With little movement among the world's top teams in November's FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking, little Laos stole the show by soaring up 28 places to 162nd in the global pecking order.

In doing so, the tiny South-East Asian nation became the second-best movers after Jamaica, who made an incredible 33-place leap to 83rd courtesy of their solitary-goal victories over Mexico and Honduras in qualifying for the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™. Laos, for their part, made the best climb in their history due to a streak of brilliant displays in qualifying for December's AFF Suzuki Cup, previously known as the Tiger Cup...more info>>

Although qualifying for a major international or continental competition remains merely a dream for Laos, they are by no means strangers on the regional stage, having figured in each of the past six editions of the Tiger Cup, starting in 1996. Under Russian boss Valeri Vdovin, they took October's qualifying campaign by storm to book their seventh consecutive appearance at the regional showpiece.

A narrow 3-2 loss to hosts Cambodia was not what Vdovin's young charges had hoped for in their opening qualifying game on 17 October, but they staged a major comeback four days later, pulling off a 2-1 win over the Philippines to set their campaign back on track. From there, they went on to dispatch Brunei 3-2 before rounding off with a 2-1 victory over Timor Leste, a result which earned them the first qualifying spot.

Laos' impressive run didn't go unnoticed by Cambodia coach Prak Sovannara, who was full of praise for Vdovin's dynamic outfit. "Laos are a very strong team, perhaps the best team in this tournament," said the hosts' manager.

One team, two tasks
The qualifying success was a testament to the nation's recent development program, which has included the signing of Vdovin in July and the launching of a training camp based in Hong Anh Gia Lai, a hotbed of football in neighbouring Vietnam. And the Suzuki Cup qualifying achievement is even more impressive when one considers that Vdovin's troops in Cambodia were an U-23 side, who are currently preparing intensely for next year's South-East Asian (SEA) Games.

In a long run, the major task for Vdovin and his team is to break new ground at the 2009 SEA Games, of which they are hosts for the first time. But with their AFF Suzuki Cup campaign kicking off on 5 December in Thailand's Phuket, the Russian tactician is aware that they have some urgent expectations to live up to.

Laos have been drawn in Group B, which also features Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam, strong teams who are all capable of mounting a serious challenge for the tournament. As if this were not daunting enough, Vdovin's major concern is that he will have to stick with the same U-23 side against opponents who will all field senior national teams.

"The boys have been working very hard, it's worth considering how much progress we have made," Vdovin said to the media prior to their first game against Malaysia this weekend.

Laos have rarely been considered more than whipping boys at this level, and they had a forgettable campaign in the last edition of the tournament two years ago, when they conceded 23 goals in three group games to crash out. Vdovin, however, has higher ambitions this time around.

"It is crucial that we tighten up the defense and sharpen the finishing," he explained. "We are a young team, so we need to concentrate on keeping our shape and minimizing mistakes, now that we are competing at a higher level."

Source:Fifa.com

Hmong fashion show unveils new talent
A 16-year-old beauty, Ms Yer Vang, won first prize at a Hmong fashion
show held in Xaythany district in Vientiane over the weekend.

The well presented and intelligent Ms Yer is a member of the well-
known performance group Nasala, which explains her excellent singing,
dancing and stage presence.

Audience members were captivated by her beautiful voice when she sang
the traditional song Khubthoum , bestowing praises on government
leaders in her mother tongue...more info and photos >>

Ms Yer also won the popular vote from the audience in addition to
being awarded first place by the judges.

Over two nights, audiences flocked to enjoy the spectacular fashion
show and performances of traditional Hmong dancing and singing.

Thirty-one participants from the district were selected to take part
in the show by showcasing traditional Hmong clothing and culture,
while competing for prizes.

Ms Chua Her, a 17-year-old participant taking a course in
environmental studies at the National University of Laos, said after a
month of rehearsals and preparation she had learnt how to live
alongside different people and express and share ideas and feelings.



She decided to take part in the show because she wanted to entertain
people with her singing and dancing skills.

