2015年12月31日星期四
2015年7月29日星期三
昆明-曼谷-廉差邦铁路 拟2020年通车
昆明-曼谷-廉差邦铁路 拟2020年通车
针对中国昆明-曼谷-廉差邦火车铁路建设项目，交通部预测，该项目可望在2020年完成施工并启动服务，包括考虑将原来的昆明-曼谷公路运输线，改为昆明-曼谷-廉差邦线。
泰国交通部长巴金上将昨天（27日）与寮国公共工程与运输部长本占，主持召开泰国-寮国交通部长级会议。
巴金上将于会后表示，此次会议主要讨论两国基础设施建设互联互通问题，以及两国公路和铁路运输问题，是两国就此类问题召开的第2次会议。两国之间相互连通的铁路线将有两条，包括越南-寮国-泰国以及中国-寮国-泰国铁路线，尤其是从中国延伸出境的1.435米标准轨距铁路，从昆明连通寮国的铁路线，还有长达520公里的距离没有铺设铁路，再加上从寮国边境到永珍也有417公里的距离未建铁路，预计将于今年年底启动施工，以跟得上将于今年10月启动的泰-中双轨铁路项目进展。由此可以预估，玛达普-曼谷-昆明铁路线将于2020年竣工。
对于将连接铁路线的泰-寮新友谊大桥建设项目，该座新友谊大桥将与现有的泰-寮友谊大桥距离仅30米，泰寮双方将共同研究各自负责的境内区域，在泰-中铁路线启动运营后，将立即开放服务。
此外，巴金上将指出，还将更仔细地研究泰国-寮国-中国的公路运输路线，可能会将原订的昆明-曼谷路线，改为昆明-曼谷-廉差邦运输线，同时泰方还需要与寮国运输经营商进行协商，运输货物时必须经过泰国边境码头，预计双方将会在8-9月期间展开讨论，具体工作包括修订泰国、寮国的相关法律条例，因为两国法律范畴存在差异。对此，两国特别设立工作小组，共同研究两国法律修订方案。
~以上新闻转自世界日报~
针对中国昆明-曼谷-廉差邦火车铁路建设项目，交通部预测，该项目可望在2020年完成施工并启动服务，包括考虑将原来的昆明-曼谷公路运输线，改为昆明-曼谷-廉差邦线。
泰国交通部长巴金上将昨天（27日）与寮国公共工程与运输部长本占，主持召开泰国-寮国交通部长级会议。
巴金上将于会后表示，此次会议主要讨论两国基础设施建设互联互通问题，以及两国公路和铁路运输问题，是两国就此类问题召开的第2次会议。两国之间相互连通的铁路线将有两条，包括越南-寮国-泰国以及中国-寮国-泰国铁路线，尤其是从中国延伸出境的1.435米标准轨距铁路，从昆明连通寮国的铁路线，还有长达520公里的距离没有铺设铁路，再加上从寮国边境到永珍也有417公里的距离未建铁路，预计将于今年年底启动施工，以跟得上将于今年10月启动的泰-中双轨铁路项目进展。由此可以预估，玛达普-曼谷-昆明铁路线将于2020年竣工。
对于将连接铁路线的泰-寮新友谊大桥建设项目，该座新友谊大桥将与现有的泰-寮友谊大桥距离仅30米，泰寮双方将共同研究各自负责的境内区域，在泰-中铁路线启动运营后，将立即开放服务。
此外，巴金上将指出，还将更仔细地研究泰国-寮国-中国的公路运输路线，可能会将原订的昆明-曼谷路线，改为昆明-曼谷-廉差邦运输线，同时泰方还需要与寮国运输经营商进行协商，运输货物时必须经过泰国边境码头，预计双方将会在8-9月期间展开讨论，具体工作包括修订泰国、寮国的相关法律条例，因为两国法律范畴存在差异。对此，两国特别设立工作小组，共同研究两国法律修订方案。
~以上新闻转自世界日报~
2015年6月22日星期一
Borikhamxay earmarks river site as tourist draw
Borikhamxay earmarks river site as tourist draw
Standing on the Mekong riverbank and observing the fishermen on their boats is a very relaxing way of spending the day. And if you can go with the fishermen on their boats it will be even more enjoyable as you get to watch them at work and have a nice view of the river and the communities that live along the riverbank.
