‘WannaCry’’ ransomeware may sound like a silly name, however this computer virus is anything but.
This global cyberattack is the latest virus that has been rapidly sweeping across 150 countries and terrorizing over 200,000 victims. Though it has yet to be seen in Laos, several digital billboard advertisements were taken hostage in Bangkok earlier this week, and officials are urging for internet users to stay vigilant.
The Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications has issued a warning for internet users to be actively cautious of the cyberattack and to avoid clicking on unsecured website or opening emails from unknown senders.
According to BGR, this malware is a type of trojan virus called “ransomware.” The virus in effect holds the infected computer hostage and demands that the victim pay a ransom in order to regain access to the files.
After being opened, the virus encrypts most of the files on a user’s computer. The software then demands that a ransom be paid in order to have the files decrypted, in this case, the software demands that the victim pays a ransom of $300 in bitcoins at the time of infection.
If no ransom is paid within three days, the amount doubles to $600. After seven days without payment, WannaCry will delete all of the encrypted files and all data will be lost.
In order to safeguard the community from the cyberattack, the ministry has urged the public to update their Windows XP, 7, 8, 9 operating systems or Windows Server 2003, 2008, 2012 and 2016.
If for some reason the computer’s operating system can not be updated, the ministry suggests to close the system’s Server Message Block or SMB and backup all documents and system files. Computer users should also have a current up-to-date antivirus program running.
Though there is no confirmed fix for WannaCry available at this time, antivirus companies and cybersecurity experts are tirelessly looking for ways to decrypt files on infected computers. Officials suggest users shutdown their computer immediately to stop the spread of the virus to other computers connected by a network.
To report an infection or for any inquiries about the virus, the public is urged to contact LaoCERT by emailing: report@laocert.gov.la or calling 030-5764222.
You can also visit https://www.laocert.gov.la for Windows operating system updates and more information on the virus.
In the past 5 years, the lush green rice fields and orchards that once danced endlessly across the Lao countrysides, have been replaced with more Chinese owned banana plantations.
While Laos isn’t among the world’s top banana producers, banana production in the small country has erupted. In 2002, Laos produced less than 90,000 tons of bananas, however by 2013 it was producing over 400,000 tons.
While the banana boom has brought economic benefits to impoverished regions, there is also strong concern regarding the use of chemicals – including the banned herbicide, paraquat.
According to recent studies, Chinese entrepreneurs are renting 1,600 square meters of land for about $300 to $600 per year from farmers, which is roughly what they would earn from this area if they cultivated the land. Villagers believe they are getting a great bargain because they earn the same income without having to do the work.
However, deals such as these ultimately comes with great sacrifices; for example, concession contracts seldom specify that the investor is required to clean and restore the land to its previous condition after the agreement has ended.
According to Cecilie Friis, a human geographer at Humboldt University, there are considerable economic incentives for locals to rent out their land, due to the large influx of cash that Laotian villagers could never earn in one shot from farming. However, the consequences are severe in terms of chemicals utilized by Chinese investors, destruction of land markers and of traditional irrigation channels.
With the majority of plantation workers being from marginalized ethnic minority groups, workers are also motivated by the money, earning between $120 and $150 a month, where the national income per capita is estimated at $137 a month by the World Bank.
Yet analysts believe that the banana rush in northern Laos is just one element of a larger phenomenon.
In 2014, China became the largest investor in Laos, a landlocked country of 6.5 million people, with more than 760 projects valued at about $6.7 billion, not to mention the highly anticipated Laos-China Railway project.
Deprived of economic opportunities in overpopulated southern China, Chinese entrepreneurs are venturing across the border in droves, to a country where people are scarce and land is plentiful.
Chinese migrants have been investing in a plethora of things in northern Laos – from hotels and bakeries to rubber plantations. However, it is the massive banana estates, which cover most of Bokeo province and parts of Oudomxay and Luang Namtha, that they tout as their greatest achievement.
Though Chinese economic influence over Laos is nothing new, the superpower’s economic penetration of the small country has increased considerably in recent years. According to the World Bank, Laos’ GDP took off with real growth of 8.5% in 2013 and 7.5% in 2014 – figures that surpassed China’s.
