High-speed celebrity spotting went into overdrive at ITECC at the weekend as performers like Jo Jo Miracle, singer Aluna Thavansouk & model and actor Tot Lina joined the famous faces lining up for a spin in a Jaguar over the at Lao-ITECC.
Celebs & Famous Faces Among Line-up to Test Drive Jaguar in Lao Capital
T-shirts, Slander, Spelling & Official Dismissals – This Week in Lao Social Media
Laotian Times rounds up some of the highlights of the Lao social media scene for the week.
Centara to Open Three More Hotels in Laos in 2020
Centara, Thailand’s leading hospitality group led by Suthikiati Chirathivat, Chairman of the Board, has inked a management MOU with Asia Investment, Development & Construction Sole Co., Ltd (AIDC), a well-established investment and construction company in Laos. The agreement paves the way for Centara to enter into management agreements for three hotels in Laos with a combined total of 214 rooms in capital city Vientiane and historic destination Luang Prabang.
Suthikiati Chirathivat, Centara’s Chairman of the Board said: “This signing ceremony demonstrates our commitment to expansion in Asia as we continue to develop our portfolio internationally. With the expertise from a country leader in development like AIDC and Centara’s record of delivering and inspiring extraordinary guest experiences, we are very excited to be partnering for success on these three exciting projects in Laos”
The three hotels will be operated under three distinct brands in the Centara Hotels & Resorts portfolio: in close proximity to Luang Prabang airport and major tourist attractions will be Centara Grand, the upper upscale hotel comprising premium rooms, leisure and meeting facilities. Targeting the more cost-conscious traveller in Luang Prabang will be a Centra by Centara hotel, a quality value offering in a convenient city location whilst the latest COSI branded hotel will be arriving in Vientiane. COSI is the affordable lifestyle brand for the modern tech-savvy and connected traveller and it will offer a distinctive and localised experience in Vientiane.
Pheutsapha Phoummasak, President of AIDC Laos stated: “Luang Prabang and Vientiane are very popular destinations for both Thai and international travellers thanks to their perfect blend of historic legacy, wonderful sceneries and modern infrastructure. We are excited to partner with a Centara to bring their trusted brands to these cities and further promote the tourism potential of Laos.”
This latest development is in line with Centara’s impressive expansion strategy and will see Centara’s hotel count in Laos reach four with Centara Plumeria Resort Pakse already well under development and scheduled to open in 2020.
From left to right:
- Uaychai Khuhakarn Senior Vice President-Corporate Development of Central Group
- Adul Chaiprom Vice President of AIDC
- Dan Chinsupakul Advisor to Chairman of the Board
- Pheutsapha Phoummasak President of AIDC
- Suthikiati Chirathivat Chairman of the Board
- Suparat Chirathivat Executive Vice President-Corporate Development of Central Group
- Dr Ronnachit Mahattanapreut Senior Vice President-Finance & Administration
- Markland Blaiklock Deputy Chief Executive Officer
Laos, Mekong habitat hotspot aid helps communities, climate, conservation
With a habitat range boasting more biodiversity per square metre than the mighty Amazon basin, the arc where mountains meet the plains via the Mekong and other major river valleys form the Indo-Burma hotspot that includes Laos is well known as an area of immense natural and ecological value that is nevertheless under increased threat from degradation as populations and demands grow and the climate changes.
Efforts to protect, preserve and nurture wildlife habitat and the landscapes as well as the communities that live nearby have been given a boost via a 4-year project to support conservation activities centered on six high biodiversity landscapes in Lao PDR, Myanmar and Cambodia.
Encompassing some 14 protected areas in total regionwide, the Financing Agreement for the conservation of biodiversity and green growth in the Indo-Burma hotspot is co-financed by the Agence Française de Développement (AFD), the French Global Environment Facility (FFEM) and the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS).
The hotspots in Laos subject to the agreement include Phou Sithone (Bolihamxay), Nam Gnouang (Bolikhamxay) and Nam et Phou Louey (Houapanh LPB and Xieng Khuang).
The three parties inked an agreement in Vientiane Wednesday for joint implementation by local authorities of each country, the private sector and WCS teams on the ground.
The project will focus on 5 key components and follows a first 4-year phase (2014-2018) and aims at strengthening the achievements, extending geographical coverage and developing integrated management models for landscapes.
Components include (i) an integrated landscape management approach, (ii) development of community-led enterprises that value the conservation of biodiversity, (iii) Improvement of commercial practices for green growth, (iv) promotion of the application of environmental, social and governance safeguard standards, and (v) communication and experience-sharing.
‘Climate and Biodiversity are global common goods. Tackling climate change and preserving biodiversity are top priorities for France,’ Her Excellency Ms Florence Jeanblanc-Risler, Ambassador of France to the Lao PDR told the gathering for the signing of the agreement in Vientiane attended by Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Mr Khambounnath Xayanone and Director-General of Department of Forestry, Mr Susath Xayakhoummaane and representatives of the embassies of Myanmar and Cambodia to Laos.
