Yesterday was a day of victory for Lao athletes at the ongoing SEA Games on home soil when they reached their target of 25 gold medals, as some optimists had predicted ahead of the games.
The eighth day of competition will go down in the record books as being the day when the magic number of 25 gold medals for Laos was reached in 25 sports at the 25th SEA Games.
The first gold medal yesterday came at 5:31pm, after a long day of waiting, thanks to Phonenaly Sayarath who won the women's under 52kg division in judo.
Other gold medals that pushed Laos towards success came from the swimming pool at 6pm, when Chrichina Sindara won the women's 50m surface fin swimming event and Amdavanh Phanmibounkong won the women's 400m surface fin swimming event.
Despite having reached their gold medal target, Lao athletes will continue to pursue their quest for even more gold in the last two days of competition.
The petanque team, who were favourites to win a gold medal yesterday, managed only bronze.
Of the 11 gold medals up for grabs in petanque Laos is hoping to claim at least four. So far, they have picked up one gold, one silver and five bronze medals in the sport.
The gold medal was won in the women's doubles on Monday by Manivanh Souliya and Noitavane Pasert.
The final two gold medals in petanque will be there for the taking on Friday in the men's and women's triples events.
Yesterday afternoon Laos claimed a silver medal when 20-year-old Milvady Hongfa took second place in the women's light flyweight 48kg boxing event.
On the shuttlecock court where Laos hoped to win one gold medal from the two events being contested, the team scooped two silver medals, with both golds going to the more experienced Vietnamese team.
In the round robin competition in women's football, Laos came in fourth, while Myanmar took the bronze medal. The gold medal was won by Vietnam after they beat defending champion Thailand 3-0 in a penalty shootout at Chao Anouvong Stadium yesterday.
The last men's football matches will take place today. The bronze medal match between Laos and Singapore kicks off at 3pm at Chao Anouvong Stadium, while the gold medal match between Vietnam and Malaysia will begin at 5pm at the National Stadium.
Spectators returning home after the SEA Games are assured there will be plenty of buses running to the north and south, when the games end on December 18.
Bus operators told Vientiane Times yesterday they had enough buses to provide everyone with a journey home, whether going north or south, and there was no need to worry about getting a seat.
An official in charge of bus provision at the Chitprasong Transportation Company (northern route), Mr Khamdy Phimmasone, said there would be about 100 buses available, including privately owned buses registered with the company.
“I believe this number will be sufficient to transport everyone in the rush to return home after the games,” Mr Khamdy told Vientiane Times.
The company has been able to provide extra buses at peak times in the past, especially at the busiest time of the year during Pi Mai Lao (Lao New Year) in the middle of April when many people travel, he said.
At that time there are more than 50 buses in service - double the number that normally run on regular routes.
Mr Khamdy was unable to say how many extra buses would be added to cope with SEA Games passengers, saying it depended on demand.
“We will organise extra buses depending on the number of passengers. We can have buses available if need be and can organise additional buses immediately if they are required,” he said.
The situation is similar going south, with the Chitprasong Transportation Company ready to get travellers home, according to Southern Terminal Transport Association President, Mr Khamsaen Thammavong.
Bus companies are expecting a surge in customers after the games. As well as a boost in Lao passengers they anticipate a rise in foreign visitors travelling onwards to other parts of the country.
Transport providers had their busiest time at the start of the games when supporters from the provinces flocked to Vientiane .
Extra buses were laid on between the provinces and the capital and they were always full, bus operators said.
Normal services are running at present with one bus departing for the southern provinces every 30 minutes from 4:30am to 8:30pm every day and one bus every one to two hours going north from 6:30am to 8pm.
The situation is fairly quiet at the moment.
“Fewer people are travelling these days because so many people are in Vientiane for the games. However, we expect a rush when the games are over,” Mr Khamsaen said.
He said more people were booking bus tickets these days, perhaps because they were afraid there would be a shortage of buses.
“No problem, we have enough buses available,” he said.
SEA Games Organising Committee Chairman Somsavat Lengsavad said yesterday the games will raise Lao sport to a higher level because of the enthusiasm shown by local people in supporting Lao athletes.
“SEA Games fever has shown that people want to cheer for and support their athletes in popular sports so this leads me to believe Lao sport will improve,” he said.