As a result, largely due to shipments of agricultural products grown by Chinese companies, Lao exports to China increased by 300% between 2005 and 2013,
However, what at first seemed like a good deal for the impoverished Laotian farmers is turning out to be anything but positive, with unexpected side effects rapidly outweighing the economic advantages.
Though plantation workers take precaution by wearing masks when spraying trees with pesticides, it’s not enough to prevent severe headaches, nausea, liver disease and in some cases death. Nor does it prevent the chemicals from spreading to other family members living in the village, some who do not partake in the farming of these banana fields but have also fallen victim to the hazardous fumes.
Many cases result in young children vomiting blood, suffering from extreme fever, enduring intense cases of diarrhea and for more unfortunate families, losing the child. Doctors have confirmed with tests that their lungs have been irreparably damaged by toxic pesticides.
Such situations are fueling an anti-Chinese position that is beginning to pour over into Laos’ northern regions.
Demonstrations are rare in Laos, however residents of Sibounheung village unified in August to protest their displacement, after their land was included in a 99-year concession for a private Chinese company to extend its hotel-casino complex. After villagers proposed $5,600 per rai (1,600 square meters), the government purchased the rice fields for $2,800 per rai.
Other protests have taken place across social network platforms, including one that criticized a proposal that allowed China’s A-Cho Group to develop land around the Kuang Si waterfall, one of the most famous natural sites in the country. The project was shortly terminated.
At the end of September last year, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forests warned four Chinese companies for “excessive use of pesticides” and ordered inspections on the types and amounts of chemicals used at various banana plantations. Business licenses were threatened to be revoked if laws continued to be broken.
In mid-October, authorities in Bokeo, Luang Namtha and Oudomxay provinces banned the creation of new plantations, after Chinese-owned banana farms were discovered to have used and leaked hazardous chemicals into the soil and water.
However, despite the government’s efforts towards preventing further damage from being done to the people and the environment, the use of illegal substances in banana farming is far too lucrative for it to disappear anytime soon. Farmers continue to rent their land out illegally to China’s investors to bring home a steady income.
Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith has voiced his concern over the widespread chemical usage on Chinese-run banana plantations stating, “the government could not overlook this.” He added, “since last year, I have ordered a prohibition on renting out more agricultural land for banana plantations to investors because of the damage from chemical contamination.”
The PM acknowledges that the use of chemicals has made farmers sick and contaminated water sources, however he did not mention whether Laos would take action against the existing banana plantations.
In a commendable effort to restore 70 percent of forest coverage by 2020, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry aims to farm over 20,000 hectares of tree saplings.
In prior years, Vientiane has planted over 2.7 million seedlings on nearly 400 hectares, with an estimated 90 percent survival rate. The majority of trees have been planted along both sides of the 450 year road and include rosewood, teak, eucalyptus, rubber, fruit and ornamental trees.
According to the Director of Agriculture and Forestry Department, Mr Sousath Xayakhoumman, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MoAF) has been closely working with each District Agriculture and Forestry Divisions, and have organized for over 20 million saplings to be planted for the upcoming National Arbour Day and Children’s Day.
Officials and each District Agriculture and Forestry Division also want to encourage the public and private plant nurseries to support the planting of young trees.
Vientiane Capital aims to plant over 500,000 seedlings to be grown on 300 hectares.
Officials are in the process of drafting a prime ministerial order on the management of bars, night clubs, entertainment venues that promote the consumption of alcohol and gambling sites, that are located within 500 meters of educational facilities, hospitals and other specified locations.
According to an official from the Ministry of Education and Sports, meetings have been held to draft the prime ministerial order. However, the draft, implementation and authorization, is still considered inadequate and needs to be revised and clarified before the order can be implemented.
Professor Dr Chaleun Yiapaoher, government spokesman, recently informed local media that the order will require entertainment venues and alcohol outlets that currently operate close to educational institutions and hospitals to relocate to sites at least 500 metres away.
Various pieces of legislation, including the Law on Alcohol Beverages and Law on Education, prohibits the sale of alcoholic beverages near nine categories of premises, however, they are not enforced.
