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Message started by Mak Nad on 12th Jun, 2015 at 5:08am

Title: Inside Laos: A US beauty queen's quest for change
Post by Mak Nad on 12th Jun, 2015 at 5:08am
http://www.bbc.com/news/business-32476838


Quote:
More than three decades ago, Amy Chanthaphavong's parents fled their home country of Laos.

Her father had been a fighter pilot in the Laos air force, supporting the Americans in their war on neighbouring Vietnam.

As communists tightened their grip on Laos, he decided it was time to leave.

Fearing punishment from the country's Marxist-ruled administration, he decided it would be too dangerous ever to return to the country of his birth.

But 35 years later, his daughter Amy made a life-changing decision.

She left San Diego, California, for the small South East Asian country of Laos, intent on becoming part of its rapid economic development.
Economic revival

As one of the world's last few remaining communist states, Laos was closed off to much of the world until the 1990s, when reforms started being introduced to tackle severe poverty.

It is still one of the poorest countries in East Asia. But over the last decade its economy has been growing rapidly - by up to 8% a year thanks to the construction of huge hydroelectric dams and a boom in commodity exports.

However, its people remain predominantly poor and unskilled.

Amy's mission is to help change that.







Title: Re: Inside Laos: A US beauty queen's quest for change
Post by Mak Nad on 13th Jun, 2015 at 5:10am
Hate this b*tch. Ugly as a dog's ass but still won Miss Asia.

Also wants to westernize Laos.

Title: Re: Inside Laos: A US beauty queen's quest for change
Post by peterpan on 15th Jun, 2015 at 11:35am
she is profiting by making films! hahaha!

China saw it before.


Title: Re: Inside Laos: A US beauty queen's quest for change
Post by Mak Nad on 17th Jun, 2015 at 4:45am
yeah and that's all she cares about, profit. Profiting at the expense of Lao people. A true parasite.

Title: Re: Inside Laos: A US beauty queen's quest for change
Post by TexasCowboy on 17th Jun, 2015 at 7:50pm
What skills does an Asian American beauty queen have to offer that will help lift Laotians out of poverty?


Many foreigners, including many foreigners who are actually highly skilled in practical fields, live in Laos but they do not receive any recognition from anyone.

Be wary of people who promote and present themselves as altruistic and righteous. She just wants recognition for her 'selfless acts' although the recognition is payment in and of itself for a narcissist.

Cambodia is unfortunately filled with these types of people trying to make a name for themselves.

I cannot stand people who think they're doing good work by volunteering to do manual labor or some other type of unskilled work. Then they talk to a few villagers through an interpreter and get a few selfie shots and call it a day

Southeast Asia does not have a shortage of unskilled laborers so they aren't accomplishing anything other than making themselves feel good.

Title: Re: Inside Laos: A US beauty queen's quest for change
Post by Satan on 24th Jan, 2017 at 9:31am
Miss Amy is doing a sales and marketing specialist roles for the social, health and economic development of Laos. She probably has a college degree and highly experienced with people skills. Plus sex sells in any industry and she is somewhat of an eye candy in my opinion. :neatstuff

You guys are a bunch of jealous type. ;D ;D ;D

Title: Re: Inside Laos: A US beauty queen's quest for change
Post by ba dac on 24th Jan, 2017 at 11:52am
comeon guys she not that bad to look at. I would hit it

Title: Re: Inside Laos: A US beauty queen's quest for change
Post by Satan on 24th Jan, 2017 at 8:38pm
In my opinion, Miss Amy has good intention in helping Laos and Lao people and not about herself. Also, why would she risk her well being for being over there during this current diplomatic and democratic uncertainties in Laos?

