Inside Laos: A US Beauty Queen's Quest for Change

By Rajeshni Naidu-Ghelani Business reporter, BBC News, May 15 2015

More than three decades ago, Amy Chanthaphavong's parents fled their home country of Laos.

Putai Dance

The Lao Ethnic group Putai (sometimes spelled as PhouThai) from Beungse village discuss and display their dancing tradition.

 Video Credit:  CPWF.

Mekong River Pollution

ຂີ້ເຫຍື້ອໄຫຼຢູ່ໃນນ້ຳຂອງ.  Although it is known that people throw garbage into the river, this poignant image reminds us of the unfortunate and sad situation.

In this picture some of it has accumulated in the south of Laos where the river and some of the refuse then flows on to Cambodia.

The Mekong River polluted with garbage.  Photo Credit:  Raymond Richards

1st Lao Female Commercial Pilot!

As reported by Champa Muong Lao magazine, May 2015.  Click image to enlarge.

Business Tax Collection Clamp Down in Laos

Pay tax or close down, Laos' businesses told
By:  Xinhua News, May 13 2015

VIENTIANE, May 13 (Xinhua) -- Authorities in Laos have officially "suspended the operations" of 91 companies operating in the country for a reported failure to pay taxes due, local media reported Wednesday.

The companies have been given until June 4 to negotiate with taxation authorities or face revocation of respective operating licenses according to Vientiane's Industry and Commerce Department and reported in state-run media Vientiane Times.

Walking Tour of Vientiane

If you've ever wanted to take a walking tour but haven't had a chance to visit Vientiane or haven't seen it in a really long time, here's your chance.  The following video is literally a full hour of a guy walking around Vientiane.  It's actually nicely shot and very steady.  There is no narration or voice overs here.

Video Credit:  Kees Colijn.

Tat Yuang Waterfall in Paksong

Ever see these beautiful waterfall in southern Laos?  While Luangprabang may be well known for its waterfalls, the south of Laos is also endowed with beautiful, high falling waterfalls.

This one, Tat Yuang, is located in Paksong in Champassak province.

Lao Fashion Week 2015 Call For Designers

Vientiane's Local Fish Specialist

Credit:  Vientiane Times.

Lao Street Food Compilation

Here's a compilation of video clips of Lao street food.  Looks so good!

Video Credit:  Youtube user Travel Videos.

Profile on Khammoune Province

ຮູບເງົາເລື່ອງແຂວງຄໍາມ່ວນ.  Found a wonderful, albeit, slightly older documentary film that was created in Laos, in Lao language of course, about Khammoune province.  It's been posted on Youtube in 3 parts.  Be sure to watch all 3.  Even if you don't understand Lao, hopefully you'll still get some enjoyment and appreciate the scenes being shown.

Khammoune is an underrated province with many surprises and lots of natural beauty.

Lao PDR and Myanmar Open Bridge

By Wanwisa Ngamsangchaikit, TTRWeekly, May 12, 2015

The first ever Laos-Myanmar Friendship Bridge linking northern Laos with Myanmar across the Mekong River was officially opened last Saturday by Lao PDR President, Choummaly Sayasone and his Myanmar counterpart, Thein Sein, the Lao News Agency reported.

 Photo Credit:  TTRWeekly

The Laos-Myanmar Friendship Bridge is located between Houay Koum village, approximately 13-km north from Xiangkok village, Long district, Luang Namtha province of the Lao PDR, and Kenglap, Thachilek district, Shan State of Myanmar.

Lao Language: Gardening Words

For those in certain parts of the world where it's full on spring time weather for you right now, you may be readying your gardens and plants.  Here are some gardening and farming terms in Lao and English.

Random Awesome Image #15 - Funky Colored Tat Luang

Deep Fried Crabs and Steamed Eggs - ຈືນກະປູແລະນຶ້ງໄຂ່ນອ້ຍ

Let's face it, anything deep fried is extra delectable.  These little crabs are no exception.  Also on the bottom right hand side are some small steamed quail eggs.  An interesting combination for a couple of light appetizers perhaps, but delicious nonetheless.

Steamed Fish and Veggies - ນຶ່ງປານຶ່ງຜັກ

Simplicity often results in absolute deliciousness.  Here's a prime example:  Steamed freshwater fish with a bit of lemon grass, steamed variety of vegetables, sticky rice and a bit of spicy and flavorsome dipping sauce.  ນຶ່ງປານຶ່ງຜັກກິນກັນເຂົ້າກັນແຈ່ວ

In Laos, a Strategic Opening the United States Cannot Miss

By Phuong Nguyen, Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), April 2, 2015

A remarkable yet little-noticed development in the U.S. rebalance to the Asia Pacific has been Washington’s overtures to Laos, a country long isolated and often overlooked by U.S. officials. Shifts in geopolitical and regional economic trends in recent years have led the Lao government, which traditionally turned to Beijing or Hanoi for support, to explore opportunities to engage new partners and tap into the United States’ renewed attention to the region.

While recent changes in U.S.-Lao relations are hopeful, much remains to be done to consolidate U.S. interests in a country that has become more crucial in the battle for hearts and minds in Southeast Asia.

One Woman’s Mission to Free Laos From Millions of Unexploded Bombs

By Thomas Fuller, New York Times, Aprill 5, 2015

HOUAYKHAY, Laos — Thao Kae and his friends were foraging for their dinner, collecting the bamboo shoots that grow in the jungle a half-hour’s walk from their remote hamlet along the Mekong River. As they dug and sifted the soil, one of the boys found a small metal sphere and brought it back to a house in the village.

“They thought it was a pétanque ball,” said Khamsing Wilaikaew, a 59-year-old farmer, referring to the French bowling game similar to bocce. “They were throwing it against the ground.”

Photo of Ms. Channapha Khamvongsa.
Photo Credit: Adam Dean for The New York Times