I was privileged to be given a
chance for an international work engagement in Southeast Asia and was commissioned
to assist some people’s organizations there particularly in the Peoples
Democratic Republic of Lao (most known as “Laos”) in their pursuit for
community development works. This time my work brings me to another area of
concern and I am happy indeed to nurture my travel fashion while in work at
foreign land. I stayed in Laos for a number of months and very fortunate to explore
some historic places and fugures of the country.
LAOS, or simply the Peoples Democratic Republic of Lao is one of the
smallest country in Southeast Asia with a population of 6.5 million (data as of
2012). Its land area is big to have this number of population so distance from
one house to another is defined by a number of meters. It is a landlocked country covered by the
neighboring countries of Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar and China. I am
lucky to set foot into some of these neighboring countries whenever I am
renewing my visa. Laos, politically wise,
is a single-party socialist republic and run by a communist movement since
1975.
Laos as compared to other
countries in Asia can be regarded as “started-to-grow country” in terms of
economy, modernity and some aspects of advancement. It’s already a member of
some world organizations but only be joining to WTO (World Trade Organization)
by the year 2015 as expected. Its
current condition can be attributed into a one lone province in the Philippines.
However Lao people have an extra kind breeding in terms of discipline and
following rules. They are quite, kind and respectful as correlated to their
religious behavior Buddhism.
With regards to some places and
historical facts, Laos has a lot to offer. Mostly of the countrie’s significant
places and historic figures are found in the provinces of Luang Prabang,
Champasak and Vientiane for these are the great areas of the country that were
considered as the three major kingdoms during the French protectorate period in
1893. Currently, Vientiane is the capital of Laos and Luangprabang and
Champasak is one of the most improved provinces in the country.
The Laos flag is so simple similar
to the simplicity of lifestyle of Laos people. It was designed with three
horizontal bands with symbolic colors of red, blue and white. The horizontal
band color red recalls the bloodshed in fought for the Laos liberation. Another
horizontal band in color blue represents the Mekong River and prosperity. Mekong River plays an important part of
Laos existence because Mekong river becomes the major source of daily survival to
most Lao people. The white circle symbolizes the full moon and the unity of
the people under the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party and also the country’s
bright future.
THE PATOXAI:
Patoxai is a war monument in Laos
situated in particular at the Lang Xang Avenue in the heart of the City of
Viantiane. Patoxai literally means “Victory Gate” from the original meaning of
a two words “Patu means ‘door or gateway’, and “Xai” which means ‘victory’. This
victory gate was built in 1957 and is dedicated to Laotian soldiers who fought
for Laos liberation from French dictatorship. It is also called “Arch of Triumph
or Arc de Triomphe de Viantiane.
This
historical symbolic is typically Laotian in design and decorated with
mythological creatures by the famous Laotian architect (Tham Sayasthsena). It has
five towers that represent the Five Principles of Coexistence and the Five Buddhist
Principles of Thoughtful Amiability, Flexibility, Honesty, Honor, and
Prosperity. Along with this monument is the National park with musical fountain
that add color and value to the white house which is just ahead of Patoxai
Monument.
That Luang:
Another great infrastructure that
will surely capture your interest is the Pha
That Luang or the Great Buddhist Stupa.
Stupa is a very important Buddhist structure containing Buddhist relics and the
ashes of Buddhist monk. It is also a holy place of Buddhist for their
meditation. Pha that Luang is situated
almost 500 meters away from the Patoxai park. It is one of the most important
national monuments in Laos considering the country’s religion, Buddhism. Pha
That Luang is also the Laos national symbol.