Title: Re: Inside Laos: A US beauty queen's quest for change
Post by peterpan on 24th Jan, 2017 at 10:33pm
[quote author=684D5045477D664B4F4351220 link=1434085710/7#7 date=1485290293]In my opinion, Miss Amy has good intention in helping Laos and Lao people and not about herself. Also, why would she risk her well being for being over there during this current diplomatic and democratic uncertainties in Laos? [/quote

German help more in poverty alleviation

Title: Re: Inside Laos: A US beauty queen's quest for change
Post by Satan on 25th Jan, 2017 at 6:07am
Europeans are there to enjoy the undeveloped landscape of Laos. They are tired of the hustles and bustles of city life from western civilization and wanted peace and tranquility from Laos. I knew a couple of German chicks I used to work with and they told me they did backpacking for 6 months straight right after high school in southeast Asia and did some hitchhiking through Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam.

Title: Re: Inside Laos: A US beauty queen's quest for change
Post by peterpan on 25th Jan, 2017 at 9:36am
They must have massive scale of fans with their twitter! ;D


Satan wrote on 25th Jan, 2017 at 6:07am:
Europeans are there to enjoy the undeveloped landscape of Laos. They are tired of the hustles and bustles of city life from western civilization and wanted peace and tranquility from Laos. I knew a couple of German chicks I used to work with and they told me they did backpacking for 6 months straight right after high school in southeast Asia and did some hitchhiking through Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam.


Title: Re: Inside Laos: A US beauty queen's quest for change
Post by ba dac on 25th Jan, 2017 at 11:09am
The European are not very materialist . They spent their money on travel . They are very open minded unlike
AMericans. These idiots wouldn't even eat fish with head
on it or duck .

Title: Re: Inside Laos: A US beauty queen's quest for change
Post by peterpan on 25th Jan, 2017 at 11:20am
I like wild duck.



ba dac wrote on 25th Jan, 2017 at 11:09am:
The European are not very materialist . They spent their money on travel . They are very open minded unlike
AMericans. These idiots wouldn't even eat fish with head
on it or duck .


Title: Re: Inside Laos: A US beauty queen's quest for change
Post by ba dac on 25th Jan, 2017 at 12:04pm
I'll try anything 1 time. But wild duck is very good

Title: Re: Inside Laos: A US beauty queen's quest for change
Post by grant on 25th Jan, 2017 at 12:09pm
I like Bamboo Rat...have you seen any around lately? Making me hungry  :)

Title: Re: Inside Laos: A US beauty queen's quest for change
Post by grant on 25th Jan, 2017 at 12:15pm
Those critters are very hard to catch

Title: Re: Inside Laos: A US beauty queen's quest for change
Post by Mak Nad on 25th Jan, 2017 at 12:23pm
they aren't that hard to catch. you just put up a neck snaring trap outside its hole. I've done it before, it grips nice and tight around their neck and usually they're struggling to get out.

Title: Re: Inside Laos: A US beauty queen's quest for change
Post by ba dac on 25th Jan, 2017 at 12:31pm
I bet it taste great grill with some lemon grass

Title: Re: Inside Laos: A US beauty queen's quest for change
Post by grant on 25th Jan, 2017 at 2:45pm
Grilled Bamboo Rat with Lemon Grass sounds good to me 😊 Just have to get Mak Nad to teach me how to catch them

Title: Re: Inside Laos: A US beauty queen's quest for change
Post by Satan on 26th Jan, 2017 at 11:12am
Europeans are more adventurous and not as materialistic than your typical Americans.

Title: Re: Inside Laos: A US beauty queen's quest for change
Post by ba dac on 26th Jan, 2017 at 11:13am
Set up little trap with fishing line . In utube they show these hmong in mountain of Laos catching bird. I'm pretty sure it will work for the rats

Title: Re: Inside Laos: A US beauty queen's quest for change
Post by Satan on 26th Jan, 2017 at 11:27am
Bunch of real Hmong folks in Gran Torino.

Title: Re: Inside Laos: A US beauty queen's quest for change
Post by Mak Nad on 26th Jan, 2017 at 12:46pm
Hmongs caused a lot of problems in Laos and the government doesn't really like them. Here they are another one of the low-class Asian races that act like blacks.

