Writer Thomas Wanhoff in Laos

Fiora: Small restaurant with good and cheap Japanese food in Vientiane

2012-01-22T04:39:00.000-08:00

Sorry for the SEO title, but this place is worth it. You may have passed by a garage near VIS, watching and white haired older guy sitting outside a garage, and you may have wondered if this is his private party place or something public. Well it is the latter."Fiora" is the last name of owner Dennis, who is running that place with his Lao wife. She was training by a Japanese chef, and that's why they made the decision to not open yet another restaurant serving spaghetti bolognese, burger, laab and omelette, but offer something different. It is not yet the Fuji standard, but it is quite reasonable, in particular for the price. I ordered a chicken katsu, it came with an excellent miso soup, kimchi and a bowl of rice, and I just payed 30.000 KIP. Dennis is in Laos since 16 years, so he knows where he is and how the competition is. He is open everyday, and you get some Japanese dishes (Tofu steak is also recommended), some tempura and french fries as well. Oishi tea and Beer Lao are available. If you live around VIS, give it a try. It could become a nice place for expats to hang around. To go there, just pass by VIS and see it ahead on the left side of the street after 70 meters.

Filmcamp Cambodia March 24th

2012-01-15T23:04:00.000-08:00

So this is big news: Cambodia will have its own Filmcamp this year. When I organized the one in Laos, I was more than happy that my friends Sithen and Rithea from Phnom Penh showed up and learned about the concept. It paid of, because once they returned they immediately started organizing their own Filmcamp. and here we go: http://filmcampkh.org/ will be on March 24th at the Canadia Tower in Phnom Penh, starting from 8am until.. it's finished :-) You can register now.. This is the program so far:Morning8:00 am: Introduction about filmcampAnnouncement schedule – class: 8:30 am9:15am : 1st Class (30mn- 1 hours) (5 rooms)10:am-10:30mn: Snack11:00am : 2nd class (30-1 hours) (5 rooms)11:00am : Screening (Chaktomouk Short Film Contest)12:00am : Lunch break: (need to be confirm) Guitar Damour, Pizza, zaman)Afternoon13:00pm : Hall – (Ice Breaker) (Angkoor)13:45pm : Announce afternoon session3rd Class : 14:00pm (30mn-1 hours) (5 rooms)14:30pm : 4th Class15:00pm – 16:00pm : Forum/Debate16:00pm : CSP (Music video) + Sai/Dance/talk/snack16:45pm : Closing Ceremony, Thank, Photo.17:00pm : End.

UPDATE Nam Phou Square construction

2012-01-13T22:54:00.000-08:00

So finally the government stepped in and put the construction at Nam Phou Squareon hold. In a meeting a few days ago authorities explained different drafts for a modified construction around Vientiane's landmark. The version that got consens between people in charge are two one floor buildings facing the street while in the back only two kiosk style stalls are allowed. The fountain will remain at the same place. It may be too late for the restaurants who are basically blocked by the green construction fence.The downside is that the parking slots will be removed. That will increase the bad situation, and I ask myself when they will realize that more buildings and attractions will - drumroll - attract people. And that means more CARS. I heard that now a french (!) company will conduct kind of a feasibility study about underground parking. From what I remember from Vietnam, it is a difficult task to get this done in downtown where the traffic is already on the edge.

Trash and burn

2012-01-08T18:15:00.000-08:00

A picture says more than thousand words. I will try to tell in at least less words. The picture was taken this morning on a busy street. Everyday Lao people, rich and poor, old and young, but also foreigners, diplomats, NGO workers, business people, are passing buy. So they know it, but may not see it.It shows a lot of Lao's problems. First of all young women with kids, often without a husband (he may have gone to Thailand or just left her, sometimes take even the kid). For women it is still hard to find a good job, if they have a kid but not married, it still is a stigma.Then, there is garbage. Vientiane is dirty, very dirty. Even if there is garbage collection, people just put their baskets and bags full of trash in front of their house, so neighbors dogs can play with it (they love to eat diapers they took out and distribute all over the street). So the trash is just out there for days. Rats like it, and other animals. Nobody cares. It seems that as long as the garbage isn't in from of the gate, it isn't bothering anyone.At last, there is the open fire. Lao people love open fire. This one had dark black smoke, indicating that ingredients are not just paper and gardening waste but plastic. So the woman with her baby just inhales this smoke without having any idea about the threats.Everyday government officials, NGO workers, diplomats see this. They don't care. They may discuss campaigns, but even if some were realized, they failed (maybe they wrote brochures in English?).The picture taken in the middle of the capital also shows, that Laos is far from becoming a modern country. It is still developing from a very low level. Education is the biggest issue. Money cannot buy knowledge and, more important, understanding of knowledge. Only if you understand what you learned you can turn this in action. All my Lao friend know about this as well. But one mentioned: "My mother insists on open fire as this is the tradition." Old habbits die hard, is a saying. In Laos, it is also a common excuse.

Korea is funding street lights?

2012-01-06T19:43:00.001-08:00

So now it's the Korean's turn to enlighten the city. New streetlights will build by a Korean company, as a report in the Vientiane Times aka Lao Prawda stated. Ok, will might be not right. Shall, because for now they do a feasability study. No, not for lighting, but for funding. The task is basically to see how the Korean government can fund it.
The interesting part is, that the problem in Vientaine when it gets dark is not only the lack of street lights but also the lack of working street lights. Go to the Friendship Bridge to see what happend to the recent Thai street light funding.
In Laos, there is zero understanding what maintaining even means. Also, NGOs and foreign government organisations still don't forsee this problem. Installing street lights is easy, but having back up bulps (or LEDs) and having (and paying) a maintanance guys is another story. Too many projects in developing countries have suffered from this flaw, and too many still do and will.
So even if Korea will fund the light, do not expect too much of a bright future.

Dog boarding in Vientiane

2011-12-28T18:36:00.000-08:00

Thanks to Trevor, Vientiane now has a place where you can drop you dogs when you are on a trip to Luang Prabang or even go home for the holidays. We tested it, and it is good. Trevor, the owner, is also running the horse riding business at Khouvieng Road, so it is obvious he loves animals.During their stay, the dogs are allowed to walk free in the premise, what is secured though 2 meter walls and a gate. They can play with other dogs if they want. Before the dogs are allowed to come in, you have to go through an interview about vaccinations, behaviour and special needs of the dogs. Price is about 10 USD/day, what is not cheap, but we felt our two dogs were in good hands. If you like, call 020 77318454 or 020 55405004 for an inspection.

What is a tourist attraction in Laos?

2011-12-28T18:11:00.001-08:00

Vientiane Times todayt writes about a new urban development project calles the That Luang Marsh:

Under the agreement, Wan Feng Shanghai will spend 12,000 billion kip (more than US$1.5 billion) to develop the marsh into a tourist attraction and cultural centre.

So, what does attract tourists? Let"s have a look on the status quo. There are two main tourists sources, Thai and western foreigners. Thai people visit mainly waterfalls and Wat Phou, some Luang Prabang. They are looking for the nature and landscape. Western tourists are looking for the ancient Laos and culture, that's why most of them go to Luang Prabang. So, what kind of tourists can be atracted by a urban development? The article says:

The development will include open spaces, a public park, lagoon, drainage, roads, a sports centre, and trade and service centres that contain five-star hotels, shopping centres and entertainment venues.The project will also include a residential area and facilities that it is hoped will attract tourists to Laos.

Will tourist come for shopping? I don't think so, since there is nothing to buy in Laos that isn't available in other countries and is cheaper there (except wine). Will tourists come for entertainment? I think Singapore, Malaysia and Hongkong are better choices, even Bangkok. There won't be a new Disneyland, instead expect a chinese park for kids, like the current waterpark. Nice for locals, but not a reason to get a plane from Bangkok or even Europe. So, I dont see any tourists coming. I see middle class Lao and expats, in particular Chinese and Korean, moving in there, as it happend in Saigons Phu My Hung area.

Do Lao people don't need to work?

2011-12-27T18:31:00.000-08:00

Yes, this title sounds harsh, but I actually heard it from a Lao friend. We ware talking about the work force problem and that it is hard to find skilled people. Yesterday I read in the Vientiane Times that mining companies are trying their best to hire local people - however, it is still a skill problem. But as you may know from my podcast episode with Titi about career development, there is also a lack of knowledge about what working in a job means at all.For example: I know a girl working in a coffee shop. She is looking for a better job, so I arranged an interview with the owner of a foreign owned restaurant. Guess who did not show up? She said she wasn't feeling well and had headaches. I had this experience many times when I try to help Lao people finding another job. Don't the need to work?Let's have a look into the Lao society. In general, it is build around the family (there is a new trend I will explain later on). Family has a very high value in the Lao (also the Asian) society. The main reason is that family is providing shelter and security. It is kind of a big holding company where some enterprises are more and some other are less successful. At the end, the money is the family's money and you help each other. Also, parents want to get their kids a better life (as in most other cultures as well), so they will pay for nearly everything to make the kids happy and successful. The latter is important as they expect the kids to generate the income in the future. So as long as some of the family make enough money, the others can be a bit more relaxed. Unfortunately this is changing dramatically. Two trends are important: single young males and females moving to the cities and young couples moving into their own house or room. The singles are basically workers and students, exploring new opportunities and experiences a new life style (there is a reason why most movies in Lao covering this topic). They actually need to work hard to survive. But they still struggle with the tradition of living laid back and taking things easy. When they fail, they fall hard.The young couples have a different approach: They are middle class people, with a family that can afford to build them a house or buy an Apartment. Without the family support they rarely can afford their life style. since they are more educated and even studied abroad, they are kind of the ones creating the future of Laos. But as long as there is a huge support from the family, there is not much of an incentive to work hard and build a career. As my friend said: "They don't suffer." For now it is nearly impossible to find senior accounting staff in Laos. Also, it is quite hard to get motivated staff in hospitality. One is a education problem, the latter a mindset. Both has to be changed, if Laos wants to keep pace with other countries. It is not about lazyness, it is a bout adapting to a modern world. And get me right: The world is changing, and the huge majority of Lao people appreciate this. They just have to figure out how to find their place in it.

Gabriel Kuperman, director of the Luang Prabang film festival

2011-12-26T19:21:00.001-08:00

Gabriel Kuperman, director of the Luang Prabang film festival, a photo by thomaswanhoff on Flickr.

Listen to him in my latest episode of the From Asia With Love podcast wanhoff.com/?p=197

Japanese investments in Laos

2011-12-21T18:30:00.000-08:00

Interesting read about investments in Laos, in particular from Japan. It seems that EU and Japan are the doners, while the business goes to China and Vietnam. http://en.baomoi.com/Info/Japanese-firms-see-strong-investment-potential-in-Laos/3/215960.epiWhy that? First of all I think that EU and Japanese business are not taking as much risk as VN and China: They look for return on investment rather than market share or to be the first. Also, business procedures are different: Industrialized countries are less likely to pay bribes and follow instead international business standards.

These emerging countries will need to transport their goods through Laos so they can increase trade value and economic cooperation. Laos' land-linked status can provide Japanese investors with investment opportunities in the service sector, including international freight operations.

This sounds nice, but Laos is quite far away from becoming a freight-hub: No streets, and if so they are not maintained and broken in less than a year. The high-speed railway is in fact on hold, since China seems to demanding way to much (a 10km special chinese business zone along the track). Once the government can assure the assure the consistence of infrastructure, this can indeed become a great income source for Laos.

Laos also has a strong workforce as most of its population is of working age.

This is when you look only at numbers. In fact, most of these workforce is unskilled, and the Japanese (and other) government trying to improve the skills. But as long as there is no major change in curriculums in public schools and in business oriented education (more practice, less textbooks), the workforce will be useless.

At present, there are 87 Japanese investment projects in Laos worth about US$540 million, with most in the areas of agriculture, hydropower and construction.

Sounds nice, but actually a lot of them failed.It all comes down to two issues: Governance and Education. This has to be improved, then Laos can have a brighter future.

Nam Phou gets "facelift" aka "We sold the heart"

2011-12-19T18:44:00.000-08:00

In case someone wants to know what transparency means:

Work is underway to develop the Nam Phou fountain square in Vientiane after local authorities gave the go ahead for a company to build a restaurant, in a bid to attract more tourists.The development project, which will change the face of one of Vientiane’s most popular spots, will see the building of a restaurant which it is hoped will bring more visitors and business to the area.In recent weeks, people passing the fountain have become concerned about the status of this public space and have become worried that they will no longer be allowed access.Their concerns arose after the construction company erected a fence around the area in order to secure the site.A senior official from the Vientiane Administration Office told Vientiane Times yesterday that public access to the area would be allowed to continue even though some parts will become part of a private business venture.People will still be able to sit in the area to enjoy the environment provided by the fountain and there will still be an open space maintaining the overall impression of a public square.

