my first time watching your channel from Thailand and firstly surprise I thought you are a westerner because your looks and secondly surprise you are our neighbor country, but your English is amazing and finally your story had been being a monk before choosing a new life travelling. sorry for my poor English and hope you come to visit our country someday in the future it may increases your followers.
Thank you for the greeting, Sawaddeee Krup😊 I like Thailand and Thai food a lot, I've been to Bangkok many times and up north to Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai. Beautiful places. Thanks for watching my videos krup🙏😊
Sabaidi Nat, I started watching your channel a couple months ago because my parents are from Lao. Can you post a donation link or something ? I enjoy watching your videos. Can't wait to see more of Laos.
Sabaidee, thank you for the greetings. And thanks for following my journey, I'm happy to hear that you enjoyed it. I've thought about adding super thanks but I feel embarrassed 😁hehe. One when I add on I'll let you know. Thanks very much😊🙏
@@natnomad No need to be embarrassed. Most of us living here in the U.S. come from Laos or have parents that come from Laos because the war back then. Also I have some church friends over there as well. Take Care !
Thank you Nat for a good tour, the down side to these areas are local/international crimes, they needed to clean up before tourists will want to come visit
My pleasure ☺️. Just recently, Thai and Lao as well as the Chinese government came together to tackle all these online frauds related to this zone. So it's getting a lot better now.
The Chinese are very impressive builders. The modern city looks fantastic. This and the railway is a great benefit for the country. Thanks for such an informative video, this is an area I would never have the opportunity to explore. 👍
I was amazed that it only took 17 years to build this whole city up from the scratch. And with the fact that the construction was put on hold for two years due to the Covid, and look at it now.
Do you know what you are talking about? The railway a great benefit? Only for the elite and for tourists. A one way ticket from Vientiane to Luang Prabang costs more than 40 USD; the median income in Lao PDR is 192 USD per month. Go figure! The Lao government took on an enormous debt to China to finance this pipe-dream, and now inflation is through the roof, which of course hits the poor. Poverty and malnutrition are on the rise. Don't get fooled by all the Chinese bling.
Very interesting video! Thanks for sharing some insights of the SEZ. You said that foreigners have to register before they want to go inside. Do you know where and how?
Hi Chris, I'm glad you enjoyed the video. As a foreigner you have to register at the checkpoint where i showed my passport. I'm not sure though if that's also including getting your passport detained while you're in the zone. And besides before you arrive in Ton Pheung there are two police checkpoints that the van has to stop and the authority will come inspect the van, if any foreigner inside they will ask for your passport and some other question like what's the purpose of going there, where you stay and for how long...etc
OMG .... while I was in Chaing Khon, which was about 60 Kms from the SEZ, I wanted to visit that area and learned that I could take a bus from Chaing Khon to a border town on the Thai side, then take a ferry across to the SZE as long as I had a Laotian visa. I had a visa, but once I went to seek out transport, all vendors turned me away , telling me Americans were not allowed in the SZE from the Thai side (this was in 2018), maybe it has changed, but since then I have heard so many stories, that I would not even want to visit it now. Especially the ATM situation! SOrry, you couldn't get some cash. Nevertheless, I am thankful that you did visit the SZE and your video really was very helpful and covered alot. Thanks for sharing!
Seems alright now. I saw some foreigners went there. You just have to show the passport to the authorities when they come check the van. And some questions to answer such as what's your purpose of visit, where and how long you stay. You will have to register at the checkpoint before you enter their zone. To be fair, there's not much to see there.
, Very sad what's happening this place now, I used to work here back in before 1975 since ever been back to visited, I am so sad and too said for beautiful old city, miss back then! Thank you for your experiencing sharing the world for eyes openner!!
Omg ! I can't believe you went there. But I'm gald you cover that part of Laos. I told you, you don't look Lao. That's why they kept asking are you Lao. Ha ! Stay safe in the part of lao/china region. Gosh your English is so proficient.
@untouchablelah yeah I heard something like that, Americans are not allowed inside the golden triangle casino. But definitely i know you can travel there. I seen this one Caucasian youtuber man he had went there, but could not enter into the casino.
You can travel there holding an American passport, but you have to register at the checkpoint where I showed my ID Card. Though I'm not sure if that's also including detaining your passport while you're inside the zone.
You not even being able to use your own currency in your own country... Unreal! Thanks for the video, Nat! I await to see you again in places that are more of your element!
Thanks bro, it is a very interesting place to be in and to see it for a day. Sadly the Lao currency is not accepted, but again, as the name itself suggested, "The special economic zone" they have their own rules and regulations.
People CAN use Laos currency there, the government does not ban the Kip, it’s the business(both Chinese and and Laotian)who are preferred the Yuan over the Kip, because the Chinese currency is stronger, worths more and convenient to buy Chinese goods later on, every poor countries like to attract hard currency to improve their economy, its happening all over the world: in Cuba, most businesses only except USD over Cuban Peso, even in VN too, Vietnamese business preferred the Dollar over Vietnamese currency. However,,,,,no matter what, anti-China people will always criticize China, and blame Laos governments , ignoring the hardship of locals.