In Laos they actually were bold enough to claim the entire northern part of Laos as their own Hmong country..In Thailand I can't say they're much better..Now I see why the government wants to stamp out their ethnic culture.

Title: Re: Inside Laos: A US beauty queen's quest for change
Post by peterpan on 26th Jan, 2017 at 12:55pm

Buk Nut wrote on 26th Jan, 2017 at 12:46pm:
Hmongs caused a lot of problems in Laos and the government doesn't really like them. Here they are another one of the low-class Asian races that act like blacks.

In Laos they actually were bold enough to claim the entire northern part of Laos as their own Hmong country..In Thailand I can't say they're much better..Now I see why the government wants to stamp out their ethnic culture.



They can say, hmongs lives matter.  ;D

Title: Re: Inside Laos: A US beauty queen's quest for change
Post by peterpan on 26th Jan, 2017 at 12:57pm

Satan wrote on 26th Jan, 2017 at 11:12am:
Europeans are more adventurous and not as materialistic than your typical Americans.


They discovered America, now America found Europe. ;D ;D

Title: Re: Inside Laos: A US beauty queen's quest for change
Post by ba dac on 26th Jan, 2017 at 3:28pm

Buk Nut wrote on 26th Jan, 2017 at 12:46pm:
Hmongs caused a lot of problems in Laos and the government doesn't really like them. Here they are another one of the low-class Asian races that act like blacks.

In Laos they actually were bold enough to claim the entire northern part of Laos as their own Hmong country..In Thailand I can't say they're much better..Now I see why the government wants to stamp out their ethnic culture.


I really didn't know this.I thought they were victims cause
they fought against the commies

Title: Re: Inside Laos: A US beauty queen's quest for change
Post by Satan on 26th Jan, 2017 at 8:32pm
Lao government should allow to have their own country in my opinion. What would be the name though...?

Title: Re: Inside Laos: A US beauty queen's quest for change
Post by Mak Nad on 27th Jan, 2017 at 12:48am
I don't know about that. They even want Vientiane. Why would Laos give away their own capital?

Title: Re: Inside Laos: A US beauty queen's quest for change
Post by Satan on 27th Jan, 2017 at 6:00am
I am talking about northernmost regions of Laos, nearest to China and Burma. 'North Laos' would be a good country name. Just like North Korea and South Koria.

Title: Re: Inside Laos: A US beauty queen's quest for change
Post by peterpan on 27th Jan, 2017 at 12:46pm

Satan wrote on 27th Jan, 2017 at 6:00am:
I am talking about northernmost regions of Laos, nearest to China and Burma. 'North Laos' would be a good country name. Just like North Korea and South Koria.



Laos as a whole is much much better

Title: Re: Inside Laos: A US beauty queen's quest for change
Post by Satan on 27th Jan, 2017 at 8:07pm
Too slow though. They need a Lao Donald J. Trump as a leader.

Title: Re: Inside Laos: A US beauty queen's quest for change
Post by Mak Nad on 28th Jan, 2017 at 8:25am
I don't think they would call it "North Laos."

It would probably be something like "Hmoob Land" or such...

Title: Re: Inside Laos: A US beauty queen's quest for change
Post by Satan on 29th Jan, 2017 at 12:31am
'Land of 100 Elephants'? Because there could be only 100 elephants left in the jungle.

Title: Re: Inside Laos: A US beauty queen's quest for change
Post by Mak Nad on 29th Jan, 2017 at 2:12am
no, that's the part you don't get. The Hmong wouldn't name it after anything Lao, as they consider themselves a separate nationality.

Title: Re: Inside Laos: A US beauty queen's quest for change
Post by Satan on 30th Jan, 2017 at 4:35am
'Land of Mountains'? Because topographic map suggests northernmost Laos appears to be very mountainous.

