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October 2007
Lai Heau Fai Festival in Luang Prabang 2007 More Photos
At the temple when Lai Heau Fai Festival in Luang Prabang More photos
(KPL) The World Heritage town of Luang-Prabang is now preparing to welcome the domestic and foreign tourists who like coming to see the beautiful city of Luang Prabang during the high season of tourism which normally starts from November to April. According to the statistics from the Planning and Investment Service of Luang Prabang province, the tourists has come to visit Luang Prabang province last year were 332,226 people.
Mr. Bounlouan Singnakhone, Deputy Director of Planning and Investment Service disclosed recently that Luang Prabang province has now 26 small and big tour companies.
Last year, these companies has provided the service for 332,226 tourists, in which 197,699 were foreign tourists and 134,527 local tourists, growing 57,072 people or 20.7% compared to the previous year and generated US$ 82.73 million of income.
According to Mr. Bounlouan, today, the province has built 111 tourist sites, 20 hotels, two resorts, 222 guesthouses, and 104 restaurants to serve the tourists. The hotels and resorts are able to accommodate 3,000 tourists a day.
Currently, the hotels, guesthouse and restaurants are under improvement. In addition, the provincial authorities has allowed the foreign investors to improve and develop the infrastructure for attracting the foreign tourists, especially 7 construction projects for the hotel and resort cost US$ 20 million.
From : www.kpl.net, Thank you.
Let us go to sign seeing at The New Souphanouvong Univer Sity that is opened the first year.More photos
(KPL) A project on restoration and expansion of Luang Prabang airport in northern Laos is expected to be carried out next month with low-rate credit loans from the Chinese government.
In the first phase, slated to last for 14 months, the project will cover restoration of the airport’s main facilities, and in the second phase following 30 months, the airport will be expanded, including construction of runway and other auxiliary facilities.
The project is estimated to cost around at 57 million USD. Once completed, the airport will be capable of accommodating large passenger carriers like Airbus and Boeing.
An agreement on the plan is expected to be signed on October 12 between representatives from a Chinese company and the Lao Ministry of Transport, Post and Construction.
The text from: www.kpl.net, Thanks you.
Late President Souphanouvong’s Statue to be installed in Luang Prabang
KPL) The Lao government has agreed to build a new memorial for late President Souphanouvong at the centre of Souphanouvong University campus, Luang Prabang province.
A contract was signed here on 11 October between representatives of the Ministry of Education and Vietnamese Patthana Vichitsilp Construction Company, in the presence of Education Minister Somkot Mangnomek, Vietnamese contractor, Nguyen Nam Moc and officials concerned.
Funded by the Lao government, the construction project of the statue of late PresidentSouphanouvong costs 1.9 billion kip (US$ 200,000), and is expected to start the work on 15 October.
The project will continue until early 2008, according to the contract.
The statue, 3.6 metres in the sitting position with a book in his left hand while the right hand points to the book to explain the Party’s guideline in front of people.
The text from: www.kpl.net
Lai Heau Fai(Drifting Boats of Fire) Festival, it will take during full moon day of Octorber, In Luang Prabang is a big colorful festival, The Lai Heau Fai parade will take after full moon day every year,you just may know New Year parade before,the atmosphere look like that but, this parade take at the night and it's a very interesting festival in Luang Prabang.
180 cm, 22 years old, Mr Sith, Virasith Savath won Mr Clear 2007 contest, this contest was took by Thai Uniliver Company in Vientiane for find the presenter to promost a popular samphoo "Clinic Clear", now he is studying at SUSAKA College, 4th year. the 2nd runner-up is a guy from vientiane, The 3rd runner-up he is also a guy from Luang Prabang.
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Text from Vientianetimes
Luang prabang guy crowned the title of Mr. Clean in Laos 2007
Mr Vilasith Savath or Sith, 22, was announced as the first winner of the Mr Clear 2007 contest at Romeo nightclub in Vientiane on Sunday.
The event was held by the Unilever Thai Trading Ltd, a distributor of Clinic Clear Shampoo which held this event to select presenters and advertising models.
“I did not think I would win as there were so many smart-looking guys on the stage with me, but I just did my best,” Mr Sith said....more info >>
Vilasith, originally from Luang Prabang province, received a prize of 2.5 million kip, the Clinic Clear trophy 2007, a Clinic Clear gift set, and will become a promoter for the company for one year.
The runner up, Mr Santi Luangkhot or Dono, 17, was voted the Sexiest Man and received prizes worth 1.5million kip plus a Clinic Clear gift set.
The third place prize for the Most Active Man went to Mr Inthanousin Sivilaisak or Ai, 18, who received 1 million kip and a Clinic Clear gift set.
