Vientiane Times
Ethnic groups’ conference promotes contribution to national development .
- Title
- Ethnic groups’ conference promotes contribution to national development .
- Runtime
- 5:33
- Date posted
- 8 years ago
- Description
- Respected representatives
from ethnic groups around
the country and people of
Lao descent living abroad
paid a courtesy visit to
President Bounnhang
Vorachit yesterday before
attending the 3rd National
Ethnic Conference in
Vientiane.
The conference which
opens at the National
Convention Centre today
aims to promote the role
of ethnic groups around
the country in contributing
to national protection and
development.
Before meeting with
President Bounnhang, the
respected representatives
from ethnic groups and
Lao expatriates laid a
wreath at the Unknown
Soldier monument, placed
flower baskets at Kaysone
Phomvihane Museum and
Souphanouvong Museum
as well as visited other
important landmarks in the
capital.
Over 500 respected
representatives from ethnic
groups are attending the
conference t...
- Title
- President urges Lao ethnic people, expatriates to support nation building
- Runtime
- 4:35
- Date posted
- 8 years ago
- Description
- President Bounnhang Vorachit advised respected representatives from Lao ethnic people and expatriates to continue their support for the country’s development at the 3rd National Ethnic Conference.
The conference held yesterday at the National Convention Centre in Vientiane aimed to promote the role of ethnic groups around the country in contributing to national protection and development with over 500 representatives attending from ethnic groups, people of Lao descent in foreign countries and other respected members of society.
During the conference, President Bounnhang noted the conference as a very important symbol in boosting solidarity between the ethnic groups and all Lao people around the country and abroad and contributing to the nation’s social-economic development.
President Bounnhang also said the Lao Front for National Development was playing a bridging role by connecting respected representatives with the party and state organisations at each level. Th...
- Title
- Region cooperates on avian influenza control
- Runtime
- 3:40
- Date posted
- 8 years ago
- Description
- Health authorities have urged for more cooperation between Laos and neighbouring countries to boost communicable disease control and prevent outbreaks.
That was the message at a workshop yesterday attended by WHO Health Emergency Lead, Dr Reiko Tsuyuoka along with senior officials from the Ministry of Health and invited guests.
Deputy Director General of the Ministry of Health’s Department of Communicable Disease Control (DCDC), Dr Bounhoum Akhavong told the regional Cross Border Desktop Training on Avian Influenza that the workshop was a good opportunity to share lessons learned in implementation of controls against avian influenza along ports of entry with neighbouring countries including working with other related sectors in joint surveillance and response.
He highlighted the risk posed if the virus managed to gets into the body humans and urged the regional workshop to strengthen the understanding of sectors in recognising their clear roles in regards to prep...
- Title
- Dialogue aims to boost Japanese investment climate in Laos,
- Runtime
- 3:15
- Date posted
- 8 years ago
- Description
- Representatives from Laos and Japan yesterday discussed several key issues to improve the investment environment in the country.
Aims of the 12th meeting of the Laos-Japan Public and Private Sectors Joint Dialogues in Vientiane included seeking solutions to problems faced by Japanese businesspeople and investors in Laos, and improving services and project facilitation.
The dialogue was chaired by Minister of Planning and Investment, Dr Souphan Keomixay and Ambassador of Japan to Laos Mr Takeshi Hikihara.
Dr Souphan said the discussion was focused on the three main points of establishment and management of representative offices, manufacturing, and logistics.
He said tax officials, Japanese investors and businesspeople would also detail clear steps for implementing tax refunds at the meeting along with exchanging ideas about the use of temporary tax certifications for import procedures and tax exceptions.
Regarding logistics, the conference considered th...
- Title
- A hidden heaven in Pakxong
- Runtime
- 0:53
- Date posted
- 8 years ago
- Description
- If you want a true taste of heaven in this world, it can be found in the south of Laos in Nongluang village among the hills of Pakxong district in Champassak province.
A day-and-night camp out organised by the local community will take you to earthly perfection at Dan Yai or Dan Nong Luang, atop the Bolaven plateau.
This is still a hidden place and few people know about it. But I was really lucky as I found out about it when I visited a friend’s house and fell into conversation with a tour guide.
So last weekend I and four local friends visited the place for the first time. I was amazed that my friends lived so close but had never been there before.
http://vientianetimes.org.la
Patithin Phetmeuangphuan
- Title
- Vientiane TimesLaos, Cambodia agree to deepen ties, resolve border dispute.
- Runtime
- 3:27
- Date posted
- 8 years ago
- Description
- Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith and his Cambodian counterpart Samdech Hun Sen agreed yesterday in Vientiane to work together to deepen bilateral ties and resolve border disputes between the two neighbours.
The Cambodian prime minister is in Laos on December 5-6 for an official visit at the invitation from PM Thongloun.
Both sides reaffirmed their intention to enhance the long-standing friendly relations, cooperation and solidarity between the two countries in the spirit of mutual respect and interests, Premier Thongloun told a press conference shortly after the bilateral talks between the heads of the two governments.
The two prime ministers witnessed the signing of four cooperation agreements. They are a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on art and culture cooperation for 2019-2021, a cooperation agreement on education for 2019-2023, and a cooperation MOU in which Laos will send raised elephants to perform at a zoo in Phnom Penh. Another cooperati
on MOU wil...