Title: Re: Inside Laos: A US beauty queen's quest for change
Post by Satan on 30th Jan, 2017 at 4:44am
Here is the map
NorthernmostLaos.jpg (231 KB | 616 )

Title: Re: Inside Laos: A US beauty queen's quest for change
Post by Mak Nad on 30th Jan, 2017 at 6:07am
http://www.dw.com/en/vietnams-hmong-christians-protest-for-greater-autonomy/a-6520648

They had a name for it and it was in Hmong but I forgot what it was called. Anyway in Laos that group is known as the Jao Fa and they were executed..

Title: Re: Inside Laos: A US beauty queen's quest for change
Post by Satan on 30th Jan, 2017 at 7:39am
Vietnam ain't going to fudge in giving up land space because they are running out of land space with 100 million people already. Vietnam intrudes into Laos already and taking natural resources from Laos to benefit their kind.

Where are you from Mark? Australia or New Zealand perhaps?

Title: Re: Inside Laos: A US beauty queen's quest for change
Post by Satan on 30th Jan, 2017 at 7:41am
Can anyone translate 'Land of Mountains' into Hmong language?

Title: Re: Inside Laos: A US beauty queen's quest for change
Post by Mak Nad on 30th Jan, 2017 at 8:02am
I'm from the USA, how about you?

Title: Re: Inside Laos: A US beauty queen's quest for change
Post by Satan on 30th Jan, 2017 at 9:16am
Me too...I'm half Navajo and half Lao.

Title: Re: Inside Laos: A US beauty queen's quest for change
Post by grant on 30th Jan, 2017 at 12:23pm
It's hard to see the Lao government ever dividing Laos up to give to the Hmong

Title: Re: Inside Laos: A US beauty queen's quest for change
Post by Mak Nad on 30th Jan, 2017 at 1:14pm
Exactly. Laos and Vietnam are still the least democratic countries in the ASEAN block.

Anyway, Navajo and Lao. That's a mix no one would expect. I knew you were Lao though, I could tell by the way you type.

Title: Re: Inside Laos: A US beauty queen's quest for change
Post by Satan on 2nd Feb, 2017 at 5:23am
I practice mostly southern culture with a twist of Navajo flavour in the mixture. Not too sue about Lao though.

Title: Re: Inside Laos: A US beauty queen's quest for change
Post by peterpan on 3rd Feb, 2017 at 8:27am
what is Navajo?

Title: Re: Inside Laos: A US beauty queen's quest for change
Post by ba dac on 4th Feb, 2017 at 12:05pm
American Indian.

Title: Re: Inside Laos: A US beauty queen's quest for change
Post by peterpan on 4th Feb, 2017 at 2:06pm

ba dac wrote on 4th Feb, 2017 at 12:05pm:
American Indian.


That is my plan to have visit some regions still with American Indian culture.  :applause

Title: Re: Inside Laos: A US beauty queen's quest for change
Post by Satan on 10th Feb, 2017 at 6:24am
White men and chinamen used to call us Engines.

Title: Re: Inside Laos: A US beauty queen's quest for change
Post by mitch on 10th Feb, 2017 at 8:14am

peterpan wrote on 4th Feb, 2017 at 2:06pm:

ba dac wrote on 4th Feb, 2017 at 12:05pm:
American Indian.


That is my plan to have visit some regions still with American Indian culture.  :applause

New Mexico and Arizona are good places to check out

Title: Re: Inside Laos: A US beauty queen's quest for change
Post by peterpan on 10th Feb, 2017 at 8:25am
Engine? the motor? run fast and full of energy? becaus of venison?


Satan wrote on 10th Feb, 2017 at 6:24am:
White men and chinamen used to call us Engines.


Title: Re: Inside Laos: A US beauty queen's quest for change
Post by grant on 10th Feb, 2017 at 1:27pm
Engine or Injun?

