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http://www.laopride.com/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.cgi General Category >> General Lao Board >> My home suburb in Dongpalane, Vientiane http://www.laopride.com/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.cgi?num=1496815357 Message started by Admin Saovaluck on 7^th Jun, 2017 at 6:02am

Title: My home suburb in Dongpalane, Vientiane
Post by Admin Saovaluck on 7^th Jun, 2017 at 6:02am

Just a peek of Dongpalane which is one of the biggest suburb/village in Vientiane, Laos. My home is located in this area which is why I tend to enjoy being in the city than the rural areas of Laos.

There's usually a lot of traffic during peak hours. The Morning Market, a big shopping center, is only a short walking distance away.

Dongpalane, Vientiane, Laos

http://www.laopride.com/pictures5/dongpalane-vientiane-laos-1a.jpg

Please click on image to view a larger version

http://www.laopride.com/pictures5/dongpalane-vientiane-laos-2a.jpg

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http://www.laopride.com/pictures5/dongpalane-vientiane-laos-3a.jpg

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http://www.laopride.com/pictures5/dongpalane-vientiane-laos-4a.jpg

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http://www.laopride.com/pictures5/dongpalane-vientiane-laos-5a.jpg

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http://www.laopride.com/pictures5/dongpalane-vientiane-laos-6a.jpg

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http://www.laopride.com/pictures5/dongpalane-vientiane-laos-7a.jpg

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http://www.laopride.com/pictures5/dongpalane-vientiane-laos-8a.jpg

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http://www.laopride.com/pictures5/dongpalane-vientiane-laos-9a.jpg

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Title: Re: My home suburb in Dongpalane, Vientiane
Post by peterpan on 7^th Jun, 2017 at 9:56am

A wonderful area.

A must-visit area.

Title: Re: My home suburb in Dongpalane, Vientiane
Post by Admin Saovaluck on 7^th Jun, 2017 at 8:07pm

Title: Re: My home suburb in Dongpalane, Vientiane
Post by mitch on 8^th Jun, 2017 at 7:09am

What are those statues in the last two photos? Decorations for your home?

Title: Re: My home suburb in Dongpalane, Vientiane
Post by Admin Saovaluck on 8^th Jun, 2017 at 12:14pm

They are Lao Buddhist style coffins to hold ashes.

These coffins are found in every Buddhist temples where they keep the remains of the dead.

Every Buddhist Laotians are cremated when we pass away. I will be placed into something similar to those last two photos one day.

Title: Re: My home suburb in Dongpalane, Vientiane
Post by daft on 10^th Jun, 2017 at 4:02pm

The scenery is quite colorful. Though compared to to the mega-cities of Asia the traffic seems light.

Title: Re: My home suburb in Dongpalane, Vientiane
Post by ba dac on 13^th Jun, 2017 at 8:39am

I like your town

Title: Re: My home suburb in Dongpalane, Vientiane
Post by Admin Saovaluck on 21^st Jun, 2017 at 11:39am

I saw a motorbike accident in my suburb today and it caused heavy traffic. The guy lying on the road has a serious injury and is assisted by workers in the area.

This western gentleman with the big motorbike is looking at a heavy fine because the road accident led to damages to the motorbike and severe injury.

Motorbike accident in Dongpalane, Vientiane, Laos

http://www.laopride.com/pictures5/motorbike-accident-in-dongpalane-vientiane-laos-1a.jpg

Please click on image to view a larger version

http://www.laopride.com/pictures5/motorbike-accident-in-dongpalane-vientiane-laos-2a.jpg

Please click on image to view a larger version

http://www.laopride.com/pictures5/motorbike-accident-in-dongpalane-vientiane-laos-3a.jpg

Please click on image to view a larger version

http://www.laopride.com/pictures5/motorbike-accident-in-dongpalane-vientiane-laos-4a.jpg

Please click on image to view a larger version

http://www.laopride.com/pictures5/motorbike-accident-in-dongpalane-vientiane-laos-5a.jpg

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Title: Re: My home suburb in Dongpalane, Vientiane
Post by ba dac on 21^st Jun, 2017 at 2:27pm

I hope the guy ok. Admin do you ride around scooter ?

Title: Re: My home suburb in Dongpalane, Vientiane
Post by Admin Saovaluck on 22^nd Jun, 2017 at 5:56am

The ambulance took him away quickly, he couldn't move at all when I saw him on the road.

No, I drive in a car, I own a BMW.

Title: Re: My home suburb in Dongpalane, Vientiane
Post by ba dac on 22^nd Jun, 2017 at 12:53pm

Nice , If I live in Laos I want a jeep and scooter

Title: Re: My home suburb in Dongpalane, Vientiane
Post by mitch on 22^nd Jun, 2017 at 12:55pm

That western guy is fatter than a house

Title: Re: My home suburb in Dongpalane, Vientiane
Post by grant on 22^nd Jun, 2017 at 3:42pm

Hope that guy has plenty of insurance

Title: Re: My home suburb in Dongpalane, Vientiane
Post by daft on 23^rd Jun, 2017 at 8:10am

I am wondering about Laotian motorcycle taxi drivers. Do they try to get to your destinations at the fastest speed regardless of right-of-way?
Is there a mandatory helmet law?
If the motorcycle taxis save inordinate amounts of time, then
I least I died actually getting somewhere! How bad is Laotian traffic? Is it worth the risk?