- Title
- Tasty turtles a treat for gourmets
- Runtime
- 1:31
- Date posted
- 8 years ago
- Description
- Laos is known for unique and delicious cuisine and some Vientiane folk drool about farm-bred soft shell turtles, locally known as pafa, which are prized as mouth-watering additions to hotpot soup.
This species is not commonly sold in markets because breeders struggle to produce sufficient numbers of these aquatic dwellers to meet customer demand.
In some Vientiane markets, the turtles are sold in plastic bowls with customers bargaining with traders in the hope of getting a discount.
And with a one-kilogram turtle costing 280,000 kip, customers are keen to extract a reduction but most have to make do with only a 10,000 or 20,000 kip discount. Not surprisingly, some pass up on a purchase when informed of the price.
Some well-heeled folk also buy the turtles to keep in their gardens as they believe the creatures will bring good fortune and wealth. But for others, the turtles are carefully nurtured in preparation for adding to the household menu on a special o...
- Title
- Viengxay marks 50th anniversary of its founding
- Runtime
- 1:29
- Date posted
- 8 years ago
- Description
- Viengxay district, Huaphan province: Viengxay district in the northeast of Laos is famous for being the stronghold of the nation’s revolutionary movement and yesterday celebrated its 50th anniversary.
This momentous occasion was honoured by the presence of President Bounnhang Vorachit, along with high-ranking officials and local residents at a grand celebration in the district’s main stadium.
Addressing the event, Vice President Phankham Viphavanh said that today the Party, government and people of Huaphan province, along with people throughout the country, had organised this national celebration to mark the 50th anniversary of the Viengxay liberation forces’ command centre.
For more information please visit http://vientianetimes.org.la
- Title
- Vientiane TimesGov’t achieves success but could do better, Assembly concludes,
- Runtime
- 3:42
- Date posted
- 8 years ago
- Description
- National Assembly (NA)
m e m b e r s e x p r e s s e d
appreciation of the political
responsibility shown by the
government in achieving
many socio-economic
d e v e l o p m e n t t a rg e t s ,
especially reducing revenue
leaks.
But Assembly members
suggested the government
should be more explicit
about its achieved figures
and measures, with a view
to future improvement.
Members made this
assessment yesterday after
listening to and debating
reports presented by the
government over the past
seven days.
The NA praised the
government for its efforts
to stabilise the economy
amid financial difficulties,
noting that it had reduced
financial planning violations
and the leakage of revenue,
and had recovered the state
budget from infrastructure
development projects
In its administration over
the past two...
- Title
- Huge vehicle convoy heads to Viengxay for revolutionary celebrations.
- Runtime
- 4:32
- Date posted
- 8 years ago
- Description
- A convoy of about 110
vehicles and 520 people
representing the Ministry
of Information, Culture
and Tourism left Vientiane
early yesterday morning
on its way to Huaphan
province to promote Visit
Laos Year and celebrate
the 50th anniversary of the
liberation forces’ command
centre.
The caravan was led
by Minister Prof. Dr
Bosengkham Vongdara,
accompanied by government
officials and members of
various organisations.
The vehicles headed for
Xieng Khuang province
from where they will travel
to Viengxay district in
Huaphan for the anniversary
c e l e b r a t i o n s t a k i n g
place from November
28-December 2.
Drivers and passengers
gathered at the That
Luang esplanade for an
official send off by Deputy
Prime Minister Sonexay
Siphandone and Prof. Dr
Bosengkham.
Deputy Minister of
Inform...
- Title
- Asean news agencies debate impacts, challenges of new media.
- Runtime
- 5:15
- Date posted
- 8 years ago
- Description
- Representatives of regional mainstream media agencies met this morning (November 27) in Vientiane a two-day workshop to share lessons learnt in the field of new media.
Media personnel are attending the Asean Print Media Workshop on the Advantages and Disadvantages of the Current Digital Revolution, hosted by the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Deputy Minister Savankhone...
- Title
- Diplomats, international organisations congratulate Laos on National Day.
- Runtime
- 7:12
- Date posted
- 8 years ago
- Description
- Diplomats and representatives of international organisations gathered at the Presidential Office in Vientiane this morning to congratulate government leaders on the 43rd anniversary of the proclamation of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic.
President Bounnhang Vorachit said he highly valued their praise and best wishes, which bore testimony to the time-honoured cordial friendship and cooperation between their respective states and organisations with the Lao PDR.
He added that it was a great encouragement to the government and the Lao people to further pursue the lofty task of nation building and development, aimed at ensuring the Lao people’s prosperity as well as a harmonious, democratic, just and civilised society.
http://vientianetimes.org.la
Souknilundon Southivongnorath
Photos by Khamphanh
- Title
- Diplomats, international organisations congratulate Laos on National Day.
- Runtime
- 6:42
- Date posted
- 8 years ago
- Description
- Diplomats and representatives of international organisations gathered at the Presidential Office in Vientiane this morning to congratulate government leaders on the 43rd anniversary of the proclamation of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic.
President Bounnhang Vorachit said he highly valued their praise and best wishes, which bore testimony to the time-honoured cordial friendship and cooperation between their respective states and organisations with the Lao PDR.
