Nine Border Checkpoints to Discontinue Visa On Arrival Services
According to a notice issued by the Prime Minister’s Office on Wednesday, nine of Laos’s border checkpoints will discontinue providing visa on arrival services to tourists.
The notice orders the closure of visa on arrival units at nine border checkpoints:
– Pang Hok (Phongsaly Province) bordering Vietnam
– Nam Soy (Huaphanh Province) bordering Vietnam
– Nam Kan (Xieng Khouang Province) bordering Vietnam
– Nam Ngeun (Xayaboury Province) bordering Thailand
– Nam Heuang (Xayaboury Province) bordering Thailand
– Nam Phao (Khammouane Province) bordering Vietnam
– Na Phao (Khammouane Province) bordering Vietnam
– Savannakhet International Airport
– Phou Keua (Attapeu Province) bordering Vietnam
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been tasked with coordinating the closure of the visa units and is to ensure that no disruptions are caused at border checkpoints.
Laos launched an e-visa service earlier this year, but so far this is only available for use at three checkpoints; Wattay International Airport, The First Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge, and Luang Prabang International Airport.
~Laotian Times~
Laos to Offer Free Wi-Fi at Landmarks in Vientiane
Laos has launched a project to offer free Wi-Fi at landmarks in its capital Vientiane in a move to cater to not only the general public but also foreign visitors.
The project, supported by the Asia-Pacific Telecommunity (APT,) will enable visitors to use the internet at frequently visited locations such as Wattay International Airport, Namphou Fountain, and Hor Phrakeo, said Deputy Minister of Post and Telecommunications, Bounsaleumxay Khennavong, as quoted by Vientiane Times.
APT was founded in 1979 on the joint initiative of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia, and the Pacific and the International Telecommunication Union.
APT serves as an organization for information and communications technology (ICT) in the region. Laos became a member in 1989.
The free wi-fi project is a part of Laos’s efforts to be in line with the current digital trend and a desire to promote wider access to information.
In Laos, cell phones account for 94 percent of the entire phone network and the mobile internet network reaches 78 percent of all villages, while Internet users make up nearly 40 percent of the population, Mr Bounsaleumxay said.
In particular, the country sees strong growth in social media use, especially Facebook, YouTube, WhatsApp, and WeChat. Among online social media users, 28-38 percent are young people aged 16-24, he added.
Wi-Fi (sometimes) at the 4,000 islands
Laos attracted more than 4.1 million foreign tourists last year, an 8.2 percent increase from the previous year. Tourism generated revenue of more than USD 755 million in 2018.
Meanwhile, it is expected that at least 4.5 million people will visit Laos this year, generating revenue of more than USD 700 million.
~Laotian Times~
大兴土木合建中老高速公路
老挝与中国合作开发的高速公路项目正在动工兴建，承包商中国云南省建设投资控股集团希望该项目对加强中国与老挝在经济、贸易、文化、教育和卫生领域的交流合作，推动老挝北部和中部地区农业、工业、商业、投资和旅游业的发展。
图为在老挝万象航拍的建设中的万象至万荣段，全长109.1公里，总投资约89亿元人民币（约17.4亿新元）。一旦建成，从万象到万荣开车仅需1.5小时，较现在缩短2.5小时。（新华社）
成为亚细安物流枢纽 泰国要建跨亚洲多国高铁网络
泰媒报道，高铁工程主要分为泰国到老挝及中国南部、泰国到柬埔寨、泰国到马来西亚和新加坡，以及曼谷到清迈四条路线，全长达3193公里，造价约914亿新元。
（曼谷讯）泰国政府希望通过一个横跨亚洲多国的高铁网络，致力推动泰国发展成为亚细安的物流枢纽。
《曼谷邮报》报道，这项庞大工程主要分为泰国到老挝及中国南部、泰国到柬埔寨、泰国到马来西亚和新加坡，以及曼谷到清迈四条路线，全长达3193公里，造价约2.07万亿泰铢（约914亿新元）。
可从中国开到新加坡
泰国交通部副部长拜林说，泰国政府希望这个高铁网络可以从中国一路开往新加坡。他说：“到时候，人们就可从曼谷城区挽赐（Bang Sue）乘高铁北上中国北京或南下新加坡。”
连接曼谷和毗邻老挝的东北部廊开府（Nong Khai）的第一阶段工程正在兴建，预计2023年竣工。这一段铁路长达608公里，落成之后，将会成为曼谷通往老挝的主要运输系统。
下一段铁路将把泰国和老挝边境与老挝首都万象连接，最后一段铁路则会将万象与中国云南省边城磨憨镇相连接。
据一个不愿具名的老挝官员说，万象与磨憨镇之间长达414公里的铁路至今已经完成了55%，衔接万象与廊开的铁路工程也已经展开。
他说：“这是一个将我们从内陆国家转变为有土地联系的国家。”他指，目前人们要从万象前往磨憨镇需要两天，但如后有了高铁，来往这两地“就只需要三个小时”。
老挝希望跨国高铁网络能促进经济发展。受访官员预计，有了这条高铁路线，未来到访老挝的中国游客每年可能多达1000万至2000万人次。
泰国也希望借助这个跨国高铁网络来刺激其经济发展，尤其是该铁路网络将把廊开与泰国东部经济走廊（EEC）衔接起来；泰国东部经济走廊是在泰国东部沿海三府北柳、春武里和罗勇设立的国家经济特区，旨在将泰国东部打造为一个现代智能生产的工业中心。
由于项目的重要性和成本非常高，政府应该认真地与中国谈判，并研究随后的利益和条件。从长远来看，我们需要能自己照顾铁路的一切运作，而毋需依靠中国。——泰中战略研究中心前主任阿克松斯里
泰国国立法政大学经济学院副教授、泰中战略研究中心前主任阿克松斯里表示，高铁网络是中国倡议“一带一路”计划的一部分，落成后将会提高泰国的竞争力和与邻国的联系。
不过她指出，发展高铁网络存在一定担忧，主要是在软件和系统安全方面，其他可能影响铁路网络建造项目的障碍还包括“高建筑和征收成本”。放眼望去，泰国日后决定购买中国科技时，也必须明智地进行谈判。
她说：“由于这个项目的重要性和其成本非常高，政府应该认真地与中国谈判，并研究随后的利益和条件。从长远来看，我们需要能自己照顾铁路的一切运作，而毋需依靠中国。”
~联合早报~
THE ELEPHANT FESTIVAL
Venue: Sayabouly Province
Duration: 20-27 February
As living icon with important symbolic connotations and historical association in Laos the elephants an animal dear to the heart of the Lao people.
The Elephant Festival is celebrated specifically in Xayabouly Province and is held to demonstrate culture and traditional ties between Lao communities and elephants, as well as drawing attention to the endangered status of this charismatic species.
The Elephant Festival is a free, all-ages event with activities including a majestic elephant procession with up to 100 elephants, a traditional elephant Baci ceremony, fruit and flower offerings, monks’ blessing, mahout and elephant show. In addition, there are live performance from Lao and foreign artist, a night market and outdoor elephant museum.
Visitors will have the opportunity to see documentary film on a large outdoor screen and enjoy live performance on the main stage or go for an elephant drive in the neighbouring forest.
Useful Link: http://festival.elefantasia.org