Title: Re: Inside Laos: A US beauty queen's quest for change
Post by Satan on 12th Feb, 2017 at 8:00am
Our main business is casino business and we don't even have to pay tax on our earnings.

Title: Re: Inside Laos: A US beauty queen's quest for change
Post by peterpan on 12th Feb, 2017 at 9:43am

Satan wrote on 12th Feb, 2017 at 8:00am:
Our main business is casino business and we don't even have to pay tax on our earnings.


A podcast talked about mines and gas.

A lot of beauties around casino business?

Title: Re: Inside Laos: A US beauty queen's quest for change
Post by Satan on 12th Feb, 2017 at 10:58am
Beautiful women are everywhere.

Title: Re: Inside Laos: A US beauty queen's quest for change
Post by grant on 22nd Feb, 2017 at 7:22pm
Just jumped over the border into Cambodia,Siem Reap to be precise on a work related issue and the girls are sure pretty and friendly here. Went to a restaurant for dinner and started talking to a girl who worked there and she asked me if I would like to go and see the temples at Angkor Wat as she was not working the next day.I was supposed to work but how do you say no to a pretty girl.Anyway we ended up having an enjoyable day together and had a couple of cold beers to wash the dust down on the way back to town.If you ever get the chance to see Angkor Wat make the most of the opportunity as it is something out of this world.Now back to work >:( >:( >:(

Title: Re: Inside Laos: A US beauty queen's quest for change
Post by Mak Nad on 24th Feb, 2017 at 12:11am

grant wrote on 22nd Feb, 2017 at 7:22pm:
Just jumped over the border into Cambodia,Siem Reap to be precise on a work related issue and the girls are sure pretty and friendly here. Went to a restaurant for dinner and started talking to a girl who worked there and she asked me if I would like to go and see the temples at Angkor Wat as she was not working the next day.I was supposed to work but how do you say no to a pretty girl.Anyway we ended up having an enjoyable day together and had a couple of cold beers to wash the dust down on the way back to town.If you ever get the chance to see Angkor Wat make the most of the opportunity as it is something out of this world.Now back to work >:( >:( >:(


Nice, I heard Siem Reap was super-dangerous though, what would you say about that?

And, did you guys have sex?

Title: Re: Inside Laos: A US beauty queen's quest for change
Post by grant on 25th Feb, 2017 at 8:03pm
It seems pretty safe here Mak Nad the local population are very friendly and their are lots of tourists around. And no we didn't get down and do it but will be going out again one night in the coming week.

Title: Re: Inside Laos: A US beauty queen's quest for change
Post by Satan on 26th Feb, 2017 at 8:31am
Are you all eco-tourist type?

Title: Re: Inside Laos: A US beauty queen's quest for change
Post by peterpan on 28th Feb, 2017 at 11:28am
It is a wonderful place, and very big. I paid 10 USD and 10 RMB Yuan for about 2 hours guide. There are many guides approaching tourists, first, talking about local education and poor economic conditions and then showed you around, and last, money. Good to making a living like that. 

This pic was taken with Sumsung phone. The light is just right.


Angkor.jpg (143 KB | 577 )

Title: Re: Inside Laos: A US beauty queen's quest for change
Post by mitch on 28th Feb, 2017 at 5:33pm

peterpan wrote on 28th Feb, 2017 at 11:28am:
It is a wonderful place, and very big. I paid 10 USD and 10 RMB Yuan for about 2 hours guide. There are many guides approaching tourists, first, talking about local education and poor economic conditions and then showed you around, and last, money. Good to making a living like that. 

This pic was taken with Sumsung phone. The light is just right.

Stunning.  I need to visit Angkor Wat someday.

Title: Re: Inside Laos: A US beauty queen's quest for change
Post by Satan on 4th Mar, 2017 at 8:53am
What part of Laos is that?

Title: Re: Inside Laos: A US beauty queen's quest for change
Post by mitch on 4th Mar, 2017 at 2:20pm

Satan wrote on 4th Mar, 2017 at 8:53am:
What part of Laos is that?


