Bike racers were never choirboys by Mat Oxley on 17th April 2018 Just in case you think motorcycle racers used to be different, here’s something I wrote back in 2003 “This is bike racing, not classical music,” opined former 250cc world champion Max Biaggi after Doriano Romboni accused him of dirty tricks on the last … Read more
Exploring Myanmar’s vast network of limestone caves An international team exploring Myanmar’s network of limestone caves is helping to raise awareness about their conservation value and ecotourism potential. By MARIE STARR | FRONTIER It may be surprising to learn that much of Myanmar is one long, thick block of limestone. Starting in the north at … Read more
Second Vietnamese global geopark recognized by UNESCO Non Nuoc Cao Bang has taken a step onto the international stage just two years after its establishment. A park in Vietnam’s northern province of Cao Bang was named a new global geopark at a UNESCO executive board meeting on Thursday. Non Nuoc Cao Bang is now the … Read more
What the pho? Vietnam street food cocktails make a splash ‘Through cocktails, we can promote Vietnamese cuisine around the world,’ said Pham Tien Tiep, owner of the Ne bar in Hanoi. With his daring pho cocktail inspired by Vietnam’s signature beef noodle soup, Hanoi’s leading hipster bartender Pham Tien Tiep is hoping to elevate the … Read more
Like Maradona driving a hot-hatch by Mat Oxley on 10th April 2018 Sunday’s Argentine MotoGP Grand Prix was like a Gaucho rodeo ride: chaotic, painful and unmissable First, I have a confession to make: I like a bit of chaos. Few things are more over-organised than modern sport, which mostly runs like a well-oiled machine, so … Read more
Plans for a massive Chinese development project around the famed Khonephapheng waterfall in Champasack Province are moving forward, as talks between provincial authorities and a Chinese investment firm continue. The results of a study on the potential of a Khonephapheng Special Economic Zone (SEZ), as it will be known, were presented to the Ministry of … Read more
The People’s Committee of Da Nang has ordered the relocation of boats anchored at the Han River Pier to make way for the 2018 Da Nang International Fireworks Festival (DIFF) in April. An administrative document issued by the People’s Committee on Thursday enforces a temporary shut-down of the Han River Pier, located on Bach Dang … Read more
Illegal wildlife parts trade thrives in Kachin’s Puta-o Despite intensified nationwide efforts to curb illegal wildlife trade, Putao — a remote town in conflict-torn Kachin State that borders China — is a hotbed of the illicit activity, according to sources who saw first-hand the body parts of endangered animals being sold open in markets and … Read more
Uncontrolled development threatens Ngapali Beach Ngapali, the former top beach in Southeast Asia, plunged to number 25 in the 2017 ranking of the top beaches of the world by American travel and restaurant website Trip Advisor. Travel and tours executives warn against over development, as Ngapali attracted increasing numbers local and foreign tourists because of … Read more
Thailand Delays Decision on Power Purchase from Pak Beng Dam March 13, 2018 In mid-February, the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) issued a letter to the Rak Chiang Khong Group, a Thai Mekong community network. The letter stated that a decision on signing the Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) for the Pak Beng Dam in … Read more
Laos – Vientiane New River Road Downstream New road to ease travel through south Vientiane A 26-km road running along the Mekong River in the south of Vientiane is being paved with asphalt, with the work to be completed before the start of the rainy season. The road upgrade is part of the Vientiane Flood … Read more
Mogok prepares to party for 800th birthday: 29 – 31 March 2018 Locals hope celebrations will put the ‘Ruby Land’ on the tourist map. Planning has begun for celebrations of the 800th anniversary of the discovery of gems and subsequent founding of Mogok, a rather auspicious occasion for the city which now produces 90 percent … Read more
