~ SEPTEMBER 9 2005

I would like to know more on animal trafficking in Laos and the extent of it. Any suggestions?

There is one book that comes to mind. It's probably one of the few most definitive research items on animal trafficking and wildlife trade. It was written back in 2001 by a wife and husband team and published by the international non-government organization (iNGO), IUCN. Info. below:

Wildlife Trade in Laos: the End of the Game
by Hanneke Nooren and Gordon Claridge
Amsterdam: IUCN, 2001

I know this may be a touchy issue but I was wondering if you have any suggestions for finding out on what happened to the former Lao Royal family. I always hear little bits and pieces as it occassionally makes it to the news and I know of a few rumors. But any book suggestions would be most helpful.

There are three books on this topic written, all of them recent.

• Bamboo Palace: Discovering the Lost Dynasty of Laos by Christopher Kremmer, 2004 (an update from Kremmer's first book)
• The Kingdoms of Laos: Six Hundred Years of History by Peter & Sanda Simms, 2001
• Stalking the Elephant Kings by Christopher Kremmer, 1997

We often get this type of email asking for information on working in Laos whether it be specific projects or websites available. We hope this info. also helps others, although we acknolwedge it is limited.

Actually the best way to find a job in Laos is often to read the local newspapers such as the Vientiane Times which has job postings in English, or to solicit people and organizations directly. A lot of jobs are simply not advertised. There is not much posted online for jobs in Laos except for the occassional English teaching jobs. Additionally, if you're interested in working with NGOs in Laos, their websites would have the postings, such as how www.undplao.org has. You can also check out the Directory of NGOs in Laos (http://www.directoryofngos.org/) which has some postings but more importantly a listing of NGOs with their contact information.

If you're interested in just volunteering there are definitely positions that will be offered to you. But it can be a financial burden for some.

Unfortunately, there aren't any websites with definitive employment listings for Laos.