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Controversial Thai Singer Invades Vang Vieng

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Laotian Times
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Earlier this year, Thai country singer Lumyai Hai Thongkam made national news by attracting negative attention from Thai General Prayuth Chan-ocha, for her sexually provocative dance moves and outfits.

The teen is now back with a new music video and fresh critiques, this time from Lao people. Her sexual dance moves accompanied by a skimpy gold outfit, set against a serene Vang Vieng backdrop has sparked debate amongst Laotians worldwide.

In the video, 18 year-old Lumyai performs with country artist, Charoenpan Phrakanyai, as Vang Vieng’s infamous mountain backdrop looms behind them.

Although her video “Plaa Kor Yai Viagra” (Snakehead Fish Viagra) was shot back in May, the controversial music video is just now making waves with Laotians across the globe.

Posted last week to a Lao-language Facebook page, another provocative MV shot in Vang Vieng drew a slew of negative comments, many of which complained that bikinis were inappropriate in a conservative country like Laos. However, some defended the video debating that Lumyai was promoting tourism in the small town located north of Vientiane.

Some of the comments criticized the Thai singer, questioning if the culture was studied before arriving to film the video, while others saw no problem. One Youtube user argued, “It’s so hard to be born a Thai, people are always criticizing you for this and that. Have you actually ever been to Vang Vieng yourself? Farangs are in bikinis everywhere. Do you commentators wear traditional Thai costumes to the beach?”

With so much negative criticism hailing from her image, the teen singer has before stated, “Sometimes I wear a jean jacket to dance, and the organizer will say that I don’t look like Lumyai if I cover up too much. I have to dress sexy, or people will forget me.”

Her manager, Thanassorn Phutinan, explained that toning Lumyai’s image down would be a detriment to her brand as fans associate her with her glittering gold bikinis or hot pants. He stated, “We don’t mean to have her dress revealingly, but sometimes the organizers who hire us will threaten to pay only half if she doesn’t change clothes.”

Lumyai, whose real name is Supansa Wetkama, grew up poor in the Thai countryside. She immigrated with her family from Roi Et to Bangkok, where she helped her grandma sell candy as a child. She got into the Salaya Performing Arts school after sixth grade and started working as a luk thung (country) singer to support her family.

Her most popular song “Phu Sao Kha Lor” (“Party Girl”), was released in November and racked up more than 200 million views in the span of three months. Gen.Prayuth Chan-ocha has repeatedly criticized her image and performances, sometimes even dispatching police to her concerts to cover her up.

 

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Asia’s Largest Independent Communications Network Looking to Expand in 2018

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Laotian Times
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Sengdara Communications Renews Commitment to Go Group
Sengdara Communications Renews Commitment to Go Group

Siem Reap (Cambodia) – The GO Group, Asia’s largest independent public relations, marketing and strategic communications network held a leadership summit for its associates from member agencies at the Sokha Angkor Resort in Siem Reap, Cambodia.

The summit’s agenda included, among others, networking between affiliate agencies and associates to foster stronger connections and solidify cross-national exchange of knowledge and resources, including exploring new concepts, insights and methodologies to gain better, more innovative and effective ways to serve clients.

“We are truly excited to be hosting our counterparts from the GO Group right here in Cambodia,” said Sisopheak Siet, Managing Director of Active Communications.

“We truly believe this to be a great place to hold the summit. Besides being centrally located by affiliate agencies in the group, Cambodia has also in recent times been an incredible emerging market for brands, with growing maturity in the area of communications. It has also provided the opportunity for delegates to step out of their regular routine and group together and learn from each other – and what an incredible way to hold this summit, against the backdrop of one of the world’s most famous landmarks and largest religious monument in the world – the Angkor Wat,” he added.

The summit saw the convergence of numerous executives from affiliate agencies across the region. Currently, the GO Group, headquartered in Malaysia’s GO Communications comprises affiliated agencies in Singapore, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Philippines, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Japan, India, China and Hong Kong.

Go Group Summit Delegates, Siem Reap, Cambodia
Go Group Summit Delegates, Siem Reap, Cambodia

“The GO Group consists of the best local agencies in each market with a deep cultural understanding of their respective clients and media landscape. The concept of coming together on an annual basis allows the group a platform for an exchange of knowledge and further solidify our network policies and strategies to take to market as a powerful force. Our thanks go out to Sisopheak and his team for putting this together, and we’re confident that it will be an extremely beneficial time for all who attend,” said Peter de Kretser, CEO of GO Communications and Director of the GO Group.

“While we seek to share and learn from each other about our experiences in different sectors, we also seek to strengthen our offering to clients including building our digital capabilities. We are truly fortunate to have a great working relationship with our network agencies and have seen the group growing a number of regional clients,” he added.

He also stated that the group is looking into plans to expand beyond the Asian region by extending its reach to Australia, United Kingdom and the United States.

