Spiderman spotted in Tad Fane Waterfall in southern Laos

Source:  Bored Panda Art

The last book on Laos published by NIAS Press before it closed

Title:  From Tribalism to Nationalism:  The Anthropological Turn in Laos - A Tribute to Grant Evans
Edited by:  Yves Goudineau and Vanina Boute
Publisher, Year:  NIAS Press, 2022
ISBN:  9788776943035
Cost:  USD$40

Lao book publisher: More than 400 books published, has its own school, supports libraries and literacy programs

The Story of Big Brother Mouse

Source:  Mark Gilchrist

Documentaire de voyage - Laos, au rythme du Mékong

Source:  Découvrir le monde avec Pierre Brouwers

Un film de Pierre Brouwers
Co-production avec Media 9 / Voyage

Lao government: The source of the methanol is believed to be from Tiger Vodka/Tiger Whisky

Original title:  Laos police arrest three more hostel staff despite government document pointing to factory as source of methanol poisoning
By:  Lauren Day, ABC News (Australia), November 30, 2024

Image:  This factory outside of Vientiane is believed 

to be the source of the methanol poisoning. (ABC News)

Laos: Methanol Deaths a Grim Warning

By:  Tommy Walker, Asia Media Center, November 26, 2024

The recent deaths of foreign tourists in Laos caused by tainted alcoholic drinks has highlighted the risks of bootlegged booze across Southeast Asia . Tommy Walker has more from Bangkok.

Travel documentary - Laos - The Spirits of the Mekong

Source:  Best Documentary

Director: Laurent Cadoret

Original title: Somewhere on Earth: Laos

Travel documentary - Laos - Along the Mekong

Source:  Voyages du bout du monde

Director: Eric Bacos

Co-Production with USP Ananda-Ampersand

6 tourists die from methanol poisoning while visiting Vang Vieng

Source:  DW News, November 23, 2024

First marathon series to span Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia

Source:  Viettel Marathon - Unitel Luang Prabang 2024 (via SEA Games Youtube channel)

China-Laos Railway sees passengers up 44% in first 10 months of 2024

By:  Xinhua, November 5, 2024

VIENTIANE - The China-Laos Railway's Lao section has transported a total of 3 million passenger trips in 10 months of 2024, an increase of 44.4 percent from the same period last year.

From January 1 to November 4, the railway carried 3 million passengers from 101 countries, according to a report issued on Tuesday by the Laos-China Railway Co., Ltd. (LCRC).

9th ASEAN Tradition Textile Symposium

Trudeau becomes the first Canadian prime minister to visit Laos

 

Source:  Global News, October 9, 2024

Canada eyes closer contacts with Southeast Asia as Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau makes his inaugural visit to Vientiane as part of the ASEAN Summit 2024.

The Oma of Laos and their traditional textiles

 Source:  Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre (TAEC)

Lao Fashion Designer Bandid Lasavong - ASEAN Fashion Designers Showcase

Bandid Lasavong of MenFolder speaks at the ASEAN International Fashion Week 2024 in September about sustainable fashion production practices and the use of Epson's direct printing technology.

Source: ASEAN Fashion Designers Showcase

Lao Fashion designer Bandid Lasavong of MenFolder at Lao fashion Week 2024

Source:  Z Fashion TV (Laos). Event date: October 4, 2024

Shared via Youtube on The Influencer channel

Youtuber goes panning for gold in Laos

Source:  Andrew Fraser, April, 2024

Follow along as Youtuber and world traveler Andrew Fraser visits local villagers near the Nam Suang River in Luangprabang, Laos as they explore and pan for gold.  May be this could be a new tourist activity? :)

Typhoon Yagi and its affects on Laos

Title:  Super Typhoon Yagi - Flood emergency - Lao PDR - Situation Report No. 2
Date:  September 26, 2024
Publisher:  UNICEF

Situation in Numbers

• Up to 200,000 people affected with 92,000 in need of assistance including 37,000 women.
• At least 48,500 children affected and 24,000 in need of urgent support.
• At least 30,000 families from 1,300 villages in need of support.
• 77 schools & 11 health facilities severely damaged, 20,000 affected students.

