you have reached mekongexpress laos magazine
OCT - DEC 1997	Banteay Srei: Angkor’s Citadel of Women.  John B. Haseman on Banteay Srei temple, thirteen kilometers northeast of Angkor Thom, which for more than 30 years was closed to foreign tourists. Revival of the Laos silk industry.  Laos silk industry is awakening again after a long hibernation brought on by 'the war'. Laotians turn their noses up at locally produced jam. A tiny marmalade factory in Vientiane produces excellent jam, marmalade and chgutney but finds no-takers amongst locals. Vang Sang.   The caves of Vang Sang are the remains of the old sanctuary and house five huge Buddha sculptures carved in stone. Diamonds in the rough: the restoration of Luang Prabang's heritage buildings.  For long Luang Prabang was a mere shadow of its former royal self.  Today the restoration of the heritage sites is making the Lao proud.
JUL - SEP 1997	Break away to Yunnan Province. Yunnan in southeastern China, is a land of diversely ethnic people, expansive valleys and snow-capped mountains. Lydia L. Jensen on her travles to Yunnan. Friendship bridge celebrates its third anniversary. Three years after the first land link between Laos and Thailand was inaugurated and the mighty Mekong was bridged. Thalat. Less than two hours from Vientiane, Thalat attracts a lot of day-trippers: tourists and expats. Rene Sepul on Thalat, which owes its existence to a dam built there. Saving Luang Prabang's Pak Ou Caves. The Pak Ou Caves with their rows upon rows of Buddha images, some dating back to the 17th century, are important tourist attractions.
APR-JUN 1997	Exhibition at Revolutionary Museum sheds light on Lao prehistory. Francois Robert on the mystifying Plain of Jars and the exhibition which hopes to clear the air. Pimay in Luang Prabang. Pimay or Lao New Year is a joyous time in Laos. Rene Sepul on the celebrations in Luang Prabang. Development Flourishing in Landlocked Laos. Laos is developing like never before. A sector by sector analysis by Miyagawa Choshun. Stunning images of the Mekong’s past. Angus McDonald on "The Basin of the Mekong River", a book and exhibition curated by Dr Bernard Gay.
JAN-MAR 1997	The Land of Charm and Cruelty by Stan Sesser, who has written extensively on Southeast Asia for the New Yorker and has reported for the Wall Street Journal. Tips for Travellers. If you plan on crossing the Friendship bridge, we have some tips for you. Making Waves. The New Wave hair studio. Now Playing at the Odeon. Stabilizing Upland Rice Production. The IRRI is trying to get the farmers to give up their traditional slash and burn techniques. Herbal Sauna at Wat Sok Pa Luang. Potters Pore Over Porous Pottery.