Laos Expat Feed

adminee posted New Expat Tip Tool on the Laos forum on May 14, 2013:

We wanted to send out a note to introduce our new Expat Tip Tool. It helps you offer advice and grab tips from other expatriates about international jobs, moving overseas, retiring overseas and more. Use it to keep track of your expat insights and save tips from others living abroad all in one place! http://www.expatexchange.com/expattips Or, click on "Expat Tips" on the top of any page of Expat Exchange! Also, if you would like to add a photo to your profile, you can do that now, too. Click on "My Profile" - "Photo" and upload a photo today!

rowbare replied to the thread i would like to work in loas as an english teacher on the Laos forum:

zajiversal initially posted:

can anyone help me find a job in loas as an english teacher, i hjave no degree, but plenty of experience . as i taught in japan, belize and thailand

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rowbare replied on May 11, 2013 with:

Don't forget to circulate your CV to NGOs. Many times they are looking for teachers for staff and especially their drivers. If you can go to project work sites to teach that is even better. Good luck.

Whiskey replied on May 10, 2013 with:

Experience should be enough in any case you should get a job in an academy no problem, there are many in Vientiane. If you are looking at a school than timing is important and this is the right time to start applying as the school year is nearly over. Some schools have summer school where many regular teachers go on holidays these schools are looking for teachers. and also many regular teachers for one reason or another do not return in September, so if you take summer school than you have one foot in the door.

Whiskey posted Marrying a Lao Girl on the Laos forum on May 10, 2013:

I need advice on getting married to a Lao woman. I know we can be over a year waiting for marriage papers and would have to pay about 2000 dollars for the privilege. So rather than spend 2000 that way, Could I get married in Thailand or another country and at least we would have a holiday for the money instead of giving it to some marriage company. I should add that my country has no Embassy in Thailand only a consolute. I do have and Embassy in Hanoi. does anyone know the procedure for getting married abroad, and is this a viable alternative to waiting one year and spending 2000 dollars on papers.

A reader commented on the Expat Report Review of Vientiane International School in Vientiane, Laos

What advice would you give to someone considering enrolling their child in this school?

Don't enrol. The school is too expensive for what it offers. (Continue)

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A reader replied most recently with:

I am considering taking my child out of VIS because of discipline or should I say the lack of in her classroom..

A reader replied recently with:

This is an interesting debate. I live in Vientiane and own and run a small restaurant here. We removed our daughter and sent her to Thailand to complete her education. Why? We were not happy with the school administration, the subject offerings and the quality of some of her teachers. I guess it is understandable that a teacher currently working at the school would support the school, however to be fair to the kids you need to view the situation not through rose colored glasses.

stumpy replied to the thread need advice from us citizins living in laos on the Laos forum:

jamiephanthourath initially posted:

hello my name is Jamie i have been with my childrens father for 10 years. He is a refugee who came to the us when he was just 4 years old and has never been back since. Early on in his adult life he got into some minor trouble and went to jail a few times his charges were dui and conceiving stolan goods he has been out of trouble for over a decade but has has a deportation order set ever since then. From what I have heard recently the us put an offer on the table for laos to start excepting these depotees back. And I am horribly scared for if he gets sent back I would not want me or my kids to have a life without him because he is a wonderful father and husband despite the few mistakes he made as a younge adult. So if possible we would also move to laos however we only have a few thousand dollars saved up. I do not know how we would survive with 4 children is there jobs available because we have no family in the us to help us out financially and by the time we get there it will basically just be us with barely no money< we also know not one single person in Laos. The questions are endless and the worry is gut wrenching being born and raised in America I have no clue about Laos life nor does my husband. I just need some advice if it would even be possible for us to move there and find work and let alone survive. Any advice that can be offered is appriciated. Thank you. And please dont judge we are actually a very nice family. :)

stumpy replied most recently with:

You would not survive very long at all if you came over to Laos. As you stated you know no one here and have no family here. You would not be able to find work. You have no knowledge of Laos and Lao people which is not a good thing. You and your family would be like any other expat / western family coming here and would need lots of money to get you into accommodation etc. As an expat, married here in Laos with a family I find it hard sometimes to understand Lao people and their customs I respectfully suggest you do not come over as you will be extremely disappointed, lonely and wanting to get back to USA.

jamiephanthourath replied most recently with:

also if anyone hears that Laos has excepted to send their depotees back could you please contact me asap I belive someone there would find out before we do...I pray that they will not take them but better being perpared then sorry! Thanks for the help!