Lao textiles - a way of life

Source:  Phaeng Mai Gallery

A wonderfully detailed look at sericulture (silk industry), textile and fabric weaving in Laos by Phaeng Mai Gallery.  This handicraft company has been around for a while now in Laos.  They have a store, a gallery, and a school located in Vientiane.  Definitely worth a visit if you're in visiting Vientiane.

The top 5 from the Young Lao Fashion Designers Project - Lao Fashion Week 2024

Source:  Z Fashion TV (Laos). Event date: October 4, 2024

Shared via Youtube on The Influencer channel

Travel blogger eats Hmong hill tribe food in Laos

Source:  Mark Wiens

This video is from 2021 but this marked his second visit to Laos.  We shared one of his videos from 2018 when he first visited.  However, in this visit he explores Hmong food.  Have a look!

Birdsong: The dying whistled language of the Hmong people in northern Laos

Source:  The Guardian

Ministry of Silk's runway show at Lao Fashion Week 2024

Source: Z Fashion TV (Laos), October 2, 2024

Shared on Youtube via The Influencer channel

Khang's runway show at Lao Fashion Week 2024

Source: Z Fashion TV (Laos), October 2, 2024

Shared on Youtube via The Influencer channel

How One Man Rules in Asia’s Golden Triangle

Source:  Bloomberg

Bloomberg takes a close look into China's Zhao Wei and the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone (GTSEZ).

Laos - The not so secret war

Source:  CBS, 1970

Video shared on Youtube at Nuclear Vault channel

This is quite the throwback Thursday video - this one from 1970 when CBS News did a special on "The not so secret war" happening in Laos at the time.  Old footage includes interesting short interviews from some key players.

The bombing of Laos - who was truly responsible?

Source:  Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre (TAEC)

In this TAEC Talk, Dr. Ryan Wolfson-Ford discusses how historical writers often report that the bombing of Laos during the Secret War and Vietnam War was exclusively all because of America's desire to contain the spread of communism during the Vietnam War.  Indeed, that was one reason.  But as Dr. Wolfson-Ford shares, there was more to it.

Recap of the Vientiane Performing Arts Festival 2024

Source:  Vientiane Performing Arts Festival

The performing arts in Laos continues to grow.  And this festival is a strong indication of that.  Here's a recap of this event back from February 16-17, 2024.  The performances ranged from traditional Lao dancing to modern dance, puppetry to magic.  Have a look! 

Lao Traditional Dancing Competition in Vientiane

Source:  Suab Hmong Broadcoasting

Traditional dancing is alive and thriving in Laos.  Watch this competition and the different dance troupes who competed on April 6, 2024 in Vientiane.  The combination of great dancing, music, creativity, and performance reveals is just wonderful!

A journey through Lao textiles

Source:  Women's Business - School of Textile Arts and A Fire Dog Production

Watch this video to get a great overview of textiles in Laos.  This mini-documentary was released back in 2019.   It follows the story of an Australian woman named Trish who, with the help of donors, opens a textile teaching school in Muang Nan, Luang Prabang province.

Youtuber visits one the most isolated tribes in Laos

Source:  Drew Binsky (2023)

Follow along as popular Youtuber Drew Binsky visits Luang Namtha, Laos, eats a home cooked grilled bamboo rat, and visits an Akha community in the mountains.

Endangered wildlife species in Laos

 

Sources:  WWF and WCS

Threatened primates of Laos

Source:  WWF Laos

Well-known, well-respected Asian studies institute closes down

By: Laoconnection.com, September 24, 2024

For those out there who are readers on Asian and Lao cultural studies, you'll no doubt have come across books published by NIAS Press.  However, the institute that owned that publishing operation has officially closed down.

Old Luang Prabang Library to become a new restaurant

By: Laoconnection.com, February 23, 2024

Image: The old, original Luang Prabang Library.

