the rugby league State of Origin earlier this year. Stuck in an exploration field camp at the foot of the Pha Luang mountain range in central-north Laos, he decided to invest in a satellite dish
Oxiana's Laos push (Herald Sun)
Melbourne miner Oxiana has mapped out an aggressive exploration program for 2007 with plans to spend more than $22 million at its Sepon project in Laos alone. The company will spend almost $15 million on resource drilling at Sepon next year, with oxide gold reserves the main target.
Bangkok agrees to give details of Hmong to Laos (TheNation)
Thailand yesterday agreed to provide Laos with detailed information on the 8,000 Hmong migrants who are now being sheltered in Phetchabun and the 150 currently being held in Bangkok, a step prior to deportation. Vientiane agreed to take the Hmong back if information provided by Thailand clearly
Rest of stories about Laos from other sources
... Mekong trip, ready for discovery (VN)



December 08, 2006


Official says Thailand preparing to send Hmong asylum seekers back to Laos (AP/IHT)
Authorities in northern Thailand are preparing to send 152 ethnic Hmong asylum seekers back to Laos, a Thai immigration official said Friday. The asylum seekers come from a group of 194 Hmong who were arrested in
Oxiana eyeing $500m net profit from mine in Laos (9MSN)
As Australian miner Oxiana Ltd gears up to double copper production at its flagship Laos-based mine this year, the mid-tier miner isn't resting on its laurels. The Mighty Ox, as managing director Owen Hegarty affectionately calls the company, is ramping up exploration and appraising new areas of
Govt tries to deport Lao-Hmong refugees (DPA/BP, Nation)
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) on Friday appealed to the Thai government to halt an apparent attempt to deport 194 Hmong refugees to Laos, claiming they were at "serious risk" should they be returned to the communist country. "We have expressed our concerns and
Doctors warn against eating squid (VientianeTimes)
Public health officials have warned people not to buy squid, including the white tentacles, because they may contain formaldehyde, also known as formalin. A doctor from the Food and Drug Department of the Ministry of Public Health, Dr Viengsay Vansilalom, issued the warning after six people in
LBC launches 2007 calendar (Laos NA)
The Lao Brewery Company (LBC) last week launched a new calendar 2007 publishing for society service. More than 100 people from private, state organizations and media took part at launching ceremony... "the company was pioneer publishing the calendar for six years". The LBC is the first
Viet Company To Grow Rubber Trees In Laos (AsiaP)
The Quang Minh Rubber Production Joint-Stock Company will invest US$15 million in growing 4,900ha of rubber trees in the two southern provinces of Sekong and Attopeu of Laos. A contract to this effect has been signed in Vientiane by Deputy Chairman of the Lao Planning & Investment Committee
Rest of stories about Laos from other sources
... PM Bouasone to attend 12th ASEAN summit (VT)
... Land use planning to protect environment (VT)
... Lao and Australian journalists visit Sepon Gold production site (LNA)
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... Other stories from Laos NA



December 07, 2006


Vietnam's Vinacafe to grow 1,000 ha of coffee in Laos (AsiaP)
The Vietnam Coffee Corporation (Vinacafe) & the Dak Uy Coffee Company of Kon Tum province have reached an agreement with Champassak province of Laos to grow 1,000ha of coffee in Champassak... Champassak's administration allowed Vinacafe to rent 1,000ha for growing coffee and will
Sad story finds a happy ending (VientianeTimes)
An elderly Japanese woman who endured the perils of the second world war has recently turned her tragedies of the past into a triumph for the future, sacrificing her own personal wealth to benefit Lao children. Mrs Kikuko Roehling has just sold her investment property to fund a new primary school
More than 100 people have HIV in Khammuane (LNA)
Over 100 out of 8,000 people undergone blood-check have HIV positive in Khammuane.  An unknown health official of the province said that since 10 years ago the province had had 22 AIDS patients and 15 out of them died. Early this month, the Prevention-AIDS Coordination Office of the province in
Rest of stories about Laos from other sources
... People give blood for National Day (VT)
... ADB finances rural development (VT)
... Diet and discipline prevent diabetes (VT)
... Other stories from VientianeTimes  Need Subscription
... Other stories from Laos NA



