Home Blog Page 6198

Thailand Hopes to Attract Affluent Lao Tourists

By
Laotian Times
-
Thailand Hopes to Attract Affluent Lao Tourists

Thailand will push health and wellness tourism and shopping to attract high-income tourists from Laos.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) plans to team up with Thai private hospitals and Lao influencers to promote the medical segment to high-income Lao tourists, Bangkok Post reported.

TAT will also partner with leading retailers such as Big C Supercenter, Central Group and The Mall Group to offer special deals for Lao customers at cross-border and Bangkok stores for a specified period.

The agency identified politicians, government officers and a new generation of businessmen as the drivers of Thai tourism from Laos. About 100,000 Lao tourists include those with high incomes.

Tourists in this group spend about THB 40,000-50,000 (USD 1320-1650 per) trip per person for a stay of four days, three nights, and they often come for shopping and beauty services. Other types of tourists spend an average of THB 30,000 (USD 990) per trip with the same length of stay, the paper noted.

Affluent Lao tourists usually travel from Vientiane to Thailand by crossing the border at Nong Khai province. Some visit the city of Udon Thani in Thailand before heading to other destinations such as Bangkok or Phuket.

Thailand saw a record-high 2 million visitors from Los in the first 11 months of this year, generating THB 50 billion (USD 1.64 billion). TAT believes the figure would grow by 5 percent from the previous year and 8 percent next year.

Lao J-Pop Girl Group LaoNavy Performs in Japan

By
Laotian Times
-
Lao J-Pop Girl Group LaoNavy Performs in Japan

Remember LaoNavy, the J-pop group from Laos who performed on Japanese Culture Day in Vientiane in September?

LaoNavy has now made its very first Japanese debut. The group performed in Japan for the first time in the western city of Kumamoto, the same city that will soon see flights from Lao Airlines connecting it with Laos.

LaoNavy, which consists of seven Lao girls aged between 14 and 21, is produced and managed by a Japanese businessman based in Vientiane who hopes to lay out the foundation of a platform that nurtures more girl groups in the country.

LaoNavy performing at Vientiane Center
LaoNavy performing at Vientiane Center

By their look and the style of performance, the group hopes to follow the footstep of the mega-hit girl band in Japan, AKB48.

At their performance in Kumamoto, LaoNavy wore their signature navy-blue costumes, singing two songs in Lao and Japanese.

LaoNavy are to visit the Kumamoto prefectural government office this week, according to a report by NHK.

T’way Air to Launch New Route between Korean city Daegu and Vientiane

By
Laotian Times
-
T’way Air to Launch New Route between Korean city Daegu and Vientiane

South Korean low-cost airline T’way Air is to launch a new route to connect the South Korean city of Daegu and the Lao capital Vientiane.

The new route will be launched on December 26 and operate twice a week. As a trial, the airline will operate the new route until February 27 next year.

Daegu is a city in North Gyeongsang Province with about 2.465 million people.

T’way Air is currently operating two routes connecting South Korea and Laos.

One route between Incheon and Vientiane runs seven days a week while another route between Busan and Vientiane operates twice a week, namely on Wednesday and Saturday.

Korean tourism to Laos has grown in recent years, and in 2018, a total of 174,405 South Korean citizens visited Laos, a two percent increase from the previous year.

In his latest visit to South Korea, Lao Thongloun Sisoulith said he hoped more South Koreans would visit Laos and try different locations while experiencing the country’s unique historical and cultural heritage.

Cold Weather Set to Continue in Laos

By
Laotian Times
-
Cold Weather Set to Continue in Laos

The much anticipated cool season has begun in earnest, with temperatures in some regions set to drop as low as 3 degrees Celcius by the end of the week.

The Lao Meteorology and Hydrology Department has warned that a cold front moving across the country will see temperatures dropping to as low as 5-7 C in northern Laos. Heavy fog and some strong winds are expected to accompany the cooler temperatures.

The public has been urged to prepare for cooler weather, and ensure warm clothes and blankets are at the ready.