Beside the fact that there isn't really a lack of restaurants in this area anyway and no tourist will come to Laos because of a new restaurant at Nam Phou: It is interesting that there was no advance notice about the project. It still has a bad taste. Oh, and maybe it is because mainly foreign restaurants are suffering - and who cares about them?

Christmas Blues

2011-12-19T18:35:00.001-08:00

One if the MDG for Laos is "Halve, between 1990 and 2015, the proportion of people who suffer from hunger". However, chances to be realized are "Unlikely", according to UNDP. French Queen Marie Antoinette was once quoted "Let them eat cake" when she learned about a shortage of bread. In Laos, I see "All you can eat" and "Mammoth burger" events coming up. For me, it is a quite cynical (as a B52 drink is). I am not complaining about (luxury) expat life in general. It is more about the message and how it may received by those how can't participate in the events. Maybe it's just my Christmas blues.

What's the future for Laos economic boom?

2011-12-18T05:18:00.000-08:00

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/12/18/us-laos-investment-idUSTRE7BH06F20111218 I disagree with this article. First of all Western countries pay a lot for health and rural development. Second, China and Vietnam just buying the country. A lot of property in Vientiane is already in VN hands. Logging takes place in the south, basically unregulated, and in the north China is building ghost towns for future gamblers. None of the Lao phone companies makes profit, and the same goes basically for most SOEs. Beer Lao might be different. The income from dams is nice, but will not be enough. Yes, there is a boom, but it will not take long then Laos is facing the same problems like Vietnam right now: Investors cash in and run away.Regional companies, especially from the neighbors, just have one advantage: They can deal better with corruption. This and the total lack of law enforcement is the reason why Western companies are careful. In Vietnam we saw that investment and return of investments isn't the same process. Just an example: I was told that in Laos local DVDs are not much copied because people are afraid to be sued. But copying foreign movies isn't a problem at all - because a foreign company has basically no tools for getting justice here. I still believe the current boom won't last long. While Vietnam can rely in a export crisis on it's large population and the domestic market, Laos doesn't have this advantage. It is depending on foreign investment, what means giving concessions and creating income based on the fees and taxes. Mining seems already to be on it's peak, logging might decrease following more protests of local farmers suffering from landslides, and most property in Vientiane is sold already.As long as there is no market supervision and regulation, a safe business environment and enforced laws, Laos is still a high risk place for business.

Getting a taste for wine in Vientiane (Laos)

2011-12-12T07:38:00.000-08:00

It is not that we don't have wine in Laos. Compared to Thailand wine is actually cheap here and we have quite a good selection so far. Thanks to the french community, wine is accepted here, thanks to winemakers around the world good wine is available here as well.

Today started a new aera of wine in Laos. The shop Wine 95 (named after the the years it's owner Vansom Vilivong started his wine business, an import-export company) is located right in the heart of Laos, next to the Jazzy Brick Bar and just a few meters from the Phimphone supermarket. It is a classy wine bar.The concept is new and refreshing. I am one of the kind of wine lovers who don't really care about a label. I drink wine that taste good for me. The problem: Most venues have only a small selection of wine by the glass, so you usually stick with that to avoid the risk of opening a (expensive) bottle you don't like.That's where Wine 95 comes in. First of all they have different wines every week. Seven red wines, 4 white and sometimes sparkling. Then, for 10.000 KIP (a bit more than one Dollar), you get a tasting glass. If you like it, you can have a half glass, a full glass or a bottle. The owners daughter told me that they see the place as a venue for people who love to drink wine and having a new experience sometimes.But a wine bar isn't just good because of the wine selection. Interior is also important, and that is something the Phonesavanh family did just right. It is cosy and classy, but not too High-So. It has style, but it's not the kind of overexposed luxury you will find in Asia too many times. The design has been done by someone who had a vision about this place and just realized it. You feel comfortable and relaxed here, especially upstairs. No Smoking, what just fits well to enjoying wine. Jazz music, sometimes live performances (I heard there will be Mozart in January).

Of course it is not a cheap place, but style and taste have it's price. I rather pay more for something well done and executed than for a trendy place where the owners have no clue what they actually sell.Wine 95 is open Tuesday - Sunday (closed Mondays) from 5pm to midnight. No food, but wine and cocktails.

Looking for a job in Laos ?

2011-12-12T07:09:00.000-08:00

My friend Keo launched today the JOB108 magazine and website. While the magazine will be published three times a month with 4000 copies, the website of course provides jobs 24/7 for everyine interested in human resources in Laos.

The magazine in black and white with some color pages provides job ads as well as advice for jobseekers, something that is really important in Laos. Since the basic idea of career isn't developed that much in this country, 108Job wants to fill the gap and being a bridge between employees and employers.So in case you have some job advertising or jou are looking for a job, give it a try. The magazine is just 5000 KIP, less than a Dollar. Advertising isn't that expensive either, just call the editors. More details given on the website http://108job.la/

B-52 in Laos - the drink and the background

2011-12-09T02:15:00.001-08:00

For all hipsters in Laos, who don't know the background of the B-52 drink. The name refers to the US B-52 Stratofortress long-range bomber. This bomber was used in the Vietnam War for the release of incendiary bombs, which likely inspired today's flaming variant of the cocktail; another hypothesis centers on B-52 combat losses ("Burns like a B-52 over Hanoi").(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B-52_(cocktail))Yes, these bombers were also used in Laos. So please think twice before celebrating with a B-52 drink in Laos.

How to Create Jobs? Ask an Award-Winning Social Enterprise in Cambodia

2011-12-05T20:21:00.001-08:00

I just post the press release here. These guy do a pretty good job, I just hope they will get more contracts from the private sector.An American job-creating social enterprise was recognized with the eAsia Award for Best Employment Creation Initiative in Asia. The award was presented to Digital Divide Data at a ceremony in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Digital Divide Data is an innovative social enterprise that delivers high-quality content business process outsourcing services to clients globally.“Digital Divide Data has created hundreds of jobs for youth in Cambodia, Laos and Kenya,” said Michael Chertok, a co-founder and board member. “We accomplish this through a strong recruiting and training program, coupled with a business that provides content digitization services to clients, including eBook creation, newspaper and archive digitization, handwriting transcription, and survey data entry.” For the past 10 years, Digital Divide Data has used a model called “impact sourcing” to consistently grow enterprises that build skills and create jobs.eAsia is an annual international event with the objective of reinforcing technology and knowledge-centric growth and needs of Asia. The eAsia Awards have the aim of acknowledging unique and innovative initiatives in the use of Information and Communication Technology for Development. Nominations for the awards are screened by an eminent jury, which selects award recipients in each category. The Award for Best Employment Creation Initiative is in the category of Driving Economy. eAsia is sponsored Cisco Systems, GPiT, HP, Huawei, Intel, Polycom, Samsung and UNDP.Digital Divide Data (DDD) is an innovative, internationally acclaimed social enterprise. They deliver high-quality data conversion services to global clients to create jobs for talented youth in developing countries. Their clients receive competitively priced, world-class data preservation and content conversion services. This business empowers their staff with the skills and experience they need to lift themselves out of poverty.

short movies in luang prabang

2011-12-02T23:54:00.001-08:00

kind a live blogging from the luang prabang film festival. please go to the visitors center at project space and watch the lao short movies. i really like calendar and A Small Dog Life. And The Risk produced by Kino. Every day 10am and 2pm

Of course nobody wants to visit the Plain of Jars

2011-11-28T18:13:00.001-08:00

Todays Vietnam Times says:

The Plain of Jars, the major tourist attraction in Xieng Khuang province, will be the focus of a promotional blitz after reports of lower visitor numbers recently.

Not a surprise. First of all the problem with this spot is that you are done in 1 hour. Have seen one jar means you have seem them all. Although there are 3 different spots, the experience is always the same. Then it comes to accessibility: This place is basically not accessible. Not enough flights, and travel by bus or car takes way to long. You are literally trapped there for at least one night. and there is nothing to do. No museu. No restaurants for tourists. No entertainment. Nothing. If the earth would be flat, this is the place were it ends.My concern is that again the Plain Of Jars will be promoted the way local authorities like to see it, not what actually international tourists expect. What is indeed a good development, if real is this:

In the past, tourist numbers averaged almost 3,000 people per month, of whom 80 percent were foreign visitors, but this number has dropped to 2,600 people, most of whom areLao.

If locals really start travelling, then it is a good sign. I know what I am talking about: German people spend most of their holidays in Germany.Now comes the real bad news:

To ensure all visitors have a great time when they are here, especially in the coming Visit Laos Year, we are preparing some special events and also trying to promote the purchase of local products such as wood carvings and silk..

I haven't seen a single local event that met international tourist standards. The program is usually boring, you see always the same dances and cultural performances, and when it come sto local singers, it is getting worth. Be prepared of high-pitch-singing-but-never-hitting-the-tone-girls, as well as a moderator that shouts so loud as there wasn't a loudspeaker.Again, if this should attract more local vistors, I am fine with it. But the complain is about the decrease of foreigners, and it is time for those spots, to open up to international standards.(Just in case you expected a well balanced, polite and political correct article: That's the wrong place. I want to provoke, and I like to use irony without placing the irony tag every time when I use it)

Demand and Supply

2011-11-27T18:05:00.001-08:00

"Small family producers in Savannakhet and Saravan provinces don't haveto worry about market access under the One District, One Product (ODOP) scheme, but are now struggling to meet overwhelming demand....The project, implemented by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, has helped to expand market access for local producers." (Vientiane Times)Actually, I bought the Beef Jerky, and they had no package date and no expiry date. Wonder what markets they want access. Also, if you can't supply the demand (common problem in Laos), what was the purpose of the project? Most of the products I saw are overpriced, like the honey, compared to other Lao producers.

Get a calendar, man!

2011-11-14T16:56:00.001-08:00

If there is something that always bothered me than it is some peoples lack of using a calendar. It is kind of an irony that a short movie with the name "Calendar" just won at the film festival, yet people are not able to use one (including foreigners, by the way). It actually seems that beside company meetings people pretty much live as there is no next day. Deadlines are missed, appointments ignored or postponed in the last minute for not really important reason.Oh, and while I am already ranting, I experienced a surprising lack of communication skills as well. I wonder how people make business here when they never respond to an email (and I am talking about big companies). Is this pure arrogance, shyness or laziness. (Includes foreigners again).Get Google calendar, man!

How are the dogs and cats doing in Laos?

2011-11-12T18:16:00.001-08:00

I got aware of a group of people from Ottawa looking for funding to get a Vet to Laos to help dogs and cats.
As a pet lover and dog owner I was wondering what kind of help is needed in Laos?
From my observation there are not many streetdogs, at least in Vientiane. if there are strays, they are often in a good shape, since food is available everywhere. Yes diseases like rabies are there, but I did not hear of a significant outbreak.
In fact, what you see is that more and more people get the idea of a pet instead of a watchdog. I see more and more people walking a dog, and when you see how busy Dr. Kamdeng is these days, you see that there is a significant change in the way dogs are treatet.
For sure there is still more to do. For example, people here still don't spay and neuter there dogs. "Cannot" is what they say if I ask them. However, some give female dogs an injection to prevent them getting pregnant.
It seems that Lao people pretty good learn from each other. Treating a dog well has bacone a fashion, and this akey for success. There are to many organisations trying to educate, instead giving just support and a bit if advice when needed.
When I showed people in my street that my dogs listen to commands, they said uts because they are foreign dogs. When I showed them that it takes me five minutes toteach their dog the command "sit" they started thinking. In particular kids now trying to train their dogs, pet them, hug them and watching them if they want to run on the street.
That is another problem: since people are used to just open the gate and let the dogs out in the morning, they are at great risk getting hit by are car (or stolen by either people who want a dog or dog meat sellers).
So another afford might be to change behavior from open the gate to walk the dog, what is, as i said, already happening, but of course with the Lao pace.
I was thinking about starting dog classes where they learn commands, but where owners also learn about dog behavior, diseases and how to handle dogs well.
Another stereotype is that dogs in laos are afraid if people. they are actually not, they are just careful. If you waita bit, they will come closer, because they want to know who you are. I always show people my patience with dogs and many are surprised that at the end the dogs isn't scared at all.

What's your experience with dogs in Laos?

From Lao Bumkin: Murder Piracy Drugs and Warlords on Sleepy Upper Mekong

2011-11-07T23:24:00.000-08:00

Murder Piracy Drugs and Warlords on Sleepy Upper Mekong:

Is that a blatant attention grabbing blog post title, or what?

