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Laos, formally the Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR), is a landlocked country in Southeast Asia and one of the poorest countries on the continent. It borders Vietnam to the east, China and Myanmar to the north, Thailand to the west, and Cambodia to the south. smallest of Southeast Asia's countries, squeezed between vastly larger neighbors, Laos as an entity was first created in 1353, when warlord Fa Ngum declared himself the king of Lan Xang ("Million Elephants"), although the kingdom was initially a Khmer vassal state. After a succession dispute the kingdom split in three in 1694 and was eventually devoured piece by piece by the Siamese, the last fragments agreeing to Siamese protection in 1885. The area east of the Mekong, however, was soon wrenched back from Siam by the French, who wanted a buffer state to protect Vietnam and set up Laos as a unified territory in 1907. Briefly occupied by Japan in 1945, a three-decade-long war was triggered when France wanted to retake its colony. Granted independence in 1953, the war continued between a bewildering variety of factions, with the Communist and Vietnam-allied Pathet Lao struggling to overthrow the French-leaning monarchy. During the Vietnam War (1964-1973), this alliance led the United States to dump 1.9 million metric tons of bombs on Laos in what was later known as the Secret War. In 1975, after the fall of Saigon, the Communist Pathet Lao took control of Vientiane and ended a six-century-old monarchy. Initial closer ties to Vietnam and socialization were replaced with a gradual return to private enterprise, an easing of foreign investment laws, and the admission into ASEAN in 1997.
Less than a two hour flight from the westernized hustle and bustle of Bangkok,
life in Laos continues in the same way it has for hundreds of years. But things
are beginning to change. In the mid-90s the government reversed its stance on
tourism and declared 1998 'Visit Laos Year.' Despite their efforts and all Laos
has to offer, monks still outnumbered tourists throughout the country. Asia Travel InformationFast Facts About Hong Kong1. Telephone System Public telephones in Hong Kong belong to the following 6 types: Yellow telephone only for local calls: accepting 1- or 2- HKD coins Yellow telephone for international calls: accepting 1-, 2- or 5- HKD coins Silver telephone: accepting 1-, 2- or 5- HKD coins Telephone accepting magnetic cards and coins for international General Information About Hong KongHong Kong has very close counter with its parent Nation that is China, its is precariously perched on the side of China, Hong Kong is a curious anomaly. With unofficial blessing of the largest Communist country in the world Hong Kong is energetic paragon of the virtues of capitalism. Hong Getting Around Hong KongSight seeing in Hong Kong is made easy for the visitors through variety of public transportation which can be termed as life line of Hong Kong Tourism. 1. Taxi Color coded taxis operate in different districts of Hong Kong. Fare, depending on districts, starts from HKD12 to 15 for the first two Getting In & Out Of Hong KongThere are for basic way of getting in to Hong Kong that is by Air, Train, Sea & Bus; which is basic mode of transportation for getting into a country. 1. By Air Hong Kong International Airport is world class. Sixty airlines ferry passengers to 140 locations around the world. The gateway Visa Information For TouristsMost visitors to Hong Kong still don't need a visa. The exception is for blacklisted countries, many of which (ironically) have or had communist regimes: Hong Kong has always made it difficult for nationals from such countries to enter its borders, and despite the return of Hong Kong to the When To Visit Hong KongSubtropical Hong Kong has four distinguishable seasons. Good weather makes it an ideal destination for travelers all year round. The peak travel season is in autumn, from September to around Christmas time. The spring, from March to mid-May, tends to be warm and humid, accompanied by fogs and drizzles. The average General Information For Tourists1. Airport Tax Any passengers departing Myanmar on international flights will need to pay a departure tax of US$ 10.00 per person. 2. Duty Free Allowance Two bottles of liquor; two cartons of cigarettes; 100 cigars; 1.5 lbs. of tobacco; and one pint bottle of perfume or eau de cologne. 