Cooking Lao style

The First Meeting of the New Management Committee

The first Management Committee, since the new Committee was elected in November last year, was held at the backyard of the newly elected President, Ms Phayvanh Phoumindr (middle, sitting at table). The Management Committee, for the first time in Saychailaotai history, consists of female President, Secretary (Ms Bounhom Souvannalay, 1st on Left) and Vice Secretary (Ms Bounlay Vorarath, missing from photo, on holiday). Saychailaotai is well-known for its strong bond and harmony among the members. Lao Tai people are also well-known for their straightforward speech with strong South accent - "Qon Tai paak kub jai tong kun".

The Meeting at President's Place

(L to R) Khotamy Phothisaranasouk (Public Officer), Phongsawatt Souvannalay, Soukanh Phoumindr (Leader of Group No 8), Phoupheng Vorarath (Welfare & Promotion Committee) and Nouphit Vi-Aphay (Welfare & Promotion Committee Coordinator) during the meeting.

The Mighty Vice President

The Mighty Vice President! Who else but Boungninh Onemany - the man with many talents. Boungninh has been one of the Major Force of SLFS ever since. He also has Voice (with South accent also!) ... he is a broadcaster of Radio Champa, SWR FM99.9 - a Lao language program which is broadcast every Sunday from 10-12 noon (Sydney time). Boungninh is also a professional photographer and a talented singer who can "lum Saravanh and lum Siphandon", but he surprised Lao community by singing Elvis Presley's rock and roll song at a Lao function. How's that? Well, needless to say more ...

The New Secretary

Bounhom Souvannalay, the newest Member of our Management Committee. Bounhom was newly appointed as the Secretary of SLFS. She has background in law and medicine from Laos. With her versatile background, she will certainly prove to be an asset to SLFS. Welcome to SLFS Management Committee, Bounhom!

The Real Force

Khammao Xayarath has been with Saychailaotai Management Committee as Secretary and Welfare/Promotion since its birth more than a decade ago. Khammao has shown that he possesses true Lao Tai blood through his support and his outstanding talents as an MC for Saychailaotai functions (and due to his talents he is also a much well-sought MC by other Lao organisations). Thank you ai Mao!

The Internal Financial Auditor

Pheng Khounphithak (SLFS senior member), Bounta Chanthalusy (Internal Financial Auditor) and Samly Phimavong (previous President & current Executive Advisor) appeared to enjoy their "Khao poon Pakse".

The Treasurer Committee

Khamsing Inthapangna (Treasurer), Dr Kaysone Phichit (Vice Treasurer) and Ajarn Khotamy Phothisaranasouk (previous President & current Public Officer) engaged in an interesting conversation.

Welfare & Promotion Coordinator

Nouphit Vi-Aphay (Welfare & Promotion Coordinator) and Khamsene Sychampanakhone (new member) enjoying their dinner and their discussion.

Award of Recognition

Mr Samly Phimavong (Executive Advisor) to SLFS presenting the Award of Recognition to Mr Nouphit Viaphay for his excellent and continuing contribution and his forever loyalty to SLFS at the AGM Day. Mr Nouphit has always been the first person to visit the sick members at the hospital. His tireless commitment has been recognised and appreciated by members and Management Committee of SLFS. Well done and Thank you Mr Nouphit! The Award of Recognition was also presented to the other 12 MC Members on the same day.

SaychaiLaoTai Annual General Meeting 2009

SLFS Annual General 15/11/2009 went very well. About 40 members attended the AGM and 15 new committee members were elected. The present President, Mr Khotamy Phothisaranasouk will still hold the position for another 15 days until the new President is elected by the Committee (election for President will be held on 21/11/09). The report by the present President has highlighted the many successful activities in the past 2-3 years, including the Award of Recognition awarded by the Australian Red Cross and Award of Appreciation by the Chairperson of the Lao Australian People Organising Committee (Mr Toulanh Chounlamany) for SLFS contribution to the recent VIC Bush Fire Appeal Fund Rasing event. Mr Khotamy has also presented the Award of Appreciation to the previous Management Committee Members for their effort, hardwork and loyalty to Saychailaotai.

Khaopoon on Heuabuk

A woman selling khaopoon on Heuabuk. All vehicles cross the Mekong River by Heuabuk to go to Champassak via Baan Mouang. Passengers can eat one bowl of Khaopoon while enjoying the beautiful nature of those villages along the Mekong River. "Khaopoon on Heuabuk" was YUMMY! (Maybe I was hungry?). Photo by Pauline 2009.

Sunset at Mekong River

The sun is saying good bye ... time to go for today. I am stanting here by myself, watching the sun slowly sinking behind the mountains. The two little boats are still lingering in Mekong River ... My tears are running down my cheeks, I can't hold them ... I beg you ... Please do come back, my dear Sun, when the dawn has come. I'll always wait for you right here ... at this spot ... until tomorrow when the first ray of the sun appears again at the far horizon ... Photos taken by Pauline January 2009

A woman selling Pa Katao at Khon Phapheng

"Pa Katao" is a type of small fish which can only be found in the very south part of Laos. Pa Katao are usually dried unsalted on the flat rocks right after local fishermen caught them using a net. Sometimes, dried Pa Katao are stuffed in bamboo trunks so they can preserved for a long time. Pa Katao, despite its strong smell, can be transformed into a delicious "jeo Pa Katao" or chilly paste. Jeo Pa Katao is an exclusively authentic Southern Lao cuisine and no one can make jeo Pa Katao the way Lao Tai people do. However, jeo Pa Katao is not famous just among Lao Tai people. You ask anybody who has tasted it, they'll tell you: "despite the pungeant smell it is seriously deliiiicious". Photo by Pauline

Wat Phu Champassak

Wat Phu Champassak is the landmark of Lao Park Tai. It is believed that Wat Phu was built well before Angkor Wat in Cambodia. Photo by Phayvanh, January 2009.