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Laos’ PM Thongloun Confirms Hydropower Policy at WEF on ASEAN

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Laotian Times
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PM Confirms Laos Hydropower Policy
Laos' PM Thongloun joined by officials, delegates from Laos at World Economic Forum on ASEAN in Hanoi on September 12.

International experts continue investigative efforts alongside Lao regulators looking into the causes of the fatal Xe Pian Xe Nam Noy dam collapse in Attapeu province on July 23, Laos’ PM Thongloun on Wednesday confirmed to an audience of delegates from the ASEAN region and beyond in Vietnam’s capital Hanoi.

PM Thongloun’s response came in following the session moderator’s question on the topic at the World Economic Forum on ASEAN being held from September 11-13.

Speaking from a panel of Mekong government leaders including those from Cambodia, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam on topics including the 4th Industrial Revolution, the Prime Minister told the audience that the investigation was part of the ongoing response to the collapse and flash flood effects in Sanamxay District, Attapeu Province.

“At Xe Namnoy XePian hydro dam, that we are talking about in Attapeu province, this has not been completed and not exporting electricity yet,” Dr Thongloun said, speaking with the benefit of simultaneous interpretation from Lao to English.

“We have also invited experts to investigate the reason behind the collapse of the saddle dam.  After the incident in July, we have announced the suspension of new hydropower projects (and) we are also inspecting those projects under construction.”

While Prime Minister Thongloun reiterated his dismissal of the widely used “Battery of ASEAN” moniker as an overstatement of Laos potential, he said hydroelectric power generation and transmission capacity development for domestic and export use was still very significant to the nation’s present and future fortunes nonetheless.

“Laos cannot become a “battery of Asia” because our capacity to develop electricity in Laos, compared to the demand of ASEAN neighboring countries, is still very limited,” Dr Thongloun told the audience at the panel discussion.

“But Laos has the capacity to leverage this potential in terms of water resources in Laos. We can produce electricity that is sufficient for Laos and that can be exported to our neighbouring countries.”

As such, looking forward, the PM said the country needed to refocus efforts on the questions of better regulating the planning, design and implementation of hydropower with partners to ensure safety and favourable socio-economic outcomes.

“In terms of electricity development, we have this commitment to make sure that from now on development of hydropower projects should be based on careful planning and good design,” the PM said.

“In terms of project development especially mega projects, we have to involve regional and international stakeholders to join us in the study of project feasibility, such as under the MRC framework.”

“We have to ensure socio-economic aspects and the impact of the project potentials on society. However, building hydropower projects is a good way to generate income and renewable, clean energy.”

He highlighted the case of the World Bank-supported Nam Theun 2, located in Kammouan province, as a good example of best practice.

“We have good model projects such as Nam Theun 2 hydropower project. Nam Theun 2 was a project that started many years ago with many parties such as WB and other financiers and it has made great achievements. We have learned a lot from this project and also the incident in the Xe Pian/Xe Nam Noy hydropower project.

“The incident in July is something we will continue to take into account in terms of moving forward. Laos will continue to study other options for renewable and clean energy such as solar panels and wind turbines as sources of electricity production.”

South Koreans Latest To Get 30 days Visa-Free Travel in Laos

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Korean visitors at one of Laos' many spectacular waterfalls.

South Korean visitors, backpackers, business travellers, package tourists, honeymooners and independent adventurers alike can now stay in Laos for up to 30 days without a visa. Could your country be next?

Coming into force September 1, the extension was announced on Thursday, August 30 by the Lao Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA). The Government of Laos had agreed to grant the extension under the existing unilateral visa exemption agreement.

The extension to 30 days for more visitors is seen as a way to boost the tourism industry and fortunes of local communities and attractions countrywide in the current Visit Laos Year 2018 and beyond.

As Laotian Times has reported, South Korean visitors have proven to be a key market in Laos, with some 170,000 visitor arrivals in 2017.

Social media’s Instagram is increasingly populated with young fashionable Koren’s posts with the hashtag #라오스 (#Laos in Korea’s Hangul Script) numbering more than 270,000 posts to date.

A majority of Korean visitors continue to travel the well-honed Vientiane- Vang Vieng – Luang Prabang route, either in tour groups or as independent travellers.

The extension of visa-free status to 30 days duration is expected to permit more travellers from the Korean peninsula to spend more of their valuable time, won and kip in a broader range of tourism offerings across the culturally and bio-diverse, landlocked yet increasingly “land-linked” country, located at the heart of the Mekong sub-region

The move comes as Laos seeks to broaden the range of offerings and experiences available to visitors to the country including those making return visits.

