Bangkok Airways to Temporarily Suspend Bangkok-Vientiane Flights

Bangkok Airways to Temporarily Suspend Bangkok-Vientiane Flights



Bangkok Airways has announced that it will suspend routes between Bangkok and Vientiane until further notice amid a drop in the number of passengers.

The operation of PG943 Bangkok-Vientiane and PG944 Vientiane-Bangkok will be suspended from March 10, except for March 24, while PG949 Bangkok-Vientiane and PG940 Vientiane-Bangkok will not operate from March 29.

“Bangkok Airways Public Company Limited announces a decrease in flight frequency as well as flight termination on certain domestic and international routes to be in line with current passenger demand,” the airline explained.

“This also follows the airline’s expense reduction plans which were launched earlier this month due to the global economic slowdown combined with the COVID-19 epidemic,” the company added.

Further information about affected flights can be found at Bangkok Airways’ website.

~The Laotian Times~

Vietnam to Check Visitors from Laos for Coronavirus

Vietnam to Check Visitors from Laos for Coronavirus

Vietnam has announced that the country will carry out mandatory health checks on people entering Vietnam from Cambodia and Laos.

Those who cross the border from Cambodia and Laos must undergo health checks at the border if they wish to enter Vietnam, said Vietnam’s Foreign Affairs Ministry Deputy Spokesman Doan Khac Viet.

The rule also applies to those who have traveled to China, through China, and areas where there’s been a coronavirus outbreak for around 14 days.

As of February 20, Vietnam had 16 confirmed cases of Coronavirus infection, of whom 14 have recovered and been discharged from hospitals.

Meanwhile, Laos has not seen any confirmed cases so far.

Lao authorities have warned people not to travel to virus outbreak areas and have installed thermal scanners at border crossings with China and at other strategic locations to stop the virus from entering the country.

In addition, the government has also urged people to be on their guard and take precautions.

~The Laotian Times~

Luang Namtha to Become New Regional Transport Hub

Luang Namtha to Become New Regional Transport Hub



Laos’s northern province of Luang Namtha is poised to become a regional transport hub with investment in a dry port, leveraging its strategic location.

The province is expected to serve as a prime site for an international trade center for the country after the construction of a 414-km railway from China into Laos at the Boten border checkpoint is complete.

The USD 5.986 billion construction project, which began in 2015, is set for completion at the end of 2021.

The railway is part of the Kunming-Singapore Railway project, which connects Kunming with Singapore, passing through Laos, Thailand and Malaysia, Bounsong Keomanivong.

Luang Namtha would be part of the east-west economic corridor that runs from Myanmar to Vietnam and between Thailand and Vietnam, shortening travel time to just a few hours, said Bounsong Keomanivong, President of the Luang Namtha Chamber of Commerce and Industry, as quoted by Vientiane Times.

“This will be suitable for investment to provide services for travelers from these countries,” he said.

In 2019, more than 743,000 people visited the province via Boten across the Lao-Chinese border while its economy grew by 8.8 percent, with its GDP per capita income reaching about USD 1,700.

~The Laotian Times~

Tougher Screening Procedures on Visitors from S Korea, China

Laos Imposes Tougher Screening Procedures on Visitors from S Korea, China



Laos has toughened its screening procedures for foreigners who wish to enter the country after visiting South Korea and China, citing coronavirus concerns.

All foreign nationals who have visited either China or South Korea in the past 14 days before entering Laos will be subject to tougher screening processes, according to South Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Visitors entering Laos from China or South Korea must fill in a health declaration form when entering Laos, while those who show symptoms of the virus such as fever will need to pass a close examination up to three times, the ministry said, without providing further details.

The South Korean ministry confirmed that such measures became effective from February 28.

Laos is the latest to join the list of countries that impose restrictions on visitors from South Korea.

More than 80 countries are imposing entry restrictions and tougher quarantine procedures for travelers from South Korea over renewed coronavirus concerns. Among them, a total of 37 countries are barring the entry of South Koreans and foreigners who have visited South Korea in the past few weeks.

The news comes after the Lao health authorities told travel agents in the country last week to suspend package tours to areas where the new coronavirus has been reported, especially South Korea.

Lao Airlines also decided to halt its flights to South Korea from March amid massive cancellations from passengers over coronavirus concerns.

Three South Korean budget airlines, namely T’way Air, Air Busan, and Jin Air, halted their flights between Laos and South Korea until end of March, also citing concerns over the virus.