That photo is of Siem Reap, Cambodia

Title: Re: Inside Laos: A US beauty queen's quest for change
Post by Buk Nut on 6th Mar, 2017 at 4:06am
How is Siem Reap compared to Laos? Was thinking of going

Title: Re: Inside Laos: A US beauty queen's quest for change
Post by peterpan on 6th Mar, 2017 at 7:58am
It depends where to go in Laos. It is better spend 7 days visiting the sprawling temples complex covering a huge hill area.

Locals are good and kind, hotel is acceptable and 70 USD hotel is already excellent.

Title: Re: Inside Laos: A US beauty queen's quest for change
Post by Buk Nut on 6th Mar, 2017 at 10:47am
70 USD a night for hotels? Jesus christ. In Laos the most I'd pay was around $10-20

Title: Re: Inside Laos: A US beauty queen's quest for change
Post by Satan on 8th Mar, 2017 at 8:48am
$70/night over there is a 5 star type hotel.

Title: Re: Inside Laos: A US beauty queen's quest for change
Post by grant on 24th Mar, 2017 at 1:51pm
Buk Nut you can get a.reasonable hotel in Siem Reap for 20 or dollars a night. The entry to Angkor Wat has gone up to 37 dollars but still good value

Title: Re: Inside Laos: A US beauty queen's quest for change
Post by Satan on 9th Apr, 2017 at 8:44am
With central air conditioner? If not, how can one survives without air conditioner in Southeast Asia?

Title: Re: Inside Laos: A US beauty queen's quest for change
Post by Peter on 23rd Feb, 2021 at 1:01am

Buk Nut wrote on 13th Jun, 2015 at 5:10am:
Hate this b*tch. Ugly as a dog's ass but still won Miss Asia.

Also wants to westernize Laos.


And this set of posts right here is why I went and looked up Amy and became friends with her several years ago.  (And found out that one of my Lao friends here in San Diego already knew her.)  Because I want to support what she does.  Because opening up free market capitalism in Laos is the only way that the Lao people are going to raise themselves out of poverty.  Just like they did in China. Because "Communism" is a fantasy.

Also: Contrary to silly opinions here, she is very pretty.

Title: Re: Inside Laos: A US beauty queen's quest for change
Post by Buk Nut on 2nd May, 2021 at 4:57pm

Peter wrote on 23rd Feb, 2021 at 1:01am:

Buk Nut wrote on 13th Jun, 2015 at 5:10am:
Hate this b*tch. Ugly as a dog's ass but still won Miss Asia.

Also wants to westernize Laos.


And this set of posts right here is why I went and looked up Amy and became friends with her several years ago.  (And found out that one of my Lao friends here in San Diego already knew her.)  Because I want to support what she does.  Because opening up free market capitalism in Laos is the only way that the Lao people are going to raise themselves out of poverty.  Just like they did in China. Because "Communism" is a fantasy.

Also: Contrary to silly opinions here, she is very pretty.


Correct, communism is a fantasy. I agree with you there. It is a one stop path to fascism since all power is consolidated under the government and no one owns any property. Seems like you are actually looking out for the people of Laos..good on you..Although I believe the current leaders are Vietnamese puppets..anyway Lao people lifting out of poverty would help them greatly and surely raise the international community's "opinion" of them. The current situation in Laos is pretty dire for a lot of folks..But I believe rapid westernization would also result in many of the 100+ languages of the ethnic groups in Laos going extinct very quickly..just imagine how quickly their lifestyle would end..But maybe I am wrong, since Thailand is very westernized and still has culture to some degree..but it seems like it won't last another few generations. "Thainess" is shoved down every throat of every kid where the government manages to build one of their schools..haha..even in hill tribe villages...anyway it's been so long since i've posted here..I was looking for some old members but it seems they are gone..

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