Thakhek awakening?

[GWR]

Very evocative account of a Laotian who lived through the political turmoil of the 60s & 70s. Rare to get such detailed accounts of smalltown life in English. Even some poetry in English:-

http://saycocie.1colony.com/

'Thakek Years: 1967 to 1970':-

http://saycocie.1colony.com/shopping_page.html

[Wisarut]

I have known AI Kongkoe logn before you know ... He is just a Lao Nationalist though :p :rolleyes:

[GWR]

Khammuan undergoes facelift

http://www.vientianetimes.org.la/FreeContent/New%20Folder/p1.jpg
[Photo: Vientiane Times - Thakhek's upgraded riverside road will provide pedestrians with a pleasant promenade.]

Khammuan provincial authorities have invested more than 50 billion kip on seven road projects in the main town of Thakhek in a bid to attract more tourists to the province.

A senior official from the Provincial Department of Public Works and Transport, Mr Nongsavan Thammavong, told Vientiane Times yesterday that three of the roads have been completed.

“I think all the roads will be finished by May, in time for the Lao New Year celebrations,” he said.

He explained the scheme is part of the province's development plan ahead of its ‘Visiting Khammuan' campaign in 2009.

Two of the new roads are made of concrete. One of them is 800 metres long and runs along the Mekong riverbank, costing US$300,000 to build. The second, also located in the town centre, will cost 5 billion kip and has a length of 500 metres.

Footpaths will be built along five of the seven roads and the authorities will ensure that lights are installed, making them safe for motorists and tourists at night.

Another completed road is 3.1 kilometres long and cost 8 billion kip. It runs from the town centre to Sikhottabong Stupa, one of the province's most famous tourist attractions.

The province is also spending 900 million kip to renovate the old Nam Phou fountain located near the riverside, to provide an additional area of interest for tourists.

The fountain, which is expected to be finished in May, will be surrounded with lamps and will have walkways and spaces for local people to sell their goods to visitors.

In the past Khammuan has been considered a transit province, but tourists have begun visiting the area following the improvement of its infrastructure.

According to the Lao National Tourism Administration, tourist numbers in Khammuan in 2007 reached more than 154,500, more than double those of the year before.

Two visitors from Italy – Ms Elisabetta and Ms Enrica - told Vientiane Times that they were visiting the province for the first time and were impressed with the old houses built during the French colonial era and the riverside views. They also commented that facilities for tourists here were inadequate and that the accommodation could do with some improvement.

Apart from the seven road projects, the province has improved its airport to allow helicopter access. [Mod: Possibly in preparation for bridge construction?]

A stone-laying ceremony for the construction of a bridge over the Mekong River , linking the province to Nakhon Phanom province in Thailand , is expected to be held in the middle of this year.

Mr Nongsavan said the Thai government will provide more than 1.3 billion baht to fund the construction of the bridge. [http://www.angkor.com/2bangkok/2bangkok/forum/showpost.php?p=20264&postcount=65]

These projects are also part of the province's efforts to encourage trade and investment.

By Somsack Pongkhao
(Latest Update March 11, 2008)
http://www.vientianetimes.org.la/FreeContent/FreeContent_K.htm

Konglor Cave road opens to public in May
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