For those who have visited the town of Luang Prabang, many of us will remember the modest Luang Prabang Library right on the main road in the city center on Sisavangvong road - its original location.

All foreign-owned organizations and companies in Laos will be required to pay their employees in kip

Source:  Lao National Television (LNTV)

My newest fave candy

Haw kow padap din - A Lao festival to remember the dead

Video Credit:  LNTV

Biogas use in Laos

Video Credit:  Lasting Laos - ລາວຍືນຍາວ

2024 Paris Olympics - Lao athletes and their results

The recent Olympic Games in Paris saw 3 athletes representing Lao PDR and 1 representing USA.  Here's a closer look at them and how they did...

Disaster Management in Laos

Title:  Disaster Management Reference Handbook - Lao PDR

By:  Center for Excellence in Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance - US Department of Defence

Date:  May 2024

Price:  Free

Water Throwing Festival

Sand stupas

Cleansing and blessing Buddha statues

Celebration of one's parents

Happy Lao New Year 2567 to everyone!

Saeng's selection of 5 Lao dishes

This is when Saeng did a video for Buzzfeed's Bring Me food channel back in 2020 talking about his selection of five Lao dishes.  Have a look.

Source:  Bring Me (via Youtube, 2020)

The coffee chain taking over Laos

By:  Laoconnection.com, March 1, 2024

If you've visited Laos before you've probably seen and likely visited this store before.

It's lap, not larb

By:  Laoconnection.com, February 20, 2024

Since there is no international set standard of how to write Lao words into English, you'll often see many spelling variations of the same word.  This is often dependent on who's writing and everyone seems to have their own way of writing it out - us included!

How Valentine's Day is celebrated in Laos

By:  Laoconnection.com, February 19, 2024

Like their international counterparts, Lao people will celebrate it on the 14th of February.  However, Valentine's Day is a relatively new celebratory day in Laos in that people have only really taken it on more within the last 5 years or so.

Kpop Star Felix spotted in Laos

By:  Laoconnection.com, February 14, 2024

Felix Yongbok Lee from the famous Korean k-pop band Stray Kids was reportedly spotted in Laos last week.  He chose to spend his Lunar New Year vacation there doing volunteer work.  News outlets and social media in South Korea began reporting the news on February 7, 2024. 

Enjoy the view, flying over Laos - Visit Laos Year 2024

Source:  Piano Relax (via Youtube)

Laos to reap little profit from growth of farm exports

Source:  RFA Lao, February 9, 2024

A 20% year-over-year increase of agricultural exports from Laos in 2023 was largely on the back of Chinese plantations, according to trade officials, meaning that the country will reap few of the profits.

Members of the business community told RFA Lao that the government needs to review its approach to foreign investment while improving its agricultural output to avoid a deepening trade deficit and improve the living standards of farmers in Laos.

Laos urged to join Ottawa mine convention

Source:  The Star (Myannmar), February 12, 2024

Phnom Penh - Ly Thuch, first vice-president of the Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA), has requested that Laos join the Ottawa Convention as the 165th state party, pledging that the kingdom will support Laos’ mine clearance efforts and adherence to the convention.

Laos strongly raises tourist target for this year

Source:  VietnamPlus, February 13, 2024

Vientiane – The Lao Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism hopes 6.2 million domestic and foreign tourists will make trips to the country in 2024, much higher than the initial target of 4.6 million set in late 2023.

Lao Elephant Festival 2024 hoped to attract visitors to Xayaboury

Source:  VietnamPlus, January 4, 2024

The famous Elephant Festival of Laos will run from February 12-18 in the northwestern province of Xayaboury.

Phetphixay Sounvilay, Deputy Governor of Xayaboury, said that the festival, the 17th of its kind, aims to not only continue preserving the beauty of customs, traditional culture and lifestyle of Lao ethnic people, but also raise awareness about the conservation of elephants. It is also an opportunity to attract a large number of domestic and foreign tourists to Laos and the province in particular.

Luangprabang Film Festival - where is it now?

