Good News from Thailand

Thai people are currently enjoying the good news regarding the health of HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej, King Rama IX. The King has recently recovered and is expected to leave the hospital soon.

Thai king will leave hospital soon

Also, today's edition of The Independent, one of the United Kingdom's biggest newspapers, includes a comprehensive guide to travelling to the islands and beaches of Thailand:

Traveller's Guide: Thailand's islands & beaches

Laos: Raking It In

Laos: Landlocked and dependent

The Lao People's Democratic Republic is considered to be one of the world's poorest countries and also one of the least populated. As a result, it is highly dependent on its neighbors for help, both technologically and financially.

This year the amount of help has increased dramatically:

Foreign investment in Laos jumps nearly fourfold this year

On the surface this looks quite good. The Lao people will be able to enjoy a higher standard of living. But, at the same time, these investment projects come with a price tag, especially in terms of the environment, agriculture and traditional culture. Hopefully, the Lao government will tread carefully and consider wisely both the advantages and drawbacks of massive foreign investment.

ASEAN Meeting in Thailand Finally Occurs

Flag of the Association of Sotheeast Asian Nations

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations [ASEAN] includes the 10 major countries of the region: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Viet Nam. East Timor is currently an guest observer. ASEAN just met this weekend in the beach resort town of Hua Hin in Thailand [one of my favorite places] along with represntatives from China, India, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand and Australia.

Some highlights from the meeting include:

"Japan's proposal for a so-called East Asian community will be up for further discussion, after Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama said the region should have the aspiration that East Asia is going to lead the world."

"Asia has made a more rapid recovery from the global economic crisis than the United States and other western countries and sees itself in a position to boost its international influence."

"ASEAN called for free and fair elections in Myanmar in 2010 but failed to call for the release of the 64-year-old Suu Kyi."

"Myanmar's Prime Minister Thein Sein told his counterparts that the regime could relax the conditions of her house arrest, which was extended by 18 months in August."

"The launch of what ASEAN said was a "historic" rights commission on Friday was meanwhile overshadowed by the barring of several leading campaigners from a meeting with the region's leaders to discuss the new body."

Border disputes between some of the countries, namely India and China and Thailand and Cambodia, also weaken the unity of the region.

Read the full article here:

Asian leaders to pledge commitment to EU-style bloc

Have you ever been hit in the head with a soft rock?

First time in HCMC: Air Supply performed two nights at Hoa Binh Theater last weekend.

OK. I'm defintely NOT a fan of Air Supply, but again it's nice to see international cultural events taking place in Viet Nam. The best part of this article is the reminiscences of the writer, Le Huynh Le:

"I got my first Air Supply album when I was in 11th grade. My friend’s elder brother was a sailor and he brought home the cassette from Singapore.

"Our group passed the tape around for weeks from person to person, each anxious to hear it soon and none of us anxious to let it out of our hands. We had no photocopy machines, so we had to rewrite the lyrics by hand. The Air Supply tape was possibly the most valuable thing we owned. We never thought that one day we would enjoy a live Air Supply show in our home city."

Air Supply "rocks" Ho Chi Minh City

Viet Nam and Laos: Still Emerging

People watch the New York Philharmonic on a large screen outside Hanoi Opera House

I certainly don't claim to be a big classical music fan, but it sure is nice to see when special events like this occur in Viet Nam. Any opportunity to break out of the everyday monotony is welcome by both locals and expats alike.

Gowns and helmets at first NY Philharmonic show in Vietnam

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Daovy Vongnarath points to the small country of Laos on the world map.

This article below from a newspaper Canada briefly tells the story of two refugees from Laos and introduces some basic facts about the country.

Laotians have made a new life in Central Plains

Some Good News

After Thursday's depressing headlines in Thailand...

Thai market jittery over King’s health

Markets reflect fears on health of Thai king

SET plunges for second day in a row

Baht depreciates after stock sell-offs

...things look at least a bit better today:

'No cause for concern'

Share prices rebound as foreign investors return

Also, in TOURISM RELATED NEWS:



Lao tourism service providers won six awards at the 2009 Tourism Alliance Awards at the 2009 International Travel Expo held in Vietnam 's Ho Chi Minh City recently.



The opening of three more border gates between Viet Nam and Cambodia earlier this month will create more opportunities for trade and tourism between the two countries.

The SEA Games are Coming Soon

The South-East Asian Games [SEA Games] is an Olympic-type international sporting event that involves the 10 countries of The Association of Souteast Asian Nations and also the small country of East Timor. The SEA Games are held every two years and this year, for the first time, they will be held in Laos from December 9 - 18, less than two moonths away.

Competitions for these sports and games will be included:

Arnis, Archery, Aquatics, Athletics,
Badminton, Baseball, Basketball, Billiards and Snooker, Bodybuilding, Boxing, Bowling
Canoe/Kayak, Cycling, Dancesport, Equestrian
Fencing, Football, Golf, Gymnastics
Handball, Hockey, Judo, Karate, Lawn bowls,
Muay Thai [Thai Boxing]
Pencak Silat, Pétanque, Polo, Rowing, Rugby
Sailing, Sepak Takraw, Shooting, Softball, Squash
Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Tennis, Traditional Boat Racing, Triathlon
Volleyball, Weightlifting, Wrestling & Wushu.

This article from The New York Times attempts to outline how the Laos are financing the event with a little help from their friends:

Laos Stumbles on Path to Sporting Glory

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You can get more info about the 25th SEA Games in Vientiane, the capital of the Lao Peoples Democratic Republic at these links:

Lao SEA Games Organizing Committee

The 25th SEA Games Blog

Cafe Indochina Back Online

Hi Everybody -

After receiving a few "where's your blog, dude"-type messages, I've decided to bring Cafe Indochina back.

I'd like to start with a story about my all-time favorite Thai Rock Band: MODERN DOG.

Modern Dog recently celebrated their 15th Anniversary. read about it here:

Pups no more: Modern Dog Celebrates 15 Years of Rocking Out

WOW! I really wish I could have been there.