This idyllic riverine environment has the potential to be a strong tourist draw as more and more people seek out less well known parts of the country.
Rocks resembling a turtle lie in the middle of the Mekong in Kaengsadok village, Borikhamxay province.
Borikhamxay is one of the 17 provinces in Laos that is making a careful assessment of its tourism potential. It recently laid out a strategy plan for 2015-2020 aiming to position the province as a tourism hub linking the south of Laos to the region and is now seeking concession-holders to develop 25 tourist sites.
As a reporter, I recently accompanied the Deputy Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr Savankhone Razmountry, and a provincial tourism team to Kaengsadok village which lies alongside some intriguing natural rock formations in the middle of the Mekong.
This site, in Pakxan district, is listed as one of the 25 new tourist attractions.
The trip to Kaengsadok took place after a media meeting last month to discuss the introduction of analogue television transmission along with other broadcast media which was attended by more than 40 senior officials and chaired by Mr Savankhone.
Kaengsadok is 25km from the urban heart of Pakxan district on Road No. 13 South. A right turn off this road indicated by a sign takes visitors a further 15 minutes to reach the village.
When you arrive at the riverbank, you will see many fishing boats and an embankment under construction. If you gaze out over the river to the left your attention will be caught by some curiously shaped rocks and the fishermen's boats in midstream.
Deputy Head of Kaengsadok village, Mr Chomphet Vinavong, said 70 to 80 boats go out in search of fish every day. Sometimes, visitors hire them out for a pleasurable fishing trip.
“This area not only has the rocks, which can be imagined as a dog, turtle, crocodile or stupa, and the activities of the fishermen to interest visitors. We also have a large expanse of white sand along the river which runs for about one kilometre and is suitable for beach activities,” he said.
“This is a great spot for locals and domestic visitors as well as overseas tourists. They come here to look at the rocks and have a relaxing day on the beach, especially at Lao New Year and other festivals. People can buy Mekong fish and grill it over charcoal and eat it on the beach.”
On the other side of the river lies Thailand and the bucolic scenes along both banks where the locals grow plots of vegetables make for a pleasing sight.
Mr Chomphet said “We sometimes get some fishing amateurs here from Vientiane who come with rods and lines and people were hooking 8 to 10 kg of fish last month. In March and April you can pull 20 to 30 kg of fish out of the water each day.”
People like to come here for payang, pakueng and payon, which costs 35,000 to 80,000 kip per kg.
These things are the reason why the province approved Kaengsadok as one of the 25 places for development as tourist attractions.
Statistics for 2014 published by the Tourism Development Department show that Borikhamxay has 108 hotels and guesthouses with 2,011 rooms, which puts the province in seventh place in terms of accommodation rankings in Laos.
The province also has two travel agents, 70 officially designated sites of natural beauty, 11 sites of cultural interest and three historical sites.
Borikhamxay is 150km from Vientiane and can be reached by Road No. 13 South.
~News courtesy of Vientiane Times~
Standing on the Mekong riverbank and observing the fishermen on their boats is a very relaxing way of spending the day. And if you can go with the fishermen on their boats it will be even more enjoyable as you get to watch them at work and have a nice view of the river and the communities that live along the riverbank.
This idyllic riverine environment has the potential to be a strong tourist draw as more and more people seek out less well known parts of the country.
Rocks resembling a turtle lie in the middle of the Mekong in Kaengsadok village, Borikhamxay province.
