Learn About Our Neighbors:Vietnam Heavily invests in Laos

Much of major investments are done by Vietnam in Laos. At the same time, laos seems to have little or no investments in Vietnam. It is a one way direction.
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Please click on the following links to read some major Vietnam's investments in Laos. 
http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v5/newsbusiness.php?id=569935


http://www.nasdaq.com/aspx/stock-market-news-story.aspx?storyid=201103062123dowjonesdjonline000259&title=vietnam-firm-starts-building-441-million-power-plant-in-laos-government


http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v5/newsworld.php?id=569351


http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20110309-711080.html


http://english.vietnamnet.vn/en/politics/5711/government-in-brief-10-3.html


http://english.vietnamnet.vn/en/politics/5711/government-in-brief-10-3.html

http://english.vovnews.vn/Home/Vietnam-Laos-focus-on-cementing-ties/20113/124311.vov

Learn About Our Neighbors: Laos (and Thailand) will choke Cambodia

http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-world/australia-urged-to-help-halt-mekong-dam-20110310-1bp03.html

Clipping from Sidney Morning Herald

In 2007, Laos signed a memorandum of understanding to sell 95 per cent of the electricity produced by the Xayaburi project to Thailand.

Financing and construction for the $3.5 billion development is also set to come from Thai banks and construction companies.

Climatologist Anond Snidvongs from Chulalongkorn University says dams will impact the region's agriculture.

"Dams are definitely going to affect the biodiversity, that's one thing. It's very clear and very well proven," he said.

Of key concern is the impact on fisheries on Cambodia's Ton Le Sap Lake and Vietnam's delta, both vital sources of food and income for millions of people on the Lower Mekong.

"Fish in the Mekong, they are both food and also economics. About one third of the economy of Cambodia at the moment relies on the exporting of fish (from the lake) to other countries, especially Thailand," Mr Anond said.

Learn About Our Neighbors: From Prey Nokor to Saigon to Ho Chi Minh City

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LMGaS7jEx_0


http://www.google.com/images?q=Khmer+Krom&hl=en&um=1&ie=UTF-8&source=univ&sa=X&ei=-CR4TZabCMfIgQeL6L2VAQ&ved=0CEsQsAQ

My Salutation to one of the greatest Khmer Artists-- Chakra Oeur

http://www.providence.edu/art/cambodian/oeur.html

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=204861249540862

I salute Chakra Oeur for his dedication to Khmer Arts. It's one in a million talent gifted to help preserve Khmer Artworks, culture and history. Whereever you are, whatever you do I wish you success. Keep up the good work my friend. Congratulations!

Learn About Our Neighbors: Vietnamese Residents Association In Cambodia

While it is recorded in Wikipedia ( http://timothychhim.blogspot.com/2011/03/wikipedia-338-over-5-millions-of.html?spref=fb) that there are 33.8 % of Vietnamese among Cambodians in Cambodia, the Vietnamese also have their own " Vietnamese Residents Association" in Cambodia which represents most (if not all Vietnamese) inside Cambodia.  Among other things, the important functions of the Vietnamese Residents Association is to "strengthening the unity bloc of the Vietnamese community in Cambodia" and to " protect the legitimate rights of Vietnamese people in Cambodia"

The above association is fully and officially supported by both Vietnamese and Cambodian governments.

The Vietnamese' success in forming such an organization inside Cambodian territory is a unique example and lesson for Khmer people inside Vietnam, Thailand and elsewhere throughout the world. Millions of Khmer can do the same thing to "strengthen the unity bloc of Khmer community" and to "protect the leginmate rights of Khmer people."    

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Vietnamese nationals in Cambodia hold congress

(VOV) - The Vietnamese Residents Association in Cambodia has held its first congress in Phnom Penh to review activities and elect an executive board for the 2011-2015 term.

Present at the opening ceremony on March 6 were Vietnamese Ambassador to Cambodia Le Anh Dung, Cambodian Minister of Cult and Religion Min Khin, diplomats and 250 representatives from the Vietnamese community in Cambodia.

The association’s chairman Chau Van Chi said the congress was held in the context of growing relations between Vietnam and Cambodia in various fields, including politics, economics and trade. The two countries’ traditional friendship and effective cooperation have contributed to strengthening the unity bloc of the Vietnamese community in Cambodia, he added.

Since its establishment in 2003, the association, with more than 5,700 members, has helped the Vietnamese community in Cambodia improve their living standards, both materially and spiritually.

The association has closely worked with Cambodian agencies and authorities at all levels to protect the legitimate rights of Vietnamese people in Cambodia.

Learn About Our Neighbors: Who is who in Thai Politics

Some key players and leaders of Thai government and policians that we should know.

http://www.th4u.com/thai_politicos.htm

The Nation: Blame Abhisit on Preah Viear

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2011/03/08/opinion/Foot-dragging-puts-Thailand-at-a-disadvantage-30150287.html