The Obama win and the economic crisis in Laos

Many have asked me what the reaction in Laos was to the Obama win. (Of course, no one asked me what the Lao reaction was to the Harper win...)

I've just had a long chat with the most educated, informed and well-read of the BBM staff. He is the older chap who hopes to go University in Australia or the US. He is also the one I called Jack Sparrow, cause I could not pronounce his name. His name is Pho Nghu. And, I am pleased to report that yesterday, I said his name correctly. The first name was not the problem, but the last name is a real trick. The tongue has to be glued to the roof of your mouth at the back, and then slid lightly forward, and then reglued to the middle of the roof of your mouth. He was so excited-he said I was the first falang to correctly pronounce his name. Not sure I can repeat the trick, and am now afraid to try again.

ANYWAY, he knew the names Obama and McCain, and that they were running for the president, but he did not know who had won. I asked him if he cared, and he said not really. He though it was interesting that Obama was a black man, sort of, but only from the perspective that he wanted me to explain why people in American were prejudice against blacks....

When we talked about it a little, he admitted that he really didn't care who won the election, and he said that most in Lao would not even know the election was on. He said the only people who would care were some in the government, or those few doing trade with the outside world.

When I told him people in Canada were so happy they were having parties, he was just amazed.

The English language newspaper from Vientiane carried a small story on the front page in the Thursday edition The story said Obama had won, and students were celebrating in front of the White House.

The article was small, and below the centrefold. It was eclipsed in size by an article on Lao airlines buying a new plane (sorry, I still won't fly on them, even if they are cheaper than Bangkok Airways for Thai Air), and a conference that is taking place in Vientiane on cross border trafficing in people(e.g. young girls). Conference participants are Vietnam, Lao and Thailand.

So, here, the Obama victory is of little or no consequence.

However, there are stories in the paper almost daily on the fear that the economic crisis will bring a reduction in the tourist visits. This would be devastating for Luang Prabang, especially. While I loath many of the impacts of increased tourism on this wonderful City, the consequences of a significant decrease in visitors is just too horrid to contemplate.

And, here the economic crisis is of huge concern.

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