Borikhamxay is one of the 17 provinces in Laos that is making a careful assessment of its tourism potential. It recently laid out a strategy plan for 2015-2020 aiming to position the province as a tourism hub linking the south of Laos to the region and is now seeking concession-holders to develop 25 tourist sites.
As a reporter, I recently accompanied the Deputy Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr Savankhone Razmountry, and a provincial tourism team to Kaengsadok village which lies alongside some intriguing natural rock formations in the middle of the Mekong.
This site, in Pakxan district, is listed as one of the 25 new tourist attractions.
The trip to Kaengsadok took place after a media meeting last month to discuss the introduction of analogue television transmission along with other broadcast media which was attended by more than 40 senior officials and chaired by Mr Savankhone.
Kaengsadok is 25km from the urban heart of Pakxan district on Road No. 13 South. A right turn off this road indicated by a sign takes visitors a further 15 minutes to reach the village.
When you arrive at the riverbank, you will see many fishing boats and an embankment under construction. If you gaze out over the river to the left your attention will be caught by some curiously shaped rocks and the fishermen's boats in midstream.
Deputy Head of Kaengsadok village, Mr Chomphet Vinavong, said 70 to 80 boats go out in search of fish every day. Sometimes, visitors hire them out for a pleasurable fishing trip.
“This area not only has the rocks, which can be imagined as a dog, turtle, crocodile or stupa, and the activities of the fishermen to interest visitors. We also have a large expanse of white sand along the river which runs for about one kilometre and is suitable for beach activities,” he said.
“This is a great spot for locals and domestic visitors as well as overseas tourists. They come here to look at the rocks and have a relaxing day on the beach, especially at Lao New Year and other festivals. People can buy Mekong fish and grill it over charcoal and eat it on the beach.”
On the other side of the river lies Thailand and the bucolic scenes along both banks where the locals grow plots of vegetables make for a pleasing sight.
Mr Chomphet said “We sometimes get some fishing amateurs here from Vientiane who come with rods and lines and people were hooking 8 to 10 kg of fish last month. In March and April you can pull 20 to 30 kg of fish out of the water each day.”
People like to come here for payang, pakueng and payon, which costs 35,000 to 80,000 kip per kg.
These things are the reason why the province approved Kaengsadok as one of the 25 places for development as tourist attractions.
Statistics for 2014 published by the Tourism Development Department show that Borikhamxay has 108 hotels and guesthouses with 2,011 rooms, which puts the province in seventh place in terms of accommodation rankings in Laos.
The province also has two travel agents, 70 officially designated sites of natural beauty, 11 sites of cultural interest and three historical sites.
Borikhamxay is 150km from Vientiane and can be reached by Road No. 13 South.
~News courtesy of Vientiane Times~
Kongbouat Festival
Kongbouat Festival
Respectful senior monks and newly ordained monks step over silk sashes placed by merit makers for the monks to step on after they walk from a Naga boat, which is where people pour water over them to wash away any bad spirits. This is the central feature of the Kongbouat festival.
Merit makers at this festival including young and old men and women who sit in a long line from a point close to the Naga boat until the grounds of the sanctuary. Some middle-aged men lay on the ground for the monks to step over their backs, believing the monks will cure their backache.
A Baci ceremony for a newly ordained monk.
Merit makers take part in the ordination rituals at the temple and a large group of them invite respectful monks and newly ordained monks to step over their silk sashes, but it's unlikely that most of them know the meaning of this custom.
Venerable Keo, a senior monk at Sisavangvong temple in Xayaboury district, Xayaboury province, said merit makers offer sashes to respectful monks and newly ordained monks to step over as a sign of respect and to offer their congratulation to monks who are promoted to a new position and have contributed to Buddhist organisations.
This ritual is in evidence as part of merit making during the Konghote and Kongbouat festivals. When these festivals are observed either in a temple or in someone's home, the organisers and the monks will decorate a Naga boat while the pathway from the boat to the main worship hall will be adorned with leafy banana stems, sugar cane plants and flowers.
