“A book isn’t something you force yourself to read, but something you do because you love it,” noted Robert George Cooper, a British-born anthropologist and well-known author of several books on Laos.
As the world celebrates World Book and Copyright Day today, 23 April, attention turns to figures like Cooper, individuals who have devoted their lives to literature and cultural exchange.
Cooper first arrived in Laos in 1973 during his PhD studies, later working with the United Nations on refugee repatriation and serving as head of the British Trade Office in Vientiane from 2000 to 2004.
A linguist speaking English, French, Lao, Malay/Indonesian, and Thai, Cooper established his iconic bookshop in downtown Vientiane in 2007, which continues to thrive despite the digital age.
One of his most popular works is “CultureShock! Laos: A Survival Guide to Customs and Etiquette.” This book guide offers practical insights into Lao culture, traditions, and social norms, making it valuable for travelers or anyone interested in understanding the nuances of life in Laos.
CultureShock! Laos: A Survival Guide to Customs and Etiquette.
His newest release, “Laos: Making History in Search of Time Gone By,” was published in early 2025. The book traces Lao history from the Lan Xang era through French colonialism, the Indochina War, and into the complexities of modern-day Laos.
Robert Cooper’s Laos: Making History, a powerful reflection on the nation’s past from Lan Xang to modern Laos.
Now retired in Vientiane, Cooper expresses concern about reading habits among Lao youth. He notes that few young people embrace reading as a pathway to education and, by extension, the country’s economic development.
“In Laos, few people are able to read in English,” he notes. “Translating into the Lao language is a long process and often not worth doing because Lao people have very little to read in their own language; they even prefer to read Thai books.”
Despite this, Laos has made growing efforts to promote Lao-language literature. Events like the annual Vientiane Book Festival, held each November, aim to ignite a love of reading, especially among children and students.
While many young readers gravitate toward Thai books for their variety and professional quality—bolstered by Thailand’s larger publishing industry—others are turning their attention toward supporting local authors. Still, the road ahead remains challenging.
With only 15 to 20 publishing houses operating across the country, the Lao publishing industry is relatively small.
In a previous interview with the Laotian Times, writer and publisher Phoumpanya Douangpaseuth emphasized the need for stronger local support.
He urged readers to back Lao creators to help build a more self-sustaining literary culture.
Meanwhile, Laos continues to nurture its literary scene with the hope that more readers will turn to local authors and support homegrown stories.
https://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Book-Cafe.jpg6271200Sylivanla Vongphachanhhttps://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lao-Simply-Beautiful-.webpSylivanla Vongphachanh2025-05-06 11:19:002025-04-28 11:22:00World Book, Publishing Day 2025: Laos Backs Local Authors, History
Over 1,170 Lao health professionals have been trained through a long-running initiative led by Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of Thailand. Now nurturing a new generation of trainees, the project continues to play a vital role in strengthening Laos’ healthcare system.
Launched in 2000, the program has built the capacity of doctors, nurses, dentists, pharmacists, physical therapists, nutritionists, public health workers, and administrators across the country. Its graduates now serve in hospitals, health departments, and training institutions in every province of Laos.
The initiative was inspired by Princess Sirindhorn’s visits to Laos beginning in 1990, during which she observed the country’s healthcare challenges firsthand. Recognizing the need for skilled human resources, she spearheaded the program to equip Lao professionals with the knowledge and tools required to deliver quality care and meet public health demands.
To mark 25 years of Thai-Lao collaboration, an academic conference was held in Vientiane on 22 April under the theme “Promoting Healthier Futures: 25 Years of Thai-Lao Collaboration in Medical and Public Health Capacity Building.”
Princess Sirindhorn presided over the opening ceremony. She emphasized the importance of scientific exchange and modern expertise in developing strong health systems. She highlighted that a healthy population is essential to national development, and medical personnel must be equipped with up-to-date knowledge and skills.
https://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Princess-Maha-Chakri-Sirindhorn-of-Thailand.jpg6271200Sylivanla Vongphachanhhttps://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lao-Simply-Beautiful-.webpSylivanla Vongphachanh2025-05-05 11:13:002025-04-28 11:16:28Lao-Thai Health Project Trains More Than 1,170 Professionals Under Princess Sirindhorn’s Initiative
Luang Prabang experienced a tourism boom in the first quarter of the year, generating USD 584,665,369 million in revenue, marking a 162 percent increase in tourist numbers compared to the same period last year.
Between January and March, the province welcomed 1,167,581 visitors, including 459,091 domestic travelers and 708,490 international tourists.
This represents a significant increase of 722,679 visitors year-over-year, according to Soudaphone Khomthavong, Director of the Luang Prabang Provincial Information, Culture and Tourism Department.
In 2024, Luang Prabang saw a total of over 2.3 million tourists, far exceeding its original target of 900,000. This influx played a key role in driving the province’s GDP to LAK 3,989 billion (approximately USD 183 million), with an average income of USD 1,897 per person.
The province continues to focus on development in key areas such as education, infrastructure, and tourism.
As part of its ongoing efforts to strengthen the province, a meeting was held on 21 April at the Luang Prabang Military Command to address the shortage of teachers and improve educational outcomes.
The session focused on identifying key challenges in human resource development and exploring practical solutions to support workforce growth across multiple sectors.