December 06, 2006


Laotian native charged with raping teen (Journal Inquirer)
A native of Laos is being held in lieu of $150,000 bond, accused of giving a teenage girl wine and raping her in her Enfield home. The man, Ponesavanah Luangpraseuth, 45, was arraigned Tuesday in Hartford Superior Court on charges of first-degree sexual assault, unlawful restraint, & delivery of alcohol
Laos: Winning the war on malaria (Al Jazeera)
Malaria was once the leading cause of death in Laos but now it is slowly being eliminated due to improvements in infrastructure and the introduction of combination drug therapy. Al Jazeera drove south from the capital, Vientiane, where five years ago there would have been malaria cases in every village
Concern over rough treatment of Lao-Hmong refugees (Nation)
Human rights groups & international observers have voiced anger & concern over Thailand's "harsh" treatment of Hmong refugees from Laos. Officials from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees are talking with Thai authorities about 194 people rounded up in Bangkok about three weeks
Roger Wagner discusses Laos war at Concordia Uni. (HT)
Roger Wagner is well known for his PBS documentaries. He is particularly well known in the Hmong community for two books he has written about the war in Laos, Backfire and Out of Laos. His current projects include a video documentary entitled "Once Upon a Time in the CIA," a "biographical film"
Old railroad in Laos to reconstruct by 2007 (LNA)
An old railway was constructed in1917 by France in Champassak province the most southern part of country will be rebuilt next year, said a govt senior official. After the Lao Govt signed a MOU with a foreign company of South Korea last month... the foreign investor would invest around US$6 million in
Hmong man who killed wife, daughter gets conditional release (AP/Gazette Extra)
A man found mentally not responsible for killing his wife and daughter eight years ago has been granted his conditional release from a state mental hospital. Eau Claire County Circuit Judge Benjamin Proctor approved
Hmong welcome a new leader (SacBee)
California's roughly 80,000 Hmong refugees have been led by generals, village chiefs, spirit healers and clan leaders, but never before by an elected civic official -- until Blong Xiong became their first voice in a City Hall. Xiong, 37, made history last month when he won a City Council seat in Fresno's
Rest of stories about Laos from other sources
... People give blood for National Day (VT)
... ADB finances rural development (VT)
... Diet and discipline prevent diabetes (VT)
... Vietnam, Laos to bolster science (VN)
... Hmong Business: If it's not spicy, it's not US Thai (RMN)
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... Other stories from Laos NA



December 05, 2006


MIA: Teams Return From Laos (Military)
Five Joint POW/MIA AC recovery teams & one investigation team returned to Hawaii last week after conducting missions in Laos and Cambodia. Three recovery teams excavated sites in Savannakhet Province, Laos connected to three cases involving missing Americans from the Vietnam War.
Oxiana tips bumper year for Laos mine (AAP/Yahoo!, 9MSN)
Mid-tier miner Oxiana Ltd is still expecting a bumper year at its key Sepon mine in Laos & says the area shows great potential for exploration. Executive general manager Asia Peter Albert says the mine is still expecting to double annual copper production to 60,000 tonnes this year but added it is still
Laos: Two ordinations to priesthood on Dec. 9 (AsiaNews)
The small Catholic community of Laos is all set to celebrate two more ordinations to the priesthood: on 9 December, Peter Wilaiphorn Phonasa and Luke Sukpaphorn Duangchansai will become priests. They will be ordained by Mgr John Sommeng Worachak, Apostolic Vicar of Takhek (southern Laos
Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos invite Japan to help develop border area (AFP/Yahoo!)
The prime ministers of Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos said they would invite Japanese investors to help build up infrastructure & commerce in their poor, rural and remote tri-border area. The three countries agreed at a summit in
Green Future For Lao Tourism (Sinchew)
Laos expects to see about 1.3 million visitor arrivals this year, 10% more than last year. This estimate reflects the overall expansion of the tourist industry in Laos over the past 31 years since the country was established as the Lao PDR in 1975. The rapid growth of the sector is the result of the government's
Rest of stories about Laos from other sources
... Raul Castro Held Talks with Laos Deputy PM (CNA)
... Youth Tourism Centre opens caravan tour (ND)
... Other stories from VientianeTimes  Need Subscription
... Other stories from Laos NA



December 04, 2006


With a little help from Laos' friends (The Nation)
Impoverished and landlocked Laos has lately been busy rolling out the red carpet to welcome the leaders of its two dominant neighbours, Vietnam and China. The competition for influence over Laos between these two historic rivals has been increasingly visible. Such competing leadership has emerged
Hmong Lao Crisis: Scenes of Horrifying Cruelty Reported from Laos (HNN)
While the UNHCR country team in Bangkok issued a strong statement objecting to the Thai government’s forced deportation policy succeeded and the detained Hmong refugees deportation plans by Thailand were suspended
Banks support dry season production (VientianeTimes)
The Agriculture Promotion Bank will release loans totalling about 47.6 billion kip to Lao farmers around the country to support dry season production, with an annual interest rate of 12 percent, according to reports from the bank. About 28.7 billion kip will support dry season rice production, and 14.9 billion
Rest of stories about Laos from other sources
... President Choummaly welcomes National Day greetings (VT) 
... Task force deals with Hmong refugees' transporation needs (AP-C)
... Other stories from VientianeTimes  Need Subscription
... Other stories from Laos NA