He added that it was a great encouragement to the government and the Lao people to further pursue the lofty task of nation building and development, aimed at ensuring the Lao people’s prosperity as well as a harmonious, democratic, just and civilised society.
http://vientianetimes.org.la
Souknilundon Southivongnorath
Photos by Khamphanh
- Title
- Almsgiving ceremony at That Luang Festival 2018
- Runtime
- 1:09
- Date posted
- 8 years ago
- Description
- www.vientianetimes.org.la
That Luang festival offers splendours aplenty
The famed That Luang festival is one of biggest and most colourful celebrations in Laos and people nationwide look forward to the event every year. Hundreds of tourists, too, attend the festival.
The That Luang Festival is held annually and celebrations are spread over three days, coming to a spectacular end on the 15th day – a full moon – of the 11th lunar month every year.
The celebrations get into gear a few days in advance and this year the festival began on November 16 and will end on November 22.
The process of decorating the esplanade begins a few days ahead of the festival. Several institutions pitch in by cleaning, decorating, and installing booths that display information and exhibit products.
Meanwhile, families prepare themselves to welcome guests who may visit them during the festival. People living in the provinces make the mo...
- Title
- 2018 Wax Castle Procession
- Runtime
- 1:36
- Date posted
- 8 years ago
- Description
- www.vientianetimes.org.la
- Title
- Vientiane TimesNA session opens debate on development challenges, progress .
- Runtime
- 3:17
- Date posted
- 8 years ago
- Description
- The National Assembly (NA) yesterday kicked off its 6th ordinary session by highlighting the progress made and the challenges facing Laos at the half-way point in the 8th five-year socio-economic development plan (2016-2020).
In her opening address, NA President Mrs Pany Yathotou hailed the strong economic growth, political stability, and social order and security that Laos has enjoyed in recent years.
She also expressed concern, describing the current economic and financial difficulties as ‘a considerable challenge’ for socio-economic development.
Those attending the opening session included President Bounnhang Vorachit, Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith, cabinet members, members of parliament, and retired state leaders.
Mr Thongloun told the session that Laos is on track to graduate from Least Developed Country status even though this will not take place in 2020 as targeted in the five-year plan.
A UN assessment conducted earlier this year indicate...
- Title
- Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam agree to jointly promote Buddhism .
- Runtime
- 4:49
- Date posted
- 8 years ago
- Description
- Buddhists from Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam gathered in Vientiane yesterday for the first Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam Buddhist Leaders’ Conference, which aimed to strengthen cooperation in promoting Buddhism in the three countries.
The conference took place at the National Convention Centre and was attended by the President of the Lao Buddhist Fellowship Organisation, Manha-ngon Damrongboun, and the President of the Lao Front for National Development, Dr Xaysomphone Phomvihane, together with 570 Buddhists from Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam.
The conference was organised by the Lao Front for National Development and the Lao Buddhism Fellowship Organisation.
Its aim was to strengthen cooperation between the three countries’ Buddhist organisations and promote and develop Lao Buddhism in the region and internationally.
The conference provided a platform for Buddhists to discuss ways to strengthen and grow the relationship and friendship between their three countries....
- Title
- Laos, Cuba agree to cement long-standing ties.
- Runtime
- 3:04
- Date posted
- 8 years ago
- Description
- President Bounnhang Vorachit and President of the Council of State and Council of Ministers of Cuba, Miguel Mario Diaz-Canel Bermudez, yesterday agreed to deepen the traditionally friendly relations between the two countries during bilateral talks in Vientiane.
The Cuban leader made an official state visit to Laos on November 10-11 at the invitation of President Bounnhang, who is also Secretary General of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party’s Central Committee.
Shortly after a welcoming ceremony at the Presidential Palace, the two leaders held bilateral talks and later witnessed the signing of cooperation agreements on sports and banking.
The leaders briefed each other on the situations in their respective countries, reviewed bilateral cooperation between Laos and Cuba over past years, and discussed future cooperation plans.
The Lao leadership reaffirmed the consistent guidelines of the Party and government of Laos in continuing to deepen relations and coop...
- Title
- Lao farms struggle to supply enough turtles to markets
- Runtime
- 1:06
- Date posted
- 8 years ago
- Description
- www.vientianetimes.org.la
VIENTIANE (Vientiane Times/ANN) - Soft shell turtle farms in Laos are unable to meet the needs of customers across the country as they do not breed adequate head of the aquatic animals.
Mr Katto Douangphachanh, whose family runs a farm that breeds the animals in Hadkaengkhay village of Xaythany district in Vientiane, told Vientiane Times on Friday that his farm does not have enough turtles to meet the demands of buyers. In the past, there were only a few breeders of this animal, locally known as Pafa, but now the setting up of turtle farms is speeding up nationwide. But most of the new farms have only a few ponds.
“Most of the Pafa are sold to buyers from restaurants which have Chinese customers, who liked eating these turtles,” he said.
Besides the Chinese, there are also many Lao people who like eating soft shell turtles because the meat is soft and delicious, especially in hot pot soups.
M...
- Title
- Lao mainstream media’s efforts to adapt online
- Runtime
- 0:50
- Date posted
- 8 years ago
- Description
- www.vientianetimes.org.la
Lao media outlets need to develop online video content to increase the size of their audience, especially as more people are accessing news via handheld technology.