The prime ministerial order is being drawn up to address and resolve public complaints on the presence of recreational facilities that have opened establishments in inappropriate locations.
To avoid causing further deterioration to the country’s water resources, National Assembly members have prompted for urgent efforts to be taken over the discharge of sewage into the water supply.
The National Assembly made their position clear on the amendment to the Law on Water and Water Resources, at the ongoing National Assembly (NA) session earlier this week.
At the session, Article No. 28 of the law, concerning permission for waste water discharge, along with the Hongxeng and Hongsak drainage system was discussed.
As representatives explained, the Hongxeng and Hongsak channel was a major cause for concern, due to the amount of sewage spewing into the water source caused by the release of wastewater.
NA member for Luang Prabang province, Mr Thongchanh Manixay, spoke about the situation in Hongxeng, stating that the channel was filled with untreated sewage water that severely posed a threat to the local environment.
“Before, many people wanted to live alongside this channel but now everyone wants to move away,” he said, adding that the sewage was contributed by every household.
Assembly member for Vientiane, Mr Bounthong Phammachanh, commented that the direct release of wastewater from households should be prohibited. He suggested that permission for wastewater discharge should be requested by individuals and legal entities through alphabetical application and should expire within one year, rather than the two years stipulated in the amendment.
NA member for Attapeu province, Ms Phonmany Khienxayavong, stated that the treatment of wastewater from all businesses should be mandatory.
Assembly member for Xayaboury province, Mr Phek Ondavong, described the situation in his own province, saying many development projects and factories have also had a negative impact on the environment and water resources there. Adding that Article No. 28 should detail the impact of each type of waste water discharge and to stipulate the permission that should be given.
Aside from the environmental situation in urban areas, Assembly members also voiced the negative impact of mining projects on the environment in more remote areas.
Assembly member for Vientiane province, Mr Khambong Khonsavanh, demanded decisive measures be implemented against offenses relating to the contamination of water, stressing that it was a critical factor in safe human habitats.
He indicated loopholes in law enforcement, giving an example where government officials previously investigated a pig farm in the province, following public complaints about the discharge of wastewater from the farm into a nearby river.
“The bad smell of the pig excrement disappeared when officials received enough money,” Mr Khambong said. “No appeal should be allowed for those charged with water resource-related offences.”
The world finally catches up to what Laos does best, writes MICK SHIPPEN.
Hemmed in by culinary giants Thailand, Vietnam and China, the cuisine of Laos has never enjoyed the attention it deserves, but one Vientiane chef is determined to change all that.
In this fast-paced world of ours, some things are still best enjoyed slowly. For Ponpailin Kaewduangdy, known to her friends as Noi, this means food: from the selection of fresh and seasonal local produce, to respect for traditional recipes, and most importantly, the pleasure of an unhurried home-cooked meal shared with friends and family.
Noi is the owner and chef of Doi Ka Noi, a unique restaurant that serves a small, daily-changing menu of authentic Lao cuisine. She is also the first and currently only Lao member of the global food movement, Slow Food. “When I found out about Slow Food, I was excited,” says Noi. “Here was an organisation that truly reflected my philosophy towards food and life.”
The grassroots organisation, Slow Food, was founded in 1989 by Carlo Petrini to prevent the disappearance of local food cultures and traditions, counteract the rise of fast life and combat people’s dwindling interest in the food they eat, where it comes from and how our food choices affect the world around us. Today, Slow Food has grown into a global movement involving millions of people in more than 160 countries, all working to help ensure we have access to good, clean and fair food. For Noi, its aims and values are particularly pertinent for modern-day Laos.
Noi with Carlo Petrini, president and founder of Slow Food
“Our country is developing quickly and as much as I welcome this, it is already clear that our food culture and traditions are being threatened by changing lifestyles and the power of food industry.”
When Noi’s colourful restaurant opened last year, she quickly gained a reputation for her daily-changing menu of authentic Lao food. Last year, she was delighted to receive an invitation to attend Slow Food’s biennial event, Terra Madre del Gusto in Turin, northern Italy.