No doubt they see a lot of strange things come down the river at Chiang Saeng, but the two Chinese cargo boats rudderless, crewless, and turning with the currents of the Mekong no doubt caught the attention of anyone watching the river earlier this month. Chiang Saeng is just downstream from the border of Burma, it is what passes for the beginning civilization in that part of the Wild East known as the Golden Triangle. Competing casinos in Burma and Laos vie for the baht of eager Thai gamblers. Though no longer the center of world opium production the poppy is still widely grown and the lawless Shan State in Burma is a large supplier of methamphetamine (ya ma) for South East Asia.

Above the two unlucky boats tied up at Chaeng Saen

I have a lot of photos of this part of the river because I like to take the fast boat down from Xiengkok to where there are roads at Muang Mom. Despite what it sounds like this portion of Laos is generally pretty quiet. Mostly the river sees few foreigners, there are no roads, no ATMs, no airports, or internet. The wide photo up on the header of this blog is actually looking up the river in the direction of China from Xiengkok.

For a couple hundred or more kilometers above Chaing Saeng the Mekong runs between Laos and Burma on it's way from China to the sea. Xiengkok half way up has a Lao border patrol man watching the river with a very tired eye. The "port" is simply a place where the rocks jut out into the river giving boats a place to anchor in slack water.

Leaving the slack water in Xienkok early 09

The Chinese blasted a channel in the rapids deep enough to run cargo boats most of the year, and it's a regular roller coster ride between the mountains. Chinese cargo boats for now are more profitable than trucking cargo the long way around from Jihong to Chang Rai vial Mengla, then somehow across the river at Huay Xai. Maybe once the bridge outside of Huay Xai is complete boats will stop running.

Chinese cargo boat exiting the rapids above Muang Mom headed upstream. "rocks as big as houses".

For the unfortunate crewmen on the two cargo boats that ride was their last, a dozen Chinese crew were tied up, executed, and thrown in the river.

http://www.irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=22255&

Above the same Lao freight boat we saw leaving Xiengkok about to enter the rapids below Xieng Dao (I think)

Newspaper accounts attribute the violence to a warlord not receiving protection money from the Chinese. They sure were quick to add a name to the crime too, but a name with freinds at the highest levels within the Burmese military. Who knows, I sure don't.

From the Irrawaddy:

Over the past two decades, three ethnic armed groups from Burma have attempted to control the Mekong River route through the Golden Triangle. The first group was drug lord Khun Sa’s Mong Tai Army, followed by the UWSA and the Shan State Army (South) led by Yawd Serk.

“All were pushed back by the Burmese army,” Khunsai Jaiyen said. “Unless they had the support of the local Burmese authorities, Naw Kham and his men could not survive in this area.”

I have a hard time keeping all the names and armies straight, all I know is that I've never had an inclination to step foot on that part of Burma. The closest I've come is fueling up on a fast boat.

It used to be that you could catch a ride on the freighters if you wanted a slow, cheap, way to go to Jihnong China that didn't involve airplanes or the long go around to Boten.

Now there is a fast ferry that looks like below.

167km from the border of China 1/09 early morning fog

In that same article a journalist tells of being extorted for money by the same folks.

“At the time, Naw Kham’s men were on three speedboats. They cut off our boat and boarded it,” he said. “They were well armed, and some of them wore masks. They made us kneel with our hands on our heads. Then they took all our money.”

The speed boats are very fast, basically an auto engine with a propeller at the end of a long shaft pushing a very light weight flat bottomed boat.

The wind in the face is strong.

And lastly a very short video to get an idea of the speed of the things.

The striped bag is some of my new designer luggage.

Posters, posters, posters everywhere

2011-11-04T02:20:00.000-07:00

All my life, at least since I am 16 year old, I was organizing events, and part of this was advertising them. We usually did that with posters. But we always followed one rule: Ask before you stick a poster on someones property. When We were not able to ask, because we did'nt know the owner, we built our own stand, and, with permission of the community, placed them next to the street.In Laos, you see more and more posters stickes on fences of constructions site, on phone company boxes, lantern masts, everywhere. I was told police was already complaining. What is really sad, is that foreigners who should know better how dirty a city looks like when everyone uses everything as advertising space, are the ones who pollute a lot. See the picture I took opposite True Coffee. I can't believe there is a lack of legal places to advertise.

When generations talk in Laos

2011-10-31T19:48:00.000-07:00

It is a interesting experience when you listen to oversea Lao people who are coming back to Laos. The country as they know it is quite difficult from what it is now. On the other hand, the now young generation has no idea how Laos was when their grand parents left. So both of them now have to adapt to each other. What is not so easy: Sometimes young people are quite bored about the stories of the old Laos. Sometimes the old people don't want to accept the way it is now. But the permanent reality check let them come closer. It can have an interesting effect for the society: Not only young Lao people get a different picture of life abroad (with all advantages and disadvantages), they also get first hand knowledge about the life before the war in Laos. They may recognize that what they learned in school is different from what their family members tell them (and what they see on the internet).Also, returning Lao people face reality when they settle down here, experience bureaucracy and corruption on an extend they may have not expected. As an older Lao mentioned: "You can't get proper tools here. Not even proper chairs. Why my Lao people don't produce stuff instead of importing everything from Thailand."

Take it easy cafe

2011-10-31T02:20:00.000-07:00

I really really like coffee shops, you may have noticed that already. There is a new one in town, and I kinda felt in love with it (although it was closed when I came the first time). It was Sunday, I actually met someone in front of it, and the owner (a older Lao who lived in the US for a long time) was sitting with some friends outside. He told me that he has no staff for the Sunday, that's why he can't really open, but offered some water for free. We then were chatting for 3 hours.When I came back, I tried the ham and cheese croissant, and it is really good: They brought ham and cheese from Paris.It is not the most fancy place, it is not as cosy as Cafe Nomad, but it does have some charme. Free Wifi is a huge Plus for me, good coffee even more important. I also like it when the owner actually works there, and when it does have a local touch. Aircondition is available inside (outside it is a bit noisy).Location: The riverside road, pass by Don Chan Palace on the way out of town, then it is on the right side (next to Lobos, the not so good German restaurant).Opening hours 7 am to 8pm.

Umbrellas for what?

2011-10-30T19:29:00.001-07:00

I read this article in the Vientiane Times today. No ideas what was the reason they published it, since it shows how projects are failing. Bu read first:

"Bamboo umbrellas made in Xieng Khuang province are finding markets
further afield, and are now on sale in popular tourist spots in Luang
Prabang, Vangvieng and even across the border.

The colourful umbrellas, which are individually crafted by villagers
in Phoukoud district, are proving increasingly popular with tourists,
according to Mr Thanongsone Xaisongkham, who is the marketing officer
for the Rural Income through Sustainable Energy project.

“What I know is that traders from these places come to us to buy the
umbrellas to sell. But because most of the people who make them are
farmers, they don't have enough time to make umbrellas in large
quantities and are unable to keep up with demand,” Mr Thanongsone
said.

The colourful umbrellas with bamboo handles are mostly sold in tourist
destinations because they are more artistic than functional.

They can be used to provide shade but are not sturdy enough to be
waterproof in heavy rain, and might also get damaged.

They are used mainly for decoration and are mostly bought by tourists
as a souvenir of Laos.

Mr Thanongsone said umbrella making is an old tradition in Xieng
Khuang province and the pastime dates back to long before the project
began.

“There are currently about 10 people in the province who make
umbrellas and our project encourages them to find new markets for
their products.”

Mr Thanongsone said the venture has generated a good income for the
umbrella makers and some families can earn up to 20 million kip a
year.

Bamboo is plentiful in the northern provinces, especially in Phoukoud
district.

Umbrella production is supported by the Rural Income through
Sustainable Energy project, which began in 2001, and operates in
Phonesaarth Tai village, Paek district, Xieng Khuang province."

So, 10 people producing umbrellas and cannot even meet the demand. Beside of not mentioning how big this demand is, I ask myself why this is even called a project. How much money was wasted for the programm and the programm officer?

To make it clear: There might be a souvenir market for these umbrellas, bu but for now Luang Prabang is actually lacking tourists. And other destinations have the same problem. So if you really want to sell this umbrellas, make sure the supply change is in place and the market as well.

Chao Anouvon park

2011-10-29T16:47:00.001-07:00

Thats how people apparently appeiciate the donation of the Chao Anouvong park. Garbage everywhere.

Open fire and climate change

2011-10-26T21:17:00.000-07:00

It is always easy to give general advice or analysis about climate change. But not many people actually follow the "think global, act local" idea. One problem about climate change is not just the CO2 emissions of the western countries, but also the smoke of the third world countries. A study shows:

Total average annual fuelwood production in developing countries increased=approximately 16.5% over the past decade to about 1.55 billion cubic meters.Worldwide, it is estimated that nearly 3 billion people use fuelwood as their primary source of energy. In developing countries, especially in rural areas, 2 billion people rely solely on fuelwood for heating and cooking.

There are actually different threats for climate and health:

Empirical studies have shown that cooking stove smoke can contain hundreds of chemicals components. The most well-studied products include total suspended particulates (TSP), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), and carbon monoxide (CO).... mConsiderable evidence has been accumulated linking indoor air pollution from biomass cooking stoves to a variety of different diseases. Tobacco research suggests that cooking smoke might also cause peptic ulcer disease, cardio-vascular diseases, otitis media and other ailments.

So if you really want to improve environment, tell people to stop open fire. Don't burn trash or waste from the garden. Use gas or electricity for cooking, not charcoal. It might be a Lao tradition to use open fire, but the consequences are sickness and pollution. So maybe time for a change.

Lao Business Environment worst than Afghanistan

2011-10-25T22:29:00.000-07:00

So the Worldbank issued a report about business environments.

Below are select highlights for the data included in the profile.Laos is ranked 171st out of 183 economies in Doing Business 2011.According to the latest Enterprise Surveys (2009), Tax Rates, Access to Finance and Inadequately Educated Workforce constitute the top constraints to firm investment in Laos. Among the firms surveyed, 43% of them identify tax rates as a major constraint to investment. Only 18% of the local firms report having a line of credit or loans from financial institutions, compared to 40% regionally, and 34% for all countries surveyed.Laos’s economic freedom score is 51.3, making its economy the 141st freest out of 183 countries in the 2011 Index. Its overall score is 0.2 point better than last year, with improvements in monetary freedom and property rights offsetting a large drop in labor freedom. Laos is ranked 31st out of 41 countries in the Asia–Pacific region, and its overall score is below the world and regional averages. The economy is growing quickly, in part because of large inflows of Chinese and Vietnamese investment into its mining sector.

Laovoices just quoted and article about spare parts for automobiles.

Minister of Industry and Commerce Dr Nam Vinhaket said last week the government had no intention of resuming the import of used vehicle spare parts for the purpose of reassembly, after finding the business is having a negative impact on consumers and the environment.

I am sure this was not because of the pressure of automakers who want to sell new cars.Oh, and also very important and urgent is the degree, that you cannot say Laos anymore in your company name. It must be Lao. I guess that will cause a huge boom in business.

The "war" in the telecom market in Laos

2011-10-16T17:42:00.000-07:00

Last week the there phone operators Lao Telecom, ETL and Unitel cut their lines with Beeline, the recently rebranded former Tigo. The reason was apparently a Beeline promotion during the boat racing festival for free SMS.Some weeks ago the government urged the providers to stop certain marketing campaigns where they offered free service such as SMS and SIM cards. The 4 operators agreed to stop it. Now Beeline seems to violated it and the competitors too the harsh measures. So what does it mean: First of all, the government said it is concerned about dropped tax revenues. Lao Telecom what is the market leader reported a drop of 19 percent in revenue. But if you take a closer look, then you will see that actually LTC is the most vulnerable company because of it"s poor performance. Some weeks ago shareholder Thaicom announced that they consider to pull out, because of the difficulties they have with their partner in revenue performance.It seems that too much money is lost in certain channels at LTC, as usual. ETL may face the same problem, while Unitel is a Vietnamese company that may loose their money in the homeland (and has a more strategic reason to be in the Lao market then revenue in the first place).So why the alliance against Beeline, if there is not even a government order? Because it is too convenient for them. Competition is not really established in Laos, and if a company find a way to hurt the competitors, they will do it. In a still developing market happens what happend in the bank sector in Vietnam before: Too many players with agressive marketing were first destroying their own market and then themselves. What Laos has to learn is how a market works, and what regulations are neccessary to allow MANY players to be in the market, not just a few.No idea why Beeline committed nearly suicide with the SMS promotion, maybe the big boss was out of the country and the subordinates thought they were smart (happens more often than you might think). For now, nobody except Beeline subscribers can call Beeline. And Beeline itself is very poor in communication. They call it a technical problem. What is a lie.