This was the message put across at a training seminar held at the Vientiane Times on Wednesday when Lao Press in Foreign Languages teamed up with the US Embassy to Laos.
The training session on online media production attracted over 30 journalists from mainstream media including Lao National Radio, Social Economic Daily and Pasaxon, KPL and Lao National Television.
The objective was to encourage them to produce online news videos to capture more viewers using the increasingly adopted technology.
In his opening remarks at the event, Director General of Lao Press in Foreign Languages, Mr Thonglor
Duangsavanh, said the digital age is impacting all aspects of life today including politics, economics and
socio-cultural develop...
- Title
- Luang Prabang crews cause upset at Vientiane boat races
- Runtime
- 1:43
- Date posted
- 8 years ago
- Description
- www.vientianetimes.org.la
After attending tak baat (almsgiving) ceremonies on Wednesday morning to mark the end of Buddhist Lent (Boun Ork Phansa), residents of Vientiane yesterday flocked to the Mekong to cheer on their favourite boat crews in the city’s thrilling annual contest.
The first surprise for spectators was the organising committee’s decision to move the races to a new location further downstream.
It was decided that the traditional site of the races – opposite Vat Chan in Chanthabouly district – did not have sufficiently deep water for the 55-crew boats.So the starting line was moved to a point near the Don Chan Palace Hotel and the finish was set near the Landmark Mekong Riverside Hotel in Sisattanak district. The length of the race was also changed, being reduced to 800 metres from the usual 1,000 metres.
Another surprise in addition to the change in location was the result of the main event, which saw a crew from the Nam Khan Rive...
- Title
- Flower growers see sales bloom
- Runtime
- 2:42
- Date posted
- 8 years ago
- Description
- www.vientianetimes.org.la
Laos’ capital city of Vientiane is home to an intriguing village where most of the land is brightly coloured by various blooms, as almost 80 percent of the families living here grow flowers for sale.
Thamuang village in Hadxaifong district is about two kilometres from the Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge and is easily found as everyone in the neighbourhood knows it.
Two or three days before every holy or Buddha day, the villagers – mostly women - gather in a hut close to the street where they make garlands after picking the flowers they have grown.
All of the women making garlands wear protective sheaths on their fingers so they don’t get cut by the needles they use. Their work is painstaking and meticulous, with beautiful results.
Ms Bounhome Phimmavong, 52, is one of a group of 10 women who work in the hut. She and her husband have been growing flowers for more than 20 years.
They started out by planting flow...
- Title
- Boao Forum showcases nation’s development, investment opportunities.
- Runtime
- 4:20
- Date posted
- 8 years ago
- Description
- Development and investment opportunities in Laos and the region along with the nation’s exciting potential have been showcased at the Boao Forum held in Vientiane from September 28-29.
The synergies between the Chinese Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the Southeast Asian region’s development strategy, especially significant development in Laos as a link between Asean and China, were tabled as important topics for discussion among participants.
In his opening ceremony address at the forum, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Somdy Duangdy said the BRI is a path of peace, prosperity and civilisation, which would create favourable conditions to promote more effective trade, investment and visits between Laos, China and Asean.
“The initiative complements the development strategy of Laos in becoming more connected, or transformed from a landlocked to a land-linked country,” Mr Somdy said.
Domestic political stability, stable economic growth ave...
- Title
- Flood victim assistance efforts considered in depth.
- Runtime
- 4:09
- Date posted
- 8 years ago
- Description
- Government officials yesterday met with development partner bodies to hold a brainstorming session on ways to best assist flooding victims nationwide and estimate damages and losses caused by recent disasters across the country.
The meeting was attended by local officials from the concerned sectors and representatives of international organisations such as UNDP, World Bank, and European Union and bilateral partners to discuss and evaluate the requirements for rehabilitation and planning requirements in response to recent disasters.
The objectives of the meeting were to assess costs and losses caused by the recent floods across the country, to identify recovery needs to develop a sustainable recovery strategy and to guide donors funding to ultimately to build back better and safer and ensure a successful, resilient and sustainable recovery.
The PDNA will cover the entire country, and focus will be put on the most affected, Minister of Labour and Social Welfare and Cha...
- Title
- Sanamxay flood, saddle dam collapse investigation transparency promised: DPM,
- Runtime
- 4:09
- Date posted
- 8 years ago
- Description
- The government has promised to handle the investigation of the cause of the collapse of the auxiliary dam of Xe Pian-Xe Namnoy Hydropower project transparently and openly with assistance and participation of multilateral parties of industry specialists, the nation’s Deputy PM has confirmed.
Deputy Prime Minister Dr Sonexay Siphandone, who is also Chairman of the National Ad hoc Committee in charge of the post-disaster response, conveyed the promise in a press conference held by the committee for the first time since the immediate aftermath of the tragic incident resulting from the collapse the dam.
“We have hired a company from Switzerland to investigate the factors leading to the collapse of the dam,” Dr Sonexay said.
He noted the firm came replete with experienced independent international dam safety specialists.
“The investigation will be undertaken in a transparent, open and accountable way,” he said.
Switzerland was one of the countries that...
