'Chinatown' stirs unusual rumblings for Laotians

Date: Apr 6, 2008

'Chinatown' stirs unusual rumblings for Laotians

paris_vientiane · Guru

This article point out the main problem about this subject: the government don't communicate enough about it, so many people imagine and say anything about it. We don't know what is true, what is false, we don't know precisely what will be built... so everyone imagine the worst and share with others their fears.

For a such important project... gigantic project, the goverment and the Chinese Companies involved should open a public information center, where everyone can go to read documentation, see drawings and maps of the project, talk with some people at a "welcome desk" to get informations about the project.

once we would have this, maybe we could talk about it... criticize or support it according to our experience, opinion and fears... but for the moment, we just have some rumours.

Date: Apr 6, 2008

Govt outlines plans for That Luang marsh development

Vientiane will match other Asean capitals when the That Luang marsh is transformed into a modern town.

Vientiane Major Dr Sinlavong Khoutphaythoune told Japanese and local journalists yesterday at the Vientiane Administrative Office there are three main reasons why the government had decided to allow development of the marsh.

He explained the reasoning behind the development of the That Luang marsh as a new modern town as one of meeting domestic needs and the necessity for well planned development.

The interview was made following a request from journalists from the Japanese newspaper Yomiuri Shimbun through the Lao Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Dr Sinlavong first explained the three main reasons why the Lao government decided to develop the marsh. “Firstly, the Party's policy is to use domestic resources to develop the country, which means turning assets into capital,” Dr Sinlavong said. He explained that the country also needed to construct a sports complex and stadium in order to host the 25 th SEA Games, which is scheduled to take place in Laos next year, and the government did not have sufficient funds for this. Three Chinese companies are building this complex and the government had given them permission to develop the marsh in return. The companies had been given a 50-year concession, which could be extended by another 25 years, and would be developing the area in collaboration with a Lao company. Dr Sinlavong further explained that if Laos missed the opportunity to host this regional event it would have to wait 20 more years until it had another chance. The South East Asian Games are held every two years on a rotation system among Asean member countries. “The event will stimulate the socio-economic development process. I have observed that because the games will take place in Vientiane , the investment, development and tourism sectors are growing rapidly,” said Dr Sinlavong. He said the final reason was that because the marsh area had been occupied from time to time it was getting smaller and shallower day by day. In 1917 the marsh covered 100 sq km, but today it measured less than 10 sq km. “If we allow it to be settled as it was in the past, in 20 or 30 years there will be no more marsh as people fill it in. It presents a challenge because this may lead to flooding in Vientiane ,” Dr Sinlavong explained. During the past three years, even though the rainfall had been relatively light, many parts of the city had experienced floods as the marshlands shrank in size.
Dr Sinlavong said that, one way or another, the marsh would be developed, but if there were funds to align this development with good town planning, it would be better to do it properly rather than let the area develop randomly as had been done in the past.
“Many people have raised questions about whether the development of the marsh could damage the environment, but in fact it has already been polluted by local residents,” said Dr Sinlavong. “To protect the environment from being more polluted than it is today, we need to formulate a proper development plan.”
As part of the proposed development plan an enormous pond of 450 hectares will be excavated to capture rainfall in the rainy season. This pond will have the capacity to hold 70 days worth of heavy rainfall per year, which is enough to prevent flooding.
The proposed new town will cover a total area of 1,640 hectares, but the buildings themselves will cover less than 1,000 hectares.
Dr Sinlavong said that compensation for people affected by this development would be reasonable and in accordance with the Prime Ministerial agreement Article 3.

By Souksakhone Vaenkeo
(Latest Update March 21, 2008)

Date: Apr 6, 2008

For better or worst !!
Whatever serve the our country well DO IT, but be smart, keep your head up and learn from them and don't let them fool us. Teach and educate our children well and remind them they must be a FIRST CLASS to No one!! Do whatever nesseccery to improve our motherland !! And Remember Investments can be risky business if careful thinking and planning is implemented !! Don't repeat the 1997 !! I quote: " One step backward, two steps forward "
I don't want to say the word " PROUD " of you to Lao Government yet but all I can say KEEP UP the good work and you are moving in proper and not perfect direction yet. We are far behind the rest of our neighbours.

Every project have good and bad effects. If careful thinking, planning and good mangement is implemented; good result will follow ! !

LET MOVE ON..LET UNITE, DIVIDED WE FAIL ! !

In the future, If I'm still around I want to see ASEAN be as an Unite ASEAN ( U. A.) and the same currency as E. U. <= correct me if I'm wrong !