Hoi An emerges as destination for health tourism in Vietnam The “Vietnam Retreat” program of Hoi An For over a decade, tourists from different corners of the world have come to the tranquil town of Hoi An in central Vietnam seeking health improvement through a special tour aimed at healing their illnesses from the inside. … Read more
MotoGP 2018: ‘It’s going to be way worse!’ by Mat Oxley on 13th March 2018 MotoGP is going to be even madder and closer this season, which is great for fans, less so for the riders. Welcome to our prediction-free preview… “It’s going to be way worse for us as riders than it has been … Read more
The 2018 Muang Nan rocket festival is to be held on 27-29 May 2018. Muang Nan is on R4 75 kms south-west of Luang Prabang. What do you do when it’s hot, dry and you want it to rain? Shoot rockets into the clouds … at least that’s what the men of Muang Nan do … Read more
LUANG PRABANG EYES ROADS TO LIFT TOURISM More road links are planned to popular Lao drawcard Luang Prabang to make it easier for tourists from Thailand and other neighbouring countries to visit the World Heritage town. Luang Prabang provincial governor Khamkhan Chanthavisouk, said: “To provide more convenient transport links to neighbouring countries and other provinces … Read more
What we learned from the final MotoGP winter test Is MotoGP 2018 set to be a rematch between Marc Marquez and Andrea Dovizioso? Oriol Puigdemont assesses the state of play after the final pre-season test in Qatar. Marquez favourite to make it five titles Pressed to name a favourite for the season based on test … Read more
Laos Preparing Hin Nam No Application for World Heritage Status (KPL) Laos is in the process of preparing application of the Hin Nam No National Protected Area in Khammuan for UNESCO World Heritage status. Application process is expected to be completed in 2020, according to Deputy Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism Savankhone Razamountry. The … Read more
MotoGP 2018’s Holy Grail by Matt Oxley Marquez… Zarco… Dovizioso… Rossi: this year there’s one performance factor they’re chasing more than any other: mid-corner turning Motorcycle racing has always been about walking a tightrope. For the riders, at least. Now in MotoGP it’s the same for the engineers. MotoGP’s new tech reality, ushered in by … Read more
Plain of Jars on track for UNESCO listing next year Lao authorities will submit documentation to UNESCO by the end of this month for the Plain of Jars in Xieng Khuang province to be added to the world heritage list after the government approved related documents last year. The UNESCO vetting process is expected to … Read more
Aprilia’s central focus in 2018 Aprilia is MotoGP’s underdog; the factory with the smallest race department of them all. Racing manager Romano Albesiano has 70 staff working with him at Noale, which is considerably less than most of his rivals. Suzuki probably has MotoGP’s second smallest race shop, although the company won’t reveal numbers. It’s … Read more
Bo Sang Umbrella and Sankampang Handicrafts Festival 2018 The annual Bo Sang Umbrella and Sankampang Handicrafts Festival celebrates and recognises the community that creates Thailand’s most famous umbrellas handmade from Saa, or mulberry bark, paper. This year the event takes place from 19 to 21 January, 2018. Legend has it that a monk travelled to … Read more
Revolutionary monument to CIA’s fall in Laos The North Vietnam Army’s surprise attack on Air America’s Phou Pha Thi radar station will be memorialized on the pivotal assault’s 50th anniversary By John McBeth 2 January 2018 Half a century after North Vietnamese sappers scaled sheer 200-meter cliffs in the dead of night to overrun a … Read more
Yamaha warns of six-way rider market spending war By: Chris Stevens, Journalist Yamaha team boss Lin Jarvis says MotoGP’s six manufacturers must take action to ensure that a spending war doesn’t break out between them in future. All 12 of the factory riders in the premier class will be out of contract at the end … Read more
Plan to visit five ‘Chiangs’ hatched CHIANG RAI, 10 January 2018: Far north Thailand and its neighbours, Myanmar and Laos, should join hands with China to promote travel routes to the “five Chiang cities” of the region. That was the conclusion of a brainstorming workshop in Chiang Rai, earlier this week, that focused on the … Read more