- Title
- Vientiane TimesTaxes, fees temporarily cut in govt’s flood recovery plan,
- Runtime
- 7:31
- Date posted
- 8 years ago
- Description
- The government has agreed to cut various taxes and fees in flood-stricken areas in order to promote greater production during the coming dry-season to compensate damage by this year’s devastating floods.
The agreement on the flood recovery plan was reached at the two-day meeting between the cabinet, Vientiane Mayor and provincial governors that ended on Tuesday in Vientiane.
The Ministry of Finance was told to work with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to figure out how to reduce or waive land tax in the flooded areas, the government spokesman Prof. Dr Chaleun Yiapaoher told local media shortly after the meeting.
Chaired by Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith, the meeting told the Ministry of Energy and Mines to define a policy towards reducing electricity fees for the flooded areas to promote production.
The Ministry of Finance was assigned to study how the emergency budget can be utilised efficiently for disaster relief and recovery. It was a...
- Title
- Development of hydropower ‘must be safe’, PM tells World Economic Forum,
- Runtime
- 6:19
- Date posted
- 8 years ago
- Description
- Hanoi, Vietnam: Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith told the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Hanoi, Vietnam, on Wednesday that the development of hydroelectricity dams in Laos must be safe and environmentally friendly.
The prime minister was responding to a question raised by the 27th WEF’s discussion panel about whether the fracture of a dam in Laos’ Attapeu province, resulting in a deadly flood, would affect Laos’ approach to hydropower development.
“Of course it will impact the development of hydropower dams in Laos,” he told the panel, in which government leaders from the Mekong Subregion took part.
The Lao government has suspended the consideration of proposals to survey and invest in new hydropower projects following the fracture and collapse of an auxiliary dam at the under construction Xe-Pian Xe-Namnoy hydropower plant in July.
As an additional precautionary measure, hydropower projects for which documents have been signed by the government and i...
- Title
- World Economic Forum: PM calls for collective effort to advance Asean,
- Runtime
- 7:16
- Date posted
- 8 years ago
- Description
- Asean member countries need to collectively forge ahead to develop the 10-member regional bloc and maintain its centrality and unity to overcome regional challenges, Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith told the 27th World Economic Forum yesterday.
The theme of the forum this year is ‘Asean 4.0: Entrepreneurship and the Fourth Industrial Revolution’ and is taking place in Hanoi, Vietnam.
Mr Thongloun said that over the coming decades the world would grow rapidly amid the science and technology revolution and industrial innovation taking place, which would provide the basis for many countries to advance their socio-economic development.
But there could be challenges that may arise, such as conflicts, disparity in benefits from the advances and scientific developments between countries, groups of countries as well as between groups of people, the Lao premier told the forum.
The development gap and increasing cyber threats are other challenges that could become s...
- Title
- Cambodia to withdraw troops as Laos, Cambodia agree on ways to resolve border dispute.
- Runtime
- 8:45
- Date posted
- 8 years ago
- Description
- Hanoi, Vietnam: Cambodia will withdraw troops from the disputed Laos-Cambodia border area by 5 pm today, Prime Minister Samdech Hun Sen announced here yesterday.
The Kingdom’s troops are unilaterally patrolling the disputed border area of Houay Tangao.
Prime Minister Hun Sen made the announcement at a press conference held shortly after he met for talks with his Lao counterpart Thongloun Sisoulith. Mr Thongloun also attended the press conference.
The two premiers were in Hanoi to attend the 27th World Economic Forum on Asean.
They reached an agreement adopting three conditions towards addressing the unresolved border area, Samdech Hun Sen told Lao and Cambodian reporters through an interpreter.
The conditions are as follows:
- There will be no army or troops in the unresolved area,
- There will be no people living or making a living in the unresolved area,
- Both sides will carry out joint patrols in the unresolved area.
Dro...
- Title
- Vientiane TimesPM issues advice in wake of Nam Ngum floods
- Runtime
- 2:06
- Date posted
- 8 years ago
- Description
- Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith yesterday stressed the safety of local people when he visited flood-hit areas alongside the Nam Ngum River in Vientiane province.
Mr Thongloun expressed his concern for local residents’ safety when he met with provincial authorities to explore the flooded area downstream of the Nam Ngum 1 dam.
He also met with the operators of the dam to learn how they manage the discharge of water from the reservoir. According to the operators, the water recently released from the dam had contributed about 60 percent of the floodwater.
The floods have inundated 11 villages in Thoulakhom district, namely Hadsuan, Tanpiew, Choom, Souksala, Chaeng, Lingxan, Hadsiew, Phonpheng, Boungphao, Hadxay, and Keunneua, and about 1,400 families of 7,000 people have been affected.
According to a report from the provincial authorities, the flooding, which began on August 30, had affected 9,000 buffalos, 30,000 cattle, 15,000 pigs, 5,000 goats, and 550,000 ...
- Title
- River communities battle ongoing flooding
- Runtime
- 3:25
- Date posted
- 8 years ago
- Description
- Many villages along the nation’s major rivers will continue to experience flooding after weather and water level warnings were issued for at-risk areas.
The main rivers will continue to rise to risky and dangerous levels following more rain across the country in recent days, according to an alert issued by the Meteorology and Hydrology Department.