In February, Luang Prabang was officially declared a “poverty-free” and “comprehensively strong” city, reflecting significant strides in regional development.
https://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/IMG_0010.jpg6271200Sylivanla Vongphachanhhttps://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lao-Simply-Beautiful-.webpSylivanla Vongphachanh2025-05-02 11:09:002025-04-28 11:13:10Luang Prabang Surges Past Tourism Goals with Over 1.1 Million Visitors, Fueling Economic Growth
World Book, Publishing Day 2025: Laos Backs Local Authors, History
“A book isn’t something you force yourself to read, but something you do because you love it,” noted Robert George Cooper, a British-born anthropologist and well-known author of several books on Laos.
As the world celebrates World Book and Copyright Day today, 23 April, attention turns to figures like Cooper, individuals who have devoted their lives to literature and cultural exchange.
Cooper first arrived in Laos in 1973 during his PhD studies, later working with the United Nations on refugee repatriation and serving as head of the British Trade Office in Vientiane from 2000 to 2004.
A linguist speaking English, French, Lao, Malay/Indonesian, and Thai, Cooper established his iconic bookshop in downtown Vientiane in 2007, which continues to thrive despite the digital age.
One of his most popular works is “CultureShock! Laos: A Survival Guide to Customs and Etiquette.” This book guide offers practical insights into Lao culture, traditions, and social norms, making it valuable for travelers or anyone interested in understanding the nuances of life in Laos.
His newest release, “Laos: Making History in Search of Time Gone By,” was published in early 2025. The book traces Lao history from the Lan Xang era through French colonialism, the Indochina War, and into the complexities of modern-day Laos.
Now retired in Vientiane, Cooper expresses concern about reading habits among Lao youth. He notes that few young people embrace reading as a pathway to education and, by extension, the country’s economic development.
“In Laos, few people are able to read in English,” he notes. “Translating into the Lao language is a long process and often not worth doing because Lao people have very little to read in their own language; they even prefer to read Thai books.”
Despite this, Laos has made growing efforts to promote Lao-language literature. Events like the annual Vientiane Book Festival, held each November, aim to ignite a love of reading, especially among children and students.
While many young readers gravitate toward Thai books for their variety and professional quality—bolstered by Thailand’s larger publishing industry—others are turning their attention toward supporting local authors. Still, the road ahead remains challenging.
With only 15 to 20 publishing houses operating across the country, the Lao publishing industry is relatively small.
In a previous interview with the Laotian Times, writer and publisher Phoumpanya Douangpaseuth emphasized the need for stronger local support.
He urged readers to back Lao creators to help build a more self-sustaining literary culture.
Meanwhile, Laos continues to nurture its literary scene with the hope that more readers will turn to local authors and support homegrown stories.
Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2025/04/23/world-book-publishing-day-2025-laos-backs-local-authors-history/
Lao-Thai Health Project Trains More Than 1,170 Professionals Under Princess Sirindhorn’s Initiative
Over 1,170 Lao health professionals have been trained through a long-running initiative led by Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of Thailand. Now nurturing a new generation of trainees, the project continues to play a vital role in strengthening Laos’ healthcare system.
Launched in 2000, the program has built the capacity of doctors, nurses, dentists, pharmacists, physical therapists, nutritionists, public health workers, and administrators across the country. Its graduates now serve in hospitals, health departments, and training institutions in every province of Laos.
The initiative was inspired by Princess Sirindhorn’s visits to Laos beginning in 1990, during which she observed the country’s healthcare challenges firsthand. Recognizing the need for skilled human resources, she spearheaded the program to equip Lao professionals with the knowledge and tools required to deliver quality care and meet public health demands.
To mark 25 years of Thai-Lao collaboration, an academic conference was held in Vientiane on 22 April under the theme “Promoting Healthier Futures: 25 Years of Thai-Lao Collaboration in Medical and Public Health Capacity Building.”
Princess Sirindhorn presided over the opening ceremony. She emphasized the importance of scientific exchange and modern expertise in developing strong health systems. She highlighted that a healthy population is essential to national development, and medical personnel must be equipped with up-to-date knowledge and skills.
Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2025/04/23/lao-thai-health-project-trains-more-than-1170-professionals-under-princess-sirindhorns-initiative/
Luang Prabang Surges Past Tourism Goals with Over 1.1 Million Visitors, Fueling Economic Growth
Luang Prabang experienced a tourism boom in the first quarter of the year, generating USD 584,665,369 million in revenue, marking a 162 percent increase in tourist numbers compared to the same period last year.
Between January and March, the province welcomed 1,167,581 visitors, including 459,091 domestic travelers and 708,490 international tourists.
This represents a significant increase of 722,679 visitors year-over-year, according to Soudaphone Khomthavong, Director of the Luang Prabang Provincial Information, Culture and Tourism Department.
In 2024, Luang Prabang saw a total of over 2.3 million tourists, far exceeding its original target of 900,000. This influx played a key role in driving the province’s GDP to LAK 3,989 billion (approximately USD 183 million), with an average income of USD 1,897 per person.
The province continues to focus on development in key areas such as education, infrastructure, and tourism.
As part of its ongoing efforts to strengthen the province, a meeting was held on 21 April at the Luang Prabang Military Command to address the shortage of teachers and improve educational outcomes.
The session focused on identifying key challenges in human resource development and exploring practical solutions to support workforce growth across multiple sectors.
In February, Luang Prabang was officially declared a “poverty-free” and “comprehensively strong” city, reflecting significant strides in regional development.
Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2025/04/23/luang-prabang-surges-past-tourism-goals-with-over-1-1-million-visitors-fueling-economic-growth/