“I felt so excited about performing on stage with friends in front of
a crowd. I believe the show has helped build up my confidence and
ability,” Ms Chua Her said.

A highlight of the event was a group dance involving all participants
dressed in traditional Hmong costumes that originated from Luang
Prabang, Xieng Khuang and Huaphan provinces.

Various community groups from Xaythany district were invited to
entertain audiences with singing and dancing performances during the
event.

Xaythany District Governor Bounthong Phommachan said the fashion show
was held to coincide with the Hmong New Year which occurs next month,
and aimed to promote tourism in the district.



“We spent a lot of effort and resources to organise this show because
we want to preserve and encourage Hmong culture, so people in Laos and
foreign countries can learn more about Hmong people and their customs
and traditions,” he said.

“Their performances on stage will provide much pride for Hmong people
and encourage them to preserve and promote their cultural identity.”
Mr Bounthong hoped the success of the event would encourage other
ethnic groups to organise similar shows to preserve their cultures.

Organisers hope the event will became an annual affair.

By Vientiane Times
More photos at
http://www.activeboard.com/forum.spark?forumID=98894&p=3&topicID=22755395

The Vientiane Urban Development and Administration Authority expects lighting in Vientiane to be improved in time for the city's 450th anniversary as the Lao capital.

Good street lighting and traffic lights can help reduce road accidents and theft as well as making Vientiane more attractive Municipal authorities are asking for more than 52 billion kip (US$6 million) to brighten up the streets of Vientiane ahead of the city's 450th anniversary as the Lao capital, in 2010...more>>

The Vientiane Urban Development Administration Authority (VUDAA) says the funds are necessary to modernise streetlights and traffic lights in the capital so equipment is standardised and regular maintenance can be carried out.

Major roads including Kaysone Phomvihane and Asean roads have been rebuilt, but street lighting has not yet been installed due to a lack of funds.

The authority also needs money to pay its electricity bills. Electricité du Laos bills the authority more than 100 million kip for street lighting each month and VUDAA has outstanding bills of more than six billion kip.


VUDAA Vice President, Mr Ketkeo Sihalath, said lighting improvements were one of six targets for the capital ahead of the anniversary. The other goals include enhanced security, cleanliness, green spaces, overall attractiveness and modernisation, all aimed at creating an aesthetically pleasing city.

Street lighting is essential in a town the size of Vientiane . In addition to reducing road accidents, streetlights also reduce the risk of theft and other crimes, Mr Ketkeo said.

He said there were not enough staff in his office to manage the daily workload and he asked for the public's help in informing the authority when streetlights and traffic lights malfunction.

Vientiane has four street lighting systems: automatic, switch-operated, solar powered and lights whose damaged cables have to be repaired manually.

Each system has its own problems. Lights that turn on automatically suffer from irregular electricity supply and power outages cause the system to reset the timing so the lights don't switch on when they should.

Another major problem is the shortage of spare parts. For example, the streetlights along Lane Xang Avenue near Patuxay are no longer being produced by the Chinese manufacturer. The company now produces a new model and no longer makes parts for older models.

“We need to change all of these lights so we know we can obtain spare parts for them,” Mr Ketkeo said.

Officials encounter similar problems when it comes to traffic lights. Mr Ketkeo said it was difficult to get new parts to replace faulty equipment.


Several traffic lights in the capital are out of action after being damaged in accidents. This is causing confusion and congestion at road junctions, which heightens the risk of accidents, especially now there are so many vehicles on the roads.

Mr Ketkeo said when traffic lights were broken it took a long time to repair them because it was difficult to obtain new parts. Yet again, the traffic lights installed in Vientiane were imported from China some years ago and the manufacturer is now producing a new model, so spare parts are difficult to find.

The traffic lights at the km 6 junction on Kaysone Phomvihane Road ceased to function three months ago when a vehicle ploughed into them and damaged the electrical system.

This has caused erratic traffic flow at the junction and VUDAA has asked Electricité du Laos to help repair the lights.

VUDAA wants to make public the difficulties it faces after hearing endless complaints from motorists about the damaged traffic lights.