They risk their business, because nobody will register with them if they don't fix the problem now (and talks are announced for this week, not earlier)In addition, the government announced that from November on all subscribers must be registered. Not sure yet if there will be a limit for SIM cards as well.We will see how the governments measures and involvement in a market, where it is not just the regulator, but also a player, will effect the purely private companies. We know from Vietnam, that there is still a priority: state owned first, then local, then foreign companies. Since Laos is a small country where foreign investment is often more strategic based then in current revenues, it might be a problem to make it even more difficult to invest.

A desire for milk products in Laos

2011-10-05T18:37:00.000-07:00

When I ask my neighbor if I can bring anything for her from the supermarket, she usually says "Milk". She is a 30 year old Laotion, and the common knowledge tells me that she can not drink milk, since most Asian people are lactose-intolerant. What is true. But does it mean they cannot drink milk? No. Just watch kids - they drink milk and diary products a lot and get fat, but not sick. How ist that possible?First of all: Milk is considered good for health, but also a statement of lifestyle. This is why Asian people want to have it. Although not used to the taste, the demand is so big that some years ago China was buying so much milk from Germany that Germany got a domestic supply problem.What in particular Chinese factories do, is getting the lactose out of the milk. Also, they produce yoghurt what is basically lactose free, ice cream and milk powder. In Vietnam. Vinamilk is one of the biggest companies - it would not be possible if people can't use their products.Also, even if you are lactose intolerant, you probably safe if your daily consumption is less than 100-150 ml. It is usually not life threatening anyway, you just get a intense diarrhea.

So much changed - of course

2011-09-15T20:14:00.001-07:00

I read an article here http://suzyfetherlin.blogspot.com/ about someone coming back to Laos and so much changed. I hear this a lot, usually complains, but sometimes surprise. For me, it doesn't really matter how it was before. I first came to Laos 8 years ago travelling through Asia, but in my memory Nam Phou was not much different as today. Although I am a fairly visual person, I can't really recall details of Vientiane. And actually I don't really want. The exciting thing in Asia is to literally watch the development day by day. It is not all good, but no risk no fun. Despite the warnjngs the living standard increased in Laos. For sure many ways lead to Rome, but at least one you have to try. Vientiane will change a lot in the next years and the next years and the next year. I am looking forward what will happen. And what went wrong.

Tubing killed another one

2011-09-15T00:22:00.001-07:00

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-dorset-14918533

It is sad to hear that another twentysomething considered fun more important than common sense and his own life. Riding drunken in a truck tube on a river you don't know in a country you may have never heard about 2 years ago isn't a good idea. Unfortunately he isn't the only one. Although official numbers are not available of how many foreigners die, just my Google alerts give at least one a month. In Thailand, 50 Canadians die every year (source: canadian ambassador).

Got bread

2011-09-13T17:06:00.001-07:00

Thanks to the Tops supermarket in Khon Kaen we got bread. Real bread. Not the white french influenced soft something. Not that I am missing bread that much, but when it is available, I cannot resist. Breakfast time.

Sounds and rythm made in Laos

2011-09-10T18:59:00.000-07:00

Did that with the MadPad app on my iphone. I am not really a musician, it rather was done to show how to go further with art in Laos.

Wat Sapanthong Tai

2011-09-09T16:31:00.001-07:00

Thats the Wat of our village

Blogging from iphone

2011-09-08T20:16:00.001-07:00

Just want to try the new iphone app that allows me to blog with my phone. expect misspelling :-)

the picture shows the Tonmali Cake cafe, my favorite place

The best for the country

2011-08-30T19:58:00.000-07:00

In recent days I found some postings on Facebook with one topic coming up again and again. It is a kind of Lao nationalism, but not really in a bad way. Someone got a new job and his friends told him that they are happy that he will develop the country, although the job isn't related to developing at all. When I asked a student who just graduated what she wants to do now, she said she wants to find a job where she can support the country and develop society.

While this is in general not bad at all, it sounds a bit familiar. In East Germany you heard that a lot (I am from the western part). So now people looking for a bank job while still believing whatever they do will bring the country forward. I do agree that the more people have good jobs, the better the economy is and this is of course good for the country.

But I think people are in fact looking for a good paid job (as all of us do), and do not really care about what the advantage for society is.

It seems the become just something you have to say.

Vietnam makes it nearly impossible to hire foreigners anymore

2011-08-30T00:22:00.000-07:00

So the Vietnamese government issued a degree that makes it basically impossible to hire foreigners anymore.

It is already quite difficult for foreigners to get a work permit there, but now the government makes it even worst.

The decree stipulates that 30 days before recruiting foreign workers for some posts, employers must notify the needs of recruiting Vietnamese workers for the same posts on local and central newspapers. When applying for granting work permits to foreigners, enterprises have to present the documents to prove the job information publishing.

The problem is that degrees like that are actually targeted on the illegal chinese workers in construction and mining. But of course you cannot make a law just for Chinese workers. So the law covers all foreigners. and here starts the problem.

First of all, the reason why you hire a foreigner, who is more expensive than local staff, is because you cannot find a local who can do the job. So you already DID the homework searching desperately for skilled people. There are just not enough of them.

That leads to the VN education system. People with a certificate, diploma or whatever think they are skilled, but usually they are not. It is in many times not worth the paper it is printed on. You have to train people all the time in your company, and often enough once the received proper training, they quit and start their own business, becoming a competitor (not much successful usually, but that is a different story).

While the gov takes no real efforts in lifting the standards of education significantly (for example by reducing the hours teaching socialism and Uncle Ho's history), they now leave it to the private sector to solve the problem.

Meanwhile, the Article No 132 of the Labor Code stipulates that FIEs in Vietnam can recruit foreign workers for the posts that require high qualifications for certain periods, provided that the enterprises have plans on training Vietnamese workers who can replace the foreign workers.

So even if you finally hired a foreigner, you have to train local staff to get this persons knowledge. Do they really believe this works?

It seems that Vietnam do not want openly offend their brothers in Bejing, so they rather offend western companies. They may have forgotten where the money came for the boom. And that this western companies already start to pull the money out since it is becoming more risky and dangerous. State owned companies are either bankrupt already or close to. So what's left then are some Russian and Chinese (also Japanese and Korean) companies. But they will have the same foreigner problem. If they pull out as well, it will be a major bump for the VN economy. There is already not much innovation and market developing going on my local businesses, and VN - as World bank reports and others mentioned many time - will rely on foreign support for more years. They put this on risk now.

No super train through Laos - Thailand stops project

2011-08-25T23:21:00.000-07:00

In the news today:

Thailand's new government unveiled a revised plan for the country's high-speed train network Tuesday, prioritizing domestic rail expansion over an ambitious regional connectivity plan being spearheaded by China.
Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra announced during her inaugural policy speech to parliament that three routes would be constructed linking Bangkok with urban centers in the north, northeast and upper south.

That means also a No for the train through Laos, is my guess, because first of all without access to Thailand it makes no sense for China and second in China are some train projects already on hold.
At least the people living at the proposed track might be happy.

Does Laos need a Big C (or any other) supermarket?

2011-08-22T06:06:00.000-07:00

On the Lao FAB list (members only) is an interesting discussion about weather Laos needs a Big C supermarket or not. While some people say it is good because it establish a supply chain management, jobs, taxes and a distribution channel for local producers, others argue that it brings profit for Thai companies, and they will be the ones who supply the markets.

Someone else pointed out that supermarkets will kill the small shops and markets.

First of all, Seven Eleven proves that there is a market for small shops if they are part of a chain that can compete with its purchasing power. Laos is far from developing it's own supermarket chain, for several reasons (mainly lack of investors and no benefits like tax exception). For the suppliers, supermarkets buy usually as close as possible if the price is compatible. If they can save money (and tax) with Lao eggs, they would buy Lao eggs - if the quantity and quality is guaranteed. But this might be an issue.

In general, I think foreigners should be careful to deny Lao people any development. I haven"t seen a better model than regulated capitalism and open markets right know, and as far as I know the system in East Germany failed. So, it is nice dream to have a country of happy people and small shops, but reality is different. Lao people want to participate in consumption, as they do every week when they go to Thailand. Just some cannot afford that. But should they denied having access to local supermarkets then?

Trailer "At the horizon"

2011-08-16T16:42:00.000-07:00

This will be the first thriller movie in Laos, and I think it will be the best movie ever made in Lao P.D.R. Thou, the male character, is hell of a talent. And my friend Nin did an awesome job as cameraman.

Mobile phone operating business seems to be difficult in Laos

2011-08-15T06:08:00.000-07:00

Vientiane Times reported today, that ThaiCom, big shareholder in Lao Telecom is considering pulling out of Laos. As reason was given "poor performance". What I was wondering about was the fact that Lao Telecom is the number one in the market. As a state owned company they do have certain advantages.

How is it possible, that the shareholder is not happy about his revenue (if there was any)? My guess: Too much money doesn't go where it belongs too. But if Thaicom really pulls out, it would send a very bad signal for the Lao economy and investment climate. When it is not possible to make profit in the emerging mobile business in Laos what industry then can be a success (beside mining and hydropower, but even the latter so huge delays in new hydropower plants).

Beaten duck

2011-08-12T03:33:00.001-07:00

Beaten duck, a photo by thomaswanhoff on Flickr.

So Filmcamp Laos here we go

2011-08-02T19:38:00.000-07:00

I got exciting news yesterday that Filmcamp Laos is approved by the government and that I have permissison to organize it. I will have a talk with the Department of Cinema next week about details and looking forward to it since Mr. Bounchao is a very kind person to talk to.

Since the venue and free water is confirmed, I am looking now for sponsors for shirts, lunch and printing the marketing materials (A4 posters, banner, stickers).

It seems that many people like the idea of the Filmcamp, however the challenge will be to actually get them to the Filmcamp in October.

Why I am doing this? I believe in the concept of Bar- and other camps to bring people together in a very casual environment and share knowledge and information. I think Laos needs this open environment in particular in the very small and not much developed film industry. so my goal is to bring together the movers and shakers here and let them spend a day together. What will happen after is up to the participants. If they do projects together, or set up a new filmcompany or whatever, it is fine.

Please visit www.filmcamp-laos.org for more information

Why I like to sit (and work) in coffeeshops

2011-08-01T19:32:00.000-07:00

It sounds like the lazy spouse spending a lot of money browsing the internet and chatting with friends back home, but it"s not. I like to work in coffeshops for two reasons: Less distraction and cheap office space. The first seems to be confusing, but it is true. I do not get that much distracted as I get at home, when my dogs want to play with me, my neighbors want to chat or other tasks at home had to be done. In the coffeshop nobody ask me anything (not even the waiters, even if they sometimes should).
So how much i spend there? Since competition brought the price down from ridiculous expensive Joma (21.000 KIP large latte) to 10.000 Kip (Ban Tonmali Cake cafe), it is one dollar a day and free water. Also you have a desktop and free internet. So my spending is about 30 Dollar a month. If I make a coffee at home I am not saving that much. One litre milk is 28.000, that is for 6 cups of coffee, what means 5000 KIP plus coffee and gas.. I may save 3000 KIP at home. Not that much.

Same same, but different? Recent changes in retail shops

2011-07-25T19:48:00.003-07:00

When we came to Laos one year ago, most of the retail shop followed the Asian way: Just do (and sell) what your neighbor does. The main way in retail business is to buy stock for like 10.000 dollar and wait until it is sold. To show how much products you have you try to put everything into you little shop. and yes, put it also outside, it does'nt matter if it get's dirty from all the trucks passing by.

One year later, you see more and more change. The boutiques at the Khouvieng road are the most obvious change. They are nicely designed, with shelfs showing a selection of products. Nothing outside, instead they have glas doors and aircondition inside.

Also, some coffeeshops that opened recently follow a more modern way. Friends de Cafe, Benoni, Baan Tonmali Cake, Joma, YoQueen, IceBean, just to name some of them. Look at restaurants like Xayoh, Nos, Pizza Company, Swensens, i-Beam, Loft, Kongkhao - all of them do not follow the old hole-in-the-wall-concept. Or the new Meshop. Yes, some of them may not successful yet, since the market is still developing. But you can see a pattern.

The picture above shows the toilet at the Friends de cafe. It is actually a good symbol of what means paying attention to every detail. Toilets are usually the last place you modernize.

I am predicting more change soon. Innovation drives competition, and if you are the most innovative, you can stay ahead of the competitors, at least for a while.

Some people complained that Laos doesn't need modern shopping malls or international clinics. Actually the people just vote with their feet: They go frequently to Udon for shopping and health care.

So we still have exciting times here. And it sees that businesses are going on a fast pace and settings standards. This is a good development.

