Larb Dip wrote on 12^th Mar, 2011 at 10:26am:


The question is not about me.  You stated that "the quality of life for the locals is not going anywhere."

This is not correct.  I've lived in Lao towns and villages for over 20 years and am able to see the quality of life for local people getting better, month by month, year by year, in terms of income generation, nutrition, commuications, education, healthcare, access to utilities and services such as transportation, electricity, water, roads, etc. etc.

But you have to be here over time to to see the improvements.  If someone is only here for a few weeks, what they see is merely a 'snapshop' in time, and do not see the many and widespread, continuing improvements in the lives of Lao people.

Admin Saovaluck wrote on 13^th Mar, 2011 at 12:43am:


3 months is long enough to get a "feel" for the country. Laos is where I feel most comfortable anyway. You can just wakeup and stroll to the morning markets paranoia-free (yes, even in yesterday's clothes, even before brushing your teeth) without self-conscience worry.
These "improvements" are chugging along at a snail's pace! Where I stayed - which I have already conveyed - they have already started to "evict" residents in favour of a golf course. (Whatever happened to these "evictees" in regards to their accomidations, nowadays? Someone let me know). Most of the old-timers I "interviewed" only have enough to survive. None have jobs nor any type of "real" income. "Pimping" their daughters is the only way they can really acquire any surplus. (This wasn't part of the "interview", but I heard it through the village's grapevine). Most are drunk before lunchtime.  But this was a few years ago, so you might be right. But ANY "improvements" still won't make much of a difference. Not for the locals anyway.

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YANKEE news travels slow!

One of the reactors has already blown up! A reported 160 people are already said to have contracted radiation. Typhoid cancer is imminent! My prayers go out for all the Japanese affected in this disaster!

That got me thinking: What do you guys/girls think about this 2012 end-of-the-world theory? Does anyone really take this seriously? (Another Y2K)

What do you all think?

That Y2K hype was more about computers than anything. If computers had stopped functioning then that pretty much meant suicide for the rich, wouldn't it? The peasants would become the next upper class! Imagine that. (Nobody actually carries "money" around anymore. It's always credit-cards these days).

The buzz surrounding this 2012 theory is of a more "natural disaster". Look at that tsunami that just occured the other day in Japan. There's no ducking-and-hiding from that sort of thing, is there. I have started to lose a bit of my good night sleep to be honest and am contemplating storing up supplies. You never know (better to be safe than sorry).

Just my thoughts on this issue.

Hi OldMan

It's nice to see you joint in with this post!  As I understand you are living there permanently. Would be nice to hear your view about  China and Vietnam present in Laos? What do you think of them?

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