By:  Laoconnection.com, February 13, 2024

New Name

Two years ago, the Luang Prabang Film Festival had to change its name.  For unknown reasons, local Lao officials made the ask to have it changed shortly before the 2022 film festival was set to open.  

Calendar of events - Visit Laos Year 2024

No matter what time of the year you visit Laos, you're sure to find some celebration happening.  The events are a great way to get involved, have fun, participate in or just watch the activities, learn about Lao culture and discover something new for yourself.

Image:  Lao culture collage

Tempting you to visit - Visit Laos Year 2024

Source: Relaxing Travels 4K (via Youtube)

Laos Attracts Big Celebrity Names

Source:  Jonathan Meadley, Laotian Times, January 24, 2024

From big-name YouTubers to Asian superstars and Hollywood actors, Laos has welcomed some big names to the country over the past year. Here‘s a quick snapshot of the people who visited Asia’s hidden gem in 2023:

World Bank's Public Finance Review of Lao PDR 2023

Title:  Lao PDR 2023 - Forging Ahead: Restoring Stability and Boosting Prosperity - Public Finance Review
By:  World Bank
Publisher, Year:  World Bank, January 9, 2024
Price:  Free download

Publisher's Abstract

The Lao PDR is facing unprecedented macroeconomic challenges, which jeopardize hard-won development gains. Over the past two decades, the country attracted considerable foreign investment and fostered regional integration, which contributed to a long period of high economic growth. Many human development indicators improved during the period 2000–2019, including child and maternal mortality, school enrolment, income poverty, and gender equity. 

Villagers Protest in Xieng Khouang Over Alleged Land Grab

Source:  LaotianTimes.com, January 24, 2024

Villagers of Xang village, Khoun district, Xieng Khouang Province, launched a protest against an alleged land grab by Phengxay Sole Ltd. Company (“the company”) on 22 January.

The 30 minute long video shows spokespeople for the village, including the Village Chief, advocating against the issuing of the land rights certificate to the company.

Get your tickets to Sabaidee Fest 2024

Source:  Sabaidee Fest 2024 (via Youtube)

Riding on the success of last year's incredible success, this year's Sabaidee Fest pre-sale ticket  has already begun in earnest.  Don't miss out!  

More details below and at their website.

High inflation in Laos - it's been worse before

By:  Laoconnection.com, February 6, 2024

For Laos, the start of 2024 has seen continued news of high inflation throughout the economy in many sectors and across a variety of products and services.  

While the Lao government has the goal of getting inflation to 9% for 2024, it remains in the double digits at the time of this writing.  The average inflation in 2023 was 31.2%, according to the Lao Statistics Bureau.

As bad as the inflation rate currently is in Laos, is this the worst inflation the country has seen?

Education in Laos - 3 connected challenges

Source:  World Bank, January 29, 2024

BCEL Launches New Payment App for Tourists During Visit Laos Year 2024

Source:  Namfon Chanthavong, Laotian Times, February 2, 2024

Banque pour le Commerce Exterieur Lao Public (BCEL) has unveiled the EZyKip application in a bid to streamline currency exchange for tourists visiting Laos during Visit Laos Year 2024.

Most slithery new book

Title:  The Snakes of Laos
By: Patrick David, Alexandre Teynié, Gernot Vogel
Publisher, Year:  Edition Chimaira, 2023
ISBN:  9783-89973-129-3
Price:  258€

If you're into snakes found in Laos and have a few hundred dollars to put down, then this book could be for you.  Not only is the price jaw-dropping but physically it comes in at a whopping 4.3kg (9.5Ibs) and contains 900+ pages that's chalk full of details and pictures.

This book is likely to be the most definitive publication on this reptile for the country of Laos and will likely become the go-to reference for years to come for anyone looking for information on snakes found in the region.  The level of research and detail is impressive.

Laos earns US$1.4 billion from agricultural exports in 2023

Source:  Vientiane Times, February 2, 2024

Laos earned more than US$1.4 billion from the export of agricultural produce last year, exceeding the target for 2023 by 20.18 percent.

