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Arrival-Departure Card Discontinued At Major Airports in Laos

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Laotian Times
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The General Security Police Department (Kom Yai Santhiban) issued a public notice stating that Lao nationals and expatriates who have permanent residency will no longer be required to fill in the widely unpopular immigration form (arrival-departure card) when exiting or entering Laos through four international airports – Wattay International Airport (Vientiane Capital), Luang Prabang International Airport, Savannakhet International Airport and Paksé International Airport.

Lao arrival-departure card

However, the notice specifically states that the change does not apply to tourists, foreigners without permanent residency, and stateless individuals who will still be required to complete the above-mentioned form upon entry or departure from these airports.

Laos has approximately 20 international border checkpoints, where routine immigration procedures will continue to be in effect until they are equipped with the capability to record the exit and entry of travelers digitally. The move is a new step to render travel more convenient, while the government is also setting up an online system of visa applications for people traveling to countries that require a visa.

The public has applauded the government’s efforts in gradually upgrading the normal passport system to an electronic one. Lao nationals are now encouraged to visit the Consular Affairs Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to obtain their e-passports. There, their biodata will be collected and stored in central servers.

Wattay International Airport is the only airport where the new electronic passports may be used to automatically allow a Lao national to enter and leave the country without being conventionally stamped in and out by an immigration officer. While this is a major step toward digitalizing essential government services, the e-passport machine is still in its trial phase, evidenced by the many complaints to its inefficiency and slowness. In its current state, it is not a viable substitute for an immigration officer.

According to a source in the Immigration Department, the e-passport system cost several million dollars to implement.

The notice was signed by the Department’s Director General Brigadier General Bounmy Sengkhamyong.

The Most Followed Lao Person on Facebook

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Laotian Times
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It’s official. The most followed Lao person on Facebook is Boualai (ບົວ ໄລ). This avid eater has got more followers than Kaem Boom, Noony, Larnoy Phorjai and Somchan, to name a few of the most followed celebrity idols in Laos.

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Chinese Space Debris to Rain on Laos

By
Laotian Times
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space debris to rain on laos

In an unusual notice from the Ministry of Public Works and Transportation, the four southernmost provinces of Laos (Champasak, Sekong, Salavan, and Attapeu) are being warned of potential space debris that will fall to Earth over these provinces. The debris seems to be from the launch of the Gaofen-5 satellite China in the early morning of 9 May and the debris are likely parts from the Long March 4C rocket carrying the satellite into orbit.

The Gaofen-5 hyperspectral imaging satellite is a part of China’s high-resolution Earth observation project and is planned for use in monitoring the greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

The space debris is expected to fall into Laos between 01:31-01:47 today. Citizens are urged to be careful outdoors during this 16 minute span in these areas.

Laos space debris notice

Village Devastated by Fire in Xieng Khouang Province

By
Laotian Times
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Fire destroys homes in xieng khouang

32 homes have been destroyed in Xieng Khouang Province after a fire broke out, believed to be caused by an electrical problem.

The fire, the biggest recorded this year, began at around four o’clock on Monday evening in Sanfaen Village, and quickly spread from house to house due to strong winds.

The structures that burnt down were all wooden, with 32 families losing their homes and much needed livestock and equipment. Fortunately, none were injured or killed by the fire.

Much of the population in the affected area belong to the Lao Phong ethnic group, and the village is 100 kilometers from the provincial capital, with difficult road access.

The fire occurred as villagers were returning from their work in nearby fields, and had unfortunately spread too quickly for them to suppress.

While local authorities continue to assess the damage caused by the fire, victims now require food, clothing, and temporary accomodation.

A temporary camp is being set up by local authorities and the military, and district authorities are providing food and medicines, however stocks are low and authorities are calling upon the public to make donations.

