Wat Simuang or Simuang Temple, located in Simuang Village is one of the most visited tourist sites in Vientiane. This temple is also considered the most sacred place in Laos. Over a hundred Lao and foreigner visitors visit this temple each day, and many Lao people believe that by praying to the godess Wat Simuang, Chao Mair Simuang, they can achieve their every desire.
The Ning Ning Guesthouse is the best guest house in Muang Ngoi. The property, named after the owner’s daughter, is situated on the banks of the Nam Ou River with a beautiful view of the Limestone mountains. Adjoining the guesthouse is a small restaraunt serving hearty cuisine. The bathrooms use solar power to generate hot water. Electricity is available from 18:00 to 21:00, with special dispensation available for additional use.
Luang Prabang has just been named Top City in 2007 by the UK’s Wanderlust magazine. The magazine cited the city’s quality accomodations, featuring La Residence Phu Vao, the Apsara Hotel, the Satri House and the boutique hotel, Les 3 Nagas. Although not Laos’ capital, Luang Prabang is the country’s cultural capital, and a living museum that well deserves its World Heritage status. Nestled on the banks of the upper Mekong, this is a place you may visit for days, but will want to stay for weeks.
Lao Airlines celebrated their International Arch of Europe Award on 22nd February 2007, at the Don Chan Palace hotel.
The 33rd International Arch of Europe Convention for Excellence and Business Prestige is part of the annual program of Business Initiative Directions (BID) Awards, designed to recognize the prestige of outstanding companies, organizations, and businessmen in the business world.
This year, in Frankfurt, during the International Arch of Europe Convention on February 18th and 19th, 2007, the Awards were handed out at a ceremony in the Inter·Continental Hotel.
Stay another day at Kamu Lodge, and your stay will be enriched by a wonderful trek to nearby waterfalls, set against the beautiful northern Lao landscape filled with mountains and tropical forest. Then, interact directly with friendly Kamu villagers to learn about their daily life. Kamu children will guide you enthusiastically around their village.
Kamu Lodge and Yoihai village are connected by a bridge and wihtin a few minutes of each other.
With assistance from Kamu Lodge, the first school of Kamu village in Ban Yoihai has been built and become a place where more than 50 students study. Thanks to this school, the Kamu people in this village can now understand and speak the Lao language very well. Their native Kamu dialect is still mainly used in their daily lives. To support higher education for these students, a new school has been built and will soon begin operations.
Kamu lodge, in order to see this village develop and improve its living conditions, is eager to support and provide necessary educational resources. As in the past, the lodge continues to appreciate any gifts and donations from tourists.
There is a unique handcraft store in Ban Yoihai, owned by Mr. Tui. He collects the handmade products from other villagers and sells them at reasonable prices. His products are varied including: baskets, fishing nets, bags, etc. The money from selling these products will help to support the villagers and encourage them to produce more and further develop their skills.
Bangkok Airways will begin twice weekly flights to Pakse, Laos starting 10th April 2007. Initial service will use a 70-seat ATR 72. The airline is also looking to increase the frequency of its Bangkok to Ho Chi Minh City schedule to thrice weekly.
South Korean company Keangnam Enterprises has received permission from the Hanoi People’s Committee to develop a hotel in Tu Liem district. The proposed 72 million hotel will have 300 guest rooms, with 7,000 square metres of office space, a restuarant, banquet and spa and entertainment centre. The ground-breaking ceremony will be held in July 2007, and the hotel will open in 2010. Keangnam Enterprises is based in Seoul and was founded in 1951.
In October 2007, Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) will begin service between Stockholm and Bangkok, three times a week. The new service will use Airbus 340 aircraft. SAS already has a codeshare agreement with Thai Airways, giving the airline access to markets in Thailand and other South-East Asian nations.
The 315-room Shangri-La Phuket Resort and Spa is scheduled to open late in 2008. The resort will be located along Bang Tao Bay on the western coast of Phuket. It will be situated on 20 hectares of beachfront property and feature 223 guestrooms and 92 villas. Facilities will include three swimming pools, water sports, a kid’s club, tennis and squash courts, CHI spa and a health club.
The Gassan Marina Golf Club just opened in November 2006, and is about a 20-minute drive from Chiang Mai International Airport. Designed around the curve of Chiang Mai’s largest lake, it is one of the longest golf courses in Thailand. The clubhouse includes Thai and international restuarants, a seminar room and large banquet halls.