South Korea reported 476 new cases of the coronavirus on March 2, bringing the total number of infections to 4,212. So far, 22 people have died there due to the virus.

~The Laotian Times~

Suspends Visas at Checkpoints Bordering China

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 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

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

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~

World Heritage Certificate for Plain of Jars

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~

Laos, Thailand To Build Another Friendship Bridge

Laos, Thailand To Build Another Friendship Bridge



Laos and Thailand are considering the construction of one more friendship bridge to connect the two countries in a move that would link Vientiane Province and Loei.

The governor of Vientiane Province, Mr. Khamphan Sithidampha told reporters on August 16 that Vientiane provincial authorities had proposed the project to the government for its consideration.

“We are conducting a study on the location of the bridge, to decide whether it should be in Sanakham or Meun district,” Mr. Khamphan, as quoted by Vientiane Times.

It is unclear when the construction of the bridge would begin.

The first friendship bridge to connect the two nations was built in 1994, with help from the Australian government.

Since then, the two governments have constructed a total of four Lao-Thai bridges across the Mekong River and have signed an agreement to build another bridge linking Borikhamxay province with the Thai province of Bueng Kan.

Mr. Khamphan said the construction of the bridge and the upgrade of border crossings between Vientiane province and Loei Province would provide a significant boost for domestic and foreign investment.

Laos and Thailand have beefed up their efforts to improve connectivity between two nations in recent years.

The first freight train service to and from Laos was launched in early August, which will carry cargo from a container yard at Thanaleng Railway Station in Vientiane, Laos, to as far as the Laem Chaban seaport in Thailand.

Trains to and from Vientiane used to be only able to carry passengers only across the 3.5km track, while freight was carried across the border to Nong Khai by truck.

Meanwhile, Thailand is preparing to launch the country’s first bullet train that will run between Bangkok and Beijing, China, with Laos as one of the intermediate stations.

In particular, the first route, a Thai-Sino project linking Bangkok and Nong Khai in the far Northeast, is currently under construction and is scheduled to be completed by 2023.

In July, Laos and Thailand also signed an agreement to extend road and rail connections between the two countries worth more than THB 3 billion (USD 98.2 million).

Under the agreement, the two countries plan to improve the R11 road linking the Phudu border checkpoint in Uttaradit province in Northern Thailand with the Lao capital, Vientiane. The two-lane road will be paved with asphalt and will cost about THB 1.8 billion (USD 59 million).

~Laotian Times~

Nine Border Checkpoints to Discontinue Visa On Arrival Services

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 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

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

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~

Visit Laos-China Year to begin tomorrow

Visit Laos-China Year to begin tomorrow



VIENTIANE (Vientiane Times/ANN) - Laos and China will launch a major campaign this week to boost tourism cooperation between the two countries throughout 2019.

Officials from the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other agencies met in Vientiane this week to discuss the details of the ceremony to initiate Visit Laos-China Year 2019.

Tourism officials said a number of activities would be held at the National Culture Hall on January 25 to mark the launch of the year-long tourism promotion.

Key activities will include cultural performances and an exhibition of Lao and Chinese tourism products. There will also be films that depict the special attractions of Laos and China.

According to the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, senior government officials from Laos and China will give speeches to officially launch Visit Laos-China Year 2019.

The government has high expectations for the success of the campaign and is hoping for a surge in Chinese visitors. In 2018, more than 805,800 Chinese visited Laos, a 26 percent increase compared to 2017.

This year the government projects that more than 1 million Chinese will visit Laos and is hoping to attract about 4.5 million visitors in total.

Tourism officials said a number of activities have been planned specifically for Chinese tourists. These include a China culture week celebrating 58 years of Laos-China diplomatic relations.

There will also be a mid-autumn festival and Chinese cultural performances in Luang Prabang and Vientiane, while tourism authorities will hold a meeting on Laos-China tourism management in Champassak province.

Hotel and restaurant owners and travel agents have been asked to design products and offer services that match the requirements of Chinese tourists. Some tourist attractions such as Buddha Park in Vientiane will have information brochures written in Chinese. Meanwhile, Bokeo province is holding its annual Kapok Flower Festival (Dok Ngiew Festival) which began yesterday and is being advertised as a tourist attraction. Provinces including Luang Prabang will build more facilities, provide more services, and improve standards at hotels, guesthouses and restaurants.