Donations for Fire Victims

Donations can be made with the following authorized organizations:

1. World Renew in Xiengkhouang Province, 020 98853357
2. Vientiane Rescue in Vientiane Capital, 1623
3. The Lao Red Cross, 1625
4. Houamchai Foundation, 020 59444400
5. Chinese Ambulance Service, 1628

Lao Government Warns Public About Dangers of Financial.org

By
Laotian Times
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financial.org ponzi scheme laos scam

The Lao government has issued a notice warning members of the public against investing in bogus investment broker, financial.org, and calling on those who have invested to declare their losses.

The company, already on several international watch-lists, is the latest in a number of Ponzi scheme style businesses to set up shop in Laos, aimed at duping members of the public into making investments for supposedly quick and profitable returns.

A British news report by Reuters drew the attention of the Lao government, in which it came to light that the company, describing itself as an education company, would be struck from the UK registrar of companies for failing to file accounts.

Financial.org operates in several Asian countries, including China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, and Laos. According to the Reuters report, individuals were handing over anything from US$ 3,000 to US$ 400,000 to the bogus company for investments.

The company is already on an investor alert list created by the Monetary Authority of Singapore, and similarly Malyasia’s Securities Commission placed Financial.org on a list of unauthorized companies and websites last year.

gala dinner in Vientiane hosted by Financial.org
A Gala dinner in Vientiane hosted by Financial.org

Under a Ponzi scheme, those who invest first are provided returns stemming from funds invested by newer members, rather than through actual stock market investments as promised. Earlier members are encouraged to bring new members into the scheme to provide a continual source of income for the scheme. While the earliest members can make money quickly, newer members face huge losses, and eventually the scheme falls apart.

To make itself more believable, Financial.org has attempted to register in the UK, and has even sponsored a Formula One team.

The Lao government is now calling on the public to declare their losses with the hope of exposing the scheme and halting further investment.

According to a Vientiane Times report, the central bank told the National Assembly in 2016 that there were 24 entities illegally soliciting deposits from the general public.

The central bank has warned that tough measures will be taken against companies offering such services.

Executives of some companies in question have already been prosecuted, including those at PS Lao Enterprise and Asianface Company. The case against Laokham is ongoing, and the government is now investigating Financial.org.

Who’s Who in the Lao Government?

By
Laotian Times
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Who’s who in the current government (the 8th administration) led by Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith?

Thongloun Sisoulith has arguably made more headlines locally and internationally in both official and unofficial media than any other Prime Minister of Laos. But have you heard of the other leaders of government? The other cabinet ministers? The ones who enforce and implement policies set by prime ministerial power? Let’s take a look at their names and pictures:

Thongloun Sisoulith is the Prime Minister (PM), which is the head of the executive branch of government.

Thongloun Sisoulith, Prime Minister

The Prime Minister currently has 3 Deputy Prime Ministers (DPM).

(Left to right) Bounthong Chitmany, Sonexay Siphandone, Somdy Duangdy

They are Bounthong Chitmany, who also occupies the position of Head of the State Inspection Committee, Sonexay Siphandone and Somdy Duangdy who is also Minister of Finance.

Each Deputy Prime Minister oversees the affairs of several ministries and ministry-equivalent bodies. The following are key ministerial level figures who make up the Government of Laos.

(Left to right) Lt. Gen. Chansamone Chanyalath, Major General Somkeo Silavong, Khammanh Sounvileuth, Chaleun Yiapaoher

Lieutenant General Chansamone Chanyalath, Minister of National Defense (military)

Major General Somkeo Silavong, Minister of Public Security (police force)

Khammanh Sounvileuth, Minister of the Interior

Chaleun Yiapaoher, Minister to the Prime Minister’s Office

(Left to right) Sommath Pholsena, Bosengkham Vongdara, Lien Thikeo, Saysi Santhivong

Sommath Pholsena, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment

Bosengkham Vongdara, Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism

Lien Thikeo, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry

Saysi Santhivong, Minister of Justice

(Left to right) Khampheng Saysompheng,
Khammeung Phongthady, Khammany Inthilath, Khemmani Pholsena