According to Venerable Keo, who is on the temple committee, the Konghote and Kongbouat festivals are held at an appropriate time of the year. This depends on the time that is convenient for those involved, as well as their financial circumstances. There is no limit to the number of festivals that may be held. A large number of people may hold nine Konghote festivals and one Kongbouat jointly. Some people will arrange two or one Konghote and Kongbouat festivals.
Venerable Keo said there are various reasons for holding the Kongbouat festival. Some people do it to ordain a son so that he can study Dharma in the temple and pay tribute to his parents, while others want to pay homage to their deceased parents and other relatives. Elderly people use the occasion as a merit-making ritual as they believe the offerings will support them in the next life.
People who arrange a Kongbouat festival are aged over 40. It is considered unacceptable for people under 40 to host the festival because it means they will receive their offerings early and will therefore have a short life.
The festivals last for two days. On the first day the offerings are prepared and on the second day there is an almsgiving ceremony in the early morning and laypeople take on the role of Nagas to protect the newly ordained monks. Merit makers and guests form a procession with the four Nagas and offerings and walk to the temple after the almsgiving ceremony.
On the first day, friends, relatives and other invited guests come to make merit with the festival organisers and give them money, flowers and milled sticky rice in a bowl. In return, the hosts invite the guests to have lunch and dinner and also give them a bag of snacks. Some guests place offerings in the monks' bags and bowls. On the evening of the first day, a group of musicians plays traditional music and sings folksongs to entertain the guests.
The second day of merit-making sees the giving of alms, the conversion of people into four Naga and the procession carrying offerings to the temple. When the procession reaches the temple, respectful monks, elderly people, merit makers and the musicians walk three times around the shrine to pay their respects to Lord Buddha.
As the troupe of musicians plays their instruments and sings, participants cheer them to spur them on and create a joyful atmosphere. The merit-makers carry their offerings, comprising a bed, mattress, robes, household utensils and markbeng (a pyramid made of banana leaves, gold paper, flowers, and silver and golden trees hung with kip notes).
After the merit-makers have processed three times around the shrine, the monks begin the religious rituals in the main worship hall to ordain new monks and novices and present offerings.
After the ceremony, the monks who are to be newly ordained, ordained as senior monks or elevated to a higher rank will have water poured over them inside the Naga boat. The merit-makers do this in order to wash away any bad spirits.
The newly ordained monks carry bags and alms bowls from the Naga boat to the main worship hall. Some monks throw sacred water over the participants while some merit-makers throw money mixed with candy, milled sticky rice and flowers.
Merit-makers then invite monks from other temples and the organisers of the Kongbouat festival to take part in a Baci ceremony for the newly ordained monk. The hosts of the festival offer a bowl containing pieces of silver and golden swords to the monk.
Venerable Keo said these items are considered to be a show of support for the monk. The monk is not allowed to sell them, but may give them to someone he holds dear.
There is no limit to the weight of the silver and golden swords given to the monk. The amount given depends on the festival organiser.
The Konghote and Kongbouat festivals are similar, but the Konghote doesn't involve the presentation of pieces of silver and golden swords.
Invited guests and all laypeople taking part in the merit-making, both at home and in the temple, will wear modest clothing. Women of course wear a sinh (long skirt) and blouse, while men wear trousers.
~News courtesy of Vientiane Times~
Respectful senior monks and newly ordained monks step over silk sashes placed by merit makers for the monks to step on after they walk from a Naga boat, which is where people pour water over them to wash away any bad spirits. This is the central feature of the Kongbouat festival.
Merit makers at this festival including young and old men and women who sit in a long line from a point close to the Naga boat until the grounds of the sanctuary. Some middle-aged men lay on the ground for the monks to step over their backs, believing the monks will cure their backache.
