Nice neighbours

 

Freeze Frame

SW visits lovely Laos
By Itsarin Tisantia
Photos courtesy of Sakchai Intachai,
courtesy of Bangkok Post

The Lao People’s Democratic Republic has good, long-standing relations with Thailand. Laos shares cultural similarities with Thailand and is one of the most popular neighbouring countries for Thais to visit.

For this week’s Freeze Frame, SW explores the beauty of this scenic country.

Located in the heart of Vientiane, the capital of Laos, the Patuxai or Victory Gate was built between 1957 and 1968. Resembling the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, the Patuxai gate is dedicated to those who fought for Laos’ independence from French colonial rule.

Like Thailand’s Emerald Buddha Temple, Phra That Luang Temple is an important source of spiritual inspiration for Laotians.

The Nam Song River in the mountainous town of Vang Vieng is a popular tourist destination for those who love the countryside.

Listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, Luang Prabang city is full of historic cultural sites such as this golden pagoda on top of Mount Phousi, where visitors can see panoramic views of the centuries-old city.

Si Saket Temple is situated on Lan Xang Road in Vientiane. The famous temple was built in 1818 by the order of King Anouvong, who was the last monarch of the country.

Situated in Bachiang Chaleunsouk district of Champasak city, Tad Pha Suam is a popular waterfall in southern Laos.

Haw Phra Kaew, formerly a well-known temple in Vientiane, is now used as a museum. The building once housed the famous Emerald Buddha figure, which is now at the Emerald Buddha Temple in Thailand.

Exercises

Match each of the following words used in Freeze Frame with the correct definitions from the choices given.

1. Spiritual a. that has existed or lasted for a long time
2. Countryside b. land outside towns and cities, with fields, woods, etc.
3. Long-standing c. connected with religion or the human spirit
4. Sightseeing d. the activity of visiting interesting buildings and places as a tourist

 

  • scenic (adj): having beautiful natural scenery
    resemble (v): to look like or be similar to another person or thing
    independence (n): freedom from political control by other countries
    mountainous (adj): having many mountains
    panoramic (adj): describing a view from which you can see a wide area of land
    monarch (n): a person who rules a country or an empire, for example a king or a queen
    house (v): to be the place where something is kept or where something operates from