Khampheng Saysompheng, Minister of Labor and Social Welfare

Khammeung Phongthady, Minister to the President’s Office

Khammany Inthilath, Minister of Energy and Mines

Khemmani Pholsena, Minister of Industry and Commerce

(Left to right) Boviengkham Vongdara,
Saleumxay Kommasith,
Sengdeuan Lachanthaboun,
Somphao Faisith

Boviengkham Vongdara, Minister of Science and Technology

Saleumxay Kommasith, Minister of Foreign Affairs

Sengdeuan Lachanthaboun, Minister of Education and Sports

Somphao Faisith, Governor of the Bank of Laos (central bank)

(Left to right) Thansamay Kommasith,
Bounchan Sinthavong,
Phet Phomphipak,
Souphanh Keomixay

Thansamay Kommasith, Minister of Post, Telecom and Communications

Bounchan Sinthavong, Minister of Public Works and Transport

Phet Phomphipak, Minister to the Prime Minister’s Office

Souphanh Keomixay, Minister of Planning and Investment

(Left to right) Bounkong Sihavong,
Bounkeut Sangsomsack,
Alounkeo Kittikhoun,
Souvanpheng Bouphanouvong

Bounkong Sihavong, Minister of Public Health

Bounkeut Sangsomsack, Minister to the Prime Minister’s Office

Alounkeo Kittikhoun, Minister to the Prime Minister’s Office

Souvanpheng Bouphanouvong, Minister to the Prime Minister’s Office

The 8th Government Administration
Photo credit: Lao Economic Daily
Source: Lao Government

Hin Nam No: Laos’ Most Biodiverse Region

By
Laotian Times
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To support the Lao government in its endeavors to place Hin Nam No National Protected Area (Hin Nam No NPA) under UNESCO World Heritage protection, the GIZ-Hin Nam No component of the German Development Cooperation Programme Protection and Sustainable Use of Forest Ecosystems and Biodiversity (ProFEB) organized a 8-day technical field mission.

The mission, led by Professor Emeritus Paul Williams, an international expert in geomorphology and hydrology with the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), set out on April 25th to assess the area’s geologic and geomorphologic features in relation to other tropical karst (limestone) regions.

This evaluation is part of the technical work on the nomination process of Hin Nam No as part of a transboundary UNESCO World Heritage site with Phong Nga Ke Bang National Park (PNKB NP) in Vietnam.

The technical work required for the nomination of Hin Nam No NPA as an extension to PNKB NP officially launched in March with the first meeting of the Hin Nam No NPA UNESCO nomination Technical Taskforce.

Its key challenge is to demonstrate the area’s contribution to the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of the soon-to-be transboundary World Heritage site.

The exploratory mission, conducted from April 25th to 30th, highlights Hin Nam No’s diverse landscape against the backdrop of other karst formations in the region and worldwide.

Oday Soudaphone, Governor of Khammoune, joined the team’s exploration of Xe Bang Fai cave, one of the largest active river cave passages in the world. During his visit, he emphasized the importance of Hin Nam No’s anticipated UNESCO nomination for Laos and Khammouane in particular.

“Becoming a Natural World Heritage Site will ensure the conservation and protection of the area and its outstanding universal value. Tourism-wise, the remarkable features of Hin Nam No’s karst formations and its biological diversity will attract both local and international tourists, which will in turn generate income for local communities,” said Governor Soudaphone.

Jens Lütkenherm, German Ambassador to Laos, who accompanied the technical mission on a helicopter flight over the karst landscape, highlighted Germany’s backing regarding the UNESCO nomination process.