The prospect of wealthy independent travellers with time to explore the country and spread the economic benefits widely is an attraction for tourism policymakers and businesses alike.

Some industry observers increasingly see 15-day limits as an unwelcome and unnecessary restriction to those visitors wishing to spend more time in the country or travel to the more rural or remote areas of Laos.

Lao tourist visas generally grant permission to the holder to spend 30 days consecutively in the country.

South Koreans now join travellers from most ASEAN nations as well as Mongolia with 30 days to spend in Laos sans visa. 

Travellers hailing from ASEAN’s Myanmar and Brunei can go visa-free in Laos for a fortnight while visitors from Japan, Russia, Switzerland and Luxembourg are able to enjoy visa-free in-country travel for 15 days.

Photo: K-Plus Entertainment

 

Luang Prabang Plays Host to Sustainable Tourism Solutions Expo

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Saving money or saving the planet? Either way, travel lovers, tourism industry professionals, and their suppliers will have more reasons to be in Luang Prabang from September 14-15.

Sustainable Tourism Solutions Expo will bring together hospitality businesses and vendors of sustainable products, technology, and services to descend on the UNESCO World Heritage-Listed town.

Billed as the first event of its kind in the region, the Sustainable Tourism Solutions Expo offers an opportunity for local businesses to learn about and purchase sustainable alternatives to traditional tourism and hospitality supplies, such as environmentally-friendly cleaning products and toiletries, plastic-free packaging, locally produced substitutes to imported food and beverages, and handmade gifts and decor.

The Expo is set to support the local hospitality and tourism sector by helping to create a tourism business environment that is more sustainable, cost-efficient and on top of today’s global market developments.

In addition to the opportunity to learn about sustainable solutions from exhibitors, there will be a range of interesting symposia to join on practical topics ranging from how businesses can better communicate sustainability efforts to how eco-friendly solutions can save money as well as the planet.

Sanamxay District Students Set for September School Return

By
Laotian Times
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unicef sanamxay children school

Students at schools across Laos have been heading back to hit the books, but those young scholars in Attapeu’s Sanamxay district are facing more hurdles than most in returning to regular educational routines.

Education was one of the sectors impacted by flash floods caused by the collapse of Xe Pian Xe Namnoy’s Saddle Dam D that severely damaged school buildings along with dwellings and other public and private community infrastructure on July 23 amid heavy rains from Storm Sonh Tinh that caused flooding across 10 provinces.

Sanamxay district’s students in higher grades are now headed back to school with the remainder of lower grade students to do so by the end of this month, an informal audience in the capital heard.

An informal update on UNICEF’s response in support of the Lao Ministry of Education and Sports in Sanamxay flood disaster relief efforts was offered by Deputy Representative of the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (Unicef Laos) Dr. Myo-Zin Nyunt to an interested audience at an event held at CBD venue Earth-Vientiane.

He said Unicef Laos has been working to improve the precarious situation of women and children in all shelters, focusing on water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), health, nutrition, education, and child protection.

Unicef at Earth Talks
Deputy Representative of the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (Unicef Laos) Dr. Myo-Zin Nyunt

Having returned to the capital from his second and most recent visit to the affected areas Tuesday joining the Minister of Education and Sports, the Deputy Representative said rains and the nature of the terrain and transport logistics continue to hamper land transport and access to relief camps in Attapeu’s Sanamxay district set up in the aftermath of the devastating flash floods.

“It’s really heartwarming to see children go back to school. It’s important that children, as soon as they can, get back to routines and normal, so they can really overcome psychological trauma and stress from this very unfortunate incident,” Dr. Myo-Zin Nyunt told the gathering.

“As you know many schools have been destroyed, many students are in camps where displaced people are many teachers also victims of this. Yet what I see is the people in solidarity with the ppl of Sananmxay, trying to help and support and bring back the community as much as and as soon as possible“.

“There is a strong commitment from ministry and minister that all schools, regardless of how much they were damaged, are to open by or at latest end of September”

The update comes as a rainy season of heavy downpours results in flooding at multiple locations across the country, testing local, provincial and national capabilities as well as stretching public finances.