Chinese will be added to informative signs at popular tourist sites and tourism pamphlets will be written in Chinese as an aid to visitors. Restaurants will give their menus a Chinese twist.

Souvenirs will come with explanations about their significance, and will be attractively packaged, according to the Luang Prabang provincial Information, Culture and Tourism Department.

More than 4.1 million visitors came to Laos in 2018, a 8.2 percent increase compared to 2017. More than 800,000 tourists came from China, an increase of 26 percent, according to the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism.

Scoot to launch direct Singapore-Laos flight

Scoot to launch direct Singapore-Laos flight

VIENTIANE (Vientiane Times/ANN) - The budget arm of Singapore Airlines, Scoot, is ready to launch Singapore-Laos flights in April with tickets starting at US$88, it announced yesterday.

Scoot will fly from Singapore to Vientiane to Luang Prabang on a circular route. It will depart from Singapore for Luang Prabang, followed by Vientiane, before heading back to Singapore, according to The Straits Times, the leading newspaper of Singapore.

These routes were transferred from its sister airline SilkAir with Scoot’s A320 aircraft.

Luang Prabang and Vientiane are the first two of the several new destinations the low-cost carrier will be adding to its network this year.

With the addition of Laos, Scoot’s network will span 68 destinations across 19 countries and territories.

Three weekly flights will connect to Laos from Singapore departing 9am on Monday, Thursday and Saturday, arriving at Luang Prabang at 11.10 am and then on to Vientiane by 1pm.

The return flight departs Vientiane at 1.50pm, arriving back into Singapore at 6pm (all local times).

Scoot’s Laos sale includes one-way fares from US$$189 departing Perth, US$199 from the Gold Coast, and US$209 from Sydney and Melbourne.

Fares do not include excess baggage or meals and all flights have a stopover in Singapore.

The limited period promotion tickets are available on Scoot’s website from now until January 22.

SilkAir launched a service to Vientiane and Luang Prabang in October 2016. It has since stopped the service after poor passenger figures between October 2017 and February last year, according to Channel News Asia.

Lao Airlines also stopped direct Laos-Singapore flights from March 25 due to operational reasons and, as of now, has no plans to resume the flights.

This is the second time that direct flights between the two countries were halted, after Lao Airlines relaunched a Singapore-Laos flight in October 2017.

Khammuan’s Tha Falang creating social media buzz

Khammuan’s Tha Falang creating social media buzz among visitors



KHAMMUAN (Vientiane Times/ANN) - The new Tha Falang development in Khammuan province is receiving lots of interest from domestic and international visitors after numerous pictures of the beautiful site have been shared on social media.

Located on the Nam Don river in Thakhaek district, the site opened last month ahead of this year’s scheduled commencement.

KK Transport and Service Company was authorised by Khammuan province to develop the site, which is located between Thock-Nayor and Songkhone villages.

A Memorandum of Understanding for the project was signed between the provincial Planning and Investment Department and the company in May last year. Company CEO Mr Khambee Lattanavong told Vientiane Times yesterday that Tha Falang was officially opened on December 8 after the company completed some facilities ahead of schedule.

“The facilities are designed to attract Europeans followed by Thai visitors,” he said.

The planned development sees the construction of 20 bungalows near the riverbank and 30 further inland as well as the provision of 100 kayaks for rent. The kayaks can be paddled over a 5km section of the river with motorboats also to be provided along with restaurants, a market, and other facilities.

Mr Khambee said the company was currently operating only some of the activities including 20 picnic huts near the riverbank, rental kayaks, a restaurant, and retail outlet.

He expected to build 20 more huts, and the bungalows will be completed in the next two months.

Kayaks cost 69,000 kip per person to rent or 85,000 kip for two people and 99,000 kip for three. Tubing rental is 20,000 kip and 50,000 kip for hut rental, while entrance and toilets are free of charge.

Tha Falang is currently attracting 100-150 visitors each weekday peaking at 300 on Saturdays and Sundays. Prior to the development, the site attracted only 50-60 people a day for swimming. Most of the visitors so far are Lao and Thai.

Tha Falang is 10 km from the centre of Thakhaek district. Khammuan is located in central Laos and borders Borikhamxay and Savannakhet provinces. Travel by private vehicle to the province takes 4-5 hours from Vientiane.

China-Laos cross-border tunnel

China-Laos cross-border tunnel

Construction of the cross-border Friendship Tunnel on the China-Laos railway is proceeding smoothly, the China Railway No.2 Group Co, which is in charge of the project, said on Sunday.