Same same, but different? Recent changes in retail shops

2011-07-25T19:48:00.001-07:00

Veterinary services in Vientiane, Laos

2011-07-19T19:12:00.000-07:00

When we moved to Asia four years ago, our biggest concern was about the veterinary services. We were happy to find Agrovet in Phnom Penh as well as pur lovely doctors in Vietnam (also Dr. Nghia), so we never had a problem at all. In Laos it is a bit different since we don't know a foreign veterinarian yet (if there is any). So our choice is Dr. Khamdeng on the way to the friendship bridge. He is actually quite skilled, but also limited in time, that's why sometimes family members work there (and yes, they do not have a university degree).
The environment is local, what means in western standards dirty and a bit messy, but our dogs never got sick because of a visit (and we got our Lao do neutered there, means he had a surgery). Yes it could be more clean and the walls need some paint, but in the end it is better than nothing.
It is a surprise how busy the clinic is, mainly with Lao people. That is an indicator of a cultural development, when people start vaccinating their pets or even get them neutered (the latter is a big issue, since people believe it is a sin to do that, because it is against nature. ) The fees are reasonable, for some injection 40.000 KIP and castration was about 200.000 KIP.

The clinic clearly has it's limits since there is not xray or other sophisticated equipment. Therefore I was told I have to go to Thailand.
The picture above shows the room where some dogs are placed when they get an infusion or need to recover from a surgery.

Adress: Dr. Khamdeng's Veterinary clinic,
ThadeuaRd Thaphalansay Vientiane Cap., Vientiane Cap.
+856-20 5551 6782

Some other services you can find here

Mindsets: Business

2011-07-17T20:50:00.001-07:00

Quite interesting to see the mindset of many people when it comes to business. There is always this "What is the benefit for society and culture" thinking. I think there is a lack of understanding that a growing economy IS the benefit for society, while culture is something that usually will develop and transform itself..

Puna a Lao girl singer

2011-07-13T21:08:00.000-07:00

This girl is a huge talent. Please support her and watch and share the video!

What makes a good business environment?

2011-07-13T19:23:00.000-07:00

It seems there is a lack of knowledge in some Asian countries about what needs to be done to attract and keep investors. The "keep" part is the most important, since emerging economies always attract in the beginning a type of businesses who are looking for a fast and short term opportunity (and profit). They jump into the market, get the profit and move forward.
For a sustainable development there are some key factors.

1. Transparent laws
Laws need to be enforced equally for everyone. If a law is only applied to a certain type of businesses or a certain group of people, it will be considered unfair and a major obstacle for attracting investments.

2. Tax reduction, not increase
If you want attract businesses and investors, the tax issue is probably the biggest. Companies don't like taxes while governments rely on them as their main income. So there needs to be a balance, but in early economic development stages it is recommended to keep taxes for companies as low as possible.

3. Zero corruption
There is still no proof that corruption does anything good to a economy. It needs to be cleared in all levels of governance and businesses. That also leads then to

4. Market rules
If there is no justice for businesses, they will be scared away. In case of business disputes there needs to be a transparent judicial system to oversee them, based on laws.

5. First come, first serve leads the wrong way
It is not true (if ever told) that the first investor is the best because he is bringing money for sure. As we see in many cases in south east Asia, it is often wrong - they fail in the planning stage. So governments should be carefully analyzing investment proposal for the long term impact for the economy as well as for environment and social impacts.

Laos Business MEetings - how to import to Laos

2011-07-12T06:13:00.000-07:00

Peter Evens the mastermind behind Gecko Wines, talked recently about how to import goods to Laos, and what the challenges are. I recorded the talk and published it in my Podcast From Asia With Love...
Enjoy listening

http://wanhoff.com/?p=179

Career development in Laos (and other countries)

2011-07-05T19:03:00.000-07:00

I was at the Vientiane Career Fair recently (listen to my Interview with the organizers here) and it was quite amazing how many people showed up (400 in the first two hours). According to the Vientiane Times most students were looking for an job in accounting. Why that? I think, and some experts in this field told me so as well, that most students have no idea what a job is and means. Accounting sounds like a well paid office job, and this is why so many want to work in this field.

Now here comes something in play my friend Titi mentioned at the recent Laos Business Meetings in her talk about career pathways. Indeed people do not know what companies require, what a career pathway actually is. Students are just not prepared for the business life. They have certificates, but no clue about what is actua happing in the company they applying for a job. She is looking for ways to change this.

Nearly all foreigners were complaining about the lack of professional skills within the young Lao community. This is true, but I also think that this is quite natural since most people are between 20-25 and have of course not much of an experience. While someone mentioned the need of a education were also internships and trainings are supported as well as craftsmanship (like German system, where you are an apprentice for 2 years with school added), what many people do now is job hopping for getting experience.

So how to solve the problem? I think there is still a need for a major change in (public) education, with a radical change in curriculums. Also, there must be a closer relationship between universities and the business community, so the first can be aware of what the latter actually needs. It might be helpful to use the summer break for mandatory internships (I know internships are already required, but what I learned was that they are over-regulated. Just let the people work in a company for a month). Oh and as long as Manadarin is not taking over yet, more important than using Excel is speaking English. It IS the business language, period.

I really like the idea of the Khan Academy, where you learn online (at home) on your own pace and the classroom becomes the place to reflect and discuss what you learned (formally know as homework). There are also TED talks, so no excuse of "we do not have the materials".

And don't even think the above is a Lao problem or in any way linked to "Lao culture". Vietnam, Thailand and Cambodia have exactly the same issues, and I guess it might even similar in Malaysia, Myanmar and Indonesia.

What is your idea?

Lytro mighty change the way we take pictures

2011-06-22T01:25:00.000-07:00

This is kind of magic. The new camera Lytro takes pictures where everything is in focus, and you can decide later what you want to see blurry and what not. Click anywhere in the picture and wait a moment...

Thats how they say it works:

The light field is a core concept in imaging science, representing fundamentally more powerful data than in regular photographs. The light field fully defines how a scene appears. It is the amount of light traveling in every direction through every point in space – it’s all the light rays in a scene. Conventional cameras cannot record the light field. By substituting powerful software for many of the internal parts of regular cameras, light field processing introduces new capabilities that were never before possible. Sophisticated algorithms use the full light field to unleash new ways to make and view pictures.

Slate Magazine about NGOs - worth reading in Laos as well

2011-06-20T19:56:00.001-07:00

I am not a fan of NGOS and do-gooders and I will not become one. Yes, there are some projects doing good and really sustainable work, but they are a minority. Most international organizations wasting time and money. (I actually wonder if there is a statistic about the percentage of GDP of NGO projects what could measure the impact)

A very good insight delivered Slate Magazine with an excellent article.

Some quotes I really liked while consistent with my own observations:

WA says on its website that it works with villagers who "once were forced to roam the forest as hunters and loggers, diminishing Cambodia's environmental heritage, [and who] now have legal jobs as guides and operators of sustainable trekking, mountain-biking, and river boat tours."..."The wholesale destruction of Cambodia's environment is an important issue, but hunting and poaching by people eking out an existence in the forest isn't the problem," says a Western expatriate with extensive experience in land issues. "The primary causes are the government issuing massive land concessions to developers and wide-scale logging."

"The NGOs desperately want access and the basic equation is that the government grants it to them in exchange for their silence about corruption or anything else remotely controversial,"

About public discussions (aka comments on the internets)

2011-06-19T19:33:00.000-07:00

I was recently writing a review about an event, and mentioned that I did not like the final ceremony. Not a big deal, just my opinion. A few days later I received an email from the events organizer, a foreigner. This person was complaining that I was complaining in public, aka on the internets. I was told that they spend a lot of efforts and worked for free. So what?

I am doing Barcamps since 4 years for free, and if you tell me the shirts were shit (what happend in Vietnam), then you are right and I appreciate your help. If you can tell me how to improve the wifi-connecton, I propably ask you to take care of it during the next event.

I think there is a divide since the internet allows everyone to publish. The old thinking, coming from the traditional media, but not limited to it, is about control. We have to control what is published, and everyone is a secret in the first place, and we have to decide what piece of our knowledge is intedend to be received by the public. Diskussion have to be internal, and later will be a statement issued.

The new modern way the internet offered us is different. We know can have a public discussion, we invite others to participate, we ask for beiing juged and critized. This discussion is part of the process, even part of the development of a product or events. Call it agile development, since there are cycles of discussion until we find a solution that works. For the barcamps, open source software, but also topics like photography it works really good. The more people are participating the more the quality can improve.

I remember the days in the Germany based Fotocommunity, when you uploaded a picture and others told you not only if they like it or not, but also how to improve. I learned a lot from that.

If you keep discussions private (in particular for events where you need any help you get), then do not wonder about the outcome. And if you can not except and respect that someone just don't like the event, then you may rethink your understanding of opinion and why control is more important than the outcome and improvement.

The STEPS finals: A contest for young entrepreneurs

2011-06-18T01:52:00.000-07:00

When I first saw the World Banks proposal for a Young Entrepreneurship Contest I was quite excited. This is what a country like Laos needs: Young people, motivated to open their own business. Then I read this:

The proposal encourages small size enterprises from various business communities such as handicraft, process foods, agriculture/farming, tourism and other to participate in this exciting event.

So women are good in farming, handicraft, tourism? WTF? Why not engeneering, computer science, investment?

Anyway, at least two teams made it with computer related ideas to the finals, while the others are all related to farming or handicraft. One exception is a wedding service.

So I went to the Culturall Hall this morning an talked to the contestants. Tehy came from Vientiane, Luang Prabang or Champasak. First of all I was surprised about the level of English: Most of them were able to explain me their concept in English. Thumbs up!

Some observations: One business wants to grow mushrooms on large scale. I like it, since I think Laos needs more businesses who think big rather than family business. The same goes for a salad producer, who goes on step further and showed a concept of plastic tubes where he can grow the salad. 350 Kilo a month is the expected production. Another woman wants to make organic fertilizer: She wants to collect wet garbage from the market, feed this to earth worms and they produce the fertilizer then. She had the best marketing concept in my opinion.

There were more than 20 booths, and I did not count the handicraft ones - they were too many.

What my concern is: although the business ideas wasn't bad for most of them, nearly all of them are entering a existing market with partly strong competition (e.g. silk or handicrafts). And most of them are focussing on the Lao market, what is also wrong, since this market is too small. Laos needs to export goods, and therefore it needs middle size businesses who are able to compete in markets of the neighboring countries. Vietnam is better in silk and Thailand is better in handicraft, while China already imports cheap vegetables.

I will update this blogpost with the winner later, but at least it was a good start for entrepreneurs. I hope this spirit last longer than the competition.

Some more pictures here.

This English thing

2011-06-17T01:44:00.000-07:00

I am a late English speaker and far from perfect. I learned English in school, but never used until until I started traveling with my wife. Ask my friend Wolfgang about my English speaking skills when we traveled along the East coast. I could not see the need to speak.

Only when I got more in touch with different cultures and languages I never even heard of (like Laotian), I started to realize why English is so important: It establishes a communication. And it is the beginning of learning from each other.

Most people who refuse to learn English say that they do not want to follow the American dictate. They don't have too (although they drink Coke and eat burgers and use mobile phones). First there is a reason why it is called English, and second, we just use the language, we do not adapt to the culture (that's why I am very bad in idioms).

Yes, Lao brings me even more insight. That's why I am trying to learn the language. But English is an easy start for all of us. Instead of complaining that a language is taking over we should see the huge advantage that we are able to communicate, to understand each other and to learn from each other.

Just some thoughts...

Tiger Beer Battle of the Bands finals: And the winner is Babyrock

2011-06-11T19:46:00.000-07:00

It was like the good old days back in Germany when I went with friends to certain rock music contests, but this time it was Laos. The Tiger Beer Battle of the Bands is a highly professional organized and executed event. These guys really know what to do and how. So big applause for the Tiger Beer team please (in particular the guy who was responsible for the sounds: great job, even the acoustics are not that easy in the Budo stadium).

So all bands did a great performance, but some did better. Babyrock was the favorite already, and they brought again a huge fan group, so no wonder they won at the end. But they actually can do better than they did yesterday, and my advice is: don"t stop improving, and figure out why cover songs sound way better than your own.

Rock music has to be loud, but there is a difference between loud and noisy. You could here that clearly yesterday when bands performed cover songs and when they played their own. Whats up and Zombie were performed clearly and good.

When Deep Heart performed, it was actually below their capability: Screaming isn't singing, and if every artist in the band want's to get the same level of volume, it will end up in a messy soup of noise. And Ning Nöng is a good singer, and her band can play well, so it was just not a good arrangement.

Babyrock did well with starting their performance with traditional Lao instrument and song, and also with some drum solo of her singer. Well arranged, well planned, the victory well deserved.