3. Currency The monetary unit Orientation Of Hong KongHong Kong is conveniently divided into four parts. First there is Hong Kong Island, the original part of the colony on which stands Hong Kong Central, the city of Hong Kong. A short ferry ride across the harbour from the island is the Kowloon peninsula which is also totally city. Top Rated Tourist Attractions In Hong KongHong Kong is full of fabulous events and attractions. The following are a few of the must-sees rated tops by tourists. Victoria Peak is the best place from which to admire the lights of this Oriental Pearl. Peak Tower with its famous wok-like architecture standing at the exit of Peak Tram. Myanmar Tourist Guides — AttractionsI. City - Rangoon: Rangoon, the capital of Myanmar is the host for some of the world’s mind-blowing wonders, like the: 1. Shwedagon Pagoda: Rudyard Kipling termed it as the .Golden Wonder.. It looks beautiful during sunset as the last rays fall on the soft golden dome, making it glitter. The great Asia NewsSaudi Arabia’s Hamad named Asia’s top playerSaudi Arabia’s Hamad named Asia’s top player KUALA LUMPUR: Saudi Arabia defender Hamad Al Montashari was named Asian Player of the Year yesterday and Japan were crowned Team of the Year at an awards ceremony overshadowed by controversy. The Al Ittihad star beat off the challenge of Uzbekistan’s Dynamo Kiev striker Asia rides wave of Korean pop culture invasionAsia rides wave of Korean pop culture invasion YANGJOO, South Korea -- A farm, even a fake one, is cold this time of year, so the Japanese retiree had some trouble wriggling his many layers into the king's costume. His wife, in a matching get-up, primped excitedly for the photos. Like many Won Declines on Resistance MARKET ROUNDUP: CURRENCIES BUSINESS ASIA By BloombergWon Declines on Resistance MARKET ROUNDUP: CURRENCIES BUSINESS ASIA By Bloomberg The South Korean won declined Thursday, ending two days of gains, on speculation that the central bank would allow it to weaken in order to keep exports competitive as the yen trades near a two- month low. A cheaper yen Global industry pageant CONEXPO Asia 2006 opens in BeijingGlobal industry pageant CONEXPO Asia 2006 opens in Beijing Global leading industry pageant, CONEXPO Asia 2006, organized by the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM), opened in Beijing on Monday, introducing global leading construction industry suppliers to the fast-growingChinese market. This is the first time that CONEXPO has Analysis: U.N. to Central Asia cooperateAnalysis: U.N. to Central Asia cooperate UNITED NATIONS, Dec. 7 (UPI) -- The U.N. Development Program says Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan could double their incomes over the next 10 years. That is a pretty ambitious projection by the UNDP in a report released in Tokyo Wednesday on the Central Asia urged to use less invasive heart bypass-expertsAsia urged to use less invasive heart bypass-experts Doctors in Asia should adopt minimally invasive techniques in harvesting blood vessels for heart bypasses because the traditional open method is exposing patients, many of them diabetics, to risks of infection, Hong Kong researchers say. In many heart bypasses, the great saphenous vein Roos enter Asia, with no playersRoos enter Asia, with no players The Socceroos have been left high and dry by a fixture that falls outside designated FIFA windows, in the middle of the A-League's playoff series and on a day Hiddink will be at reins of PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League. But indications from the Time Asia correspondent stands by article on coup plotTime Asia correspondent stands by article on coup plot Subscribe to Breaking News alerts, send ON EXTRA BREAKING to 2207 for Globe, or send EXTRA BREAKING to 386 for Smart. TIME Asia correspondent Nelly Sindayen said that she was standing by her article that implicated a former lawmaker at the House (PZ) Telenor Strengthens in Asia and Europe -- New Group Management Members Appointed(PZ) Telenor Strengthens in Asia and Europe -- New Group Management Members Appointed Telenor's mobile commitments in Asia and Europe are becoming increasingly important to the Group. Telenor is therefore appointing two of its most experienced executives -- Arve Johansen and Jan Edvard Thygesen -- to head its commitments in these Australia to help fight human trafficking in AsiaAustralia to help fight human trafficking in Asia The Australian government on Friday announced that Australia will provide 21 million Australian dollars (15.8 million U.S. dollars) over the next five years in a bid to help combat human trafficking in Asia. Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer and Justice Minister Chris Ellison issued |
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