Flash floods destroyed homes, schools, and critical infrastructure in Attapeu Province following the collapse of Saddle Dam D on 23 July 2018. Approximately 13,000 people have been affected, with over 4,000 evacuated to emergency shelters, according to the United Nations (United Nations in Lao PDR) figures.

Dr. Myo-Zin Nyunt’s talk at Earth-Vientiane may be viewed in two parts via https://www.facebook.com/uniceflaos/

Champs in Japan See Paralifters Pushed to New Limits

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Japan has been back in the news this week with furious winds and thundering shakes claiming a tragic toll in lives and property.

At the same time, a power of a different and more positive kind has been felt in the nation’s south.

Lao Paralympic weightlifters have been in Japan’s Oita prefecture on the southern island of Kyushu to compete at the Kitakyushu 2018 World Para-Powerlifting Asia Oceania Open Championship, which will be held from September 8th.

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Michelin-Starred Bangkok Restaurant Paste Prepares Luang Prabang Plates

By
Laotian Times
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While the conventional narrative about Luang Prabang is one of adoration and admiration, especially for the old town’s storied tranquility and architectural charms, the sleepy UNESCO World Heritage Listed city has as yet not been duly celebrated as a destination for international fine dining.

All that is set to change in November as the team of chefs behind the Michelin-starred Paste Bangkok open a fine dining experience at their restaurant specializing in Lao cuisine, marrying contemporary mores with the city and country’s own collated culinary wisdom.

Paste Bangkok’s celebrity Chef Bee Satongun and co-owner and husband Chef Jason Bailey — whose restaurant was awarded a Michelin star in the inaugural edition of the Bangkok Michelin Guide as well as recognized as one of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants in 2018 —  have set their eyes on Laos and Luang Prabang in particular.

Bee’s personal and historical connection to the country and region is enjoyed through the prism of her Hmong roots.

“I chose Laos because of its nature and the countryside, which I adore. At Paste, we use tremendous amounts of cultivated and wild ingredients. Plants, shoots, sprouts, flowers – you name it.”

“Our dishes will be based on Lao cuisine for the most part. The Hmong side of my cuisine manifests itself in the use of cultivated and foraged wild ingredients.”

“By smoking, curing, pickling, and fermenting over 100 different types of plant species, we will be making gastronomical strides into what was once purely reserved for the realm of medicine.”

“However, the cuisine of Paste, which is predominantly plant-based, will still be using a high variety and quality of meats and proteins.”

“We will employ modern scientific techniques such as extreme precision of temperature control and other cooking processes that are in accordance with scientific and international principles of gastronomy.”

Celebrity Thai/Lao Chef Bongkoch “Bee” Satongun (photo credit: Paste Laos FB Page)

Michelin-starred Paste Bangkok’s menu is essentially heirloom creative Thai cuisine, based at its core on numerous old Thai family recipes from 1870 to 1930.

Likewise, Paste Laos will be inspired by traditional recipes from Phia Sing’s book of dishes served at the Royal Palace in Luang Prabang over many generations.

These traditional dishes will be slightly updated to bring about a fresher appeal to modern audiences.

The new restaurant will also carry several signature dishes from Paste Bangkok.

“Over time, we will include some dishes from various ethnic minorities of Laos, because our creativity and menus are never set in stone and always remain in a state of flux year on year.”

Like the boutique hotel where the restaurant will be located, Paste at The Apsara will be sure to pay the greatest possible attention to detail.

As in Bangkok, the discerning diner in Luang Prabang will be pleased to take note of the processes taken to create memorable dishes with a focus on preserving old-fashioned ways where possible.

Sauces may contain over 20 layers of flavor and over 30 ingredients.

Culinary critics and connoisseurs hungrily await further detail on the menu set to be offered at Paste at the Apsara.

Fortunately, several stunning images have surfaced on social media with the hashtag #pastelaos that offer tantalizing teases to tempt the palate.

Meanwhile, owner of the Apsara, hotelier Ivan Scholte, has been in Luang Prabang since 2001.

Opening in 2002, the Apsara was Luang Prabang’s first foreign-owned hotel and was also the first boutique hotel of its time.

Hosting Laos’ first Michelin-caliber restaurant will no doubt add further luster to the ongoing allure of the Apsara.

Store and Conserve Water, Supply Authority Advises

By
Laotian Times
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Turbid Water Supply in Vientiane

The rain-swollen Mekong River and its sediments are affecting capacity to meet the daily demand for water in the Lao capital Vientiane and its surrounds, the water supply authority warns.