The surprise for me were Dominoes: Great performance, good singing, well played, the bassist was my favorite at the evening; This band should be watched, they have a great future.

So the overall experience: Please do it again!!!

Baan Tonmali Cake Cafe

2011-06-10T19:11:00.000-07:00

What I really really liked in Vietnam were the many tiny cute coffee shops. I am not talking about the street stalls with a small plastic chair. I mean the fancy hidden ones, in small streets nobody knows, like Yeu, where a popular singer was performing regularly. These coffee shops were visited by young Vietnamese people, many of them couples try to get out of their homes to get a bit of intimacy.

Now we have something similar in Vientiane. Yesterday opened the Baan Tonmali Cake Cafe, a small cute shop near the Lao Top College. They are targeting "Filmmakers and photographers" so you can imagine who the customers are. Expect a creative community, an well decorated place, good coffee an nice talks.

Maybe a new podcast from Asia

2011-06-10T00:43:00.000-07:00

Just hear what I recorded today (a new coffee shop in town and another idea)

The intro is from The Cells, a popular band in Laos..

Cross cultural issues

2011-05-30T18:48:00.000-07:00

Some things I found quite interesting about this topic: In Laos people eat noodle for breakfast, in Germany bread or cereals. Both will ever change this habit. (Thanks to Gunnar Lindh for this!)

German people have the wedding ring in the right hand, will most other countries have on the left hand.

In Laos people always ask you where you coming from (or where have you been - Jao pai sai maa). This is not just pure curiosity. In former times, before big cities were established, every traveller was also provider of news. So it was always interesting to know where they come from and then ask for news. By the way, How is it going or the GEran "Wie geht es" is close to it as well.

At The Horizon - Laos hope for a new film wave

2011-05-28T21:15:00.000-07:00

When I was talking with the crew of the movie "At the Horizon", a Lao film to be shoot in June, it took a while when I recognized, that actually the story about the movie is as good as the movies script.

But first things first: At the Horizon is a feature action movie about two different worlds in Laos colliding: The wealthy influential people on the one hand and the poor and honest on the other hand. There is a death, anger, pain and kind of vendetta included. So far, it is something that happens in Laos (and other Southeast-Asian countries) quite often.

The plot is described as the following:

"Sin, a wealthy boy in his early twenties who was born with a good fortune, had been spoiled by his parents that he had never realized the importance of self-dependence and had become an irresponsible man. The boy lived his useless life relying on his parents wealth and power,
making him even more arrogant and pompous.

Lud, a mute middle-aged man, he came from a rural area to be a motorcycle mechanic in Vientiane. His wife worked as a market woman and had a six-year-old daughter with him. Though, Luds life was not gaudy, his family was warm and sufficient. However, one day, Lud unexpectedly faced the greatest loss of his life caused by Sin"

"We don't just tell the story. We want to create a different Lao movie. That's why we call us Lao New Wave Cinema Production", Xaisongkham, one of the team members, says. New things, in particular when it comes to media, are not that much to be welcomed in Laos. When they submitted the script, the government wasn't really excited and refused approval. After some discussons they now have the permission to shoot the movie, but no permission to screen it. Xaisongkham is still opptimistic: "We are sure the movie will be good, and they will like it once it is finished."

Most Lao movies like "Sabeidee Luang Prabang" or "Only Love" are melodramas. At the horizonn wants to go into another direction. There will be a lot of action, but, as director Anysay Keola mentions, this isn't the focus of the movie. "I want to go close to the characters" he says. But with the actions scenes will will also try a new approach in Lao movies.

The schedule is tight. at present the team of 10 people is preparing everything for the shooting that shall take place in June. In the recent days Anysay Keola and his co-workers invited actors for the casting. Since there is not a tradtion of movie actors, it is not that easy to find the right ones. "We deal with what we have and improve from there" Fabiola says. She is responsible for the actors training and wants to support the project with her skills in theater play.

The whole team isn't working for money. "We recently found a sponsor, but this will be mainly for food and expenses for the actors." Producing a movie isn't easy in Laos, since everyone has a dayjob. "That's why we cancelled shooting in the provinces, becaus eit is to far to go there. We would waste to much time we need for shooting." In October, that is the schedule, At The Horizon should be finished. "We hope to screen it at the Vientianale", Ansay says. Until then, so the team's hope, they will received the approval of the government.

If you want to follow the project, "like" it on Facebook. The group posts regulary updates about the progress. http://www.facebook.com/atthehorizon

What services for Expats in Laos are the best when it comes to relocation and real estate?

2011-05-25T06:24:00.000-07:00

As someone who is living in Laos for one year now, it is amazing how fast we settled down. We found a house and friends. But how did we get there? Actually we are not fans of the expat group for women but of some expat and relocation services. We like the ads at the Simuang Supermarket and at the Phimpone Supermarket. and, even more important, talk to your neighbors. They know better what to do when a heater is broken or the water is leaking. Also look for groups on google or Facebook. Best for events is Paisai on Facebook, and starting from there you can get connected very well.
For real estate there is a huge competiton right now. Look for Laohomes or for http://www.rentsbuy.com/, they know the market for houses and apartments quite good.

Shangri Lao: Enjoy the nature in Luang Prabang

2011-05-23T20:22:00.000-07:00

I really enjoy trips into the nature, and while doing the usual temple tour during my last stay in Luang Prabang, it was now time for going wild. We had the nice offer to try the Shangri Lao Expedition, what is a one day excursion on an elephant, but also trekking and a boat trip.

The elephant ride goes through the river, but you won't get wet. The expedition begins with an 1.5 hours long elephant ride across the river through the Huay Sae Valley. Along the way you can stop to see the amazing scenery of the Nam Khan River Valley. After we had quite delicious lunch at a jungle Sala - they served even wine. Depending on the water level you can refresh and swim in the natural pools. Then it is time to get up and walk through the forest for about 1.5 hours. Here and there you will signs on the trees giving you botanical explanations.

Down at the Nam Khan River, a luxury bamboo raft is waiting to take you back. Have a coffee break, relax and watch the traditional village life of farmers and fishermen along the river. Slowly floating down the river, the relaxing 1.5 hour journey, plus an optional 30 min stop at the Tad Sae Waterfall, will bring you back to the camp.

You can book the tour in Vientiane with Diethelm Travel. Email them info@la.diethelmtravel.com or just pass by the office at Nam Phou Square. Telefon (+856-21) 213 833 and 215 920.

Bangkok Traffic 2

2011-05-15T01:37:00.001-07:00

Bangkok Traffic 2, a photo by thomaswanhoff on Flickr.

Lao Short Movies

2011-05-09T07:17:00.000-07:00

I saw today some of the short movies from the last Vientianale. Frankly, I was disappointed. Only the animation movie is something you show at a film festival. All other movies are nice, but not for international festivals. This is exactly my concerns with festivals. You take what you get, then you give awards, because that's what the festival is about.
But does it help to give an awards to a movie that is just not good? How does this help?
There will be workshops at the Vientianale, I hope they will take Lao film making further up the road.
I think the biggest problem is creativity and story writing. I hope Filmcamp Laos will be helpful with this.

Cross cultural understanding promotion in Laos

2011-05-08T21:30:00.000-07:00

My Lao teacher came to me and told me about writing an essay with the topic above. We went into a chat about what Cross cultural understanding means.
For me, it is the respect of others cultural background. It also means, that if you live in different country, you have to be a bit open about different cultural behavior.

After one year, I can speak Lao on a very basic level, but at least I can, I know how to cook sticky rice and laap as well as Bamboo soup, I went to a Lao wedding, to my neighbors birthday, a Lao friends birthday and celebrated Pi Mai with our Lao neighborhood. I don't say I am an expert in Lao culture, but I try to adapt a bit and to learn. That does not mean that I will forget where I am coming from.

So what about the other culture? Are my Lao friends enjoying foreigner parties and food? Unfortunately not that much. It seems that especially food is an issue. I am not talking about German food, even Vietnamse food seems to be an obstacle. My friends stay with their food. And with their Lao music. And with their language. It seems still hard to get closer as a foreigner.

I still don't give up.

Momordic cochinchinnensis or Wonder fruit or Gac

2011-05-08T04:01:00.001-07:00

Momordic cochinchinnensis or Wonder fruit or Gac, a photo by thomaswanhoff on Flickr.

From Wikipedia: Momordica cochinchinensis is a Southeast Asian fruit found throughout the region from Southern China to Northeastern Australia.It is commonly known as gac, from the Vietnamese gấc (pronounced [ʒə́k]) or quả gấc (quả meaning "fruit"). It is known as mùbiēguǒ (木鳖果) in Chinese, and variously as Baby Jackfruit, Spiny Bitter Gourd, Sweet Gourd, or Cochinchin Gourd in English. The fruit contains by far the highest content of beta-carotene of any known fruit or vegetable.

Coffee shop stories Part II

2011-05-05T20:07:00.000-07:00

Hell. Herbalife!!!! Help!

Ok it seems the virus spread from Vietnam to Laos now. I saw the first guys with Herbalife T-Shirts today in my favorite coffee shop. For those who don't know the scheme: Herbalife provides you with pretty useless yet expensive powder and call it kind of nutrition supplements. If you eat regular, you don't need it. But more important than the products is the Multi-Level-Marketing behind it. That means, they want you as a consumer becoming a seller. And that"s the point: You will not make a lot of money unless you become a very annoying person who sells this stuff to all friends and family - and try to recruit more sellers. So my advice: Don"t even think about buying or selling this product.

Students and business people
It seems that Joma is targeting only foreigners, since they don't have a Lao menu. But reality is different: Today I saw a lot of Lao students coming in, also many business men and women. The coffee shop office seems to get popular with Lao people as well - what isn"t surprising, since it was just a matter of time and availabilty of facilities. I just wonder how long it will take Joma to recognise this change in customers and offer a Lao menu (they never answered my e-mails, so I give up to ask them)

Common people stories - a new blog

2011-04-29T20:18:00.000-07:00

I started a new blog. I tell the stories about common people I met and know in Asia. Not the heroes from CNN or newspapers. It is about neighbors, guards, waiters, shop owners - average people. You want your story being told? Message me!

http://commonpeoplestories.blogspot.com/

Myanmar bans plastic bags

2011-04-28T16:54:00.001-07:00

If Myanmar bans someone or something, we know they are pretty good at it. This time I agree on a ban - of plastic bags.

From AFP

Authorities in Yangon have banned plastic bags, state media said Tuesday, in an attempt to stop non-degradable waste polluting Myanmar's main city.

"Production of polythene bags and ropes, and storage and sale of those items at stores and groceries in the townships are not allowed starting from 22 April," the New Light of Myanmar newspaper said.

It said polythene bag factories which failed to close would lose their operating licenses and face legal action.

The move comes two years after authorities in Myanmar's central city of Mandalay successfully prohibited polythene bags to protect the environment.

"It's a good idea. We use these bags everywhere too easily. Whenever I saw these unrecycled polythene bags in the garbage, I worry for our environment," said Mya Mya, a 60-year-old housewife in Yangon.

Some department stores in Yangon sell recycled shopping bags, but most shoppers still use polythene bags.

Coffee shop stories Part 1

2011-04-25T20:40:00.000-07:00

I am spending a lot of time in coffee shops, Mainly because I just love to sit and work there, but it also provides me a kind of insight. Not in the local life, of course. But into the connection between expats and locals. The coffee shop in Laos (or any other country) is a perfect place to watch people and how they act and interact in this environment. I will post some of my observations here, called coffee shop stories.

Tuesday

Welcome!
Was gone for 5 days, staff welcomed me. They speak now mixed Lao and English with me, something I appreciate, cause I trains my Lao skills - and staffs English skills as well. My favorite barista Seuy made beautiful flower decoration, and I showed him a Indian head as coffee art I photographed in Phnom Penh. I guess it is a challenge for him. Dee came out of the kitchen to say hello.

Front desk approach
There are different kind of approaches to the fron desk of the coffeeshop, because there are different barrieres. One is the language barrier, another is the newcomer barrier, and then you have what I call the automat barrier. The latter means that customers dont even recognize a human beiing behind the front desk. They just order, and get easily confused or angry when the human automat replies. While foreigners usually immediatly go into teacher mode, repeating the order v e r y s l o w ly as they talk to a children, until they notice that the barista just asked if it is for take away, locals sometime go in bitch mode. Hierachy is still important in asia, so it is common that people look down on waitresses and cashiers and don't pay any respect. The local hi-so girl today was exactly in that mode. The - I guess German - lady was a full suprise. The body language indicated she is already in teacher mode, in particualr because the first thing she said was "D o y o u s p e a k E n g l i s h?", but this was just to make sure the conversation can start on a certain level. She then ordered some cakes for delivery, bending her tall body over to speak even physically on a same level. She adapted to the situation, something you rarely see here.