The level of the Mekong in Vientiane has risen above the risk level for the second time in a month.
Some villages are now experiencing flooding because they are located in low-lying areas with authorities calculating the cost of the damage.
As measured at Km 4 in central Vientiane yesterday, the Mekong had risen to 11.67 metres, with the risk level being 11.50 metres and the danger level 12.50 metres.
The river is forecast to drop to 11.58 metres today and to 11.45 metres tomorrow. But although the water level is expected to fall, locals should remain on high alert.
The Mekong rose to 11.20 metres last mo...
- Title
- Flood-hit families in Attapeu get new housing.
- Runtime
- 4:48
- Date posted
- 8 years ago
- Description
- Families made homeless by the flood caused by the collapse of a dam in Sanamxay district, Attapeu province, on July 23, will now have better living conditions after temporary housing has been built for them.
News of the development was passed on by district Governor Mr Bounhom Phommasane when he met with local authorities, health officials and WHO staff to spray insecticide around the new housing to prevent dengue fever.
Mr Bounhom told Vientiane Times yesterday that the construction of temporary accommodation in Hadyao village was now complete, saying “We are meeting with officials from the health sector and WHO to spray the area in preparation for the arrival of displaced families who will now stay here.”
“The single-storey housing block has 140 rooms. We expect to move some of the families in Mai village to temporary accommodation on September 5,” he added.
Mr Bounhom said some of the 199 displaced families in Mai village will also move into a tempora...
- Title
- River communities battle ongoing flooding
- Runtime
- 0:50
- Date posted
- 8 years ago
- Description
- Many villages along the nation’s major rivers will continue to experience flooding after weather and water level warnings were issued for at-risk areas.
The main rivers will continue to rise to risky and dangerous levels following more rain across the country in recent days, according to an alert issued by the Meteorology and Hydrology Department.
The level of the Mekong in Vientiane has risen above the risk level for the second time in a month.
Some villages are now experiencing flooding because they are located in low-lying areas with authorities calculating the cost of the damage.
As measured at Km 4 in central Vientiane yesterday, the Mekong had risen to 11.67 metres, with the risk level being 11.50 metres and the danger level 12.50 metres.
The river is forecast to drop to 11.58 metres today and to 11.45 metres tomorrow. But although the water level is expected to fall, locals should remain on high alert.
The Mekong rose to 11.20 metres ...
- Title
- Nam Ngum homes under threat from continued flooding
- Runtime
- 1:16
- Date posted
- 8 years ago
- Description
- Many houses alongside the Nam Ngum have been flooded after the river overflowed following continuous heavy rain since last week, while authorities are keeping a close watch as the water level remains perilously high.
In Vientiane, five out of nine districts have experienced flooding, namely Sikhottabong, Hadxaifong, Pakngum, Naxaithong and Xaythany.
More than 16,000 people in over 12,000 families living in 61 villages have been affected, while thousands of hectares of farmland are under water.
In Saendin village, Naxaithong district, 1,355 people from 309 families are suffering from the floods, which have submerged 1,300 hectares of farmland.
The Administration Office in Xaythany district reported that since August 19 some 1,480 people in 222 families in six village groups, consisting of over 30 villages, had been affected after the Nam Ngum river overflowed.
Many families living in at-risk areas have moved to safer places, while some have...
- Title
- Vientiane TimesCommittee calls for enhanced flood and drought risk management.
- Runtime
- 4:26
- Date posted
- 8 years ago
- Description
- Building the capacity of stakeholders will be a long job for the Flood and Drought Risk and Mitigation (FDM) project in permanently improving the effective use of resources.
The matter was discussed at a meeting of the FDM National Steering Committee yesterday, when members met to assess progress to date.
The project is being implemented through Greater Mekong Subregion cooperation, with support from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) of US$36.5 million (of which US$24 million is a loan and US$12.5 million is a grant) and support from the Lao government of US$590,000.
Implementation of the FDM began in 2013 to support the government in undertaking structural and non-structural measures to manage disaster risks linked to flooding and drought.
In his opening remarks at the meeting, Vientiane People’s Council President and Chairman of the National Steering Committee, Dr Anouphap Tounalom, said the project had been most successful with regard to management and admi...
- Title
- Extra-curricular activities inspire student learning.
- Runtime
- 4:33
- Date posted
- 8 years ago
- Description
- The privately run Wattana Nursery Kindergarten and Primary School is confident is can expand its facilities to ensure its lower secondary students’ educational quality in the 2019-2020 academic year.
Based on student-centered learning methods, the development focus is on four main points – intelligence quotient (IQ), emotional intelligence quotient (EQ), moral quotient (MQ) and physical quotient (PQ). Every extra-curricular activity at the school is linked to these four aspects.
Children need to realise their own values and develop themselves to become givers to other people and society, the school’s co-founder Ms Oudalone said.
The school, located in Phonphanao village in Xaysettha district, Vientiane, has 340 students in the childcare, kindergarten and primary school levels (up to year 5). It has succeeded in its progressive teaching techniques and teacher quality development based on Ministry of Education and Sports guidelines since the 2015-2016 academic ...