“It’s absolutely incredible to be in the Kingdom of Wonder and to see the magnificence that is the Angkor Wat. As one of the newer members to jump on board the Go Group, Laos’s Sengdara Communications is particularly proud to be a part of Asia’s largest independent marketing network. We would like to renew our commitment to the Group and look forward to welcoming more members in the near future,” says Viroun Sengdara, Managing Director of Sengdara Communications, one of the newest members of the Go Group.

More information about the GO Group can be found at www.gocomm.com.my.

Laos and Vietnam Bolster Ties on Shared Border

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Laotian Times
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Lao-Vietnam Border

During a conference between the Attapeu and Sekong province chapters of the Lao Front for National Construction and the Kon Tum chapter of the Vietnam Fatherland Front on November 16, both countries reached a consensus on maintaining efforts to build a Vietnam-Laos borderline of peace, friendship and cooperation.

Speaking at the conference, an official of the Vietnam Fatherland Front urged the three provinces’ front organisations to continue coordinating seamlessly in an effort to enhance close cooperation in the implementation of the Vietnam-Laos borderline of peace, friendship, cooperation agreement and development during 2017-2020.

Participants at the event agreed to routinely exchange information and experiences in front work, continue promoting the bilateral friendship and solidarity among local people, particularly those in border districts, and encourage locals to get involved in maintaining security and order in border areas.

Vietnam pledged to coordinate with relevant agencies and businesses in organizing market-days in border areas to introduce its products to Lao locals.

The Attapeu and Sekong provinces shares a 142km border with  Vietnam’s Kon Tum province.

China Invests in Lao Students

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Laotian Times
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With China and Laos’ bilateral ties proving to be stronger than ever, China has opened its borders to hundreds of Lao students through scholarships, giving Lao youths the chance to experience China’s culture, education and development first-hand.

Over 1,300 Lao students have been granted fully-funded Chinese Government Scholarship (CGS) between 1990 and 2016, a figure that exceeds all other ASEAN countries.

According to the Chinese ambassador to Laos, the number of Lao students in China exceeded 9,900 in 2016, ranking Laos as one of the biggest source countries for international students in China.

With adequate mandarin language proficiency and professional knowledge in their respective fields, there is anticipation by both governments that students returning to Laos will play a constructive role in future bilateral cooperation.

To find out more about CGS please click here.

Source:ECNS

Photo: KPL

PM Thongloun Joins 31st ASEAN Summit

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Laotian Times
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On Monday, November 13th, Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith attended the 31st ASEAN Summit held in Manila, the Philippines.

Themed ‘Partnering for Change, Engaging the World’, ASEAN leaders reviewed the implementation of ASEAN Community Vision 2025, three ASEAN Community blueprints and visions to strengthen the ASEAN Community.  

They encouraged all relevant sectors to continue implementing the blueprints and actions plans successfully and effectively, thus contributing to the implementation of ASEAN Community Vision 2025.

During Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith’s address, he highlighted the achievements ASEAN has recorded over the past 50 years, the strengthening of ASEAN centred role and the promotion of access to credit among micro, small and medium enterprises, and the narrowing of development gap as well as ASEAN connectivity through the implementation of the 3rd Initiative for ASEAN Integration and ASEAN Connectivity Blueprint 2025.

The discussion at the meeting also focused on the cooperation between ASEAN and dialogue partners, and regional and international issues of common interest, especially situation in the Middle East, Korean peninsular, terrorism, and refugee disasters.

The Prime Minister also attended the 20th ASEAN-China Summit, the ASEAN-US 40th Anniversary Commemorative Summit, the 19th ASEAN-Republic of Korea Summit, the 20th ASEAN-Japan Summit and the 9th ASEAN-United Nations Summit.

The leaders of ASEAN and dialogue partners agreed to strengthen ASEAN-China cooperation, especially through the comprehensive implementation of ASEAN-China Free Trade Agreement in order to achieve ASEAN-China trade value of US$ 1 trillion by 2020, enhance connectivity cooperation and ​promote tourism and people to people exchange​.

ASEAN and China leaders agreed to designate innovation as the focus of the cooperation between ASEAN and China in 2018, and to draft the 2030 Vision for China-ASEAN Strategic Partnership.

ASEAN and U.S. leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening win-win cooperation, especially on security, trade, education, youth exchange. ASEAN leaders noted that the U.S. under the new leadership has continued to attach importance to the ASEAN-US relations and considered ASEAN as a priority of its external policy.

​At the 19th ASEAN-R. Korea Summit, leaders expressed their satisfaction on the implementation of ASEAN-R. Korea Cultural Exchange Year 2017 ​and the establishment of ASEAN Cultural Centre in Busan, R. Korea to promote cultural exchange and mutual understanding and people to people exchange between the two regions.

ASEAN and Korean leaders highly valued trade and investment cooperation between ASEAN and the Republic of Korea and reiterated the importance of the cooperation among micro, small and medium enterprises, the capacity building of ASEAN businesses, cooperation to narrow development gap and connectivity.