The Most Charming Guy was Mr Phongsathon Vongthavon or Billy, 20, while the Healthiest Man was Mr Vixayaphone Phoneseua or Gig, 22, and the Best Sportsman was Mr Phouttakon Bouttaveht or Ae, 25, each of whom received 600,000 kip and a Clinic Clear gift set.
The Manager of Clinic Clear Thailand, Ms Alounny Atsavalerthsak said, “The contest, entitled Mr Clear 2007 , represents the first time that we have held such a competition in Laos . The idea was to choose well-presented young men to appear in newspapers, magazines and on billboards advertising our products here.”
The organiser opened applications last month, over 50 people participated and six contestants were chosen to compete on Sunday.
The event opened with a showcase of breakdancing skills by dancers from the Lao Bangfai Breakdancing Club and was followed by a fashion show where six young men modeled sportswear and casual clothes.
During the evening there were many games, with the winners receiving company products as prizes.
The event also featured a mini-concert by artists from Indee Records including Modern Dance, Princess and LOG, who entertained the audience before the announcement of the winner.
The votes that decided the winner were 50 percent from the judging panel and 50 percent from the audience.
By PHOONSAB THEVONGSA
September 04, 2007
Vientianetimes
Via Samakomlao, Thanks...
UNESCO to review Luang Prabang's World Heritage status
UNESCO will send officials to Luang Prabang next month to see whether the town still warrants its World Heritage status, according to a senior official.
The head of the Luang Prabang Heritage Office, Ms Manivone Thoummabouth, said last week that the team of inspectors would arrive in Luang Prabang early next month, and will work there for two weeks to review all heritage sites in a routine inspection.
“They will come with a checklist to ensure all listed building and artefacts have remained intact in the 10 years since the town was listed as a World Heritage Site,” she said in a telephone interview with Vientiane Times.
She said the inspection was not unexpected, because UNESCO inspects all sites 10 years after they have been granted World Heritage status.
She added that UNESCO had proposed an inspection of the town last year. “Lao government and UNESCO officials reached an agreement on a deadline for the Luang Prabang inspection in August during a meeting in Switzerland ,” she said.
Ms Manivone said the team of inspectors had extensive knowledge of World Heritage Sites and remained independent from all state organisations.
UNESCO has removed certain sites from the World Heritage list in the past, including the city of Chiang Mai in Thailand , which was unable to maintain its sites due to rapid development.
Ms Manivone said she had a strong belief that the results of this year's inspection would be positive, because over the past 10 years local authorities have “done an excellent job in maintaining the area”.
She explained that many of the town's temples and houses were in the same condition as they were 10 years ago, and all renovations had been carried out carefully, in accordance with heritage guidelines.
She also said that while local architecture had been preserved, Luang Prabang residents had continued to maintain their traditional lifestyles; women still wear the traditional Lao skirt when offering alms to monks in the early mornings, an example of the many traditions that have largely disappeared in Asia .
Ms Manivone said the Lao government has always been intent on protecting its places of cultural heritage as they reflect the unique Lao culture, and help to boost the tourism industry.
“Many tourists come to Luang Prabang because of its World Heritage status,” she said, adding that this has led to more jobs and better incomes for local people.
From VIENTIANE TIMES
Vientiane discusses to mark 450th anniversary founding of Vientiane
(KPL) The Executive Board of Vientiane organised the first meeting last week on preparing the celebration of 450th anniversary founding of Vientiane in the year of 2010 to promote tourism.
The meeting was chaired by Mr Somsavat Lengsavad, Standing Deputy Prime Minister, who is also the President of Vientiane Preparation Committee where was attended by Mr Sombath Yailiher, Vientiane Party Secretary, Dr. Sinlavong Koudphaithoun, Vientiane Mayor and high-ranking officials.
The meeting passed a number of legislature documents on the celebration of the 450th anniversary founding of Vientiane Capital so as to inform the celebration to the Party Central Committee’s Office and Government.
The meeting has also informed the agreements of Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister on the appointment of Sub-Preparing Committee for Marking 450th anniversary founding of Vientiane and Organising Committee.
“The celebration of Vientiane is the first historical event of the nation and a significant history,” Vientiane Mayor Sinlavong said. “This is also a study of Vientiane’s background on development of society, economy and politic that dated back to 230 BC.”
The celebration is to generate from domestic and foreign countries and also a great contribution to agriculture production, businesses, services and tourism.
Mr. Somsavat urged the Vientiane Party members pay attention to poverty reduction to complete 100 percent, to strive reduce number of poor people and eradication of slash and burn cultivation practice.
Also try to create jobs in Sangthong and Pakngum districts as well as to solve the social negative impact.
From www.kpl.net