“This project will directly address the strategies identified in Laos’ National Biodiversity and Action Plan that aims to enhance the role of biodiversity as a national heritage and as a substantial contributor to poverty alleviation, as well as sustainable and resilient economic growth,’ Dr Santi Saypanya, WCS Lao PDR Deputy Director said.
He said WCS has been present in the countries of Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia for over 20 years.
This project ‘fits very well within the National Biodiversity Strategies of each country, and setting up public-private partnerships to finance the protection of biodiversity is a sustainable mechanism to be modeled for ensuring inclusive local economic development’, Mr. Matthieu Bommier, Head of AFD Vientiane Office, told the gathering.
‘Lessons emerging from WCS’s regional program show that responding to large-scale drivers of deforestation in high biodiversity landscapes requires solutions that integrate action across multiple scales with engagement of local communities, government, business sector developers, and financial investors.
“These drivers of deforestation, which are local, national and international in scope and scale, continue to exert severe and growing pressure on protected areas and local livelihoods in these high biodiversity landscapes, and demand sustained and coordinated action at multiple scales to address them,’ he said.
This presence forms the backbone of the WCS Greater Mekong priority region, providing the most advanced WCS regional program in terms of addressing major cross-cutting threats to biodiversity conservation and human welfare.
WCS has multi-year MoUs with the governments of Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia enabling a smooth and collaborative continuation of activities from the previous phase.
A video highlighting ongoing efforts including the popular tourist-friendly Nam Nern Night Safari at Nam Et Phou Louey Protected Area in Huaphan province was also screened at the signing.
Railway Cuts Through, Belt & Road Reviewed At China-ASEAN Meet
Travelers, tourists and residents in Laos can expect to be able to ride the rails to traverse some of the country’s key destinations and onward to China’s Yunnan province and beyond by the end of 2021, and eventually, in the other direction to Bangkok, a major strategic dialogue meeting in China has been told.
The project was 40% complete and on track, a senior academic from Laos told a strategic dialogue forum in Nanning to mark the 5th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative, a major China-led initiative to boost infrastructure on regional trade routes.
The Forum was held in conjunction with the China-ASEAN Expo.
Speaking at the 11th China-ASEAN Think Tank Strategic Dialogue Forum was held in Nanning, Guangxi, the Associate Dean of the Lao Academy of Social Sciences said the railway would serve to connect China and ASEAN more closely was key to transforming Laos from a landlocked country to a land-linked country, news portal sina.com.cn reported (in Chinese).
She said that the Sino-Royal Railway is conducive to the exchange of people and investment and the trade in Laos and Chinese goods.
After the commissioning, the railway would contribute to solving many employment problems in Laos and promote the development of the tourism industry and facilitate travel to strengthen exchange and cooperation between China and ASEAN, and achieve mutual benefit and win-win results, she said.
Proposed in 2013, the Belt and Road Initiative (comprising both the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road) is aimed at building a trade and infrastructure network connecting Asia with Europe and Africa along the ancient trade routes of the Silk Road on land and at sea.
To follow the railways’ route, a video has been published which can be viewed on Youtube.
For more specifics on particulars of the project, visit Laotian Times own handy explainer Everything You Need to Know about the Laos-China Railway.
A new phenomenon in the Smart Phone market in Laos!
The release of the ocean blue Galaxy Note 9 recently led to a shortage of stock in only a few days, as the reception was greater than anticipated. Now the ocean blue Galaxy Note 9 has returned for sale at all Samsung retailers throughout the country! Hurry and get yours and collect some bonus gifts while supplies last.
#SamsungMobileLaos #GalaxyNote9Laos
Ecotourism Investment in Savannakhet Promotes Sustainable Development and Poverty Reduction
Lao PDR’s development has been rapid during the last decade, largely funded by income from natural resources driving the bulk of economic growth. The Government is promoting responsible investment across the country to ensure that quality investments benefit all of Lao society, fostering green development and sustainable use of natural resources, in accordance with the 8th National Socio-Economic Development Plan.
The Government of Lao PDR declared this year “Visit Laos Year 2018” to increase the country’s profile as a tourist destination. Contributing to these efforts, Savannakhet Province held a Responsible Business Forum to promote investment in ecotourism and corporate social responsibility in the tourism service sector. The meeting was held in Xonnabouly District, Savannakhet, based on the potential of the Ong Mang Sanctuary and other sites in the vicinity of Kaysone Phomvihane City. It was attended by many private sector representatives and entrepreneurs as well as government representatives from Savannakhet Province, line ministries, and departments.
Recognizing the importance of private sector investment and community engagement for sustainable development, Vice Governor of Savannakhet, H.E. Mr. Thonkeo Phouttakayyalath, highlighted “the importance of building the capacity of rural communities for tourism development and improvement of livelihoods to achieve sustainable natural resource management”.
UNDP Deputy Resident Representative, Mr. Balasubramaniam Murali further remarked that “ecotourism has the potential to greatly enhance the provincial economy, as well as change the lives of many within rural areas like Xonnabouly District”.
