You often think
of communist countries confining music played on the radio to very
strict guidelines, ex. only traditional music and restricting certain
kinds of Western music such as rock. However, this isn't always
the case.
Linkin Park
is probably the most popular foreign band in Laos and it's a punk
rock band. It gets lots of airplay on the radios there, its CDs
are sold everywhere and many new bands in Laos, such as Awake and
Cell have sprung up with Linkin Park as their inspiration. Punk
inspired, gelled, stand-up-on-its-ends hair style is also very popular
among younger guys.
Generally Lao
radio plays mostly popular music from Laos, Thailand and some songs
from further abroad (ex. Linkin Park). There are radio news programs
that are broadcast in Lao, French and English. Aside from these
two things, radio and news, there's nothing else that's really played on the radio.
And of course nothing controversial is aired.
According to
the Asian Development Bank as of 2003, it stood at about $3 billion
(USD). Much of which is owed to Russia, approximately 50%+. Actually
Laos renegotiated in June 2003 with Russia to eliminate the majority
of what was owed to them. They agreed to service an amount of $380
million over 33 years. Other debt includes, less than 5% commercial
"and the rest consists of long-term concessional loans with
bilateral and multilateral institutions".