Mr Somsavat said many foreigners had told him they couldn't believe that Lao people could be so interested in the games. “I don't want to congratulate my own country but many national leaders in this region have congratulated us on our good preparations and infrastructure which has contributed to the success of the games so far.”
He said many delegations had also congratulated him on the standard of the various sports venues including those used for shooting and table tennis, saying they were better than those in other countries in the region.
“They also said we should organise other international sports events in the future.”
Mr Somsavat said he was proud of the way local people welcomed various visitors during the games with warm smiles and hospitality. He also congratulated Lao athletes, saying the SEA Games was an important event in the history of Laos .
“Our athletes have done well, winning many gold, silver and bronze medals even though the games are still not over. Laos has never had such medal success. But this time we are the hosts so our athletes trained hard for this victory.”
Mr Somsavat talked about the Lao footballers, saying they had played very well to be in the semi-finals. In the past, Laos had never reached the semi-finals.
“Today, I can say our footballers have greatly improved because of their dedicated training. They are trying to do their best, especially as we are the hosts of this event.”
He urged people to continue to show their support for Lao athletes until the end of the games, saying cheering was the best source of energy and inspiration as they pursued their medal quest.
“All Lao people should show their support right up until the end of the games. And we should continue to give visitors a warm and polite welcome, as well as taking care of the environment so the country looks its best for all delegations, guests and tourists visiting Laos,” he said.
Ten-times overall champions of the SEA Games offer the most money for winning a SEA Games gold with their winning athletes set to receive 200,000 baht (US$6,000) each. According to the National Sports Development Fund's scheme, the silver medallist will take 100,000 baht (US$3,000) and a bronze winner 50,000 baht (US$1,500). But it is not only the athletes who will enjoy the benefits, sports associations will also be rewarded where they will receive 60,000 baht (US$1,800) for each gold medal, 30,000 baht (US$900) for a silver and 15,000 baht (US$450) for a bronze.
The coaches will get 40,000 baht (US$1,200) for a gold, 20,000 (US$600) for a silver and 10,000 baht (US$30) for a bronze. In all, the Fund will have to pay a total of around 300,000 baht (US$9,000) for every gold medal won. 'It is quite a high sum compared to that offered by other countries,'' said Thai official Sakol Wannapong. But it is not easy to lower the bonus because this would face opposition from the sports associations.
For the SEA Games in Laos, the Thais are targetting 100 gold medals from the 377 at stake. In the meantime, Indonesia have allocated a fixed sum for all their successful athletes where should they meet their target of 62 gold medals, each gold medallist will get 50 million rupiah (US$9,000). Singapore will give a bonus to only the gold winners - with a carrot of S$10,000 (US$7,000) with a further US$3,500 for additional gold medals won.
A record-breaking feat will earn Singapore athletes US$3,500. For hosts Laos who target 25 gold medals, the Lao Telecommunications Company (LTC) will provide 30 million kip (US$3,600) for a gold medal, 20 million kip (US$2,400) for a silver medallist and 10 million kip (US$1,200) for a bronze medallist.
On the other hand, Cambodia's gold medal winners have been promised 24 million riel (US$6,000) and the coach will get the same amount. For winning the silver, an athlete will take home 16 million riel (US$3,800) with 8 million riel (US$1,900) for bronze.
Vietnam will pay a gold winner US$1,500 each with Myanmar paying the same US$1,500 while a Philippine champion will get 300,000 peso (about US$4,700) each.
IT was a historic moment for Laos when the 25th South East Asian (SEA) Games was officially opened in a colourful ceremony steeped in cultural and historical significance at the new National Stadium in Vientiane last night.
Despite being a founder member when the Games debuted in 1959, Laos, known as “the ancient kingdom of a million elephants”, are hosting the biennial event for the first time.
The Games are also held in celebration of the 450th anniversary of Vientiane as the capital of Laos in 2010.
Tagged as the ‘Generosity, Amity, and Healthy Lifestyle’ Games, the hosts are keen to stress home the point that solidarity and friendship are more important than winning among the South East Asian neighbours.