“Lao food is not well known outside our country. As the first Lao person to attend the event, I was extremely proud,” she says. “This was an opportunity to present my food and culture to the world. I was also able to meet cooks, farmers and activists from around the globe, all with an interest in food traditions and the issues we face. I found the whole experience to be empowering.”
While in Turin, Noi cooked food in the Asia and Oceania Kitchen. “My menu included oua hua si kai, lemongrass stuffed with pork, glass noodles and herbs served with jaew mak len, a spicy chili and tomato dip, and kai pen, fried Luang Prabang river weed.” Noi laughs when she says she had to send her proposed menu to Slow Food in advance, but when she arrived in Turin it had been change to ‘pork stuffed with lemongrass’.
“Obviously, they thought I had made a typing error and that it wasn’t possible to stuff slender stalks of lemongrass with pork. All the other chefs in the kitchen were amazed when I cut and concertinaed the slender stalks and filled them with pork.”
The Slow Food organisation has also been instrumental in the creation of the Ark of Taste, which maps and researches traditional food products in order to promote and safeguard biodiversity, while also supporting small-scale producers. Noi recently nominated kai pen river weed, and is delighted that is was accepted as an Ark of Taste product.
“Laos has many indigenous products worthy of protection, and I intend to nominate several others,” she says.
A highlight of her time at Terra Madre del Gusto was meeting Carlo Petrini, the founder and president of Slow Food.
“Carlo is a food hero and an inspiration to thousands of people around the world,” she says.
As the first Lao member, Noi asked him what she could do to help promote the movement when she returned home to Vientiane. “He told me I should continue to celebrate the diversity of Lao food and indigenous culture, and to connect with farmers and producers. He added that it was always important to work with joy in my heart, and that with my passion for Lao food and my beautiful smile I would conquer many people,” she recalls. “I am not embarrassed to tell that it was a heartfelt and emotional moment for me that brought tears to my eyes.”
Bolstered by her experience, Noi returned to Laos full of ideas for Doi Ka Noi and her distinctive cuisine.
[ngg_images source=”galleries” container_ids=”24″ override_thumbnail_settings=”1″ thumbnail_width=”100″ thumbnail_height=”75″ thumbnail_crop=”1″ images_per_page=”20″ number_of_columns=”0″ ajax_pagination=”0″ show_all_in_lightbox=”0″ use_imagebrowser_effect=”0″ show_slideshow_link=”0″ slideshow_link_text=”[Show slideshow]” template=”/home4/laotiantimes/public_html/wp-content/plugins/nextgen-gallery/products/photocrati_nextgen/modules/ngglegacy/view/gallery.php” order_by=”sortorder” order_direction=”ASC” returns=”included” maximum_entity_count=”500″ display_type=”photocrati-nextgen_basic_thumbnails”]“In recent years, the food scene in Vientiane has changed and not necessarily for the better. Sure, there is more choice but our own cuisine is becoming debased by fads for fusion, the influence of neighbouring Thailand, an influx of fast food and international restaurants, chefs using poor quality ingredients, liberal use of MSG and stock powders, and a young generation that has little interest in its own food,” she asserts.
What I discovered at Terra Madre del Gusto is that I am not alone in believing that my food culture is worth defending.There are millions of people around the world fighting to uphold culinary traditions and biodiversity. Here in Vientiane, I have loyal customers who understand what I am trying to do and I am very grateful for their support and encouragement.
Word about Noi and her delicious food is certainly spreading. Just last month, Timm Vladimir, the Danish celebrity chef, two-time Masterchef winner, cookbook author TV host and passionate foodie, was in Vientiane as an advocate for the charity CARE, and Noi spent a memorable day teaching him the secrets of Lao food.
At Doi Ka Noi, the celebrity chef discovered that all ingredients are bought fresh from the market each morning, soups and stocks are made the old-fashioned way without the need for MSG, and sausages are home-made. Depending on the season, the daily changing menu of just seven or eight items can include ingredients dok krajeow wild ginger flowers, a tiny but flavourful mushroom called hed bee that grows on tamarind trees and is only available for a few weeks a year, pak koot foraged fiddlehead fern tops, and others used in dishes rarely found elsewhere. Noi is a passionate and intuitive chef, and Doi Ka Noi is clearly much more than a commercial venture. It reflects her history and her outlook on life today.