Reporting on developments in the sector, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Mr Thongphat Vongmany said the value of production in agriculture and forestry grew by 3.4 percent in 2023, accounting for 21.4 percent of gross domestic product.

Fears grow that dam across Mekong River in Laos could harm World Heritage site of Luang Prabang

Source: David Rising, Associated Press, February 1, 2024

Photo Source:  AP, January 28, 2024

LUANG PRABANG, Laos (AP) — Landlocked Laos doesn’t have the famous beaches of its neighbors to attract tourists, but instead relies on the pristine beauty of its mountains and rivers and historical sites to bring in visitors.

Champa Meuang Lao - Free Lao-English Magazine

This magazine continually gets better and better!  For those who don't know, it's Lao Airlines official inflight magazine.  Some people might assume these types of magazines might be a bit of a bore but in this case, we can't get enough of it.  It's a beautiful magazine.

How different Southeast Asian cultures preserve meat

Source:  CNA Insider (via Youtube)

Vehicles Queue Up at Petrol Stations as Vientiane Residents Fear Upcoming Fuel Shortage

Source:  Chono Lapuekou, Laotian Times, January 23, 2024 (updated January 24, 2024)

Over the weekend, Vientiane Capital started experiencing an increase in the number of vehicles lining up at petrol stations, raising worries about an upcoming fuel shortage. Residents’ reports suggest that numerous stations have exhausted their diesel stocks, with some now encountering shortages in both diesel and gasoline.

Laos holds festival to promote food products in foreign markets

By:  Xinhua News, January 24, 2024

VIENTIANE -- An annual Lao Food Festival has been launched here to attract foreign visitors to experience local food products and promote Lao food in the international market.

The festival runs for five days from Tuesday to Saturday with the theme of "Tasting Lao food, visit Laos year 2024," said Lao national TV on Wednesday.

Focusing on the Lao community and mental health

Instagram has become a great way to connect with the Lao community.  For those who use this social media, here's one worth checking out.  They discuss a variety of issues from entertainment to mental health and healing - all with a focus on the Lao community.  It's called HealingOutLaod.  Check them out!

A journey of discovery on the Mekong through Laos

 Source:  Deutsche Welle (via Youtube)

Very useful Lao/English Buddhist book

Title: Short Dictionary of Religious and Buddhist Terms Lao-English  / ວັດຈະນານຸກົມນ້ອຍ ຄວາມເຊື່ອ ແລະ ພູດທະສາສນາ ລາວ-ອງກິດ
By:  Patrice Ludwig / ເພັດ ລາດວິກ
Price:  FREE

Laos opens up about mental health amid poor professional support

Source:  SoutheastAsiaGlobe.com
By:  Beatrice Siviero, May 3, 2023

A field of new services and awareness groups sprouted during the loneliness of the Covid-19 pandemic. But with only one licensed psychiatrist in all of Laos and a lack of educational pathways to produce more, mental health issues often go untreated.

Lao-American Author Releases Children's Book "Noy's Journey to Belonging"

By:  EINPresswire.com and Beautiful Potential Consulting LLC, November 16, 2023

UNITED STATES, November 16, 2023 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Renowned Lao author Niphaphone Laura Robertson (formerly Sanavongsay) has unveiled her latest literary work, "Noy's Journey to Belonging: A Quest for Courage," aimed at addressing the scarcity of Lao literature in educational curriculums. Inspired by the Teaching Equitable Asian American Community History (TEAACH) Act of Illinois, Robertson's mission is to promote cultural representation and educate others about the history of Laos.

Laos government targets lower inflation rates in 2024

Source:  Laotian Times, December 29, 2023

Despite the country’s persistent efforts to curb inflation, Laos experienced an average inflation rate of 31.2 per cent throughout 2023. But the central bank and the Lao government are committed to taking action and reducing the rating by 9 per cent in 2024.

The latest report from the Lao Statistics Bureau reveals that inflation stood at 24.4 percent in December, although it showed a slight decrease from 25.24 percent in November.