About 7,000 students were involved in the cultural performances in the opening ceremony, which included dances titled “Welcome SEA Games, Sound of Jungle, Golden Rice Field, Fairness Candlelight, Sin-Xay the hero of an era, Bright Future and Binding Heart to Step Forward”.
The performances celebrated the abundance of cultural and ethnical diversity in the former French colony.
Among the dignitaries who graced the ceremony was Laos President Choummaly Sayasone and he was joined by the Prime Ministers of Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar and Vietnam.
Countdown the opening
Part I
Part II
Part III
Torching
Part IV
Part V
Part VI
Part VII
Part VIII
All video clips from langvannavong Source: Thestar, Malaysia
The nation's most anticipated event finally unfolded last night when the biennial regional sports competition, the SEA Games, officially opened in the Land of a Million Elephants.
Some 8,000 performers put on an unprecedented display of pageantry for the 20,000 spectators attending the grand opening ceremony of the 25th SEA Games at the National Stadium in Vientiane on Wednesday evening. This is a truly great opportunity for Laos to show the world, especially the Asean region, that we can host an event in a style that befits the 50th anniversary of the Southeast Asian Games Federation.
Over 20,000 people flocked to the National Stadium last night to share in a joyful occasion that united everyone lucky enough to be present.
Spectators joined with government members and foreign guests in welcoming the athletes from 11 nations to the SEA Games in Vientiane .
The crowd watched in awe as one wave of performers after another swarmed into the vast arena, heralded by a stunning light show. A total of 8,000 performers put on an extravaganza of dazzling grandeur.
At the same time, millions of people throughout the country and the region watched the glittering spectacle live on television.
Standing Deputy Prime Minister and SEA Games Organising Committee Chairman, Mr Somsavat Lengsavad, reported that this year's 25th SEA Games comprised 25 sports with the participation of 3,038 athletes from 11 countries.
Of special note is the fact that at this SEA Games Laos has the privilege of welcoming the prime ministers of four neighbouring countries as well as the Asean Secretary General. This is unprecedented in SEA Games history.
President of the Lao PDR Choummaly Sayasone concluded the speech-making by declaring the 25th SEA Games open.
Before the show began, spectators gave a standing ovation as the athletes from each participating nation paraded around the stadium, beginning with Brunei Darussalam.
Brunei Darussalam has brought 74 athletes and officials to take part in seven sports. At the last SEA Games in 2007, Brunei won one gold, one silver and four bronze medals.
Cambodia has sent a 214-member team, who will compete in 19 sports. In the 2007 games, Cambodia won two gold, five silver and 11 bronze medals.
The Indonesian team consists of 650 people, competing in 21 sports. Indonesia ended the last SEA Games with 56 gold, 64 silver and 83 bronze medals.
Malaysia 's team of 564 is competing in 21 sports. In the 2007 edition they won 68 gold, 52 silver and 96 bronze medals.
Myanmar has sent a team of 389, who will take part in 18 sports. In 2007, they went home with 14 gold, 26 silver and 47 bronze medals.
The Philippines has a team of 413 athletes and officials, who will compete in 23 sports. In the 2007 games, they won 41 gold, 91 silver and 96 bronze medals.
Singapore 's group of 413 members will compete in 19 sports. In 2007, they won 43 gold, 43 silver and 41 bronze medals.
Previous SEA Games host Thailand has sent an 816-member team who will compete in all 25 sports. In 2007, they topped the medal tally with 183 gold, 123 silver and 103 bronze medals.
Timor Leste's team of 61 will take part in nine sports. Competing in the SEA Games for the first time in 2003, they have yet to win a gold medal .
Vietnam has a 681-member team who will compete in all sports. In 2007, Vietnamese athletes took home 64 gold, 58 silver and 82 bronze medals.
This year's SEA Games host Laos proudly entered the stadium with the largest team, comprising 853 members. The home team will compete in all 25 sports at this year's competition. In 2007, Laos won five gold, seven silver and 32 bronze medals.
Among the seemingly endless array of surprises that awaited spectators was the sight of boxing superstar Vongkot Chinda running into the stadium and holding aloft a flaming torch.
A cheer went up as he paraded before the crowd before passing the torch to the sporting heroes of other countries who were gold medal winners at previous SEA Games.
