Six Lao Taekwondo athletes secured five medals, including two gold, one silver, and two bronze, at the Seongnam Open International Taekwondo Championship 2024 in South Korea on 21 July.
Among the medalists, two athletes stood out by clinching gold. Lattanaphone Lattanapaseuth from PMS Taekwondo Club in Vientiane Capital won gold in “fighting category,” while Maya Sone from Luang Prabang triumphed in a Poomsae category, which involves a sequence of Taekwondo techniques and fight matches.
Lattanaphone, elated by his victory, shared his experience with the Laotian Times, revealing that he trained five days a week for several weeks leading up the competition.
“It was quite a hard fight, but I’m happy I came out on top,” said the 13-year-old athlete.
Although he has previously competed in Thailand and won several medals, he noted that the South Korean competition was the biggest stage of his life.
“I was really excited to compete; I wanted to fight so badly,” said Lattanaphone’s clubmate, Nalinda Khemmala after winning a bronze medal in the fighting category.
Nalinda expressed confidence in improving her performance in future competitions.
Douangsivilay Phimmasone, owner of PMS Taekwondo Club, accompanied the athletes and expressed his pride and surprise at their achievements.
“I am very happy and did not expect my athletes to win a gold medal,” he said. Looking ahead, Douangsivilay mentioned that both Lattanaphone and Nalinda have more competitions lined up.
The PMS Taekwondo Club athletes are scheduled to participate in the E-San League in Khon Kaen, Thailand, on 27 July, the Hero International Taekwondo Championships 2024 in Bangkok from 10-12 August, and another international contest in Nongkhai on 18 August.
https://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Lao-Taekwondo-Athletes-Win-Two-Golds-at-South-Korean-Championship.jpg6271200Sylivanla Vongphachanhhttps://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lao-Simply-Beautiful-.webpSylivanla Vongphachanh2024-08-07 00:32:002024-07-29 12:38:03Lao Taekwondo Athletes Win Two Golds at South Korean Championship
The French Embassy in Laos marked Bastille Day (14 July) with an Olympic-themed reception attended by Deputy Prime Minister Saleumxay Kommasith, the mayor of Vientiane, and several ministers. This event, held on 12 July, also aimed at renewing France’s commitment to strengthen diplomatic ties with Laos, a year after the 70th anniversary of the France-Laos Treaty of Friendship.
The French Ambassador to Laos, Siv-Leng Chhuor, active in the country since 2021, highlighted France’s ongoing commitment to Laos. Throughout her tenure, the ambassador has visited 16 of Laos’s 18 provinces, meeting with provincial authorities, the French community, and local partners to discuss sustainable development and mutual priorities.
Meanwhile, France and Laos are continuing to enhance their relationship through several projects. These include the CHAMPA initiative for heritage preservation at Vat Phu Champassak and various projects in Savannakhet Province. Additionally, France collaborates with Team Europe on the Green Cup project under the Global Gateway Initiative. These efforts aim to advance renewable energy, agriculture, water management, heritage, and health sectors in Laos.
Educational cooperation continues to be a cornerstone of Franco-Lao relations. In 2024, key projects were completed to enhance the Lao-French bilingual education system, benefiting around 200 teachers and over 4,000 students.
The French Institute in Laos will also celebrate its 30th anniversary during the 3rd France-Laos Festival, featuring events that showcase vibrant cultural exchanges. Highlights include the Francophonie Festival at Chao Anouvong Park and a breakdance collaboration between a French Olympic star and Fanglao Studio during the Lao Hip Hop Festival.
With Laos chairing ASEAN this year, France reaffirmed its support for ASEAN’s central role in the Indo-Pacific strategy. As a development partner since 2020, France is committed to addressing global issues and strengthening political, economic, and cultural ties within the region.
This year marks other key anniversaries for French agencies in Laos: 30 years of AFD (French Development Agency), 80 years of IRD (French National Research Institute for Sustainable Development), and 40 years of CIRAD (French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development).