Ecotourism provides local communities with new sources of income and opportunities for development. It also incentivizes the private sector to take better care of the environment as many tourists are willing to pay extra to visit attractions that are maintained and conserved sustainably.
Prior to the dialogue meeting, delegates tried out an ecotourism circuit from Kaysone Phomvihane City, visiting Nam Sui Reservoir, Dong Ling (Monkey Forest) and the Ong Mang Ecosystems Conservation Centre. The delegates engaged with the Village Conservation Team from Ban Sanamxay who highlighted the successes and challenges of community-based conservation in ecotourism. This ecotourism trail will be further developed and promoted to tourists visiting Savannakhet province in collaboration with private tour operators.
The Responsible Business Forum was organized by the Savannakhet Department of Planning and Investment in collaboration with the SAFE Ecosystems Project, implemented by the Department of Forest in the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, and supported by UNDP and the Global Environment Facility.
For more information on investment please contact:
Mr. Valiya Sichanthongthip
Director Department of Planning and Investment, Savannakhet Province
Email s_valiya@hotmail.com
Tel: +856 20 59693232
Mr. Keokolakoth Chanthavisai,
National Project Manager, Sustainable Forest and Land Management in the Dry Dipterocarp Forest Ecosystem of Southern Lao PDR Project
Department of Forestry, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Vientiane, Lao PDR
Email keo.korakoth@hotmail.com
Tel: +856 20 599 149 55
Dr. Margaret Jones Williams
Head of Natural Resources Management and Climate Change,
UNDP Lao PDR
E-mail: margaret.jones.williams@undp.org
Tel: +856 21 267 710
Photos: UNDP, Phoonsab Thevongsa
Road to Tokyo2020 Paralympics via Catwalk as Athletes Make Model Efforts
Tears of joy, pain and expectation; the road to Tokyo2020 Games, like all Olympics and Paralympics before them, is being paved with them, and particularly in the South-East Asian nation of Laos.
The efforts of aspiring Paralympic athletes as they strive to achieve personal bests and to represent their nations at the highest level have always resulted in the shedding of the proverbial “blood, sweat and tears” at locations from one corner of the globe to another.
The fashion industry might seem many metaphorical miles away from the sporting arena in form and function, but the will to compete and the struggle to break down barriers continues apace, in this case in the South-East Asian nation of Laos.
That was the case as Lao Fashion Week teamed up once again with Laos-active Japan NGO Asian Development with the Disabled Persons (ADDP) to showcase Laos’ parasports athletes alongside employees of inclusive social enterprise as amateur fashion models on Laos’ fashion’s biggest professional stage, working to break down barriers to participation in across society.
Pumped to the powerful voice of emerging Lao teen singing sensation Alita Alounsavath to the strains of “never give up, no, no”, the crowd in the Lao capital rose to their feet to applaud the participants and the efforts of the participants and the NGO that supports their struggle to make dreams a reality against the odds.
Adorned with creations by Japanese flower designer Norie, the models continued a long-running annual collaboration between LFW and ADDP to help make the show a reality. Among them was Pia, who represented Laos at the Rio 2016 Paralympics in powerlifting.
Indeed, the connection between sporting and socio-economic participation lies at the heart of the organisation’s mission. Initiatives of ADDP include the Parasports Promotion Project with support from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) which seeks to smooth the path to greater participation on the road to the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics and beyond.
The project involves providing training and expertise from Japan and beyond to benefit parasports athletes and coaches in Laos to compete in multiple sports.
The program most recently saw Parasports Powerlifting training in Kyushu, Japan under experienced coach Takashi Jo before participating in Asia-pacific regional championships in the city of Kita-Kyushu.
Wheelchair basketball and goalball, an adapted sport for the vision impaired, also feature in the project.
The latter sport was the subject of a short film inspired by the life and sporting efforts of Lao goalball athlete Ms La Dalavong, whose young life was forever changed by an accident by war-era unexploded ordnance (UXO) before discovering a path forward through sport. A Lao New Wave Cinema production, the film visited the inspiring athlete in her home village and on the sporting court in Vientiane.
Other ADDP initiatives include the sign-language friendly and inclusive Minna-no-Cafe where customers and staff alike can communicate with the hard of hearing.
The NGO also works with its employees to produce a range of popular cookies which are for sale at various outlets including the cafe.
ADDP was also a participant in efforts that saw the creation of a Lao-Japan Friendship Sakura Park in Viengxay district, Huaphan province planted with Japanese cherry blossom trees.
As in all nations, the participation of disabled persons in Laos comes up against various barriers of access, physical, social and institutional.
It is understood that greater participation for all people and profile of disability issues in Laos can be increased via ADDP initiatives and major events such as Lao Fashion Week. As in fashion, by celebrating the achievements of past and present participants and strengthening pathways, the dreams of the aspiring Paralympic competitors and fashion industry participants are nurtured alike.
For an industry often criticised as fickle and superficial, initiatives such as this prove the adage that fashion can have a big heart. I’m not crying… you’re crying! Somebody dry my eyes!
Images via Laos Briefly