Vongkot won the first silver medal for Laos at the 1989 SEA Games in Malaysia , and followed this up with a second at the 1993 SEA Games in Singapore . Another of his successes was a bronze medal at the Asian Games in Beijing , China , in 1990.
The SEA Games opening ceremony was devoted to promoting the various cultures of all participant nations, as well as friendship and peace.
Other themes included environmental and biodiversity protection and the need to sustain these priceless resources for the next generation.
The highlights of Lao history also took centre stage, with colourful displays reflecting the Lao people's long tradition of protecting and developing their beloved nation, always seeking peace and friendship.
As the stadium filled with the massed performers for the grand finale, a thunderous firework display exploded into the night sky.
The evening's truly incredible pageant set the scene for an even more wonderful sporting event in the days to come.
Thailand is sending an 842-strong contingent, comprising 550 athletes and 292 officials, making it the biggest team in the 25th SEA Games in Laos
Second is host Laos with 743 contingent members (482 athletes and 261 officials), followed by Vietnam (671), Malaysia(348 athletes and 121 officials), Indonesia（465), Philippines (413), Myanmar (400), Singapore (392), Cambodia (204), Brunei (79) and Timor Leste (77).
The smallest contingents are Brunei and Timor Leste with 30 and 37 athletes respectively.
Brunei will contest in six sports and Timor Leste, seven.
A total of 4,869 athletes who will vie for 370 gold, 370 silver and 539 bronze medals, with athletics being the most popular spors with the participation of 288 athletes, followed by football (280), shooting (169), sepaktakraw (167), swimming (140), karate (130), cycling (116), archery (114), badminton (114), judo (101).
Shuttlecock jiggling, which is popular among the the Indo-china nations, received the lowest participation among the 25 sports offered here.
Shuttlecock jiggling recorded 22 participatants from Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam, and Laos.
If the fans which turned up on the first day of the men’s football event at the SEA Games yesterday is of any indication at all, then the Laos organisers should be more than happy with the sale of tickets. For the men’s football event, tickets are being sold at a price of 50,000kips (USD6) and 70,000kips (USD8.30) for the preliminary round matches.
And yesterday, tickets were sold out as droves of Vietnam fans garb in all red came to witness their second national side held eight-times SEA Games champions Thailand to a 1-1 draw. The newly-built Main Stadium has a capacity of 20,000 and apart from making sure that the Vietnam are well supported, the noise generated throughout the evening including when Malaysia took on Timer Leste gave a festive atmosphere worthy of a cup final.
Both the Vietnam and Thailand fans were mingling with each other as they took to the spirit of ASEAN brotherhood to the letter.
During the break, with the music of the Laos SEA Games and also traditional Laos songs being played, scores of people were singing and dancing at the stands. And while Thailand had a smaller crowd of supporters pushing the team forward, the likes of Malaysia and Timor Leste had been given appointed cheerleaders to make them have a semblance of them playing at home.
With the level of football being played on the very first day of competition, the crowd who came to watch the matches were not at all disappointed. Tomorrow will be another loud and cheerful day at the second venue of the Chao Anu Vong Stadium with Vietnam taking on Timor Leste - right after the game between Thailand and Cambodia.
Hotel rooms are still available for SEA Games fans and visitors who want to cheer for their sports stars, even though many hotels are close to being fully booked.
Many hotel owners in Vientiane told Vientiane Times yesterday their rooms were almost all reserved, while some said they were already full.
Vientiane is the main venue for the games' official delegates and sports fans coming to Laos for the SEA Games, which are scheduled from December 9-18.
Hotel, Guesthouse and Restaurant Association member Bouloud Viengviseth said rooms in about 70 percent of hotels that are members of the association have been booked by official delegates.
Being tasked to host official delegates means these hotels are almost fully booked, he said, adding that the association has more than 40 member hotels and another 40 member guesthouses.
The capital has 118 hotels with 4,207 rooms, including 898 rooms that have been reserved for official delegates from foreign countries, according to the Vientiane Tourism Department.
However, hotel rooms to be reserved for Lao delegates have yet to be confirmed, said a department official.
Vientiane also has 184 guesthouses with 2,750 rooms, which can accommodate up to 4,000 people. However, many of these rooms have already been reserved.