I would say the BIGER the BETTER ! !

Reguard;

RESPECT AND VERIFY ! !

Lan_Xang · Guru

They should wait for the monthly town meeting and talk about it. Maybe they should submit their proposals to the government. All this rumbling is a real waste of time.

Just submit your complaint or proposal and move on.

It is true every country have "china town" but I am wondering if that particular country sold any land right just llike Laos for 75 years of usage.

laopeoplesarmy · Senior Member

Lan_Xang wrote:

They should wait for the monthly town meeting and talk about it. Maybe they should submit their proposals to the government. All this rumbling is a real waste of time.

Just submit your complaint or proposal and move on.

It is true every country have "china town" but I am wondering if that particular country sold any land right just llike Laos for 75 years of usage.

Foreign buyers keep Hawaii market bouyant

http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/12/05/america/rehawaii.php

The Canadians discovered Hawaiian real estate in the 1960s, the Saudis arrived in the 1970s and the Japanese came in the middle to late 1980s. Then left after heavy speculation created a housing bubble that caused the market to turn. Now, the Japanese and Canadian buyers are back, real estate experts here say, adding that there was greater demand for Hawaii from Oceania, Europe, China, South Korea and other parts of Asia.

Lanxang,

Hawaii a part of the US, right? Are you still wondering? (grins)

Date: Apr 7, 2008

OH FA OI! So do that almost high, big building, urban...in Thai, Vietnam, Cambudia....are invested by foreigner (owned by). Go out and open wide your mind

Date: Apr 7, 2008

Personally, I don't see the reason why Laos wanted to host the SEA games at the first place. Lao government knows well that it doesn't have funding to host it. Laos can host the game when the time it right, that is when it has the funding. To me, this is the worst decision imaginable. How big is SEA Game, no another countries give a crap except poor Laos. Shame Shame! Why not let some other SEA countries like Cambodia, or Mynma host it since they haven't host one yet? Is Lao government another big face, are they trying to be like Thailand? Giving up your land, and allow foreigners to come in for the next 50+ years is the worst kind imaginable. Lao government wants skyscraper by being sold out to the Chinese, they wants Manhattan like city. Shame on them, they would be proud to have a skyscraper full of Chinese, no Lao person would likely live there. How can one proud of it since it isn't being built by the Lao, but by the Chinese. Giving up piece of yourself just to catch up with the rest of the world is not the way to show the world that you're the dumbiest. That Laung marsh is a flood area is an excuse, why not just leave it there and let the Lao future generations take care of it. Why would you wanna sold your self for the next 50+ years, those involved in the deal no longer will be around.

This developement is nothing but shame shame shame!!!!

laopeoplesarmy · Senior Member

Anonymous wrote:

Personally, I don't see the reason why Laos wanted to host the SEA games at the first place. Lao government knows well that it doesn't have funding to host it. Laos can host the game when the time it right, that is when it has the funding. To me, this is the worst decision imaginable. How big is SEA Game, no another countries give a crap except poor Laos. Shame Shame! Why not let some other SEA countries like Cambodia, or Mynma host it since they haven't host one yet? Is Lao government another big face, are they trying to be like Thailand? Giving up your land, and allow foreigners to come in for the next 50+ years is the worst kind imaginable. Lao government wants skyscraper by being sold out to the Chinese, they wants Manhattan like city. Shame on them, they would be proud to have a skyscraper full of Chinese, no Lao person would likely live there. How can one proud of it since it isn't being built by the Lao, but by the Chinese. Giving up piece of yourself just to catch up with the rest of the world is not the way to show the world that you're the dumbiest. That Laung marsh is a flood area is an excuse, why not just leave it there and let the Lao future generations take care of it. Why would you wanna sold your self for the next 50+ years, those involved in the deal no longer will be around.

This developement is nothing but shame shame shame!!!!

Genius,

How do you purchased your cars and houses in the US? With Cash or Financingi t?

Zak · Senior Member

Laopeople'sarmy, not everyone here that speaks badly of the Lao government is from the States. Please don't make such a correlation! Bad talk towards the LPRP does not = Lao Diaspora in the States lol!

I still think that poster had a good point. I still think the hosting the SEA games is too much for Laos to handle. I like the idea of setting priorities and well the SEA games shouldn't be one of them, yet. Since its done, its done and this trade does not seem so bad. At first when I heard the news, I took it as the companies were going to build a "Suzhou" style type housing, like Chinese style housing for some odd unknown purpose. But the artist's drawing looks okay, in my opinion, its a bit ugly! ha! 50 year lease for a stadium?