... to be continued...

Sorry for not responding to comments here. its changed now

2011-04-24T00:27:00.001-07:00

I did simply not use the notification system, so I nev got informed about new comments. this will change now..

Blogger in Laos

2011-04-23T02:56:00.000-07:00

Following some requests from Bloggers iSE Asia I was askng some friends from the IT BIZ group in Laos about blogger in Laos.There are actually many. Nin (Thanavorakit Kounthawatphinyo) send me tihs list

pnomsin.com
vienglao.blogspot.com
my.opera.com/neuang/blog/
laopop4u.blogspot.com
november59.com
lunlah.wordpress.com
mina23.blogspot.com
nixnovel.wordpress.com
saisahnong1.blogspot.com
visutlada.blogspot.com

and devsmudger.blogspot.com

There is also souliyo.com

A Lao blogging service is www.laoblogger.com wh youncanfind manymore blogs, but expect some outdated .

Lao blogging in general is about technology, entertainment and personal wife. Because of he political system people usually do not publish political views openly.

My current projects

2011-04-22T19:14:00.000-07:00

I am working on two projects right now on a volunteer basis.

1. Filmcamp Laos
Since Barcamp was a huge success and I am a big movie and filmmaking fan, I was thinking about starting a Filmcamp in Laos. The goal is to bring together all people interested in filmmaking an TV, cameramen, actors, anchors, whoever is interested and let them share ideas and knowledge in a unformal environment. What I have achieved so far is the support from Lao Star TV, the support from the Luang Prabang Film Festival, a venue (Vientiane College), and some interest from filmmakers in Vietnam and Thailand as well as Cambodia. What is left is a talk to the department of cinema next week - if they agree in general, my plan is to set up a committee to do the final organization.

2. Young Leadership Challenge - a TV reality show
Seila Prum from Cambodia, who did this show on CTN, contacted me and we were talking about the idea to bring the show to Laos. I like the concept of this show - developing leadership skills for young people and using them as a role model for others. In a country like Laos that lacks of skilled people that should fit perfectly. What I need know is finding sponsors.
I do have already support from Lao Star TV as the shows host and some students and Lao people interested in bringing this forward. Meetings will start soon!

so stay tuned...

Pi Mai (New Year) in Laos: One of the best parties ever

2011-04-14T07:32:00.000-07:00

If there is something Lao people are really good at it, then it is having parties. Not only that January and February are considered "wedding season", when it comes to Pi Mai, nothing beats it. Nearly every house has it's own party, having music, beer, buckets full of water. Another advantage to live in a country with such a young population!

Today we went to the Mekong river, where Beer Lao and Namkhong Beer hat parties. The latter had a quite promising foam party, but it was actually boring. Not sure if (and why) they target families and kids, but this was mainly the audience.

In the meantime, just 300 meter up, was one of the best events I ever attended. Beer Lao had not only good DJs, but also a lot of water, thanks to a kind of sprinkler system and the guys with the water trucks. We got totally soaked, but the music was great and the people as well - Lao and foreigners.

So the result is: Namkhong 0, Beer Lao 1. Let's see if there is any change in the next days. But what I now for sure is, that it is just a lot of fun to celebrate with the Lao people - whatever is to celebrate !

A round trip to Nam Ngum Lake

2011-04-09T19:06:00.000-07:00

The usual spots for tourists to see in Laos are Vientiane for one night, then Luang Prabang and maybe Pakse. But there are many more places to visit. For example, Nam Ngum lake. Okay, the lake itself isn't a highlight, but you can have a nice half day excursion if you do the round trip.

Leave Vientiane on Highway 13 east and follow then Highway 10. On the way, you can make some nice stops.

First is the Lao Zoo. It might be not as big as the ones in your home country, but it is actually worth a visit. First of all, it is a cosy shady place with a lot of trees giving shelter and shadow. Second, the living conditions of most of the animals are not too bad. They have crocodiles and deers, gibbons, bears, many different species of birds. Spend there up to an hour and feed the elephant (yes she is on chains, but as far as we understood during opening hours for security).

After the visit at the zoo, go ahead to the Salt Village. It is a small salt factory on the right where you can see how slat is made in Laos. They actually pump salty water from 100 meter in the ground up to the surface, boil it then in small ponds and then add iodine cause it isn't available in natural salt in this landlocked country. Wholesale price of 10 kg of salt is 10.000 KIP (a bit more than a dollar), so imagine how much they have to produce to make an income.

You heading now to the Nam Ngum Lake (the "ng" is pronounced like the "ng" in "hunger"). Visit the power plant ad take a boat trip on the lake. You can spend hours on the lake, but be aware of changing weather conditions. After, have lunch at one of the restaurants there. Since you are at a lake, fish should be the dish of your choice.

Rest a while and then head back on Highway 10 until you reach Highway 13 again. Turn right north then. The Coordinates are roughly, 18.448021, 102.419357, look for the Ban Phon Hong village. If you don't have a driver/guide, try to ask the locals for the way to the caves. The last few meters you have to walk since it is hidden in the forest. Be careful during rainy weather.

After this visit, turn back to Highway 13 and go south about 63 Kilometers back to Vientiane.

If you don't want to go by yourself, you can book this trip also through Diethelm Travel (go to the office at Nam Phou Square in Vientiane)

Kuang Si waterfall

2011-04-03T03:44:00.001-07:00

Kuang Si waterfall, a photo by thomaswanhoff on Flickr.

This is one of the most beautiful places I aver been.

Edible insicets in Laos -Mindmap

2011-03-20T02:32:00.000-07:00

Chao Anouvong & Victory Monument Timelapse 4K

2011-03-14T06:41:00.000-07:00

Act local, think regional

2011-03-09T18:14:00.000-08:00

I was reading the rules for the submission of movies for the Vientianale today, and was quite surprised that it is only for Lao people. Yes, you may think, because it is an event in Laos. Wrong I say, it doesn't matter where you are, your goal matters. And the goal isn't just supporting Lao filmmakers (if there are any), but to let the industry grow and improve.

What Laos (and Vietnam and Thailand as well) need, is way more exchange with neighbors. For example, Cambodia has a lot of enthusiast with film making skills. Vietnam is good in IT and Telecommunication. Thailand might be good in management (at least compared to it's neighbors).

So everything that is done should be seen in a wider perspective. I was attending a workshop about radio frequency monitoring, organized by NAPT. They made is right: They invited the government officials from Cambodia, Vietnam and Thailand, to share their ideas and knowledge.

When I was in Cambodia recently, I met the GM of Tiny Toones, a dance group. When I asked her if she knows about Lao Bang Fai, she had never heart of it. That is just not good. Instead of copying Korean pop culture, the SE countries should stay together and learn from each other.

When you want to plant something for harvesting later, make sure that you have enough seeds, no matter where they are from.

The Barcamps have such a good response, because you always meet people from other countries there.

The lack of curiosity in developing countries

2011-03-05T18:44:00.000-08:00

I am constantly wondering why things are like they are in Laos and Cambodia. Since globalization, internet and satellite TV there is equal access to information. Why are developing countries still struggling to improve?
We all now that on the one hand the old elite's don't want change. But as we see in China right now, this is shortsighted. People want change, and the leaders have to find a way to deal with it.

Beside from imminent measures like improvement of infrastructure, for the long term the education sector is the only place to establish sustainable development in society.But that's where the program starts. The traditional way of teaching and learning failed, especially in Asian countries. Why? Because school and university doesn't support or even push curiosity. Unfortunately this is the driving force in self-education, and the reason why some students are more successful. In western countries this problem is compensated by parental education and society. Curiosity is a value, it is positive (at least until now). We explore things, we discover our environment.
In Asia, at least in my experience so far, no one wants to explore anything. People sometimes (actually quite often) don't even know their neighborhood well, not to speak about their own town. In school, you are not allowed to ask "why". At home, you are not allowed to question your parents orders and advice. But "Why" is the basis of curiosity, the start. But when you watch kids, they are different. They do explore. Sadly, education steps in quite fast and stops it.

So how to solve the problem?
First, encourage self-education. I tell people every day to stop studies and learn from life and others. it is actually not so much about what they learn, its about how. In school, the teacher is lecturing. Wow. No reason to pay since this stuff is usually available on youtube or iTunesU already. So better invite some friends, watch a real teacher on the internet and discuss what he said.
Also, instead of study English over and over again, get some people to start an English club and self assign tasks for presentations. That is gonna be way more fun. You like engineering? Then start engineering. Just do the minimum at school, then go home and dismantle the toaster, buy some chips and cables and create an solar powered oven out of it. THAT's engineering.

I don't even start about accounting. This can be purely studied by books. You want practice? Then take over family financial planning and monitor daily expenses. Schoolbooks give ypu problems to solve you don't like. Real life gives you real problems to solve. "Mum, we had a loss of 500 Dollar this month" will take you faster into combat mode than any assignment in school.
We need a radical change in education. In developing countries, that means get the foreign advisers and consultants out, but even more urgent the NGOs and GOs from foreign countries, As we can see, they failed. There is no need to educate a village. There is a need to educate champions. Easy done. They will teach the others. Get out quickly.

Find this video about how curiosity encourage learning

Daddy's weekend of guilt

2011-02-26T18:32:00.000-08:00

In the sixties in German union were fighing for the right of a weekend-off from work. The slogan was "On weekends Daddy belongs to me". This is something like a unwritten law, still. Because Daddy has a stressfull and exhausting work week, it is only the weekend when he can spend some time with the kids.
Look at coffeeshops. During the week you enjoy the chilly atmosphere of people reading books or work working on their laptop. It changes dramatically on weekends. Families flooding in, kids smearing their fingers over the cake display, mothers trying to walk with a large coffee latte into the kids playroom, getting hit by a red plastic ball, spilling the coffee all over their clothes. Meanwhile Daddy, who changed his business suit and tie into the very casual and individual shorts, shirt and flipflop, is trying to relax reading the weekend edition of the newspaper. He promised to spend the Sunday morning with the kids. Here we are, at the coffeeshop. They can play with other kids. They can use the playground. And they have chocolate.
It usually takes not more than 10 minutes, when Daddy get's a break. It is either Mom asking for taking care of the 5 year old while she is trying to get the spilled coffee out of her shorts, or it is the 10 year old, who doesn't want to play with the younger ones. "Daddy?", he asks. "Hmm?" comes from behind the newspaper. "Why are soldiers dieing in the war?", he wants to know, referring to the coverstory on Daddys newspaper. "Because it's war", Daddy says. "But why they have to die?", Junior is insisting. Daddy folds the newspaper, making him actually visible now to his son. "Why you don't play with he others?" "There are no others, Daddy, this kids are all too young."
Young is the keyword, where is the 5 year old? "Have you seen your little brother?" Daddy is panicking. Adrenalin is pumping in the bloodstream, and he feel the heart going into alarm mode. What to do first? What did his wife say where she is going? Why it takes so long? "Billy?" is he shouting through the shop, "where are you?" His face is getting pale, his hands a shaking. "He is under the table, Daddy, sleeping."

Weekend is the time, when kids want to spend time wih Daddy. That means they demand the same attention his works get during the week. It doesnt mean that Daddy is physically there. A coffeeshop or a playground isn't the best place to be WITH your kid. Go in the forrest, to a river, go camping, explore wildlife, build a castle at home, an iglu, a tent, whatever. Instead of feeling guilty because you work hard, feel happy to be under your kids control.

And take your screaming kids out of my coffeeshop.

Places with best and worst service in Vientiane

2011-02-16T17:32:00.000-08:00

Before I rate some places, just an explaination what means good and bad service for me: Good is when I get what I want and even more. Bad is when nobody is talking to me and when it is way below expactations. I usually expect more from a foreign owned restaurant because they should now better. Many times, they unfortunatly don"t.

Best service:
Joma Bakery
Pizza Company
Japan Tei (next to Novotel)
Scandinavian Bakery
Small room (crepe cafe)
Silapa

Worst service:
Nos Japanese Restaurant
Khop Chai Deu
True Coffee 23 Singha

Of course, this list isn't complete. Feel free to comment !
Between, but still a long way to go:
Ansara Hotel
Lao Garden
Dao Fa
Sabeidee Cafe

Lao Sword Dance

2011-02-12T23:15:00.001-08:00

IMAG0275
Originally uploaded by thomaswanhoff

I went to the French Culture Center where a group of Lao Dancers were performing. I was told this group comes from a small village at the Nam Ngum Lake where this sword dance is a tradition.
It is a quite basic, ancient dance, something we would expect from native groups somewhere in the Amazonas region.