Both hotels and guesthouses can accommodate about 10,000 guests, including those rooms already reserved for some 1,255 official delegates.
The tourism official was unable to say what percentage of this accommodation had already been booked as individuals have booked through many channels, so the information could not be collated.
“We don't know the exact number of visitors who have booked so far. Some booked through travel agencies,” the official said.
Many people also booked by themselves on the Internet or by telephone.
The Lao National Tourism Administration estimates that about 60,000 tourists will come to Vientiane throughout December, including those passing through on their way to the provinces.
Though the number of visitors to the capital during the games might exceed the available accommodation, the administration's Vice President, Mr Sila Mounthalavong, believed Vientiane will be able to cope.
H e said many visitors might stay only for a few days, while some will just pass through and travel to other provinces.
Lao Association for Tr avel Agents President, Mr Bouakhao Phomsouvanh, said several thousand tourists from Asean nations are in or on their way to Vientiane for the regional sporting event.
Officials said many SEA Games visitors would stay with relatives during their time in Laos .
Vientiane Mayor Sombath Yialiher has asked businesses not to hike up their prices during the SEA Games, given the practice has been declared illegal by the organising committee.
Mr Sombath said the Vientiane Administration Office issued an announcement last week to all businesses in Vientiane to control the price of goods and services in Vientiane during the 25th SEA Games next month.
“The announcement will control the price of things including products on sale at markets, hotels, guesthouses and restaurants because we do not want complaints from visitors that prices were too high during the games,” he said. A survey conducted by Vientiane press last weekend found that some businesses were planning to increase their prices by almost 50 percent.
The press then interviewed the Mayor, who said he could solve the problem with other involved sectors.
“We also heard reports from staff about the problem, which is bad news for us, so I ordered a special unit of our staff to go down to the market and check the prices. They found the information that had been given to us was true,” Mr Sombath said.
He added that some merchants had raised their prices, but not all of them.
“Another problem is that guesthouses will increase their prices so we should hurry to try and stop them.”
The Vientiane Administration Office has started to crack down on the problem, and has ordered a special unit to inspect prices before the games start next week.
A restaurant owner told press that they didn't intend to raise prices during the SEA Games, but would be forced to because the price of vegetables and other products would increase.
Some accommodation providers also said it would be a good opportunity to earn extra income because there would be plenty of people needing places to stay during the games.
Mr Sombath said if businesses kept raising their prices the government had measures in place to deal with them.
The Vientiane Mayor asked everyone to respect the announcement because it would affect the reputation of the country if prices were too high.
He said people needed accommodation and other services and if they were forced to pay too much they would complain about Laos when they got back home and hinder the growth of tourism in the future.
(Kpl) A five star hotel Don Chan Palace will be a venue for the competition of snooker and billiard during the 25th SEA Games (9-18 December), according to a contact signed at the hotel last weekend. Deputy President of the National Snooker and Billiard Federation has confirmed the readiness of the Lao players.
Signatories to the agreement on renting space and equipment of the hotel for hosting the snooker and billiard competition were Deputy President of the National Sports Committee, Mr. Somphou Phongsa, or Snooker and Billiard and Don Chan Palace?s Assistant Executive Manager, Ms. Angeline Khor. The ceremony was witnessed by concerned officials and press people.
?Snooker and billiard are among the 25 sports to be competed during the 25th SEA Games,? said Mr. Somphou. ?The government has agreed to choose the hotel because it is a standard hotel in Vientiane,? added Mr. Somphou.
Deputy President of the National Snooker and Billiard Federation, Mr. Pasithsay Luangkhoth, said that the federation so far had completed selecting 16 national athletes and they now were training.
More than 100 athletes from Laos, Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, Philippines, Myanmar, Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei will compete in many categories such as single?s snooker, billiard single, double, pool 9 single, double, pool 8 single, pool 9 women?s single, pool 8 women?s single and carom events. The competition will start on 10-17 December.
The Accommodation, Food and Tourism Committee (AFTC) has called on hotels in Vientiane to maintain high standards in the lead-up to the SEA Games next month.
Many hotels have begun to install decorations to welcome guests, including the flags of each nation participating in the event.
AFTC Director and Vice Mayor of Vientiane, Mr Somvandy Nathavong, said all hotels must maintain standards in all facets of their services to ensure guests enjoy their stay.