adminee posted Holiday Celebrations in Laos on the Laos forum:

If you know of any local Christmas or New Years events that would welcome other expats, please post details here. If anyone is missing family and friends and looking for things to do over the coming week, why not plan a local get together -- meet fellow Expat Exchange members at a pub or restaurant (be sure to tell us what town or city you live in). Post a get together inquiry here.

adminee posted Christmas Photos From Laos on the Laos forum:

We're collecting Christmas and Hanukkah photos from around the world. They will be displayed in our newsletters and on our site. Photos of your city or town's holiday decorations, holiday celebrations, Christmas markets, religious displays and more. E-mail your favorite holiday photos (larger resolution preferred) to connect@expatexchange.com. Please tell us about the photo and where it was taken. If you would like to submit a report about celebrating Christmas and Holidays in Laos, go to: http://www.expatexchange.com/rptvisitor.cfm?rid=91&anonymous=yes Thank you! Betsy Burlingame ExpatExchange.com

pktellme replied to the thread thinking of moving there on the Laos forum:

oren initially posted:

hello all. i currently live in seattle wa. and have been seriousally considering moving to laos in a year or two. im curious about how realisic this is and if anyone out there can give me any info. id really appreciate it. firstly im curious about buying land. is it possible for a non citizen to buy say an old house with a bit of land attached to it? ill have some money, but not enough to build a house. how about rent in the ciities, any idea how it translates into us dollars? im also curious about if forigeners can own buisnesses. and about how difficult it may be to find a job as a forigener, (without a b.a.). it sounds like visas are easiest to obtain when you have ties to someone there or a buisiness reason for moving. is it possible to get an extended visa just because you'd like to live and work in laos? thanks a lot for any feed back.

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pktellme replied most recently with:

Stumpy, Sorry, I have not used this site for a while. Of course, thank you for your input/info. There are options of medical insurance; I found one international insurance. It is expensive, $150 - $175 per person - $250 - $500 deductible. As you mention, there are other options online. Seriously, I am still interested moving to laos some day. I need to, carefully, plan it out. In facts, I will come laos few times and talk to people before I/my family move here. In next two/three years, two of my children will finish middle in US, in which about/equal to high school in Laos. Yet, it would be better if they finished high school in US, though. Location wise, I would prefer living in Savannakhet area, country side 10km - 20km from city center. I am still searching more information. If you have more inputs and don't mind sharing, please forward to me; you can forward to my direct personal email: kabee@rainierconnect.com Thank you, Stumpy. Please in touch, PK

simonlaos replied most recently with:

I've been living in Laos for 10 years. My family and I moved to Canada and we now are looking to sell one of our businesses: one of the most popular bars in Laos. The investment is 130k for foreign investor status + multiple entry visa + rent paid up front until 2015. If anyone is interested, let me know.

JoeW posted Security/UXO/Demining work on the Laos forum:

I am considering a move to Laos and am seeking information on working in the security loss-prevention and or UXO/Demining arena. I have over 15 years (Manager/Supervisor level) of operational security experience in: Bosnia, Serbia, Kuwait, Micronesia, United States and Afghanistan. Additionally, I am a Texas A&M trained Ordnance Remediation and Removal Technician (UXO Tech 1); Humanitarian Deminer; ISSEE EOD level 1 through City Guilds and certified to operate Heavy Equipment in an ordnance environment. Is there any security/UXO/Demining work around? I've been searching the online job-boards but have found nothing. In addition to my security background, I am a competent photographer and writer with an outstanding administrative skillset. I can type 70 words per minute and am familiar with Windows software. I don’t require a large salary or “luxury” living accommodations – I’m actually happiest when I’m in the remote, rural areas. Any advice from anyone? I’m currently in Afghanistan. Thank you for your time.

stumpy replied to the thread Moving to Laos- Starting a business/bar on the Laos forum:

Sam55 initially posted:

Hello, I'm gonna be moving to Laos soon and thinking of possibly starting a business/buying a bar. Does anyone knows how much something like that would cost and if people buy bars etc on tourist visas? Thanks a lot!

stumpy replied most recently with:

Short answer is no. You have to have a business partner who then has to get you a business visa. To run a bar in Vientiane you have to be here 24/7 to run things. I suggest you come over on a tourist visa first for a look see. Google bars for sale Laos and see what comes up.