Temperatures in Vientiane Capital may decrease by a further few degrees during the evenings, dropping as low as 9 degrees by Saturday night.

Southern Laos will see colder nights and early morning fog, with minimum temperatures as low as 14C forecast, accompanied by strong winds.

Laos and Russia to Hold Laros 2019 Joint Military Exercises

By
Laotian Times
-
Laos and Russia to Hold Laros 2019 Joint Military Exercises
Laros 2019 Russian Lao Military Exercises

The first Russian-Lao military exercises, Laros 2019, will take place in Laos from 10-19 December.
A total of 500 troops from Russia and Laos will join the exercises.

Russia is to delegate tank crews from a mechanized infantry group based in the Transbaikal region’s Eastern Military District.

A spokesman for the Russian Eastern Military District, Alexander Gordeyev, was quoted by the Russian News Agency as saying the militaries of the two countries held a conference on organizing and holding the military exercises, agreeing upon the title “Laros-2019” for the event.

During the exercises, the contingents will share experiences in the use of battle equipment in forest, swamp and mountainous terrain, and practice the techniques of joint operations in the jungle.

The Lao military will provide the Russian troops with T-72MS tanks, armored reconnaissance vehicles, machine guns and automatic rifles for the duration of the exercises.

One of the joint drills’ main objectives is to expand bilateral military cooperation, including in the fight against international terrorism.

Some 30 Soviet WWII-era T-34 battle tanks were sent from Laos to Russia in January this year, with the fully combat-ready tanks to be used in Russian military parades, after Laos retired them from active service.

Miss Universe Laos 2019 Unveils National Costume

By
Laotian Times
-
Miss Universe Laos 2019 Unveils National Costume
Miss Universe Laos

The Miss Universe Laos 2019 public relations team has just released teaser images of the national costume design to be worn by May Vichitta as she competes in the international Miss Universe Pageant in the United States on December 9.

The full national dress costume presentation consists of two parts: Miss Universe Laos in a stunning traditional pink silk sinh and pa bieng (scarf/shawl) emerging from a marvelous large pink elephant structure.

The design incorporates many elements of quintessentially Lao symbols like the elephant, the Champa flower, the sticky rice basket, the national flag, and the That Luang Grand Stupa.

“The elephant is the national symbol of Laos. A strong, kind and magnificent creature, similar to traits found within our country and people. In our lifetimes, some of us may never encounter some of the wonders of the world such as the marvelous rainforests or the majestic Lao elephant. Future generations may never have the opportunity to see these marvels. Like the rainforest, our elephants are sadly disappearing at a rapid rate due to the ravages of mankind,” says Tot Lina, head of the Miss Universe Laos public relations team.

“Even if we have never been to the Amazon, or met an elephant up close, we can still feel the pain of losing nature to the devastation of wildfire and climate change. We must unite together, no matter what country we are from, to help our Earth. Our animals and forests have no voices, so we must campaign together and speak out to protect and preserve them,” adds Tot Lina.

This year’s costume is markedly different from that of last year’s Miss Universe representative, which was inspired by the Kinnaree creature of Southeast Asian mythology.

The activities of Miss Universe Laos competing in America is being closely followed by Lao fans from all over the world.

Just a few days ago, dozens of Atlanta-based Lao fans surprised Miss Universe at the airport and showered her with support and commendation.

Survey Shows Favorable View of China’s Belt and Road Initiative

By
Laotian Times
-
Survey Shows Favorable View of China’s Belt and Road Initiative

A new survey has revealed that people generally view China’s Belt and Road Initiative favorably, categorizing the BRI as a net “opportunity” for their home countries.

The S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS) in Singapore conducted an online survey from June 20 to July 19, in which more than 1,200 Asian “opinion leaders” were invited to respond. Asian opinion leaders were defined as policymakers, academics, businesses, and media practitioners from 26 Asian countries that have signed a Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) agreement with China.

From Laos, a total of 12 respondents participated, including nine government officials and three academia.