Mr Somvandy urged hotels to provide clean and nutritious food, while also offering good quality service and promoting Lao culture.
Ensuring visitors enjoy their stay during the games will encourage them to return in the future and help to boost tourism, he said.
The AFTC held a meeting yesterday at the National Culture Hall to report on preparations to welcome guests to Vientiane . In attendance were AFTC officials and members of the hospitality industry.
The meeting learnt volunteer and liaison teams are ready to assist in work relating to accommodation, dining and sightseeing.
The AFTC has assigned certain hotels to accommodate delegates and officials from different countries. Don Chan Palace will host guests from Brunei , Cambodia , Indonesia , Laos , Malaysia , Myanmar , the Philippines , Thailand , Singapore , and Vietnam .
The Lao Plaza Hotel will accommodate guests from Japan , Mongolia , Brunei , Korea , and China , as well as Vietnam and Thailand .
Various other hotels will host referees and other organising officials, while athletes will stay at the SEA Games Village at the National University of Laos.
Health officials have carried out inspections of hotels and guesthouses in Vientiane recently to ensure they can provide high quality services during the games.
The 25th SEA Games Accommodation and Food Committee reported last week that a large number of Thai and Vietnamese sports fans will attend the games in Vientiane next month.
Various committees involved with the organising the games met in Vientiane on Friday to discuss final preparations for the event.
Committee Vice Chairman, Dr Sila Mounthalavong, said the committee is working in cooperation with local hotels and restaurants to ensure that demand can be met during the event.
“Various associations have informed us that large groups of supporters from those countries have already booked accommodation and they're also expecting many visitors from Cambodia and Myanmar ,” he said.
“Sports clubs and fan associations in neighbouring nations have inquired about services at the Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge during the games, such as opening hours and expected waiting times.”
“We've also had requests for timetable and scheduling information so that visitors can plan their trips here,” Dr Sila said.
The SEA Games Organising Committee is currently in the process of compiling the relevant information which can be provided for distribution in neighbouring countries.
Dr Sila called on the relevant committees to publicise scheduling and other information as soon as possible.
“Some visitors will actually be coming to Laos over the next week or so because some sports events begin on December 2, so it would be good if such information was available for visitors when they arrive,” he said.
Standing Deputy Prime Minister and SEA Games Organising Committee Chairman Somsavat Lengsavad asked all committees involved with the games to cooperate to quickly produce scheduling information for visitors.
The committees pledged to ensure the required information is publicly available by the end of this week.
The Lao Association of Travel Agents has confirmed its readiness to provide bus and hospitality services during the SEA Games next month. The association held a meeting this week to publicise its progress in the provision of services to guests as well as the performers, students and volunteers who will be involved with the games. Association President Bouakhao Phomsouvanh said that after the preparation of staff and vehicles, the association was now confident it would be able to provide convenient and friendly services for guests.
Tourism officials have been trained in foreign language and service skills. Drivers also play an important role in providing a positive impression and have been trained to provide the best of local hospitality. Mr Bouakhao said the games were considered an important test for member businesses as well as the association as a whole, as it was the first time they would be providing services at such a large event. They needed to be prepared and ensure the efficiency of their vehicles and personnel, he said. He said Laos had an ideal location and could offer many tourist attractions in terms of culture, history and natural beauty.
“We will take this opportunity to attract visitors through our tourism promotions to get guests to understand more about Laos, especially focusing on peace and security in the country.” From October 3 until the opening of the games, the association is using between 50 and 75 buses with a capacity of between 35 and 45 passengers to ferry volunteers between the city and outlying venues. During the games from December 9 to 18, the association will use 159 buses to transport athletes and performers. More buses will be used to take athletes to and from the borders of Vietnam and Cambodia.
The association has arranged for staff to be stationed at six key locations to provide information about tourism and advise guests how to get to their intended destination. These will also act as hubs for tours of the capital which will be available every day in the morning and afternoon.
The association is also promoting tours to other places in the nation prior to and after the games. Thirteen tours will be offered for those wanting to travel around Laos.
