Laos Suspends Visas at Checkpoints Bordering China
The Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a notice to all checkpoints bordering China to temporarily suspend the issuance of tourist visas to those entering the Lao PDR from China.
The notice reads, “due to the outbreak of the new Coronavirus originating in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, which has spread rapidly across China and other nations, causing widespread illness and death, in order to protect our nation from the threat of this virus, the consular department instructs all international checkpoints bordering China to temporarily suspend the issuance of tourist visas for entry into the Lao PDR for all visitors wishing to travel from China, commencing 2 February 2020 until further notice.”
The Lao PDR set up a task force last month to assess the impact of an outbreak of the new Coronavirus, although no case has yet been confirmed in the country.
In particular, the task force will conduct inspections in at-risk locations such as ports of entry, transport stations, hospitals, and markets, while arranging specialized healthcare service points across the country.
The country’s flagship airline, Lao Airlines, announced that it will temporarily cancel all flights from Vientiane to three destinations in China, namely Changzhou, Shanghai, and Hangzhou, as part of precautions in the wake of the virus outbreak.
As of February, no cases of the virus have been confirmed in Laos, and there is also no report of a confirmed case among Lao nationals living in foreign countries including China.
~The Laotian Times~
Laos Steps Up Efforts to Prevent Coronavirus Outbreak
Laos has announced that it will set up a task force committee to tackle the spread of the new coronavirus that originated in Wuhan, China.
The task force will assess the impact of an outbreak of such a virus in Laos, although no case has yet been confirmed in the country.
In particular, the task force will conduct inspections in at-risk locations such as ports of entry, transport stations, hospitals, and markets, while arranging specialized healthcare service points across the country.
It will also collect travel data and follow up the health status of travelers, especially tourists, students, business people and workers traveling from China.
In addition, the task force plans to study and draw up a plan to address the potential impact on Chinese workers engaging in projects in Laos.
It will also regulate the price of protective equipment, such as face masks, gloves, and protective clothing while arranging a budget for necessary expenditure.
Lastly, the task force will publicize ways to prevent the virus, check for symptoms and obtain treatment, via media outlets.
The country’s flagship airline, Lao Airlines, announced that it will temporarily cancel all flights from Vientiane to three destinations in China, namely Changzhou, Shanghai, and Hangzhou, as part of precautions in the wake of the virus outbreak.
As of January 29, no cases were confirmed in Laos, and there is also no report of a confirmed case among Lao nationals living in foreign countries including China.
~The Laotian Times~
Lucky Air flies New Route from Kunming to Luang Prabang and Vientiane
China’s low-cost carrier Lucky Air has launched its first route that connects China’s city of Kunming to the Lao city of Luang Prabang and the capital Vientiane.
The two flights, which began on December 22, are scheduled on Wednesdays and Sundays, departing from Kunming at 3:35 pm. The return flight departs from Luang Prabang at 5:30 pm.
Separately, flights from Kunming to Vientiane depart at 8 pm, while those from Vientiane to the Chinese city leave at 10 pm. Tickets are available at around THB 7,000 (USD 232).
Kunming-based airliner Lucky Air, which was established in 2004, is the latest foreign carrier that launched a new route to Laos.
South Korea’s T’way Air announced in early December that it would launch a new route connecting the Korean city of Daegu and Vientiane.
Meanwhile, Singaporean airliner Scoot also launched new routes in April connecting Singapore to Luang Prabang and Vientiane.
Laos saw more than 3.4 million international visitors in the first nine months of this year, an 11 percent increase from the same period of last year.
Among them, the number of visitors from China soared by 26 percent, according to the Tourism Development Department, Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism.
The department projected that more than 1 million Chinese visitors would visit Laos in 2019.
~The Laotian Times~
Thailand Considers Double Visa, 24-Hr Nong Khai Checkpoint
According to reports in the Thai media, the Kingdom of Thailand is set to introduce a double visa, allowing visitors to exit the country and re-enter, and may open the Nong Khai checkpoint 24-hours.
The news comes after Thailand began enforcing strict new visa policies in 2016, allowing foreigners of many nations only two entries by land per year.
The 2016 policy change deeply affected expatriates living in Laos, many of whom had previously traveled to Thailand for leisure or for medical reasons on a weekly or daily basis.
A report in The Thaiger today quotes Deputy Secretary-General to the Thai PM, Kobsak Pootrakul, as saying a double-entry tourism visa will be introduced. The new visa will allow visitors to enter, leave, and then re-enter Thailand during their stay in the Kingdom.
According to other reports, Mr. Kobsak has even said that a multiple entry visa may be considered in the future.
Thailand hopes to bring 42 million visitors to Thailand in 2020, after various factors, including an ultra-strong baht, have slowed tourism in the land of smiles.
The new double visa could help the country see more visits from expatriates in neighboring countries, including Laos, and entice tourists to re-enter Thailand after visiting other countries.
24-Hour Visa Checkpoint at Nong Khai
Reports from Thai media are also stating that the border checkpoint at Nong Khai could be set to open 24-hours.
The new hours would be trialed for three months, and if successful would continue. So far, no official statement has been made by Lao authorities in regard to 24-hour operations at the border.
~Laotian Times~
Laos Receives World Heritage Certificate for Plain of Jars
The UNESCO World Heritage Committee presented Laos with a certificate recognizing the World Heritage List designation of the Plain of Jars on Monday.
The Plain of Jars, situated on a plateau in Xieng Khuang Province, is named for the more than 2,100 tubular megalithic stone jars that are thought to have been used in the Iron Age for funeral practices.
Prof. Dr. Bosengkham Vongdara, with a special envoy of the Lao government, was presented with the award at the Forum of Ministers of Culture during the 40th session of the UNESCO General Conference held at the headquarters of UNESCO in Paris, France.
“We highly appreciate the role of UNESCO in fostering cultural diversity so that we can conserve and develop our own diverse and unique national culture and learn closely and constructively from each other,” said Prof. Dr. Bonsengkham Vondara when speaking at the certificate ceremony.
“In addition, our government is making a great effort to our heritage through tourism. By maintaining and opening up our cultural and historical sites, our aim is to grow and encourage cultural tourism, natural eco-tourism, and historical tourism.”
The Plain of Jars, formally called the Megalithic Jar Sites, was officially inscribed on the World Heritage List at a World Heritage Committee meeting held in Baku, Azerbaijan on July 10 this year, after submission in 2018.
Prof. Dr. Bosengkham Vongdara receives the Plain of Jars World Heritage Certificate in Paris, France.
The Plain of Jars is the third World Heritage Site in Laos. Luang Prabang, the former capital of Laos’s Lanexang Kingdom, was declared a World Heritage City in 1995, followed in 2001 by the site of Vat Phou in Champasack.
Xieng Khuang is situated 435 km north of Vientiane and is accessible by road or by air.
~Laotian Times~
