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Film Being Shot in Luang Prabang
By Alex Robb-Millar, White Elephant Adventures As the sun was rising on a cool winter’s morning in the misty mountainous city of Luang Prabang, an unusual sight was developing before the eyes of local people eating their morning street-side bowl of steaming khao piek khao (rice congee). It’s not often roads are closed off by the police, a practice usually reserved for visiting dignitaries or particular national festivals. However, this was no ordinary day for the sleepy laid back city…tracks for a camera dolly were being laid out across the road, huge floodlights getting positioned, and hundreds of meters of various cables running back and forth from numerous utility vehicles to the director’s tent. The movie, Charm Lao (Beast) stars Mason Lee, son of acclaimed film director Ang Lee (The Life of Pii, Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon.), and Thailand’s popular Pavarit “Bank” Mongkolpisit (ปวริศร์ มงคลพิสิฐ / แบงค์). He was flown in from Bangkok, along with eight-year-old Pluem Supakorn, a future star who is also taking a lead role. The film is due to be released, mostly in the Chinese market, in 2020. The production manager and director approached me to assist with location services, fixing, and talent scouting, as I trained in stunt work years ago and have experience with film sets and production. They also knew I had over 15 years of experience in Laos, with the last five being the owner of White Elephant Adventures, a long-standing eco-adventure tour agency. After speaking with them, I knew exactly what they were after in terms of scene. I knew where to find specific props, as well as the several local people who were capable of minor roles, especially for some of the action sequences. Only a handful of films have been shot in Laos to date, with most older films that have Laos as a location in the story were actually filmed in Thailand. However, increased exposure from tourism, coupled with beautiful landscapes and historic architecture in places like Luang Prabang, is putting Laos on the film industry map, and a couple more Chinese film crews are expected to arrive this year as well. For anyone in need of film location, fixing, or private security services, contact White Elephant Adventures for further information.
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New PG Flights Link Luang Prabang to Thai Beach
In January, We Are Lao reported Bangkok Airway’s (PG) launch of direct flights between Luang Prabang and Chiang Mai. In early March, the airline announced a new direct route from the northern Thai hub to the seaside resort, Krabi. PG already offers Bangkok-Luang Prabang flights that will kick off a Thai-Lao circuit that ends at the beach. Varong Israsena Na Ayudhya, Vice President – Sales for Bangkok Airways said the new services are part of the carrier’s strategy to expand its network to cover CLMV countries (Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam) by using Chiang Mai as its hub. “Chiang Mai is the largest and most culturally significant city in Northern Thailand, and is becoming one of the must-visit destinations for travellers from around the world. The number of travellers has increased continually every year,” he said. Luang Prabang has also witnessed an ongoing rise in tourist arrivals, with the number jumping some 20% from 2017 to 2018 to around 700,000, and could soon reach 1 million visitors a year. “The new Chiang Mai flights firmly place Luang Prabang on a world-class circuit,” said We Are Lao Managing Director John Morris Williams. “Foreign tourists arrive in Bangkok, and can then fly to Luang Prabang for a multi-day visit, before exploring Chiang Mai, and ending their holiday at the beach.” Mr. Varong agrees, adding, “Having a link to this beautiful beach destination will make it easier for our passengers, local people, and people from nearby provinces, (and it) helps promote cross-region tourism.” He said another benefit of these new direct flights will be to shorten passenger’ journeys, as they remove a stop or transit in Bangkok, which should make this new loop more tempting to travellers. “Chiang Mai-Luang Prabang is an added Bangkok Airways’ route network to cover CLMV countries. We foresee that this UNESCO city will get positive feedback as Luang Prabang is always on top of the minds of both foreign and Thai travellers who want to enjoy a peaceful atmosphere and richness of local culture,” Mr Varong said. “By introducing the launch of Chiang Mai-Krabi and Chiang Mai-Luang Prabang routes, I believe it will boost existing travel demand and enhance ease of travel. It will also appeal to potential new travellers to Luang Prabang and surrounding areas,” said Pakkanan Winijchai, Director – Tourism Authority of Thailand, Chiang Mai. The Chiang Mai-Luang Prabang route will operate three weekly roundtrip flights (Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday) on board a 70-seat ATR 72-600. PG984 will depart Luang Prabang International Airport at 18.30 and arrive Chiang Mai International Airport at 19.45 commencing 2 April 2019. The earlier inbound PG983 will take off from Chiang Mai at 16.30 and arrive at Luang Prabang at 17.45. Chiang Mai-Krabi (one-way) service will begin operating three weekly flights (Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday) from 31 March – 29 April 2019. This will be adjusted to a daily flight from 30 April 2019. The outbound PG246 will depart Chiang Mai International Airport at 12.00 and arrive at Krabi International Airport at 13.55.The airline will use a 144-seat Airbus A319 aircraft to service this route. For more information and reservations, please contact Bangkok Airways’ Call Center at 1771 (24 hrs) or visit www.bangkokair.com.
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60 Ancient Buddha Images Discovered in Khammouane
Adapted from Vientiane Times article by Siladda Souliyong Local residents have found about 60 ancient Buddha images in Tham Phapheenoy Cave near Khamphalaeng Village in Khammouane province, which authorities estimate to be hundreds of years old. An official at the Mahaxay District Information, Culture and Tourism Department, Kaikeo Bounmany, said the Buddha images were made of Mansonia gagie, a fragrant wood similar to sandalwood. Mahaxay District authorities inspected the statues after receiving reports from local residents. Some of the figurines have deteriorated while about 45 are in reasonable condition. “The statuettes will be examined by an archaeologist, and authorities will provide a detailed report on their findings,” Mr Kaikeo told the Vientiane Times. Local residents told authorities they wanted to keep the Buddha images in the cave and turn it into a tourist attraction. They would charge visitors to see the statues, which would bring in extra revenue for the community. “People here have found ancient Buddha images in the past. Most are kept in the place where they were discovered, so that people could go there to worship,” Mr Kaikeo said. The discovery is adds to Khammouane’s list of cave attractions. Its cave complexes such as Tham Nang Aen, Tham Pha Nha, Tham Pha, Konglor and Tham Xebangfai are among of the most distinct cave in Asia. Sites such as Kamphengyak (The Giant Wall) and the Sangsou and Nam Sanam waterfalls also attract tourists. Last year, more than 400,000 people visited the province, the provincial Information, Culture and Tourism Department reported.
