Tuesday, July 17, 2007

Press release by the Lao Royal Family



Would the restoration of a (constitutional) monarchy work for Laos?

Laotian Stars!

Oukham Saengpraseuth asked:
You see so many Chinese stars, Japanese stars..etc in movies, music, art, but do you ever see any Laotian stars??

Ashley Phimmasone wrote:
There's a music group called OVERDANCE. They're mainly R&B and they're Laotians. They're quite popular in Laos and Thailand.
I think they're good.

Overdance - Mr. Hinsom


Anna Sypraseuth wrote:
I have definetely heard about Willy Denzey in France and his first song made a hit! "Le mur du son" is "bouning" as he sings it. You should get it... Check this out too:


Mynoi Mee Keonakhone wrote:
does the Souphanousinphone family from King of Hill count? hahhahahah
or how about Alexandra Bounxouei? I don't know how famous she is but she's cute! I think I just have a thing for mixed girls :D


Alexandra Bounxouei - Sao Lao, Bao Thai

Monday, July 16, 2007

Laotian Civil War Footage

Teena Bounpraseth wrote:
Here is some rare footage of the civil war in laos from 1960-1974, i think it was apart of some documentary bearing the same name. thought you all might be interested in some lao history, explaining why our parents made the journey they did for the rest of us. it personally gave me a more realistic glimpse of that time.

Part 1



Part 2

Café Lao

Thanksgiving Coffee Company sells Lao Fair Trade Coffee produced by the Jhai Coffee Farmer Cooperative (JCFC) in Southern Laos. One of the founders of the JCFC, Lee Thorn, is a Vietnam War veteran that returned to Laos to find redemption growing coffee.

Hmong-Lao

Rebecca Sommer's recent controversial documentary film titled "Hunted Like Animals" captures the stories of Hmong people hiding in the Lao jungle, frightened of being killed or abused by Lao soldiers. Sommer's film includes interviews with former General Vang Pao, who was recently charged with the plotting a coup in Laos (see Fresno Bee article for details). Her documentary clips of the Hmong can be found on her site SommerFilms at YouTube.

World Heritage


The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has designated two World Heritage Sites in Laos, the entire city of Luang Prabang in the north and Wat Phu Champassak in the south. Two more sites are under review for similar status, That Luang Vientiane and the Plain of Jars in Xieng Khouang. Find out more at UNESCO's country profile of Laos.

Sabaidee !

A 2005 World Bank study reported that 37% of educated Laotians lived abroad, putting it in 5th place for worst brain drain. My question is drained where? Lets pick up the pieces online by keeping in touch, informed and actively involved in maintaining Laotian culture and identity no matter where we live!