SLFS President (Phayvanh Phoumindr, L) and Assistant Secretary (Bounlay Vorarath, R), representing the Southern Lao Friendship Society, recently attended the Forum of Lao Community Organisations in NSW. The Forum has 18 Lao community organisation members. The Forum meets every three months to discuss important issues and to enhance the development of Lao community in Australia. SLFS President was recently elected to be Deputy Coordinator of the Forum as well as being the member of the Forum Support Committee.
Friday, June 18, 2010
At the Lao Forum meeting
SLFS President (Phayvanh Phoumindr, L) and Assistant Secretary (Bounlay Vorarath, R), representing the Southern Lao Friendship Society, recently attended the Forum of Lao Community Organisations in NSW. The Forum has 18 Lao community organisation members. The Forum meets every three months to discuss important issues and to enhance the development of Lao community in Australia. SLFS President was recently elected to be Deputy Coordinator of the Forum as well as being the member of the Forum Support Committee.
SLFS Management Committee meeting
The 2nd SLFS Management Committee for 2010 was held in May 2010 in Cecil Hills. Many issues were raised and discussed. Saychailaotai maintains its policy of being part of the community and will cooperate with any community or organisations whose policies are community oriented.
After the meeting
Saychailaotai taking photo together after the meeting. Now we can relax and have BBQ and plenty of food provided by our most generous hosts ... Mr and Mrs Souriyavong (4th and 5th from left). Khob jai lai lai der nha ai Thongdam and nha euay Keo! The food was so YUMMY!
BBQ at our Executive Advisor
Saychailaotai Management Committee met in May 2010 at our Executive Advisor's house in Cecil Hills. Mr Thongdam Souriyavong (2nd from R) and Mrs Keo Souriyavong are the most generous and accommodating hosts, as usual. Maybe we can have our meeting at our Executive Advisor's house again next time? Howzat?Also in the photo are Mr Bounpheng (1st L), Mr Bounta (2nd L) and Ajarn Khotamy (1st R).
Serious discussion
Vice President Bounnhing and Viengsamay (Event Organising Coordinator) look like they are entering into some kind of serious discussion. Umm ... we will very likely hear from them soon when our next get together party will take place, right? We can definitely expect the event to be humengous! Great concert with famous Lao Tai singers and artists! Yehhh ... Can't wait!
Radio Champa FM99.9
Saychailaotai Vice President (ai Bounnhing) and President (Phayvanh) at the front of SWR FM99.9 Radio Station in Blacktown (Sydney, Australia). Bounnhing and Phayvanh are the broadcasters of Radio Champa SWR FM99.9- on Sunday from 10am to 12noon.
At SWR FM99.9 Radio
Saichai Laotai President (Phayvanh) and Vice President (ai Bounnhing) at the studio of SWR FM99.9 while doing the Radio Champa broadcasting. Radio Champa broadcasts in Lao language every Sunday from 10 am to 12 noon (Sydney time). You can also listen on line www.swrfm.org. There ... you can hear our voice and especially ai nhai Bounnhing who has always been referred to as "Khosok seang thai Tai". Well, he takes that as a compliment!
Saychailaotai and social activities
Saichaylaotai joined the other Lao community organisations and Lao Buddhists on the parade during the Lao New Year celebration at Wat Pah Buddhalavarn (Sydney, Australia) in April 2010. Smiling faces and brave hearts ... are the core quality of Lao Tai people.
Wat Pah Buddhalavarn
Saichaylaotai joined the parade at Wat Pah Buddhalavarn in Wedderburn (Sydney, Australia).
Lao Tai Gentlemen
Lao Tai gentlemen ... always strong at heart. And Well ... the lady in gold outfit is covering her head (to protect herself from the burning Sun of Australia) but it can't be anybody else but our mighty Secretary, Bounhom.
Lao Tai Ladies
Although covering her head, we can still recognise our SLFS Secretary, Bounhom (wearing gold sinh) walking next to the sign holder. Behind them are Solicitor Sengdeuane (wearing white top) and the lady in pink top is of course, nha euay Lai (our Vice President's wife).
Angels Mountain Resort
At the Angels Mountain Resort. A place not to be missed if you go to the South. Paksong is only about 50 kms from Pakse.
Paksong
Phou Thevada Resort @ Paksong daen nao. While the temperature was over 40 degrees in Pakse, the weather was so comfortable on top of Phou Thevada (Angels Mountain) in Paksong.
Puk Ee Khoo
Puk Ee Khoo ... best for jeo ... jeo puk ee khoo, even better if you put pa ka tao. Recipe to come ... promise! Hey ... do not mistake puk ee khoo for puk bua (shallot). They are not the same. You can only find puk ee khoo in the South whereas puk bua can be grown in all regions of Laos.
Giant Jackfruits
A little vendor with her giant jackfruits. Mind you ... she's very tough, she wouldn't give any discount. No ... no discount! If you don't want to buy it's your problem. Umm ... but her jackfruits are the best though!
How we used to make our tools
Pah (big knives) are still manufactured using traditional techniques in the South.
Heua Pae restaurants
Floating "Heua Pae" restaurants at Tha bak Ban Muoung, Champassak. Goy pa, ping pa, gaeng pa and Khao poon pa ... You can't afford to miss the famous food from the South!
Goy pa
Goy pa @ heua pae restaurant Ban Muong. Behind the scene is Mekong River. No other regions can beat the South for the freshness and excellent taste of the various types of fishes.
Ping kheuang nai gai
Saychai Lao Tai president, Phayvanh, decided to become the sidestreet vendor "mae kha khai ping gai". Grilled Kheuang nai gai is seriously yummy with sticky rice and jeo mark pet haeng ...
Khongsedone benchmark
The well known glutinous rice Lao Sake and the dried chilly paste (jeo mark pet haeng, very hot not kidding!) ... that goes well with sticky rice and the famous grilled chicken "ping gai Na Pong".
Friday, February 12, 2010
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.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
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.Saturday, November 14, 2009
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.Saturday, October 24, 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.
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