Phim Hay 360s

(KPL) Second elephant festival was opened last Friday, in Paklai district, Sayaboury province to promote tourism and conserve elephants that is being extinguished.
The ceremony was attended by Standing Deputy Prime Minister Somsavat Lengsavad, ministers, deputy ministers, governors, chief of districts and visitors both foreigners and locals people.
MR Somphong Moungkhounvilai, Minister to Prime Minister’s Office and President of National Tourism Administration disclose that northern province is a potential tourism sources on nature, culture and history is being attracted tourists overseas and in the nation, particularly in Paklai district.

Paklai is a central point of four southern districts of Sayaboury province linking Vientiane Capital and the World Heritage Town of Luang Prabang province. The Paklai district also shares common border with Outaladith, Leoi provinces of Thailand.
The elephant festival ceremony in 2008 has a total of 59 elephants took part in different programmes such as Baci ceremony for elephant, annual elephant beauty contest, elephants beauty decorated contest, elephant performance and elephant drawing competition.



The festival run till 17 February, there is also an acrobatic troupe performance from Central Acrobatic Troupe, a traditional art, big rocket procession and local boat racing festival.

Sayaboury is a habitat of elephants where domestic and wild elephants living in this province.

Source: kpl
Photo:

(KPL) As everybody know that the 2nd Elephant Festivals will take place in Paklay district, Sayaboury province between 15 and 17 February with more activities to impress visitors.
Paklay district is always famed for elephants. The skilled training and handling capabilities of local mahouts have made Paklay the focal point of Lao elephant lore. In Paklay, elephants are sacred. They have been man’s best friend since time immemorial.
Traditionally used for work in the forest, these magnificent animals are now looking forward to meeting visitors at this second elephant festival, giving them the chance to discover the riches and marvels of the cultural and natural world surrounding them. Who could pretend to have visited Laos, the “Land of a Million Elephants”, without meeting one of these superb animals? So, come and meet the elephants and their masters at the Elephant Festival.

Friday 15 February 2008
OPENING
Opening Ceremony. Elephant Procession. Elephant Bath. Mahoutship Demonstration. Lectures. Live Art performances. Tug-of-War Contest. Vientiane Circus show. Showing of "Caravan Xang" Film on giant screen. Traditional dances, concert, fun fair and Night market.

Saturday 16 February 2008
TRIBUTE TO THE ELEPHANT
Paklay Traditions Procession (Rockets, boats, traditional masks). "Female Elephant of the Year" procession. Elephant Bath. Mahoutship Demonstration. Boat race and rocket festival. Vientiane Circus show. Showing of "Chang" film on giant screen. Traditional dances, concert, fun Fair and Night market.

Sunday 17 February 2008
THE LAO ELEPHANT DAY
Male "Elephants of the Year" Procession. Monks blessing. Elephant Baci ceremony. Young elephant taming ceremony. Outdoors Elephant Museum . Elephant race. Contemporary Art exhibition. Drawing contest. Traditional fireworks. Show & Concert. Fun Fair.



How to get to Paklay?

FROM INSIDE LAOS
From Vientiane (about 6 hours)

By road : Take the Luang Prabang road (13N) up to Hin Heup (100km). Turn left in the direction of Muang Feuang and follow the road down to Sanakham. In Sanakham continue up to Paklay and cross the Mekong (ferry boat).

BUS SERVICE AVAILABLE IN VIENTIANE (9hrs).

By boat (recommended): Regulars line up to Paklay and down to Vientiane (departing in the morning).
FULL DAY cruise.
From Luang Prabang (about a day)

By road : Drive down to Xieng Ngeun and take the direction of Sayabouri. In Sayabouri drive down south to Paklay (152 km).
BUS SERVICE AVAILABLE IN LUANG PRABANG.

NO BOATS FROM LUANG PRABANG


FROM OUTSIDE LAOS

Thailand
Enter Laos through the international border check point of Tha-Li / Kenthao in Loei province. Drive to Paklay (57 km).

NOTE: You need a valid entry VISA to Laos if you plan to enter from this check point.
There is NO VISA ON ARRIVAL.

Access to the festival is free to the public.

Visitors to the Elephant Festival are welcome either on group tours or as individual travellers. You can book your stay through travel agent or come by your own means.

Accommodation is available in Paklay, though in limited numbers. A home stay programme has also been set up with villagers in Paklay. Rooms will be available for rent at a unique price throughout the festival. Rooms within the Home Stay program are equipped with a double bed, mosquito net and clean sheets.

For travellers who prefer camping, land will be available to install tents near the festival's site (tents and camping equipment are not provided).

The conditions can be somewhat rudimentary. Travellers are expected to be open-minded and looking for an authentic experience in the heart of Laotian culture. Participants must be aware that there are limited numbers of western-style toilets and washing facilities. Sleeping is on a bamboo floor or local wooden beds, dormitory style, in traditional houses.

In February, be aware that temperatures can drop at nights. A fleece and long pants are useful items. Food will be local and available at the numerous food stalls.

What to Bring Along?

Light clothing made from natural fibres is the best clothing for Laos.

Malaria and Dengue fever are a problem in Laos. However, with caution, they can easily be avoided.

Sleep with a mosquito net
Wear long sleeves and trousers around dusk
Use plenty of strong insect repellant - some brands can be applied directly on clothing
Money

The unit of currency in Laos is the Kip. Currency may not be changed during the festival.

We suggest you keep a ready supply of KIP notes or smaller US dollar bills. If you have arrived from Thailand , you may bring Thai Baht too. Credit cards cannot be used in Paklay.

(KPL) The Sayaboury province in collaboration with the National Tourism Authority with support from the Asian Elephant Protection Association will organize the second elephant festival from 15-17 February, 2008 in Paklai district.

The festival is aimed to use the elephants as the tool to promote relations between forest and home elephants and people who used the elephants for business. It is also to preserve the Lao elephants. During the festival, the treatment center will be established to care the hurtful elephants from working or accidents. The visitors will be able to enjoy an elephants parade, elephants beauty contest, a baci ceremony, circus performances, a drawing competition, local boat racing and rocket displays.

The event will also feature traditional dances, a trade fair with local elephant souvenirs and Mahout’s costumes, and a cultural booth. The festival will be attended by 70 elephants. Laos has now just over 2,000 elephants nationwide, including those in village and in the wild.
The Sayabury province has now 448 village elephants and about 1,000 wild elephants, covering 75 percent of total elephants in the country.