“I learnt to cook as a young girl at my late grandmother’s side. The recipes I use every day are tangible memories and a celebration of my love for her,” she says.
Noi grew up in a rural subsistence farming community in Khammouane Province, and while now a modern city lady, she loves to tend the herbs and vegetables growing in the Doi Ka Noi garden. Provenance and traceability are increasingly important to her and she hopes to source more produce from organic local farmers. “It will be a slow process of natural development. But all the better for it,” she says.
In a celebration of culture and cooperation between the strengthening partnership of Laos and China, 150 talented performers between the two countries, premiered an impressive stage production called “Kampha and the Ivory Princess” on May 9th at the the National Cultural Hall.
“Kampha and the Ivory Princess” is based on a local Lao fable which was modified for the stage. Reviewed as “a romantic legend of poignant love set in a luxuriant dream-like landscape redolent of the quaint beauty of Lao culture”, the play describes the battle between justice and injustice while also showcasing the art and culture of Laos as well as the melancholy, romantic love between Kampha and the Ivory Princess.
The play’s dramatic stage and beautiful production was a result of teamwork between the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism’s and a local company in China. The partnership encouraged all participants from both countries to exchange, promote, preserve and develop art and culture between Laos and China.
With a total of six scenes and a running time of 90 minutes, the play features the work of 100 performers from all across Laos and 50 additional performers from China. The Chinese company backing the play also hosted and trained 50 performers from Laos in the performing arts for 45 days in China.
The premier of “Kampha and the Ivory Princess” drew top national figures, including the Minister of Information, Culture, and Tourism and over 700 officials, honoured guests and Vientiane residents.
Though no date has been set on how long the performance will be available for viewing, guests can catch the production every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at the National Culture Hall at 7:30 PM until further notice.
Front row tickets cost 300,000 kip, middle and back row tickets cost 200,000 kip and 150,000 kip respectively.
The National Assembly has voiced their opinion, opposing just one solitary judge presiding over court cases, big or small.
During the ongoing NA session on Wednesday, National Assembly members declared their stance at the debate on the amendment, emphasizing that having a solitary judge overseeing a case is an easy path to unjustified judgments.
The draft amendment stipulates that only one judge is required to sit for deliberation on small cases – those cases relating to minor economic value or cases in which the plaintiff or defendant pleads guilty – however, the draft does not stipulate what constitutes a “small” case.
Assembly member for Phongsaly province, Mr Chansy Sengsomphou, declared that he would like a minimum of three to five judges to sit in court, with a maximum of five to seven judges.
“To ensure this theory complies with the actual circumstances, I would like many parties to participate in the process, to give their views and opinions so this will be more scientific and there will be clear translations of the law and the issues,” he stated.
Mr Chansy reminded participants in the debate, that mistakes have occurred in past judgments and court rulings, while insufficient personnel has been claimed by the sector as the cause for these decisions every time.
To prevent loopholes from being created by other officials, National Assembly member for Vientiane province, Ms Buavanh Thammavong, asked for clarification on what was considered a “small case”.
She was also in full support of Mr Chansy’s notion of collective decision making, agreeing that the current number of personnel was inadequate and suggesting that number should increase as personnel development continues.
An Assembly member for Oudomxay province, Mr Khamsaphon Xayavong, stated that he wanted the entire components of the court to be in place for any lawsuits, regardless of being ‘big’ or ‘small’.
He explained that people would be uncertain as to which cases would be classified as small, pointing out that even though three judges have sat for previous lawsuits, rulings were still sometimes in doubt.
“A single judge will bring public criticism and will cause people to distrust the justice system,” he said, adding “I propose that we remove this stipulation, which allows a single judge, from this law.”
NA member for Attapeu province, Mr Leth Xayaphone, spoke about the development of the law and regulations to facilitate the justice process and ensure justice for all parties.
However, he added that the new stipulation that allows a solitary judge, was against the concept of collective decision making and other principles of trial procedures.