ASEAN and Japanese leaders reaffirmed at their 20th summit commitment to strengthen cooperation on connectivity, narrowing development gap, capacity building, human resource development, youth exchange, health and disaster relief efforts.

They welcomed Japan’s initiative to strengthen cooperation with ASEAN on the development of quality infrastructure, women empowerment, environment, health, and SME development. ​

ASEAN and UN leaders expressed their commitment to continue strengthening cooperation to promote peace, stability and cooperation for regional and international development.

They agreed to strengthen the collaboration between the two secretariats to ensure the implementation of ASEAN Community Vision 2025 and Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development.

Both sides also exchanged points of view on regional and international issues of common interest.

Prime Minister Thoungloun also attended a meeting between leaders of ASEAN+Three and the East Asia Business Council, where representatives of the business community from participating countries presented issues related to strengthening participation of the business sector in Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership.

Prime Minister Thongloun also had separate bilateral meetings with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on Nov 12, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, Vietnamese counterpart Nguyen Xuan Phuc and UN Secretary General António Guterres.

Source: KPL

Officials say Visit Laos-China Year 2019 Likely to Happen

By
Laotian Times
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With Visit Laos Year 2018 officially launched, talks of possibly introducing a Visit Laos-China Year 2019 have arose.

A minister has confirmed that Lao officials have discussed with their Chinese counterparts to push forward a plan to jointly introduce Visit Laos-China Year 2019.

The Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism, Prof. Dr Bosengkham Vongdara told the ongoing 4th Ordinary Session of the National Assembly’s 8th Legislature, “The launch of the Visit Laos-China Year 2019 campaign is highly possible.”

Chinese Ambassador to Laos, Wang Wentian, recently stated to Lao and Chinese media that thanks to the country’s long history, stunning scenery and fascinating attractions, combined with sincere and hospitable people who welcome visitors, Laos has a lot to offer foreign tourists.

Laos received an estimated 4.23 million visitors in 2016, and more than 700,000 were Chinese tourists on holiday.

Although Laos and China have both benefited from sound cooperation from tourism in past years, the ambassador highlighted that there was a potential to increase the number of Chinese visitors to Laos. Currently, an estimated 120 million Chinese take vacations abroad each year on average, and are dominating the global tourism market.

“If just one percent of Chinese outbound tourists came to Laos, the country would receive as many as 1.2 million Chinese visitors a year,” Ambassador Wang stated. In light of this potential, the ambassador said he initiated the idea of jointly launching Visit Laos-China Year 2019.

Though the initiative is still in its infancy stages and has yet to be approved, the ambassador remains confident that through the efforts of both sides, the proposal will be welcomed. He also mentioned that his embassy fully supports the concept and would assist in running a publicity campaign in China to promote Lao tourism, particularly during Visit Laos Year 2018.

“The proposed launch of Visit Laos-China Year 2019 is a lead-up to the completion of the Laos-China railway,” he added, referring to the slated completion date of 2021.

Ambassador Wang indicated that a promotion aimed at bringing more Chinese visitors to Laos would be the most effective use of the Laos-China railway.

Source: Asia News Network

City 2 Launches Public Transportation Trial Run

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Laotian Times
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Vientiane City-2-Buses

The Vientiane State Bus Enterprise (VSBE) will be initiating a trial run of their bus line running between Lao-ITECC and Talat Sao this week. From Wednesday, November 15th to Monday, December 4th bus riders can catch a ride to and from ITECC to Talat Sao, with eighteen stops in between, for just 4,000 LAK per one way trip.

The new division, named City 2, was announced earlier in the year, and has buses donated by Kyoto, Japan that will run three routes: the Airport Line (main landmark: Wattay Airport), Commuter Line (main landmark: Patuxay), and Community Line (main landmark: Lao-ITECC).

city bus 2 map
Click to enlarge

Buses will run every hour, from 7:00- 16:30, please click here for more information on routes, bus stops and times.

Source: Vientiane City 2 Bus Service

Laos Eliminates Minimum Registered Capital Requirement for Foreign Investment

By
Laotian Times
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Last week, the Ministry of Industry and Commerce issued a notification, No.2633/cabinet/MOIC to all Industry and Commerce offices in Vientiane Municipality, provinces and districts to strictly implement the dissolution of the minimum registered capital requirement for foreign investment in the activities under the General Business list such as; manufacturing factory, training provider, real estate, restaurant etc. However, a minimum registered capital is still required for certain activities under the Controlled Business List which are governed by specific sector regulations.

This is the first step towards enforcing the implementation of the Investment Law (amendment) No. 14/NA. The previous Investment law of 2009 required foreign investors to contribute a minimum registered capital of 1 billion kip, or 120,000 USD in order to establish a business in General Business. This has been eliminated by the new Investment Law 2016.

For more information visit: http://www.erm.gov.la/index.php/en/about-us

Source: ECCIL

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