By the time 50 years is up, the Lao government will have upgraded the country above the poverty line in 2020, set up a stock exchange, build railroads, dams, and so much more.

I think the government and the Chinese companies have totally made it clear to what they are doing. Destroying of the flood areas will usher in other companies (hopefully Lao!) to develop sewer systems and rain drains around the city! Hopefully hopefully someone will take care of it.

In nearly every country, the Chinese population has been helpful for cultural development. I think sometimes we get a person's government mixed up with who that person is. I think it is true about that man that said the Lao people are not strong, thats why they fear the Chinese. Beef up the Lao culture, promote it more, and there should not be anything to worry about.

Date: Apr 7, 2008

Just hope Laos does not become another TIBET, they spread like a disease.

Zak · Senior Member

No, they don't. What does that even imply? That the Chinese government will rule over Laos and Laos will fight back for sovereignty using Religion as a front?

Date: Apr 8, 2008

Yes, no wonder people always say that stupid people always think that they are more clever than others or think other people would be stupid like they are.

Probably they are too young or too old or else just too stupid to such an extent that they cannot understand how to develop Laos.

Laos also learn from other countries' experiences, inviting all investors around the world to develop its economy. As a results, lots of bussiness people are investing their money in Laos, be they from Australia, France, Chinese, Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam, UK and so on. Now, Lao people enjoy improving their life thanks to Lao government policy.

However, I wonder why our Lao-foreigner people do not understand the importance of opening Lao economy.

Yes, propabaly they had never done bussiness, they are the workers or slaves of USA or France. Some of them work too hard, I heard, husband and wife cannot sleep with each other, not mention their kids. They don't have an opportunity to look the real work.

Some of them propably are low educated. Usually, clever business people will see many opportunities when investments are taking place. Unlike our stupid Lao-foreigners, no wonder they just suit to be the workers or slaves if you like.

Needless to say, if USA or France companies did businesses, they would have shut their mouth.

To some extent, from time to time I remember my father tought me when I was young boy that we needed to grow a dog. The dog would work for us, he said. No wonder, USA or France governments let somebody to be a citizen of their countries.

These people will work for them, no doubt.

Zak · Senior Member

Ooo what a clever and witty attack.

It was just that, an attack.

Its okay though, I've attacked the Lao government before.

But I can see how Lao people's army feels when something relating to him is attacked. For me its the Lao diaspora. For him, its the Lao government.

Date: Apr 8, 2008

Anonymous wrote:

Yes, no wonder people always say that stupid people always think that they are more clever than others or think other people would be stupid like they are.

Probably they are too young or too old or else just too stupid to such an extent that they cannot understand how to develop Laos.

Laos also learn from other countries' experiences, inviting all investors around the world to develop its economy. As a results, lots of bussiness people are investing their money in Laos, be they from Australia, France, Chinese, Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam, UK and so on. Now, Lao people enjoy improving their life thanks to Lao government policy.

However, I wonder why our Lao-foreigner people do not understand the importance of opening Lao economy.

Yes, propabaly they had never done bussiness, they are the workers or slaves of USA or France. Some of them work too hard, I heard, husband and wife cannot sleep with each other, not mention their kids. They don't have an opportunity to look the real work.

Some of them propably are low educated. Usually, clever business people will see many opportunities when investments are taking place. Unlike our stupid Lao-foreigners, no wonder they just suit to be the workers or slaves if you like.

Needless to say, if USA or France companies did businesses, they would have shut their mouth.

To some extent, from time to time I remember my father tought me when I was young boy that we needed to grow a dog. The dog would work for us, he said. No wonder, USA or France governments let somebody to be a citizen of their countries.

These people will work for them, no doubt.

Hey are talking **** about lao oversea? you know what I"m from USA. But just be careful when you said anything like that, it will effect those people living ohter country. I don't nothing to against you but when I read your comment it make feel like I want Punch your face. How dare you say anything like that? We not F....ck slave and let me introduce myself. I'm working at the Union Bank, and i'm Supperviser here and do you think who is working for me? F..cking adiot.

Date: Apr 8, 2008

Anonymous wrote:

Yes, no wonder people always say that stupid people always think that they are more clever than others or think other people would be stupid like they are.

Probably they are too young or too old or else just too stupid to such an extent that they cannot understand how to develop Laos.