Title: Re: My home suburb in Dongpalane, Vientiane
Post by Admin Saovaluck on 24^th Jun, 2017 at 3:47am

Motorcycle taxi drivers do not have any right-of-way privileges in Laos.

In Laos, the amount the customer must pay in order to get to their destination is already agreed with the driver before you can hop onto the motorcycle, tuk tuk and jumbo, so there is no need for them to speed or take you through the longest route.

You are required to wear a helmet in Laos but most of the time people can get away with it. If you are stopped by the police, just give them some money and you're right to go. It's as simple as that.

Any traffic congestion is only in Vientiane, the capital city of Laos. Traffic is not bad, most traffic occurs during peak hours in the morning and late afternoon.

Title: Re: My home suburb in Dongpalane, Vientiane
Post by daft on 25^th Jun, 2017 at 11:50am

By right-of-way, I meant to ask, do motorcycle taxis use the sidewalks, drive in opposite lanes, etc.? Drive like maniacs? Or are Laotians more sedate and law-abiding?

Title: Re: My home suburb in Dongpalane, Vientiane
Post by Admin Saovaluck on 25^th Jun, 2017 at 2:36pm

I haven't seen any motorcycle taxis involved in an accident, you're safe on one.

Motorcycle taxis are generally cheaper to ride than jumbos, tuk tuks, and car taxis in Laos.

Title: Re: My home suburb in Dongpalane, Vientiane
Post by Admin Saovaluck on 25^th Jun, 2017 at 4:44pm

The photo below is normal in Laos. Only one passenger is wearing a helmet and smoking!

You can have four people on a motorbike, in all honesty you are allowed to have as many people as you like on a motorbike.

In Laos, we like to say "sabai, sabai" meaning just relax because everything is fine.

Four people riding a motorbike in Laos

http://www.laopride.com/pictures5/four-people-riding-a-motorbike-in-laos-1a.jpg

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http://www.laopride.com/pictures5/four-people-riding-a-motorbike-in-laos-2a.jpg

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Title: Re: My home suburb in Dongpalane, Vientiane
Post by daft on 26^th Jun, 2017 at 11:51am

Do Laotian men smoke alot of cigarettes? What about Laotian women smoking, is this acceptable? Is it common to smoke and ride a motorcycle? It looks so free compared to America.

Title: Re: My home suburb in Dongpalane, Vientiane
Post by Admin Saovaluck on 26^th Jun, 2017 at 2:14pm

I don't really know the percentage of smokers in Laos but most people I know don't smoke.

Laotian women smoking isn't really acceptable in Laos. Rarely you will find a Lao woman who smoke.

Sometimes I see men smoking while riding a motorbike.

Title: Re: My home suburb in Dongpalane, Vientiane
Post by daft on 27^th Jun, 2017 at 11:05am

How old to drive in Laos? Can a kid drive a motorcycle or scooter? Do the husbands always drive the family? Vientiane and Laotian culture is fascinating.

Title: Re: My home suburb in Dongpalane, Vientiane
Post by Admin Saovaluck on 27^th Jun, 2017 at 2:45pm

You can drive and ride a motorbike when you're 18 years old in Laos.

Usually the husbands drive the family.

Traffic on Lane Xang Avenue in Vientiane, Laos

http://www.laopride.com/pictures5/traffic-on-lane-xang-avenue-in-vientiane-laos-1.jpg

Please click on image to view a larger version

Title: Re: My home suburb in Dongpalane, Vientiane
Post by ba dac on 28^th Jun, 2017 at 12:43pm

I notice the city pretty clean. Are you seeing a lot of tourist now since Obama last visited ?

Title: Re: My home suburb in Dongpalane, Vientiane
Post by Admin Saovaluck on 28^th Jun, 2017 at 1:00pm

It tends to be more cleaner during the rainy season because the dust has been washed away from the rain.

Tourist numbers are low during this time of year. Most people come to Laos for the Boat Racing and Boun That Luang Festivals, as well as the Lao New Year period.

Title: Re: My home suburb in Dongpalane, Vientiane
Post by Admin Saovaluck on 27^th Jul, 2017 at 11:22am

Another view of the motorbike accident on my street last month.

Motorbike accident in Dongpalane, Vientiane, Laos

http://www.laopride.com/pictures5/motorbike-accident-in-dongpalane-vientiane-laos-6a.jpg

Please click on image to view a larger version

http://www.laopride.com/pictures5/motorbike-accident-in-dongpalane-vientiane-laos-7a.jpg

Please click on image to view a larger version

Title: Re: My home suburb in Dongpalane, Vientiane
Post by Buk Nut on 1^st Aug, 2017 at 5:07pm

You don't really need to be 18 to drive in Laos, as I've seen even 10 year olds driving scooters. A lot of the laws are just written in the books but seldom ever enforced. Age isnt really a big deal in Laos and Vietnam, unlike in Thailand where it's morestrictly enforced