"We have made a 300-meter entrance into the cross-border mountains, and will have half of the job done on the Lao side at the end of this year," Wang Xiaodong, Party secretary of the construction unit boring the Friendship Tunnel from the Lao side, told the Xinhua News Agency.

The 9,595-meter tunnel has two parts, 7,170 meters in China and 2,425 meters in Laos. The entrance on the Lao side is finished and landscaping is in progress.

~Xinhua-Global Times~

Public park planned for city’s riverside

Public park planned for city’s riverside

Vientiane authorities have agreed to the creation of a green lung for city residents and visitors in the form of a public park along the Mekong River in Sisattanak district.

The 31,500 square metre site is located behind the Don Chan Palace hotel and adjoins Chao Anouvong park.

According to the concession agreement signed on Monday between Vientiane’s Planning and Investment Department and Kolao Resort Company, the company will have a 30 year concession on the site. It is estimated that the park will cost US$10 million to build.

Kolao Group President Dr Khamkhan Naphavong told Vientiane Times on Wednesday “We will start work on the park this month and expect it to officially open in the middle of next year.”

“Under an agreement signed in March 2014, the project consisted only of a parking area, but that changed with the addition of more investment activities and budget with the aim of creating a leisure park. We signed the new agreement on Monday after it was approved by the Vientiane Mayor on January 5.”

“When construction is complete, the park will have a parking area, swimming pool, exercise area, children’s playground, modern food court and shops with facilities designed to attract tourists that will also sell handicrafts,” he said.

“The model has been designed and now we have to make a few adjustments. I hope the park will become another place that is attractive to visitors and provides a space where people can relax,” Dr Khamkhan added.

The Kolao Resort Company is also interested in developing part of Don Chan island next to the current concession site, where they are thinking of building a recreational water park. The company is ready to go ahead with this if the Vientiane authorities approve.

When asked about how the public could help to promote Visit Laos Year, Dr Khamkhan said litter was a major problem in Vientiane and places like Chao Anouvong park needed better management of cleaning.

Given that Vientiane is the capital and should be the flagship of the country’s attractions, with the Mekong riverbank fast becoming a magnet for visitors, the city should do more to roll out a welcome mat for Visit Laos Year, he said.

One of the places that draws visitors to the riverbank is Chao Anouvong park, which is very popular with local residents and people from outside the city.

The park is not only a place where people can go to stroll or exercise as they gaze at the sunset, it also has a bustling night market where people can buy a wide range of items, have a snack or buy a drink as they while away the evening in a relaxed setting.

~News courtesy of Vientiane Times~

Airport bus service to start next week

Airport bus service to start next week

A new shuttle bus service, operating between Wattay International Airport and the Talat Sao Mall central bus station using vehicles donated by Kyoto City Bus, will begin on January 18.

Deputy Manager of the Vientiane City 2 Bus Service, Mr Sithiphon Chanthavong, said yesterday that shuttle buses will run daily from 9am until 10pm, following a trial run on Monday.

Buses will leave every 40 minutes from the airport and central bus station with passengers charged 15,000 kip for a one way trip.

The airport run is currently only serviced by taxis which charge passengers about 58,000 kip (US$7) to destinations in the city centre.

“The shuttle bus will set down at 16 bus stops from the airport along Souphanouvong Road, past the Presidential Palace and en route to the Talat Sao Mall central bus station,” Mr Sithiphon said.

Passengers will soon be able to download an app on Android smartphones to hire a taxi and check on bus routes and timetables after it is officially launched next week, he added.

The Vientiane City 2 Bus Service recently launched the Talat Sao Mall to Lao-ITECC route to encourage more people to use public transport and reduce traffic congestion in the city centre.

Passengers can catch a ride between Lao-ITECC and Talat Sao, with 18 stops in between, for just 4,000 kip one way.

Kyoto City Government donated 34 buses to the Vientiane Public Works and Transport Department at a ceremony held on November 29, 2016, at Kyoto City Hall Plaza in Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, Japan.

The State Bus Enterprise reported recently that the number of passengers using public transport in urban areas rose by about 20 percent last year.

The public bus station in Vientiane handles 129 buses including 42 new Japanese buses, which is sufficient to cover the main routes through the city.

The enterprise is now installing new bus stops across the capital where buses will only set down and pick up passengers to prevent random hail and ride pickups which add to traffic congestion.

~News courtesy of Vientiane Times~