The Belt and Road Initiative, officially unveiled in 2013, is China’s landmark foreign and economic policy initiative to achieve improved connectivity, regional cooperation, and economic development on a trans-continental scale. China has promoted the BRI as a cooperative initiative that will lead to a win-win situation for both China and BRI partner countries.

Findings

Among the BRI’s five objectives, respondents generally felt that achieving infrastructure connectivity and unimpeded trade are more relevant to their countries than financial integration, policy coordination, and people-to-people relations, according to RSIS.

On infrastructure types, respondents said energy, transport, and industrial infrastructure should receive the most focus in Asia, according to the school.

In addition, the majority of the respondents felt that the BRI provides a platform for BRI countries to attract trade, investment, and tourists from China and elsewhere. They also expected the BRI to stimulate economic growth and technological advancement while closing infrastructure gaps, RSIS added.

Meanwhile, better political relations with China due to the initiative was also highlighted by close to three-fifths of the respondents as a key benefit although respondents expressed concerns over potential downsides like China’s influence expansion, influx of Chinese migrant workers, the projects’ environmental implications, lack of technology transfer opportunities, and risks related to debt overhang, said the school.

Overall, the respondents viewed the Belt and Road Initiative favorably, RSIS said, adding that the opinion leaders who categorized the BRI as a net “opportunity” significantly outnumbered those who saw the BRI as a “net risk”.

To ensure the success of the project, respondents said enhancing transparency, offering more capacity building and local employment, adapting the BRI to specific needs of foreign partners, and allowing non-Chinese contractors to bid for projects top the list of recommendations for Beijing, according to the school.

As for their home governments, the respondents felt that they should focus on good governance, negotiate with China for best possible terms, make sure the BRI fits in a national infrastructure development strategy, perform due diligence, and be level with the general public about the pros and cons of the BRI if they were to make the most of the BRI, RSIS added.

From Landlocked to Land-linked

The Vientiane Times reported in April that the Lao President Bounnhang Vorachit “voiced the Lao government’s support for the China-led Belt and Road Initiative, saying the global project will help to transform Laos from being landlocked into a land link.”

His remarks were reportedly made at a conference where a total of 37 heads of state and government, the UN Secretary-General and representatives from international organizations attended to review the implementation of the initiative.

At that time, the paper quoted President Bounnhang as saying that the initiative was in line with the Lao government’s policy to transform itself from being a landlocked country into a land link within the region.

President Bounnhang also said the Belt and Road Initiative was compatible with the Lao government’s policy because the country was plowing ahead with its renovation policy after opening its doors to the outside world in 1986.

He added the Lao government viewed the initiative as being based on mutual benefit and cooperation, adding that in light of this development concept Laos believes the initiative will bring peace, stability, and prosperity to the region.

Vientiane Times also noted that one of the notable ways in which Laos is benefiting from the initiative is China’s support for the Lao-China railway.

The planned 417-km railway, which connects Lao capital Vientiane with the Chinese border, traverses the provinces of Vientiane, Luang Prabang, Oudomxay and Luang Namtha, passing through 75 tunnels with a combined length of 197.83km.

The opening of the railway is expected to be in 2021.

Thai E-Sports Firm Raises Funds to Expand in Southeast Asia, Laos

By
Laotian Times
-
Thai E-Sports Firm Raises Funds to Expand in Southeast Asia, Laos

Bangkok-based startup Infofed has received JPY 5 million ($45,700) from Japanese gaming media company GameWith, with a plan to expand in several Southeast Asian countries, including Laos.

Founded in 2015, Infofed provides a one-stop solution for game providers, consumer brands, and esports communities through its online and offline platforms.

The company operates eArena, an online platform for professional gamers to generate and manage content and organize competitive gaming matches. It also hosts events and tournaments through its offline platform in Thailand.

Infofed plans to use the new funds to expand its presence in Southeast Asia. It is set to enter Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos in 2020.

Meanwhile, GameWith said it is the first time for the firm to invest in the e-sports industry in Southeast Asia. Still, it fully intends to explore more opportunities while supporting Infofed if the Thai company decides to enter the Japanese market in the future.

1...6,1976,1986,199...6,500Page 6,198 of 6,500