A Baci ceremony for a newly ordained monk.
Merit makers take part in the ordination rituals at the temple and a large group of them invite respectful monks and newly ordained monks to step over their silk sashes, but it's unlikely that most of them know the meaning of this custom.
Venerable Keo, a senior monk at Sisavangvong temple in Xayaboury district, Xayaboury province, said merit makers offer sashes to respectful monks and newly ordained monks to step over as a sign of respect and to offer their congratulation to monks who are promoted to a new position and have contributed to Buddhist organisations.
This ritual is in evidence as part of merit making during the Konghote and Kongbouat festivals. When these festivals are observed either in a temple or in someone's home, the organisers and the monks will decorate a Naga boat while the pathway from the boat to the main worship hall will be adorned with leafy banana stems, sugar cane plants and flowers.
According to Venerable Keo, who is on the temple committee, the Konghote and Kongbouat festivals are held at an appropriate time of the year. This depends on the time that is convenient for those involved, as well as their financial circumstances. There is no limit to the number of festivals that may be held. A large number of people may hold nine Konghote festivals and one Kongbouat jointly. Some people will arrange two or one Konghote and Kongbouat festivals.
Venerable Keo said there are various reasons for holding the Kongbouat festival. Some people do it to ordain a son so that he can study Dharma in the temple and pay tribute to his parents, while others want to pay homage to their deceased parents and other relatives. Elderly people use the occasion as a merit-making ritual as they believe the offerings will support them in the next life.
People who arrange a Kongbouat festival are aged over 40. It is considered unacceptable for people under 40 to host the festival because it means they will receive their offerings early and will therefore have a short life.
The festivals last for two days. On the first day the offerings are prepared and on the second day there is an almsgiving ceremony in the early morning and laypeople take on the role of Nagas to protect the newly ordained monks. Merit makers and guests form a procession with the four Nagas and offerings and walk to the temple after the almsgiving ceremony.
On the first day, friends, relatives and other invited guests come to make merit with the festival organisers and give them money, flowers and milled sticky rice in a bowl. In return, the hosts invite the guests to have lunch and dinner and also give them a bag of snacks. Some guests place offerings in the monks' bags and bowls. On the evening of the first day, a group of musicians plays traditional music and sings folksongs to entertain the guests.
The second day of merit-making sees the giving of alms, the conversion of people into four Naga and the procession carrying offerings to the temple. When the procession reaches the temple, respectful monks, elderly people, merit makers and the musicians walk three times around the shrine to pay their respects to Lord Buddha.
As the troupe of musicians plays their instruments and sings, participants cheer them to spur them on and create a joyful atmosphere. The merit-makers carry their offerings, comprising a bed, mattress, robes, household utensils and markbeng (a pyramid made of banana leaves, gold paper, flowers, and silver and golden trees hung with kip notes).
After the merit-makers have processed three times around the shrine, the monks begin the religious rituals in the main worship hall to ordain new monks and novices and present offerings.
After the ceremony, the monks who are to be newly ordained, ordained as senior monks or elevated to a higher rank will have water poured over them inside the Naga boat. The merit-makers do this in order to wash away any bad spirits.
The newly ordained monks carry bags and alms bowls from the Naga boat to the main worship hall. Some monks throw sacred water over the participants while some merit-makers throw money mixed with candy, milled sticky rice and flowers.
Merit-makers then invite monks from other temples and the organisers of the Kongbouat festival to take part in a Baci ceremony for the newly ordained monk. The hosts of the festival offer a bowl containing pieces of silver and golden swords to the monk.
Venerable Keo said these items are considered to be a show of support for the monk. The monk is not allowed to sell them, but may give them to someone he holds dear.
There is no limit to the weight of the silver and golden swords given to the monk. The amount given depends on the festival organiser.
The Konghote and Kongbouat festivals are similar, but the Konghote doesn't involve the presentation of pieces of silver and golden swords.