A view of the downstream entrance of the Xe Bang Fai cave. The Xe Bang Fai river runs through this limestone cave for 12 km, making it one of the longest river caves in the world. Photo credit: GIZ/Lucas Wahl

“We fully support the Lao government in its efforts to attain UNESCO World Heritage status for Hin Nam No in order to protect its biodiversity and to strengthen Laos’ international profile as an eco-tourism destination. The status as a UNESCO World Heritage site would undoubtedly promote effective conservation of the region’s spectacular flora and fauna, and the geo-heritage of Laos. Laos as a member of the global community will contribute outstanding universal value for all citizens around the globe if Hin Nam No gains UNESCO World Heritage protection,” said Ambassador Lütkenherm.

Hin Nam No NPA, as part of a transboundary UNESCO World Heritage site with the Vietnamese Phong Nga Ke Bang National Park, would receive recognition by the international conservation community under the World Heritage convention.

However, there is still much work required to prepare for the submission of the nomination to UNESCO, particularly with respect to increasing knowledge about Hin Nam No and its values through baseline research.

As Professor Emeritus Paul Williams concluded his mission, Dr. Leonid Averyanov, a well known botanist and orchid specialist, started his 2-week vegetation survey from May 2-17 in Hin Nam No.

What is Hin Nam No?

The official website states:

Scenic landscapes, rugged karst mountains, highly biodiverse flora and fauna and lovely people. That is how this unique National Protected Area in central Laos could be briefly described. Of course, there would be much more to mention and even more to explore, the latter being a continuous process here in this part of the Annamite mountains. Due to the specific topography consisting of steep mountains, unreachable hilltops, hidden valleys, unknown caves, countless streams and springs, Hin Nam No NPA is still a very well conserved place on earth harboring a huge quantity of hidden treasures.

But it is not only the biodiversity that makes Hin Nam No a real unique place. Also, the people surrounding and guarding the NPA are quiet distinct. It is the first NPA in Laos where villagers are directly involved and engaged in the sustainable use and protection of the NPA, making their living out of it. The flora and fauna are as diverse inside the NPA as the people around it. The fact that there are different ethnic groups speaking different languages and dialects proves that a joint effort and strong willingness to change will lead to strong governance and ownership, thus, conserving not only the habitat of flora and fauna, but their own natural resources.

Source: KPL, HinNamNo.org

Vientiane Bus Company Announces Fare Increases

By
Laotian Times
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The Vientiane State Bus Enterprise has raised the price of bus tickets for bus routes within the capital city due to constant hikes in fuel prices in recent months.

The raised ticket prices apply to the following routes, from/to Kuadin Bus Station (old price/new price):

Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge: 6,000 kip/8,000 kip per person

Thangon Village, Xaythany District: 5,000 kip/7,000 kip per person

Sangthong District: 15,000 kip/20,000 kip

Phontong Village, Chanthabouly District: 3,000 kip/4,000 kip per person

Donpamai Village, Sisattanak District: 3,000 kip/4,000 kip per person

Dongdok Village, Saythany District: 3,000 kip/4,000 kip per person

Nongtheng Village, Sikhothabong District: 4,000 kip/5,000 kip per person

Thongpong Village, Sikhothabong District: 4,000 kip/5,000 kip per person

Dongkhamsang Village, Saysettha District: 4,000 kip/5,000 kip per person

Sangthong District: 15,000 kip/20,000 kip per person

Namsuang Village: 10,000 kip/12,000 kip per person

Phialath Village, Sangthong District: 15,000 kip/20,000 kip per person

The recent hike of bus fares is the first of its kind since 2011, according to a senior official of the Vientiane State Bus Enterprise.

Notice document announcing bus ticket increases

After having released the announcement to the public, many bus goers immediately took to social media. Their comments were mainly focused not on the price hike but the lack of enforcement of bus rules. They highlighted several inappropriate behaviors exhibited by certain people including eating and drinking on the bus, conversing disrespectfully loudly, putting one’s feet up on the chairs, panhandling, and even selling goods.

One social media user, however, spoke for many when she remarked that the price was expected because the national minimum wage had been recently adjusted from 900,000 to 1,100,000 kip per month.

“What’s the point of an increase in our minimum wage if all the price of necessary goods and services go up with it?”

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