(KPL) The Wattana Hospital Group (Nongkhai and Udon Thani) presented one ambulance and medical equipment, totally worth 306 million kip, to the Ministry of Public Health to support the service of Lao medical officials during the 25th SEA Games, to be held in Vientiane on 9-18 December.
The handover of the package was held on 19 November at the Ministry of Public Health in Vientiane Capital and was witnessed by Deputy Minister of Public Health of the Lao PDR, Dr. Eksavang Vongvichith, Thai Ambassador to Laos Mr. Wiboon Khusakul and relevant officials of both sides.
The package was presented by President of Wattana Hospital Group (Nongkhai and Udon Thani) Dr. Phimphath Taugseubkoun and received by Head of the Secretariat on Medicine and Performance Enhancing Drug Control, Dr Chanphomma Vongsamphanh. At the ceremony Dr. Chanphomma expressed his heartfelt thanks to the donor Wattana Hospital Group (Nongkhai and Udon Thani) for its assistance to support the 25th SEA Games.
The travel agencies in Vientiane were not able to reserve any room from any of the four and five-star hotels here, so that they could not entertain the requests from the big groups of SEA Games tourists who demanded to be housed in such high-end hotels.
This is because the SEA Games organising committee had ?blocked? or reserved all such rooms for their VIP guests.
The reservation manager of the Lao Youth Travel, located in Vientiane?s glitzy ?Khemkhong,? Mr Thonglith Thammavong told KPL News last week that he had hotel reservation requests from SEA Games tourist group, as many as 200 to 300 person groups from Malaysia and Vietnam, but he had to turn them down.
He added that he had made counter offers to them, for provision of rooms in one, two and three-star hotels, but as they were bent on being housed only in the most luxurious hotels in Vientiane and so he was not able to do any business with them. While he felt sad at having to forego such lucrative business deals, but he was not deterred by the setback as he knew he could rely on the traditional tourist business and tourist arrivals to this capital city had been trending upwards for the past three weeks.
Working out in his mind on a gamut of tactics to tackle the new and novel situation, he decided on a plan of action to best serve the tourists during the SEA Games period.
He would advise them to fly from Bangkok to Luang Prabang (north) for a two or three-day stay and then relocate to Luang Namtha (north) for just one night. The next stage would be to fly from Luang Namtha to Pakse (southernmost Champassak province) for a four-night stay.
Another class of tourists, Mr Thonglith mentioned were the second tier ones who would be happy to stay in one, two and three-star hotels and any of the local travel agencies would be able to cater to their accommodation needs.
One source of business, he mentioned, would be those SEA Games tourists who come in small groups, who would not demand to be housed in five star hotels and he could house them in the second tier hotels.
Last but not least he said he would offer to help the loner or twosome walk-in tourists during the SEA Games period, by offering to house them in guest houses that charge 10 to 15 USD per night.
This is the fourth of the series of a journalist?s walkabout in Vientiane?s tourist belt to source for ?stories? from the tourist outlets, with emphasis on their modus operandi.
It so happened that the walkabout period coincided with the coming SEA Games and so this journalist walked into a travel agency.
More than 8,000 performers from Laos gathered at the National Stadium in Vientiane for the rehearsal of the opening / closing ceremony of the 25th SEA Games 2009 in Laos. Check out the clip below:
The opening match in Group B football of the 25th SEA Games in Laos will be played on 5 December considering that they are only four teams in the group as against five teams in Group A.
The first match in Group B at the National Stadium will be Singapore taking on Indonesia while hosts Laos will play Myanmar, who were the silver medallist two years ago in Thailand.