Officials are well aware that when traffic lights are not working they pose a serious risk to motorists.

A resident of Xiengda village in Xaysettha district, Mr Mee, 32, said there were often accidents on Kamphengmeuang Road at night, especially at the junction with the road leading to Dongkhamxang Finance School.

He said last week he saw a motorbike hit a bicycle at about 7pm. The motorist told police he did not see the bicycle because it was too dark.

Mr Mee said there were street lights along the road but not all of them were switched on in the area where the accident occurred.

Last year 2,190 accidents were recorded in the capital, according to the Vientiane Traffic Police Department.

In the first six months of 2007 there were 1,191 accidents, but records for the same period in 2008 showed an increase to 1,296 incidents.

From January to June this year 274 accidents were reported in Sikhottabong district, the highest number recorded in any district of Vientiane.

Mr Ketkeo issued a call for assistance to help VUDAA achieve its goals.

“We want streetlights and traffic lights to be integrated into a modern system with a centralised switch. We also need to make sure we have spare parts so we can replace components when lights are broken,” he said.

“We are fairly confident we will achieve our goals ahead of the anniversary celebrations in 2010.”

By XAYXANA LEUKAI
Vientianetimes

The Los Angeles (L.A.) Weekly profiles a 28-year-old former semipro skateboarder who, after taking a trip to Thailand in 2002 and buying a folk instrument as a souvenir, went on to master it. Jonny Olsen plays a mouth organ called a khaen. He’s now the only white pop star in Laos, shocking Laotians with his khaen chops. It’s a fascinating story...more info>>

When he dug into the history of his instrument and learned of its Laotian origins, Olsen decided he wanted to become a proselytizing spokesperson for Laotian culture; he abandoned all Thailand connections to focus entirely on the lesser-known underdog style of Morlum Lao folk. His second album, all in Lao, took three months to record, and had a final budget of $4,000, which by American studio-a-day rates is absurdly low. The money was recouped by the record label, and Olsen’s songs were an immediate hit on Lao radio and in the karaoke bars.

Source: http://www.worldhum.com/weblog/item/los_angeles_native_jonny_olsen_huge_in_laos_20081120/

Signature of an agreement on the draft Sky Train in Vientiane

(KPL) - The signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the
proposed construction of a Sky Train (elevated railway) in Vientiane,
was held recently in the Lao capital, between Mr. Phetsamone Vilaphanh, Deputy
Head of Department of Planning and Cooperation of the Ministry of
Public Works and Transport, and Mr. Adrew Khor Poh Kiang, representing
the group of Japanese companies Flagship Maglev (FSG) to the south-east
Asia, in the presence of Mr. Sithong Thonkèo, vice-minister of
Ministry, and Mr. Bounchanh Sinlavong, deputy mayor of Vientiane,
reported the newspaper Lao on business...more info>>

According to the contract BOT (build, operation and transfer), FSG will invest 100% in the concession of this project. It provides a survey of construction instead of 6 to 12 months, a site of 4 years and the official entry into service the following year. According to estimates, 51 km of railways will be laid and 6 stations built between the Friendship Bridge Vientiane - Nong Khai and Nong Chanh market -
Wattay International Airport - Thong Pong - the National University
Dong Dok - The national stadium at Km18 and the National University and
Dong Dok city center.

Regarding technology, FSG will use the latest machines called "Technology of the
21st century" that will allow cars to move automatically airlines
through the magnetic field, as levitation. This technology is already being used in Nagoya, Japan. In addition, with this same technique, Japan and
the Republic of Korea also signed a cooperation contract in the
construction of the railway under the ocean with a length of over 500
kms between Japan and Busan of South Korea.

According FSG, the construction cost will amount to around 300 - 400 million U.S. dollars. Once this project successful, FSG wishes to make the ambitious concession, as always BOT, a Sky Train linking the countries of Asean among themselves and with
Laos shook the center.

The most positive magnetic rail network is that its system complies
with urban use because the wheel moving at 10 cm from the road and
there is no friction, the train is perfectly silent, which is ideal
sound environment issue.