- Title
- Latest report: Widespread flooding leaves devastation in its wake
- Runtime
- 1:34
- Date posted
- 8 years ago
- Description
- Flooding caused by recent storms has killed at least 46 people while 97 other people are missing and four people were injured, according to the latest report from the National Disaster Prevention and Control Committee.
Some 82,460 families of 236,188 people in 79 districts of 14 provinces were affected by floods after tropical storms Son-Tinh and Bebinca brought torrential rain from the middle of July to the middle of August.
As many as 11,383 people have been displaced and now live in temporary shelters. About 120 schools have been damaged, posing a challenge for a timely start to the new school year which begins on September 1.
Some 62,980 hectares of rice fields and 41,879 hectares of other crops have been flooded, 208 irrigation systems have been damaged, and thousands of livestock and poultry have died.
As many as 138 roads and 26 bridges have been damaged with losses estimated at more than 15.8 billion kip.
The latest count shows that 27 gravity-f...
- Title
- Weathermen issue alert for Mekong flooding.
- Runtime
- 3:54
- Date posted
- 8 years ago
- Description
- People living alongside the Mekong River are warned to be extra vigilant over possible flooding this week, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment’s Meteorology and Hydrology Department has warned.
The river is rising because of heavy rains in northern Laos after the remnants of tropical storm Bebinca moved across the region last week.
Flooding has already occurred in low-lying areas of Vientiane as well as in other parts of the country. The warning was issued yesterday after the river level began rising rapidly a few days ago, flooding houses, shops and crops. Many people and their livestock have moved to safer areas as a temporary measure.
The authorities are now working to help those who have been displaced by floods. The rise in the Mekong has caused widespread inundation with many people comparing the situation to the floods of 2008.
A report issued yesterday said the river had flooded 58 families out of 386 houses in Nongda village and 13 fami...
- Title
- Mekong rising in Vientiane
- Runtime
- 2:50
- Date posted
- 8 years ago
- Description
- The Mekong River in Vientiane rose rapidly overnight and flooded a newly built open-air shopping centre built below the embankment close to Fa Ngum Road.
This morning people could be seen hurrying to the shopping centre, which contains 300 stalls and is near the Chao Anouvong monument, to carry their goods to safety, while electricity technicians were securing power outlets.
Vientiane Times went to the riverbank and found hundreds of people gazing at the river while vendors walked through the water to make sure their stalls and goods were safe.
An urgent announcement by the Vientiane Administration Office yesterday evening told the Vientiane disaster management committee to prepare for a flood after the water level in the Nam Ngum dam reached the warning line.
The announcement also told the Vientiane Agriculture and Forestry Department to inspect sluice gates and instructed all district offices to prepare for a flood and ensure children did not play alongside ri...
- Title
- Advice for the survival of the Lao media in the digital age
- Runtime
- 5:51
- Date posted
- 8 years ago
- Description
- The Lao media is working to adjust and develop to take on the challenges posed by the spread of social media, which has taken the world by storm.
The following are comments on how the Lao media can meet these challenges and adapt to this new era of communications, as made by the Deputy Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr Savankhone Razmountry.
Mr Savankhone, who is President of the Lao Journalists’ Association and is responsible for media affairs, gave his opinions on the topic during an interview to mark the 68th Mass Media and Publishing Day, which occurred on August 13.
For many years, the government has used the media as an important voice for the state and Party. The role of the media has been to report on events taking place in society.
The media has the capacity to respond to slanderous reports, false advertising, and distortions of the truth. In this way, the media acts as a bridge to ensure true understanding between Laos and other count...
- Title
- Minister outlines four main areas of assistance for Attapeu.
- Runtime
- 4:16
- Date posted
- 8 years ago
- Description
- The government has said it will immediately focus on four main areas of assistance for people affected by the flood caused by the dam failure in Attapeu province’s Sanamxay district.
The four areas of concern were announced by Minister of Foreign Affairs Saleumxay Kommasith at a briefing conference held in Vientiane yesterday.
The meeting updated representatives of international organisations, the diplomatic corps and media personnel as well as other government officials on the latest developments in the flood-hit region, and how the government was responding to the tragedy.
Mr Saleumxay said first and foremost the government would continue the search and rescue operation for those who were still missing.
“We still have about 100 [people] missing which is a big concern,” he said, adding that the government needed more sophisticated equipment to help locate them.
The second target, he said, was to rebuild infrastructure, especially roads, after ro...
- Title
- Weary rescuers head homeward bound with nation’s gratitude
- Runtime
- 2:04
- Date posted
- 8 years ago
- Description
- Sanamxay district, Attapeu province: The number of confirmed fatalities remained at 11 as of yesterday’s conclusion of the ground search and rescue mission on day eight following the devastation caused by floodwaters from the failure of the saddle dam D at the provinces under-construction Xepian-Xenamnoy hydropower plant.
The mission for search and rescue operations for missing victims between July 24-31 has involved teams from Laos, Thailand and China.
Rescuers from Thailand will now return to address flood challenges closer to home after participating in the mission for many days.
Lao rescue teams via the nation's capital have relocated from a temporary base camp on site to the urban area of Sanamxay district to wait for further assignments from headquarters. These teams were assigned to search for missing victims in various parts of the flood-affected area where it was suspected victims might have been located.
There they found constant challenges amid the...