Invited guests and all laypeople taking part in the merit-making, both at home and in the temple, will wear modest clothing. Women of course wear a sinh (long skirt) and blouse, while men wear trousers.
~News courtesy of Vientiane Times~
2015年5月3日星期日
Renovated museum receives crowning glory
Renovated museum receives crowning glory
President Choummaly Sayasone and his wife on Saturday led a ceremony that saw 17 golden gable finials placed atop the renovated Hor Pha Keo Museum in Vientiane.
The restoration of the museum, one of the capital's most visited landmarks, is fully on track since beginning in December, although further public donations are needed to continue the work.
President Choummaly Sayasone holds a rope while the finials are placed on the roof of the Hor Phra Keo Museum in Vientiane. --Photo Khamphanh
Speaking at the ceremony, which was attended by senior government officials, Vice Mayor of Vientiane Mr Saithong Keoduangdy said the restoration of the Hor Pha Keo Museum was important for Lao people because it sustained their fine traditions and culture.
“All Lao people are encouraged to contribute by making donations for the improvement of one of Vientiane's most important cultural sites,” he said.
The restoration of Hor Pha Keo is the third improvement project since the structure was first built in 1565 during the reign of King Setthathirath.
“The project is slated for completion by the end of this year,” Mr Saithong said.
The ceremony to place the ornamental gable finials in position began with a religious ceremony led by the President of the Lao Buddhist Fellowship, the Most Venerable Phong Samaleuk, and other senior monks from Vientiane temples.
This was followed by a parade of the gable finials around the museum three times, led by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education and Sports Dr Phankham Viphavanh, Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism Prof. Dr Bosengkham Vongdara, Mayor of Vientiane Dr Sinlavong Khoutphaythoune, deputy ministers, the spouses of senior government officials, and invited Vientiane residents.
The gable finials were hoisted onto the rooftop by an electric winch.
So far, the restoration project has received more than 1.1 billion kip, US$15,793 and three kilogrammes of gold from public donations, according to the committee in charge of the project.
The committee estimates that more than 6.3 billion kip will be needed to purchase new materials to restore damaged sections of the museum.
More donations of materials and cash are being sought from members of the public both at home and overseas to ensure the museum is renovated to a high standard.
Hor Pha Keo is one of the oldest buildings in Vientiane and was used as a royal chapel during the time of the Lanexang Kingdom and also housed the precious Emerald Buddha (Pha Keo).
The building was destroyed when the Siamese (Thai) invaded Vientiane in 1779 and took the Emerald Buddha to Siam (Thailand), where it is housed in Wat Phra Kaew in Bangkok.
In 1826-29, the Siamese again invaded Vientiane and once more destroyed the temple after it had been rebuilt during the rule of King Anouvong in 1816.
Hor Pha Keo was again restored in 1936-42.
~News courtesy of Vientiane Times~
President Choummaly Sayasone and his wife on Saturday led a ceremony that saw 17 golden gable finials placed atop the renovated Hor Pha Keo Museum in Vientiane.
The restoration of the museum, one of the capital's most visited landmarks, is fully on track since beginning in December, although further public donations are needed to continue the work.
President Choummaly Sayasone holds a rope while the finials are placed on the roof of the Hor Phra Keo Museum in Vientiane. --Photo Khamphanh
Speaking at the ceremony, which was attended by senior government officials, Vice Mayor of Vientiane Mr Saithong Keoduangdy said the restoration of the Hor Pha Keo Museum was important for Lao people because it sustained their fine traditions and culture.
“All Lao people are encouraged to contribute by making donations for the improvement of one of Vientiane's most important cultural sites,” he said.
The restoration of Hor Pha Keo is the third improvement project since the structure was first built in 1565 during the reign of King Setthathirath.
“The project is slated for completion by the end of this year,” Mr Saithong said.