The State Water Supply Enterprise has called on Vientiane residents to conserve water and consider storing additional supplies for later use.

Vientiane’s water supplies are expected to be affected by the high levels of turbidity in the Mekong which exceed the production standards of water production plants, a public notice from the State Water Supply Enterprise dated Tuesday, September 6 informed.

“The Vientiane capital water supply state enterprise would like to inform employees, soldiers, police, citizens and businesspeople in Vientiane Capital that: the provision of water supply will be irregular because of high levels of turbidity, which may affect production and provision of the city’s water supply in some areas, with irregular or insufficient supply until the end of the rainy season.” the notice read.

“Therefore, citizens are urged to store water for household use until regular production can resume.”

“Therefore, this notice is to inform you and apologize for any inconvenience in the facilitation of water supply during this time.”

The warning comes as Luang Prabang continues to face challenges arising from a swollen Nam Khan River which rose to temporarily flood water supply production facilities at Phanom and at Phou Luang in Luang Prabang city last week.

“Regarding the water production facilities at Phou Pheung and Phou Xang Kham, these are still in regular service, but water supply within Luang Prabang City may face shortages in certain areas due to demand,“ a notice from the provincial Department of Public Works and Transport’s Water Supply State Enterprise (WSSE) on August 31 read.

Development of domestic capacities in the field of water supply for Laos’  Ministry and provincial departments of Public Works and Transport and WSSEs has long benefited from cooperation and expertise from Japan provided via the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

According to a JICA factsheet entitled “Safe and Sustainable Water Supply: From the water source to the tap”, the relatively turbid nature of rivers in the region provides additional challenges, and particularly as a result of extreme events.

“Many rivers in Asia are more turbid than Japanese rivers and necessitate different treatment and operation methods,” it reads.

“Reviewing the technology nurtured in Japan and developing it according to the overseas needs is an opportunity to improve the current technology.”

ANZ Laos Holds Food, Beverage and Agriculture Forum

By
Laotian Times
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ANZ Food Beverage Agriculture Forum

Improved domestic cross-border transport and logistics, coupled with widening and deepening demand for clean, green vegetables and fruit both in neighboring China and across the emerging economies of Asia presents a host of potential niche opportunities for Laos to capitalize upon, an audience in Vientiane has heard.

Laos’ geographical position, economic potential, road and rail transport development and relatively high rate of rural dwellers make the need for a more productive agricultural sector inevitable and imperative as well as desirable, the ANZ Food, Beverage and Agriculture Forum was told in the capital.

Despite updates on the risks from global economic headwinds on trade, the mood remained upbeat in Vientiane last week at the forum organised by the Lao institutional arm of the Melbourne, Australia headquartered ANZ Bank, one of Australia’s big four financial institutions.

Increased interest in the agriculture, food and beverage production sectors come at a time when Lao policy is attempting to walk a fine fiscal line, seeking increased investment into the landlocked country to make the most of opportunities afforded by improved regional transport and infrastructure links and the demand driven by consumer trends in much larger neighboring markets.

Existing strengths such as the country’s famed coffee and tea crops, and potentials such as milk production were important areas on which to focus, ANZ Agribusiness Insights head Mr Michael Whitehead told the forum.

High-quality products based on clean and green production and carefully niche targeting alongside the development of “Brand Lao / Brand Laos” were ways to thrive and prosper in a competitive global environment as consumer tastes and relative supply capacities continue to rapidly evolve across the region.

The forum saw attendance from Lao and international firms large, medium, small as were representatives of ministerial bodies, the diplomatic corps and international organizations.

Advice and experience of established firms in Laos was also aired and shared by business in the form of the Carslberg-invested Lao Brewery Company, producer of the popular Beerlao and Tigerhead Water brands as well as Lao franchisee for Pepsi Cola was joined by firms including Mekong Timber Plantations.

Hosted by Crowne Plaza Hotel Vientiane, forum attendees included Vice Minister of Industry and Commerce H.E. Phanthong Phitthoumma, Vice Minister of Finance, Mme Thipphakone Chanthavongsa, Vice President of LNCCI, Mr Daovone Phachanthavong, along with Australia’s Ambassador to the Lao PDR, Mr Jean-Bernard Carrasco.

Joining Mr Whitehead were ANZ’s Head of Food, Beverage and Agribusiness, Patrick Vizzone, and CEO ANZ Laos Rufus Pinto for the August 30 event.

Images: Laos Briefly

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