Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Sunday, May 11, 2008
My Trip to The Electric Battery of Asia Vientiane Laos
My recent trip to Vientiane, Laos PDR to see the results of the official National goal of becoming, “The Electric Battery of Asia”, in a Regional Perspective of producing Hydropower the theoretical potential in the Mekong basin is estimated to be about 43,000 megawatts (MW). The Laos government is successfully exporting electricity to Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia benefitting our regional Hub Udon Thani see chart left.Udon Thani is not only benefiting from the growing amount of shoppers from Laos every month, (currently 160,000 per month) but in addition to providing us with power the railroad across the Friendship bridge increases intra-border trade with Udon Thani’s hub neighbors Laos, Vietnam and China. The investment in logistics in Udon Thani and Laos is continuing.
Vientiane is a nice, clean and safe city for tourist. The city is well designed with spacious avenues and will be easy to retro-fit in the future. NGOs’ are very active in the Capitol with World Bank personnel and their families all over the city. Trade specialist from the Asian Development Bank is busy developing an export industry textiles, metals, forestry products and handicrafts. It may work to redistribute income in the medium term but highly unlikely in the long term with Laos small population competing with abundant rural labor availability in China. Long-term will have the income trickledown effect from major natural resources in Laos much like the oil producing Middle East. Over the next five years Udon Thani will lose a lot of shoppers from Laos as cheap Chinese made goods become more available and an influx of Chinese entrepreneurs in the distribution and retail chain in Laos. Already cheap Chinese made motorcycles are all over the Capital along side of Toyota dealerships and construction everywhere.
Vientiane is a nice, clean and safe city for tourist. The city is well designed with spacious avenues and will be easy to retro-fit in the future. NGOs’ are very active in the Capitol with World Bank personnel and their families all over the city. Trade specialist from the Asian Development Bank is busy developing an export industry textiles, metals, forestry products and handicrafts. It may work to redistribute income in the medium term but highly unlikely in the long term with Laos small population competing with abundant rural labor availability in China. Long-term will have the income trickledown effect from major natural resources in Laos much like the oil producing Middle East. Over the next five years Udon Thani will lose a lot of shoppers from Laos as cheap Chinese made goods become more available and an influx of Chinese entrepreneurs in the distribution and retail chain in Laos. Already cheap Chinese made motorcycles are all over the Capital along side of Toyota dealerships and construction everywhere.
A Toyota Dealership
Spacious and clean avenues
Guest House Vientiane, Laos
Guest Houses must have been very nice 20 years ago but today they are in need of renovation. No-air condition on the first floor where the restaurant is located but the rooms have air-conditioned. The menu is very basic although offering an international choice of Thai curries and stir-fry, Lao larb and yum and Western breakfast and sandwiches. Food and drink prices are similar to Thailand 110 – 150 baht per dish. Room rates are 700 – 1,200 baht per night at the exchange rate of USD 1 to 31 baht one baht was 270 kip Lao money. Service is excellent and always polite. Guest Houses of this age are similar to old guest houses in Nong Khai the border crossing at half the price. Western products are available and supermarkets are full of cheeses, bread and milk. Drinking Lao Beer during the day in the heat is not recommended, It is very strong even when cut with ice will give you a headache.
Hotel Vientiane, Laos.
Better hotels are available at the night-time walking area including the Laos Plaza Hotel. Shopping for fabrics in this area is very cheap and many Indian textile traders can be found.
Private Club Vientiane, Laos.
A private club complex complete with accommodation, art gallery and fine dining.
Department Store Vientiane, Laos.
The modern department store is a good way to escape the heat and to do some relax shopping during the day-time.
Morning Market Vientiane, Laos.
The entrance to the Morning Market here the Vietnamese Lao venders can be found. The Chinese venders are 5 kilometers away at the Indo China Market.
Private Van Transportation Vientiane, Laos.
The best way to travel around the city is in a group by van. Prices start at 300 – 400 baht plus 100 baht tip per day.
Pha That Luang in Vientiane, The National Symbol of Laos.
Patou Xai, The Arch of Vientiane, Laos.
Tawan Patou Xai.
Patuxay Park Vientiane, Laos.
Duty Free Thai/Laos Friendship Bridge Border Crossing
The most convenient shopping can be saved for the last day on your return to the border crossing at Duty Free a real Duty Free shopping paradise. Make sure you have plenty of time to look around the different shops it will save you 15 – 20% middleman markups when you find the source vender.
That is all for this trip to the Electric Battery of Asia.
Tawan Pornpang
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