- Title
- Heat-detection, forensic assistance accepted in Sanamxay flood responsees
- Runtime
- 2:21
- Date posted
- 8 years ago
- Description
- Authorities in charge have accepted Singapore's proposal to send a rescue team with heat-detecting drone technology in an attempt to locate alive any of the 120 people still missing after the July 23 flooding in Attapeu province's Sanamxay district resulting from a dam collapse.
The approval was announced yesterday at the half-day meeting of the National Ad Hoc Committee in charge of dealing with the deadly disaster that has seen 11 people confirmed dead and left thousands more homeless.
Rescuers have struggled to locate any signs of the missing after floodwaters receded to leave a coating of thick and sticky mud which has made it difficult for boats or vehicular access to remote affected areas.
"Our most urgent work is to locate the missing people," the committee's Chairman Sonexay Siphandone, who is also Deputy Prime Minister, told the meeting.
Saddle dam D, one of the auxiliary dams that are part of the Xe-Pian Xe-Namnoy hydropower project being built by Sout...
- Title
- Sanamxay flood search, rescue effort sees 30 percent reached
- Runtime
- 0:49
- Date posted
- 8 years ago
- Description
- Attapeu : Search and rescue operations have spanned just 30 percent of the total area of 13 flood-affected villages in Attapeu province as of yesterday afternoon as the complexities of the terrain and prevailing conditions continue to hamper progress according to a senior official.
Another fatality was recorded as of yesterday 3:00 pm bringing total confirmed dead to five.
Some 126 persons remain missing as rescuers battle the elements in a time-consuming yet urgent search for signs of survival, as well as the grim task of addressing the remains of the deceased.
It is expected that the official death toll will increase as most persons missing are children and elderly people who would be most unlikely to have survived the flooding, according to the official who is a member of the committee in charge of the victim assistance affairs.
“Some children swept away were just four or five years old,” he said, citing testimony offered by survivors.
The a...
- Title
- Vientiane Times
- Runtime
- 0:38
- Date posted
- 8 years ago
- Description
- Officials in Luang Prabang province said at 1pm today they would track down the person responsible for spreading fake information about the possible collapse of the under construction Nam Ou 2 hydroelectric dam.
The news spread very quickly on various social media applications, causing readers in the province and around the world to misunderstand the situation.
President of the Luang Prabang People's Assembly, Mr Saisamone Khomthavong, said the operators of the dam had told people living downstream of the dam they would release water to prevent the dam overflowing, but he had no idea where the information concerning the collapse of the dam originated.
http://vientianetimes.org.la
- Title
- Evacuation center in Pakxong district, Champassak province
- Runtime
- 1:03
- Date posted
- 8 years ago
- Description
- Thousands of evacuees from the flash flood in Attapeu province need blankets and mattresses at evacuation centers in Pakxong district, Champassak province.
- Title
- Flood at Sanamxay district, Attapeu province
- Runtime
- 1:42
- Date posted
- 8 years ago
- Description
- According to reporters Phoonsab Thevongsa and Joy Cheerlao said that the water is decreasing and rescue teams from Laos and regional countries working hard to search for victims in the area.
- Title
- City coffee proves popular at Luang Prabang's Khi-ngen.
- Runtime
- 3:50
- Date posted
- 8 years ago
- Description
- LuangPrabang city is a world Heritage Site bosting a unique selection of natural, cultural and historical places.
To complement this attractive offering, food and drinks also come with local styles and inspiration from abroad popping up in unlikely places.
- Title
- Prosperity of country, communities reliant on poverty reduction push: PM.
- Runtime
- 4:27
- Date posted
- 8 years ago
- Description
- Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith has called for efforts to ensure poverty and least-developed status can be eradicated from the country's rural areas, with the entire nation called upon to participate in the struggle.
Mr Thongloun made the call in his address at the meeting held in the capital to disseminate the Government Decree no.348 on Poverty Graduation and Development Standards.
He praised the progress and achievements made in poverty reduction and rural development in the country in the past two and half years with an additional 12,000 families and 200 villages graduating from poverty.
Some 64,000 families or 5.3 percent of all in the country are living under the poverty line.
Some 1,500 villages or 18.1 percent of villages nationwide are considered poor while some 4,100 or 48.8 percent have already been able to raise their status from poor to developed.
The government had planned for the country to graduate from least developed status by 2020. <...
- Title
- Fish release proclaimed as PM, public propel piscine preservation.
- Runtime
- 3:51
- Date posted
- 8 years ago
- Description
- Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith yesterday led civil servants, police officers, soldiers, representatives from international organisations and the public in Vientiane in releasing 150,000 fingerlings on the occasion of this year’s National Aquatic Animal and Wildlife Conservation Day.
The juvenile fish release and ceremony took place at Nam Houm reservoir in Naxaithong district, with Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Vientiane authorities and Lao Youth Union as co-hosts.
At the ceremony, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Dr Lien Thikeo said the government recognises the importance of the conservation of aquatic animals and wildlife as well as biodiversity as these are essential to national socio-economic development, the improvement of livelihoods and poverty reduction and sustainability of biodiversity.
July 13 every year is National Aquatic Animal and Wildlife Conservation Day as stipulated in the Law on Forestry.
The nation also has the Law on Aqu...