Anyway, interesting insight in the tradiional Lao dance culture. a biit funny: Look close to the feet and see the socks and very modern shoes :-)

Why countrys like Laos never can do right in foreign experts views

2011-02-10T23:47:00.001-08:00

Today in the Vientiane Times is an article about a Chinese investment:

A Chinese company will support farmers in Luang Namtha province to
grow commercial crops in order to reduce poverty and illicit opium
poppy cultivation.

I found the article on a mailing list for local and foreign experts on the Lao agriculture sector. The mails topic was "Here is an example of how business interests can be disguised as development..."

This is the typical attitude of foreign (western) aid agencies. They think they are the only ones who know how to develop a country. But they are actually not. They are building dreamlands, without any reality check. They say they respect the local environment, but they usually give a shit, as long as they can get products from their home country subsidized by the government into the project and waste taxpayers money.

So China gives farmers contracts to harvest commercial crops instead of opium and this is bad? Why are farmers returned to opium in a country that was opium free declared 2005 anyway? Because the alternatives proposed by the foreign aid agencies simply did not work. It is basic knowledge of economics to understand, that you have to offer a better deal in the farmers understanding, not in yours. Growing organic potatoes might be nice for a German customer, but doesn't give the same income as opium.

Another example is a casino. People complain about casinos build in remote areas in Laos and other Asian countries. right, a casino might not be the best solution. But a casino provides more jobs, more money, higher living standards and more skills to employees than yet another a world-bank-supported beauty salon (as it was mentioned in a recent World Bank Youth Entrepreneur Contest).

So what in particular western foreign aid agencies should learn from the Chinese model is, that job are created by businesses, and so is development. If you don't like the way China grows crops, find a company in your home land that makes a better offer. Its sometimes that simple.

Advice if you run a charity these days

2011-02-10T01:25:00.000-08:00

My experience with charities is mixed. Some, usually smaller one-man, or most one-woman-shows are effective and just do what they stand for. The bigger, the more problems come up. Once you get popular, there is a risk that you take more care about your popularity than your cause. So some advice from a communications experts point of view.

1. The cause is important, not you.
2. Focus on what you are doing, not who is doing it.
3. Being a volunteer doesn't mean you don't have to be committed (and accountable) for your engagement. It actually means you HAVE TO be committed and accountable.
4. Tell everyone about what you are doing. It doesn't matter who you are or where. The more public support, the more safe you are.
5. Any information you give to members and public should be under public domain or creative commons licence.
6. No titles, unless it is required by law. A president of a charity sounds like a lot of administration, even if it is unpaid.
7. Understand the power of online hubs. Get connected to the right people to spread the word about your cause on large scale.
8. Tell stories about every project you did, in detail and in time.
9. Raise money for a specifc detailed project, not just for "we help children in need".
10. Have fun, and let others have fun too. The cause is serious enough.

Great service at Tigo and Unitel: How to get Internet at home in Laos

2011-02-09T01:04:00.000-08:00

About 6 month ago we subscribed to TIGO Internet, because that was the most affordable and fastest solution. We pay about 1 mill KIP for a 256/512 line, unlimited data transfer via Wimax. Unfortunatly, the performance declined steady in the last months, connections is getting slower and slower.
So I went to Unitels office today and ask for their offer. The staff there is very friendly and helpful served me immediately and explained me the different subscription models (I was asking for ADSL, they also offer 3G USB sticks). For 256/512 I pay only 400.000 KIP with Unitel, the setup will be free, the modem about 150.000 if I need one. The girl gave me a survey form, I filled it with name, phone number and a map where my house is, and she told me I will get a call within 5 days if they can technically provide ADSL at my home. Wow.

I went then to TIGO, initially for asking how to unsubscribe. After getting the answer from the person in charge (we know each other already from many visits) that I just have to fill a form and make an appointment when the can take the WIMAX antenna, I told him that I am somehow disappointed with TIGOs performance and price. He told me he know about that, and that Tigo will soon come up with better price model and also improve the connection. I was told they have problems with oversea connections. I was surprised again.

In both cases I met English speaking staff, what I don't expect. Also, they served me well and really competent. They knew exactly what they are talking about. In the TIGO case, he even admitted problems and explained me the reason.

I am still with Tigo on my phone, but if they not come up with a new price model in the next weeks, I switch to Unitel. Anyway, both companies did a great job in customer care.

T'Shop Lai Gallery and Les Artisans Lao go green with recycling program

2011-02-07T20:40:00.000-08:00

T'Shop Lai Gallery is now collecting used Les Artisans Lao bottles from customers and recycling them for future use. They have also started to sell shampoo and shower gel by the litre. Customers can bring in any bottle and they will fill it up with their choice of product and fragrance.

Customers will be given a small gift or discount when they participate in the bottle recycle program!"

Les Artisans Lao was founded in 1995 as a small workshop specializing in using coconut shells and recycled materials to make handicraft products. Within a few years, Les Artisans Lao had built up a demand for its products and opened a workshop with a number of young Lao nationals, most disadvantaged, to assist with production. In 1997, Les Artisans Lao opened T’Shop Lai Gallery in Vientiane, Lao PDR to showcase and sell its original collection of handmade goods.

ALL PRODUCTS ARE HANDMADE FROM LAOS
- Natural beauty and skin care line
- Authentic handicrafts (coconut, bamboo, recycled wood)
- Lao botanicals (Soapnuts, wildcraft honey, essential oils)
- Furniture, framing, and custom finishes

My favorites: liquid soap, mosquio repellent, after-bite-cream

E-Corner weekly magazine - produced in Laos

2011-01-29T20:35:00.001-08:00

Xao Ban: Best yoghurts in town, now with it's own shop

2011-01-26T00:36:00.001-08:00

Their products are selling quite good, but not always available - mainly because the supermarkets don't take care of the stock. So founder Nongnut decided to open her own shop. It is conveniently located next to the Vientiane International School and offers the whole range of fresh products from Xao Ban - and even more. I have't seen the Pumpkin Spread in the supermarket shelves yet, neither the passion fruit syrup. Fresh fruits and vegetables are also available, and around noon the delivery man bring fresh bread. Oh, and of course not to forget the different yoghurts and - my all time favorite - the sour cream.
Recommended is the Buffalo Mozarella, 50.000 KIP from a buffalo farm in Thailand. Soon coming is goat cheese and goat milk. For those looking for a healthy but light lunch Xao Ban offers a salad bar soon (some ready to eat salad are already available). During the soft opening customers may experience some minor problems, but that doesn't effect the range of products or the friendly service.
If you pass by you may get also a cup of coffee and a nice chat with the staff - just like in the small shops in the old days.

Check out the website as well http://www.xaoban.com/

Monk almsgiving at my house

2011-01-25T17:35:00.001-08:00

monk almsgiving at my house
Originally uploaded by thomaswanhoff

Oldimer corso in Vientiane

2011-01-16T04:06:00.000-08:00

Thanks to Benoît Heuchenne we had quite a lot of fun today at the oldtimer corso. Every car older than 35 years could join, and since my Renault R4 is built in 1973, its was just perfect timing. About 30 cars came, from Jeeps to Mercedes, Volkswagen (Rebel and Beetle), Morris, Fiat, Ford, etc etc.

We then drove - escorted by a police moto bike - in a corso through Vientiane. all traffic light were green for us, and everyone was cheering. Really fun.

I hope we will do this again, maybe with a BBQ after.

Luxury tented camp comes to Luang Prabang in Laos

2011-01-15T00:45:00.000-08:00

Opening in Spring 2011, Shangri-Lao will offer an exciting new travel experience in a country that is fast shedding its backpacker image and becoming the next hotspot on discerning travellers must-see list.

With eight uber stylish tents, freshwater pool, spa treatments and fine dining, Shangri-Lao is set to be one of the most enticing experiences in the Laotian jungle.

From its base on the banks of the Huay Sae River Valley, Shangri-Lao will offer an unforgettable experience trekking through jungles and valleys on elephant, horse, bamboo raft or foot. The treks follow a journey undertaken by renowned 19th century French explorer, Dr. P. Neis, who was on a mission to survey the 'Moi Tribes' who lived in one of France's first colonies named 'Cochinchina'. Hidden in a paradise valley behind Luang Prabang province, its aim is not only to give visitors an authentic experience of an old colonial-style camp and expedition, but also to preserve the unspoilt beauty of this area for future generations with the help of the local people and the government.

There will be two camps, built in traditional oriental style with western comforts that both blend with their surroundings and offer stunning views. The first, close to a traditional Lao village, is located on the banks of the river and the second is situated in a clearing in the jungle of the Huay Khot Valley. All tents, furnished with beautifully handcrafted 19th century style furniture, sit on permanent hardwood floors and come complete with western bathrooms and whirlpool bathtubs. There will be a gourmet restaurant whose expert chef and team will serve Laos and Western dishes to suit all tastes. There will also be a selection of traditional Asian spa treatments to choose from to help unwind after a hard days trekking, a flowing freshwater pool, and a sun terrace where cocktails will be served while guests savour the breathtaking view over the Nam Khan River and the Namno Mountain Chain.

The Huay Sae River Valley has been leased by Shangri-Lao from the Laos government for the next 20 years, and it is the only company allowed to operate treks in the area. Shangri Lao will be responsible for the protection of the river valley and hopes that through its careful management and local, national and international support, it will bring back many of the animals that used to live in the area.

Both tented camps are under currently construction and are expected to open as a soft launch at the end of February/March 2011.

The camps can be booked through Diethelm Travel Laos

"They force me to drink"

2011-01-13T18:03:00.000-08:00

It is very common in Asia that people drink a lot on many occasions, for example weddings, birthdays, anniversaries. It is also common that most people who die in traffic accidents are intoxicated.

I had a discussion with a friend from Vietnam a year ago. We had a after-work-party, and after one beer I said no for another one. My friend said: "This is Vietnam, you have to drink, that is our tradition".

So I explained him, that a) beer isn't really a tradition in Vietnam and b) this is a tradition of tribes who had no moto bikes and just fall asleep next to the campfire. Indeed getting drunk is not just about having fun, but in particular with men kind of an ancient ritual. When you became a man in your tribe, there was usually alcohol (and other drugs) involved, also when the villagers celebrated a good catch, a birth or even a death.

But time changed. We are not living in huts anymore (although many people in Asia still do), and alcohol isn't something that is so magic and expensive, that only the village chief can allow to drink it. So what is left from this tradition is to get drunk. What if we always had moto bikes? Would we have developed this habit as well? I don't think so. Our instinct would have told us to survive. Unfortunately we don't listen to this instincts anymore.

The tradition of drinking alcohol as kind of a ritual, with a spiritual background, faded after time, and what is left is peer pressure and to get a drunk as a sign of being a real man.

What is just not right. A real man cares about family, his job and his life. A real man can say know, because this needs way more guts than just open another bottle.

Today a friend in Laos told me that he may attend a meeting, but has to go to a wedding before and might get drunk. "They will force me to drink" he said. Wrong. Nobody can force you to drink. You can say no, always. Friends who force you to drink (or to do anything you don't like) are simply not friends. Basta.

Laos Business Meetings starts on February 1st

2011-01-12T18:16:00.000-08:00

Laos Business Meetings
Although there are workshops here and there and some business associations exist, Vientiane lacks of regularly business oriented networking events. In a country that still lacks of enough SMEs it is important to connect people and share knowledge and ideas.

The basic idea of a monthly Vientiane Business meeting is to bring foreign investors and business men together with local entrepreneurs and business owners. Anyone can participate, entrance is free.

The first meeting will take place at Kop Chai Deu, Top floor, on February 1st. It starts at 6.30 pm. The first hour is intended to be the socializing part.

From 7.30 pm to 9 pm we will have presentations. We have two topics so far: “Social Marketing with Facebook and Co.” and “Challenges for foreigners to manage a Lao company”. More topics are much appreciated. The only limit is 10 minutes for each presentation. The presentation doesn’t has to be with power point slides, any free talk is fine.

The last hour from 9 pm to 10 pm is reserved for networking and further discussions about the recent presentations.

If you are interested in having a presentation or talk about a topic let us know: thomas.wanhoff@gmail.com (02077591338) or on Facebook or the website http://laosbusinessmeetings.tumblr.com

We are looking for sponsors for drinks and finger food. Kop Chai Deu is sponsering us with the room, and www.expat-advisory.com is our first media partner.

Please let us know if you want to join - by reply or comment on the blog or Facebook. Please also forward this message to people you think may be interested.

On the internet: http://laosbusinessmeetings.tumblr.com and on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/Laos-Business-Meetings/145344612187080

What is Quora?

2011-01-11T17:22:00.001-08:00

What is Quora? on Prezi