December 03, 2006


Lao-Americans: They came here from all over (Michigan Live)
From Laos to U.S. to KPS.  All four came to the United States from Laos as children a quarter-century ago, eventually settling into middle-class life in Minnesota. Still, Chay Thong Thi and her husband, Van Leo, and his sister and her husband were worried about affording college for their offspring.
Don’t Drink Drive Foundation arranges Vientiane-bound wheelchair rally (Thai's News)
Secretary to the Don’t Drink Drive Foundation Taejing Siripanich revealed that the foundation is arranging a Bangkok-Vientiane wheelchair rally for those made disabled by drunk-driving accidents. This 600-km rally aims to
History of being displaced: Hmong helped U.S. in war (DFP)
Wars and persecution over the past 5,000 years forced the Hmong people from China to the mountaintops of Laos, Burma, Thailand and Vietnam -- and over the last several decades to the United States. In the 1960s, the United States enlisted the help of thousands of Hmong farmers to fight the North
Hmong in U.S.: CIA training may have saved clerk (KSTP)
Joe Thao is lucky to be alive after fighting off an attacker who stabbed him three times at his Minneapolis store late last month. Friday, through an interpreter, Thao described his near death experience. "I was trying to hold onto the knife and he just keep hitting me with the knife, and I was being cut,"
Rest of stories about Laos from other sources
... Obituary - Hmong in U.S.: Blia Yang (WD)



December 02, 2006


The endearing charm of Vientiane (The Star)
Mention the capitals of any South-East Asian nation and they bring to mind a fast-paced metropolis with towering blocks of glass, concrete and steel, traffic-clogged streets... Yet moments before the plane begins its descent towards Vientiane, Laos, it is clear this city promises to be different.
Switzerland : Members welcome Laos’ first goods offer (F2F)
Laos has submitted its first offer on market access for goods, a proposal that some members said was almost good enough for them to accept as far as industrial products are concerned. But in their 30 November 2006 meeting they sought more information on Laos’ trading regime and looked forward to
A boy lost, a rift bared for Hmong, authorities (SacBee)
his morning, relatives of Keng Yang will file into a modest mortuary to begin an elaborate two-day ritual, laying to rest one of their own. But their peace will be harder to find. In the week since the boy's body was found by his family searching a slough, grief has surfaced along with outrage & questions
Victim of stabbing slowly recovering (KARE11)
A Minneapolis store clerk, who was stabbed several times in an attempted robbery last month, says he believes his attacker wanted to kill him. Joe Thao remains in the hospital, recovering from his injuries. He has cuts and bruises left behind from a harrowing fight to save his own life. Last Friday, Joe Thao
Rest of stories about Laos from other sources
... PMs' Meeting on Vietnam-Laos-Cambodia Devpt. Triangle (VNB)
... Viet leaders congratulate Laos on National Day (ND)



December 01, 2006


Laos Embassy Rally: Pro-democracy & human rights groups to slam & denounce corruption & brutality of communist regimes in Laos (i-Newswire)
A coalition of Laotian dissidents, human rights activists and pro-democracy organizations are slated to host a rally and demonstration in front of the Lao Embassy in Washington, D.C. at 2:00 P.M. on Saturday, December 2, 2006
Former Laotian refugee turns peasant fare into IndoChine cuisine (AFP/Yahoo!)
Former Laotian refugee Michael Ma has cooked up a winning recipe by turning rural fare from once war-ravaged Laos and Vietnam into chic cuisine. Ma's first IndoChine outlet in Singapore opened in 1999 offering dishes like
ADB provides US$ 10 million of loan to support rural macro-financial improvement project (Laos NA)
The Asian Devpt. Bank (ADB) agreed recently to provide US$ 10 million of loan to support the rural macro -financial improvement project. The loan package was signed in Vientiane on Nov. 30 between Mr Somdy Douangdy
Vietnam-Laos trade fair opens in Vientiane (ND)
Vietnamese and Laos products are being showcased at 100 booths at the Vietnam-Laos trade fair 2006, which opened at the National Cultural Palace in Vientiane on November 30. Opening the fair, which takes the theme "Friendship, Co-operation and Development," Senior Lieutenant General
Rest of stories about Laos from other sources
... Royal Messages To Laos, UAE (Brunei Direct)
... Viet leaders extend best wishes on Lao National Day (VT)
... China congratulates Lao leaders and people (VT)
... Government declares December 4 a holiday (VT)
... Other stories from VientianeTimes  Need Subscription
... Other stories from Laos NA

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