GROUPINGS
Group A: Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Timor Leste, Cambodia
Group B: Laos, Myanmar, Singapore, Indonesia
FIXTURES
2 Dec (Main Stadium): Malaysia vs Timor Leste (1500hrs)/ Thailand vs Vietnam (1745hrs)
4 Dec (Chao Anu Vong Stadium): Thailand vs Cambodia 1500hrs)/ Vietnam vs Timor Leste (1745hrs)
5 Dec (Main Stadium): Singapore vs Indonesia (1500hrs)/ Laos vs Myanmar (1745hrs)
6 Dec (Main Stadium): Vietnam vs Malaysia (1500hrs)/ Timor Leste vs Cambodia (1745hrs)
7 Dec (Chao Anu Vong Stadium): Myanmar vs Singapore (1500hrs)/ Indonesia vs Laos (1745hrs)
8 Dec (Chao Anu Vong Stadium): Timor Leste vs Thailand (1500hrs)/ Cambodia vs Malaysia (1745hrs)
9 Dec: Opening Ceremony
10 Dec (Chao Anu Vong Stadium): Myanmar vs Indonesia (1500hrs)/ Laos vs Singapore (1745hrs)
11 Dec (Chao Anu Vong Stadium): Cambodia vs Vietnam (1500hrs)/ Malaysia vs Thailand (1500hrs)
14 Dec (Chao Anu Vong Stadium): Semi-finals
17 Dec: Third/ Fourth Placing (1500hrs at Chao Anu Vong Stadium)/ FINAL (1700hrs at Main Stadium)
During the upcoming SEA Games 140 volunteers will ensure people are aware of smoking-free zones and promote the ‘Smoke-Free SEA Games' campaign in Vientiane.
The Adventist Development and Relief Agency's Tobacco Control Programme Coordinator, Dr Maniphanh Vongphosy, said yesterday the National Sports Committee had granted permission for a booth to be set up outside the National Stadium to promote the campaign.
“During the games we'll have 120 volunteers walking around all the sport venues ensuring that smokers only smoke in the allocated areas and providing information on the dangers of smoking cigarettes. We'll also have 20 other volunteers providing free face painting of national flags and the smoke-free logo to interested people,” she said.
“We'll also organise quizzes at our booth, where people can win T-shirts and other items to show support for their team.”
Dr Maniphanh said the committee is currently considering a proposal by the programme to install signs bearing the smoke-free logo along roadsides throughout Vientiane .
The Comprehensive Tobacco Control Law is also currently being debated at the National Assembly's 8th ordinary session.
The enforcement of smoke-free zones during the SEA Games is in accordance with the World Health Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, which was ratified by Laos in 2006.
The Philippines , Vietnam and Thailand all enforced smoke-free zones when they hosted past SEA Games.
On May 31, 2007, Luang Prabang province issued the first smoke-free regulations in Laos to mark World No Tobacco Day. The eighth National Games held in Champassak province last year was also a smoke-free event.
The Tobacco Control Taskforce of Laos is cooperating with the World Health Organisation, the Adventist Development and Relief Agency, the Southeast Asia Tobacco Control Alliance and the Lao National Sports Committee to reduce the use of tobacco products in Laos .
Every year some five million people in the world die from the effects of tobacco. About 14,000 people die each day, 600 each hour, 10 each minute, and one every three seconds.
In the next 20 years some 10 million people will die from the effects of tobacco use.
Mountain bike trails being prepared for the 25th SEA Games in Vientiane next month should be finished by November 25, according to the constructors.
When local press visited the trails in Houaynhang village, Naxaithong district, the head of the venue reported that both downhill and uneven trails were almost complete and would be finished next week.
The constructor, Mr Chanseng Panichith, said the downhill trail was 1.6km long and the uneven trail was 7km. Both trails will be used by cyclists from participating countries during the games.
“Construction began last month so we've had just two months to get everything done. We are clearing land to build a mountain bike track, which we have been able to do using the local natural features,” he said.
He was confident the trails would compare favourably with similar facilities in the region and that Laos would be successful in hosting international mountain bike events after the SEA Games.
The Union Cycliste Internationale has checked construction of the trails to guarantee the standard meets that required for the SEA Games.
“I believe cyclists and spectators will enjoy the competition here because the trails are set among big trees, rocky surfaces and other natural features,” Mr Chanseng said.
Cycling Federation Secretary Lassamy Soundara said 16 cyclists are ready to represent Laos at the SEA Games.
The federation selected its 16 national representatives following the Eighth National Games in Champassak province last year.
They have since been based at the cycling centre in Vatnak village, Sisattanak district.
“Since beginning training there, they have taken part in competitions in Thailand , including the Road and MTB Thailand Championship 2009 in Chainat province, and the 28th National Games in Trang province,” Mr Lassamy said.
Lao cyclists achieved second, third, fourth and fifth places in various events in those races.
“Currently our cyclists are training hard and we can see they are improving as they prepare for the SEA Games.”