The ceremony to place the ornamental gable finials in position began with a religious ceremony led by the President of the Lao Buddhist Fellowship, the Most Venerable Phong Samaleuk, and other senior monks from Vientiane temples.
This was followed by a parade of the gable finials around the museum three times, led by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education and Sports Dr Phankham Viphavanh, Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism Prof. Dr Bosengkham Vongdara, Mayor of Vientiane Dr Sinlavong Khoutphaythoune, deputy ministers, the spouses of senior government officials, and invited Vientiane residents.
The gable finials were hoisted onto the rooftop by an electric winch.
So far, the restoration project has received more than 1.1 billion kip, US$15,793 and three kilogrammes of gold from public donations, according to the committee in charge of the project.
The committee estimates that more than 6.3 billion kip will be needed to purchase new materials to restore damaged sections of the museum.
More donations of materials and cash are being sought from members of the public both at home and overseas to ensure the museum is renovated to a high standard.
Hor Pha Keo is one of the oldest buildings in Vientiane and was used as a royal chapel during the time of the Lanexang Kingdom and also housed the precious Emerald Buddha (Pha Keo).
The building was destroyed when the Siamese (Thai) invaded Vientiane in 1779 and took the Emerald Buddha to Siam (Thailand), where it is housed in Wat Phra Kaew in Bangkok.
In 1826-29, the Siamese again invaded Vientiane and once more destroyed the temple after it had been rebuilt during the rule of King Anouvong in 1816.
Hor Pha Keo was again restored in 1936-42.
~News courtesy of Vientiane Times~
2015年1月12日星期一
Lao Airlines plans route expansion
Lao Airlines plans route expansion
Lao Airlines A320
Lao Airlines, the national carrier of Laos, will add a new route to its 19-destination network across the landlocked Southeast Asian country.
The new route, to Attopeu, will be flown 3X-weekly from the carrier’s base in Vientiane, retuning via Champasak region capital Pakse. It is looking to fly to Jakarta in the coming months using an Airbus A320.
The airline suffered a fatal crash in October 2013, killing 49 passengers and crew on an ATR 72 approach to Pakse, but has since pushed for an expansion of its route both domestically and internationally. It now operates flights to Taiwan, China, Singapore, Korea, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam as well as 10 domestic destinations.
At the end of December, it added a fourth route to China from Luang Prabang to Chengdu.
The official opening up of the ASEAN Open Skies policy this year will likely see increased competition across the region, with Lao Airlines already seeing increased inroads onto its potential market.
This is currently highlighted by a dispute between Thai Smile, a subsidiary of THAI Airways International, and the Department of Civil Aviation of Lao PDR (DCA) over the former flying into Vientiane from Bangkok on THAI’s bilateral agreement’s ticket.
~News courtesy of Air Transport World~
Lao Airlines A320
Lao Airlines, the national carrier of Laos, will add a new route to its 19-destination network across the landlocked Southeast Asian country.
The new route, to Attopeu, will be flown 3X-weekly from the carrier’s base in Vientiane, retuning via Champasak region capital Pakse. It is looking to fly to Jakarta in the coming months using an Airbus A320.
The airline suffered a fatal crash in October 2013, killing 49 passengers and crew on an ATR 72 approach to Pakse, but has since pushed for an expansion of its route both domestically and internationally. It now operates flights to Taiwan, China, Singapore, Korea, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam as well as 10 domestic destinations.
At the end of December, it added a fourth route to China from Luang Prabang to Chengdu.
The official opening up of the ASEAN Open Skies policy this year will likely see increased competition across the region, with Lao Airlines already seeing increased inroads onto its potential market.
This is currently highlighted by a dispute between Thai Smile, a subsidiary of THAI Airways International, and the Department of Civil Aviation of Lao PDR (DCA) over the former flying into Vientiane from Bangkok on THAI’s bilateral agreement’s ticket.
~News courtesy of Air Transport World~
2015年1月1日星期四
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