Laos also learn from other countries' experiences, inviting all investors around the world to develop its economy. As a results, lots of bussiness people are investing their money in Laos, be they from Australia, France, Chinese, Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam, UK and so on. Now, Lao people enjoy improving their life thanks to Lao government policy.

However, I wonder why our Lao-foreigner people do not understand the importance of opening Lao economy.

Yes, propabaly they had never done bussiness, they are the workers or slaves of USA or France. Some of them work too hard, I heard, husband and wife cannot sleep with each other, not mention their kids. They don't have an opportunity to look the real work.

Some of them propably are low educated. Usually, clever business people will see many opportunities when investments are taking place. Unlike our stupid Lao-foreigners, no wonder they just suit to be the workers or slaves if you like.

Needless to say, if USA or France companies did businesses, they would have shut their mouth.

To some extent, from time to time I remember my father tought me when I was young boy that we needed to grow a dog. The dog would work for us, he said. No wonder, USA or France governments let somebody to be a citizen of their countries.

These people will work for them, no doubt.

paris_vientiane · Guru

Anonymous wrote:

Laos also learn from other countries' experiences, inviting all investors around the world to develop its economy. As a results, lots of bussiness people are investing their money in Laos, be they from Australia, France, Chinese, Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam, UK and so on.

The real experience from western countries is that no goverment should leave the doors of it's country wide open to investors. Just because investors, and especialy foreign investors, in any country in the world, just think about their personal benefits! An investor don't care about social benefit, don't care about benefit for the country who receive him!

So open the doors to investors is ok, but only with a very strong regulation. With some precise and complex laws to protect local people benefits, for short and long term, and strong policy to control that those laws are realy respected.

That's the only fear of foreign people who love Laos and look at the development of this country: they are affraid that the country could be "bought" by foreign investors... because foreign economical development can bring mutual benefits, but it can also be just a new kind of colonialism! The frontier between the two options is very weak

As a french people, i appreciate that Laos is now free and independant, no longer "belong" to my country... So of course, I don't want Laos to fall into the hands of any other country (China or any other).

Laos need foreign investments to develop, but Laos need also strong regulation to control and carefully select those investments. All investments are not benefical for the country...Every change/development project have "good and bads". If the "bad" is stronger than the "good", it's better reject the project. And everything should always be done to reduce as much as possible the "bad" of any project if you wish real sustainable development for the country. I think that's just what want to say the "foreigner" who criticise such projects.

But for that, you have to very carrefully understand and analyse every project. Try to anticipate short term and long terme effects of the project. Economical, social, environment effects. That's very complex, and a place like this forum can maybe just be a little help to exchange ideas about them and better understand those projects (first to give everyone informations about each project, second to share experiences about consequences of such projects)

I will not comment the end of your message... you just throw your hate on the face of people you don't really know... just a new kind of racism. No comment.

Zak · Senior Member

Anonymous wrote:

Hey are talking **** about lao oversea? you know what I"m from USA. But just be careful when you said anything like that, it will effect those people living ohter country. I don't nothing to against you but when I read your comment it make feel like I want Punch your face. How dare you say anything like that? We not F....ck slave and let me introduce myself. I'm working at the Union Bank, and i'm Supperviser here and do you think who is working for me? F..cking adiot.

Just forget about it. Don't take it personally. Its all childish slandering when we do this, lets just stick to the topic, if its still available.

santy · Member

why so many people complain???? even lao aboard they have nothing to do with laos coz i chose to leave laos already!!!!!!!!

i think everywhere all has diferent problems, its normal! just relax if not concern direct to urself!
lets it be!

i believe, we r smart enough to deal with chinese an others foreigners!

cheers the lao govt.!

-- Edited by santy at 14:04, 2008-04-08

Date: Apr 8, 2008

Anonymous wrote:

Hey are talking **** about lao oversea? you know what I"m from USA. But just be careful when you said anything like that, it will effect those people living ohter country. I don't nothing to against you but when I read your comment it make feel like I want Punch your face. How dare you say anything like that? We not F....ck slave and let me introduce myself. I'm working at the Union Bank, and i'm Supperviser here and do you think who is working for me? F..cking adiot.

Why are you so serious. Is it related to you? I think it is related only to those who tried to dicredit Lao government image.

Date: Apr 12, 2008

WELL LETS HOPE THIS WILL INCREASE THE ECONOMY ALSO IF THIS GETS BUILT LETS HOPE FOR ALOT ALOT OF TOURIST EVEN THOUGH WE GET ALOT NOW LETS HAVE ALOT MORE TO MAKE LAOS BE KNOWN IN THE WORLD !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! biggrin