Riding and driving on footpaths is allowed in Laos, as our pictures clearly show. Helmets are meant to be compulsory while on a motorbike but many people don't care anyway.



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I think you meant to say "Sidewalk" not footpaths.  As you know, the traffic laws are pretty loose in Laos and if you get pull over by the cops then just give him $$.  Sidewalk designed for people to walk on not the motorcycles.

Buk IIWJ, Footpath and sidewalk is the same thing.

Technically, they are not the same, but can be use as you were prefered.

Footpath- its  in the rice fields paddy so you can walk on it ( Kun Naa)
           - its not the side of the roads or streets
           - the one around your houses

Sidewalk- its roadsides near the roads or streets ( Not Kun Naa)

Buk IIWJ wrote on 4^th Feb, 2010 at 4:51pm:

I think you meant to say "Sidewalk" not footpaths.  As you know, the traffic laws are pretty loose in Laos and if you get pull over by the cops then just give him $$.  Sidewalk designed for people to walk on not the motorcycles.

It's depend on where you from! but both is same meaning !

Depends on if you from "barn nok" or "nai meung".

If you barn nok, you say "foot path" like you hiking through the hill side backpacking on a dirt path watching out for animals that jump out from the bush.

If you from nai meung, then you say sidewalk, like a paved walk way on the side of the road that has a curb so cars don't come on it. The only thing you got to watch for is if people ride their bicycles sometimes on the sidewalk which they shouldn't.

I personally call it a sidewalk. If I said foot path here in the west, they would think I'm from the jungle.

Tee,  I guess these Laotians from the USA/Canada were educated differently. They make a big deal out of something that's not important. In Laos, we call any place where people walk a "footpath". Call us what you will, but if people understand us then it's all good.

Hi Admin

If you are wanting to find fault on someone...You can always found it! These people are dong just that about Laos and your commons. What ever, you write...they will always finding you are wrong. You should know by now!

Buk Hoo Kee wrote on 5^th Feb, 2010 at 11:11pm:

Depends on if you from "barn nok" or "nai meung". If you barn nok, you say "foot path" like you hiking through the hill side backpacking on a dirt path watching out for animals that jump out from the bush. If you from nai meung, then you say sidewalk, like a paved walk way on the side of the road that has a curb so cars don't come on it. The only thing you got to watch for is if people ride their bicycles sometimes on the sidewalk which they shouldn't. I personally call it a sidewalk. If I said foot path here in the west, they would think I'm from the jungle.

Well said....  you nailed it on the head!!! hahhahaha in this case, maybe nailed it on the foot. ;D

Me in Australia and we always call it FOOT PATH, you must be in Yankieland to call sidewalk, typical, they think that they're always right and the rest of the world is wrong and try to dictate everything...not for long boy...Bloody Chinese will fix you guys.

Here's a good one for you Aussies.  In America we say "bathroom/restroom", you guys say "toilet".  Which sounds more appropriate?  I mean if I was eating a meal and someone says I gotta use the toilet...that would make me lose my appetite because of the image.  If you were to say "restroom/bathroom" then I have many images such as sink, mirror, bathtub,etc.  Basically it doesn't sound as disgusting. :)  It's kind of funny I have cousins with a strong southern Aussie accent I can barely understand them, I literally had to ask them to speak Lao instead. lol

America is different I agree, but, you gotta realize regardless how bad our government is people around the world accept America as world leader, and I want to know why?  Many countries import American Movies (entertainment), literature, culture,etc..It makes no sense.  I'm sure US is in debt, what happens when they can't pay China back?  Guess what would happen if it's the last resort? America has been trying to start problems with IRAN in previous years, North Korea, even Russia.  I don't think American government really cares about other countries or even their own citizens. We're nothing but sheep to them.  They want WW3 to happen.  That is the only way to erase their debt, an excuse for war.  

Also, think of the economy.  When the United States failed other nations were effected by it too and do you know why?  Most of foreign money was invested here. :)  Basically China screwed themselves over.  They have control of the market, but, not the Military.  When other countries accuse the US of doing something notice they always deny it?  It is like the US has the final say.  We live in a pretty scary world I tell you.  Let's hope peace will occur on this planet and not war in the future.

" typical, they think that they're always right and the rest of the world is wrong and try to dictate everything..."

My bad, forgot this was an Aussie website, typical, they think that they're always right and the rest of the world is wrong and try to dictate everything...

If you guys call a sidewalk that is made out of concrete a "foot path" then what do you call them dirt trails that you hike around in the mountains?

The europeans call it "football" and the west calls it soccer. Why can't we just call it "deah bahn" and call it a day.