Bastille Day in Laos this year not only commemorates a significant moment in French history but also celebrates the evolving partnership between France and Laos.
https://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Bastille-Day-Reception-in-Laos-Highlights-Franco-Lao-Diplomatic-Ties.jpg6271200Sylivanla Vongphachanhhttps://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lao-Simply-Beautiful-.webpSylivanla Vongphachanh2024-08-05 00:29:002024-07-29 12:31:53Bastille Day Reception in Laos Highlights Franco-Lao Diplomatic Ties
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is set to provide Laos with up to USD 15 million to improve the lives of persons with disabilities in Laos.
This initiative is part of the second phase of the Okard Project, which spans from 2024 to 2027 and focuses on helping persons with disabilities gain equal access to health and social services.
The new phase will build on the successes of Phase I, which took place from 2017 to 2023.
On 17 July, the Lao government signed two agreements with the World Education (WE) to promote inclusive development and improve rehabilitation services in Vientiane Capital, and Xieng Khouang, Savannakhet, and Sekong provinces.
The Okard project is set to address four critical areas: health, economic empowerment, stakeholder engagement, and community-based inclusive development.
Speaking at the event, Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Welfare Leepao Yang expressed gratitude for USAID’s additional support for the Okard Project. He emphasized the government’s efforts to support persons with disabilities through social policies and facilities that cater to their needs according to local socio-economic conditions.
Meanwhile, David Sintasath, USAID’s Acting Office Director of Health and Governance also acknowledged the growing partnership between the US and Laos. He noted that the agreement marks a significant step in supporting persons with disabilities through equal access to rights and social services.
Over the past six years, the project has helped over 29,000 people with disabilities improve their daily living and skills. It has also provided specialized assistive devices to more than 2,000 people, connected over 8,000 individuals with health and rehabilitation services, and trained over 5,000 service providers.
Despite this success, in 2020, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) revealed that Laos has over 160,000 individuals who have a disability. The rate is higher in remote areas and among various ethnic groups, with 3.33 percent in roadless rural areas.
UNFPA stated that people with disabilities over 10 have lower employment rates and higher unemployment compared to those without disabilities and that youth and women with disabilities are particularly excluded from education, vocational training, and the workforce.
https://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/8-2-1.jpg6271200Sylivanla Vongphachanhhttps://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lao-Simply-Beautiful-.webpSylivanla Vongphachanh2024-08-02 00:26:002024-07-29 12:28:42USAID Pledges USD 15 Million to Aid Persons with Disabilities in Laos
Lao Taekwondo Athletes Win Two Golds at South Korean Championship
Six Lao Taekwondo athletes secured five medals, including two gold, one silver, and two bronze, at the Seongnam Open International Taekwondo Championship 2024 in South Korea on 21 July.
Among the medalists, two athletes stood out by clinching gold. Lattanaphone Lattanapaseuth from PMS Taekwondo Club in Vientiane Capital won gold in “fighting category,” while Maya Sone from Luang Prabang triumphed in a Poomsae category, which involves a sequence of Taekwondo techniques and fight matches.
Lattanaphone, elated by his victory, shared his experience with the Laotian Times, revealing that he trained five days a week for several weeks leading up the competition.
“It was quite a hard fight, but I’m happy I came out on top,” said the 13-year-old athlete.
Although he has previously competed in Thailand and won several medals, he noted that the South Korean competition was the biggest stage of his life.
“I was really excited to compete; I wanted to fight so badly,” said Lattanaphone’s clubmate, Nalinda Khemmala after winning a bronze medal in the fighting category.
Nalinda expressed confidence in improving her performance in future competitions.
Douangsivilay Phimmasone, owner of PMS Taekwondo Club, accompanied the athletes and expressed his pride and surprise at their achievements.
“I am very happy and did not expect my athletes to win a gold medal,” he said. Looking ahead, Douangsivilay mentioned that both Lattanaphone and Nalinda have more competitions lined up.
The PMS Taekwondo Club athletes are scheduled to participate in the E-San League in Khon Kaen, Thailand, on 27 July, the Hero International Taekwondo Championships 2024 in Bangkok from 10-12 August, and another international contest in Nongkhai on 18 August.
Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2024/07/23/lao-taekwondo-athletes-win-two-golds-at-south-korean-championship/
Bastille Day Reception in Laos Highlights Franco-Lao Diplomatic Ties
The French Embassy in Laos marked Bastille Day (14 July) with an Olympic-themed reception attended by Deputy Prime Minister Saleumxay Kommasith, the mayor of Vientiane, and several ministers. This event, held on 12 July, also aimed at renewing France’s commitment to strengthen diplomatic ties with Laos, a year after the 70th anniversary of the France-Laos Treaty of Friendship.
The French Ambassador to Laos, Siv-Leng Chhuor, active in the country since 2021, highlighted France’s ongoing commitment to Laos. Throughout her tenure, the ambassador has visited 16 of Laos’s 18 provinces, meeting with provincial authorities, the French community, and local partners to discuss sustainable development and mutual priorities.
Meanwhile, France and Laos are continuing to enhance their relationship through several projects. These include the CHAMPA initiative for heritage preservation at Vat Phu Champassak and various projects in Savannakhet Province. Additionally, France collaborates with Team Europe on the Green Cup project under the Global Gateway Initiative. These efforts aim to advance renewable energy, agriculture, water management, heritage, and health sectors in Laos.
Educational cooperation continues to be a cornerstone of Franco-Lao relations. In 2024, key projects were completed to enhance the Lao-French bilingual education system, benefiting around 200 teachers and over 4,000 students.
The French Institute in Laos will also celebrate its 30th anniversary during the 3rd France-Laos Festival, featuring events that showcase vibrant cultural exchanges. Highlights include the Francophonie Festival at Chao Anouvong Park and a breakdance collaboration between a French Olympic star and Fanglao Studio during the Lao Hip Hop Festival.
With Laos chairing ASEAN this year, France reaffirmed its support for ASEAN’s central role in the Indo-Pacific strategy. As a development partner since 2020, France is committed to addressing global issues and strengthening political, economic, and cultural ties within the region.
This year marks other key anniversaries for French agencies in Laos: 30 years of AFD (French Development Agency), 80 years of IRD (French National Research Institute for Sustainable Development), and 40 years of CIRAD (French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development).
Bastille Day in Laos this year not only commemorates a significant moment in French history but also celebrates the evolving partnership between France and Laos.
Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2024/07/23/bastille-day-reception-in-laos-highlights-franco-lao-diplomatic-ties/
USAID Pledges USD 15 Million to Aid Persons with Disabilities in Laos
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is set to provide Laos with up to USD 15 million to improve the lives of persons with disabilities in Laos.
This initiative is part of the second phase of the Okard Project, which spans from 2024 to 2027 and focuses on helping persons with disabilities gain equal access to health and social services.
The new phase will build on the successes of Phase I, which took place from 2017 to 2023.
On 17 July, the Lao government signed two agreements with the World Education (WE) to promote inclusive development and improve rehabilitation services in Vientiane Capital, and Xieng Khouang, Savannakhet, and Sekong provinces.
The Okard project is set to address four critical areas: health, economic empowerment, stakeholder engagement, and community-based inclusive development.
Speaking at the event, Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Welfare Leepao Yang expressed gratitude for USAID’s additional support for the Okard Project. He emphasized the government’s efforts to support persons with disabilities through social policies and facilities that cater to their needs according to local socio-economic conditions.
Meanwhile, David Sintasath, USAID’s Acting Office Director of Health and Governance also acknowledged the growing partnership between the US and Laos. He noted that the agreement marks a significant step in supporting persons with disabilities through equal access to rights and social services.
Over the past six years, the project has helped over 29,000 people with disabilities improve their daily living and skills. It has also provided specialized assistive devices to more than 2,000 people, connected over 8,000 individuals with health and rehabilitation services, and trained over 5,000 service providers.
Despite this success, in 2020, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) revealed that Laos has over 160,000 individuals who have a disability. The rate is higher in remote areas and among various ethnic groups, with 3.33 percent in roadless rural areas.
UNFPA stated that people with disabilities over 10 have lower employment rates and higher unemployment compared to those without disabilities and that youth and women with disabilities are particularly excluded from education, vocational training, and the workforce.
Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2024/07/19/usaid-pledges-usd-15-million-to-aid-persons-with-disabilities-in-laos/