Thank you for sharing your trip. Actually I like to visit golden triangle Laos side. It’s very few information on RUclips. It’s really helpful clip. Wandering sisters Moe
Umm...I honestly don't know what it call. We have quite a few flowers that look like that, it can be Dok Koun flower or something like that. Thanks for watching the video. I am glad that you enjoyed it
@@natnomad thanks Nat. I think I know the English name but not the Lao name for it. The tree like the one on this video at @17:44 . It is is call by few names and one is Flame Tree (Delonix regia). I think it is the same as the one in a mosaic wall at Wat Xieng Thong in Luang Prabang.
Have been there for 4 times, i love your cultures, but cops are dreadful nuisance on my trips in Laos, they keep asking for money for whatever reasons.
I visited Laos in 2016 during April during the water festival. A border police made it hard for me ro enter from Nan Thailand, the next night he saw me in Luangprabang he begged me for money to buy beer. I gave him $200,000 kip. Terrible
@@dshchannel6259 last time I entered Laos driving from China , a traffic cop stopped me saying I was speeding. What’s funny is they even had no any radar devices to detect the speed, I was like I am not speeding all u want is nothing but money, guess how much he SUCCESSFULLY took from me? 10,000 kips LOL it can’t even buy a Lao beer.
Wow, what an eye-opener. As you said, like a country within a country: their rules, their money, their expensive prices, their architecture, have to show your ID to see your own country. This makes me sad for some reason. 😢
I get butterfly tummy when watching certain rural areas of Laos :) but this is certainly nice to see. As much as many lost of words, many things are still shady and uncommon for western norms. Anyhow, more power to you that you have courage to do this :) TYSM for sharing.
Was that a Wise card you used before using a BCEL card? Things have gotten easier for me in Laos since I got a BCEL account but the Wise card has been great for travel, pretty sad if both aren't working in the area.
Thanks again Nat: some of my Laotian friends work there and they describe the working conditions as demanding - I have the impression that people from neighboring countries are being exploited here. So it is both exciting and shocking for me to see what is happening here on Lao soil - thank you for sharing this with us in a neutral way
Hi Nat👍❤️this is my first time that I came across your channel. I find that your channel is very educational, especially to younger generation whom don’t have opportunity to explore Northern part of their own country. I just hope people who watched your clips can segregate and see the difference of how it’s being managed in Northern part of Laos. This is Laos country, my question is; why they using Chinese currency? I’m pretty sure majority of people would have the same question. Thanks Nat for sharing this video👍enjoy your adventure and be safe out there !
Thank you for the greetings. The reason that they prefer Chinese Yuan over Lao currency is because there is no trade deal between the Lao government and this particular zone. And most of the people living here are Chinese investors. Lao people only come for work and they leave. That's why i didn't feel like i was in Laos. And also the name itself says a lot about the place "The special economic zone" is fully run by the private investors so they have their own rules and regulations
@jasminelee979: You can learn more here: "How One Man Rules in Asia’s Golden Triangle" by Bloomberg Originals RUclips channel. Posted Aug 20, 2024. And here: "Inside The Chinese Colony In Laos" (#167) by Sabbatical RUclips channel.
One things we need to understand that, Chinese investments have helped these poor SE Asian countries develop fast, bringing jobs and prosperity, it may also caused some skepticism and criticism too(thanked to anti-China media). In the past 10 years, things had progressed very good and fast, then came the pandemic(covid-19), therefore,most developments came to halted and delayed(but not abandoned or gone bankrupted), thats why we see a lot of unfinished projects in Cambodia, Laos, and all over the world as well, but now those constructions coming alive and slowly recovering, and things will looking much better in the years to come.
I think what you say is correct, but we must also consider the harmful effects and political desires of China. China invests not for charity, they want profit and influence. Take a look at the casinos and online scams in Cambodia, most of which are Chinese. China's public projects in Sri Lanka caused the country to default on its debt. Chinese public projects in Vietnam either triple their capital or stop operating. I agree that Western media exaggerates about China, we can't trust them 100%, but we also shouldn't trust China's media.
Its also good and bad way...What I read is people grown there vegetation fruits and vegetables... Support by SEC and get pick up and deliver to hotels and restaurants in SEC district Bring income to families live near the area.
Just came back from there. Made a boarder run and stayed there one day. Crazy place, like a fake version of Las Vegas. There are only chinese there. You have to change your Cash to Yuan, they don't except THB. Crazy place.
Sabaidee, thanks for the greeting. It is sad really, but for the sake of progress and development, we have to accept it this way as we can't afford to do it ourselves. Let's hope for the best
Ethnic Chinese dominate the economies of all of SE Asia... Atleast they are not causing the demise of people like you Americans are As your military is causing the demise of people in 20 countries in just Africa alone... Simply because the religion these people practice in these African countries is deemed too strict for yourAmerican Government liking, to Govern that a African Nation
For the slower train K12 that leaves from Vientiane at 8:42am cost 394,000 Kip. Faster train C82 leaves at 13:30pm cost 547,000 Kip You can get the ticket at the counter but is recommended to get it a day before hand because sometimes it is sold out. I mean you can try.
Laos and Cambodia two most heavily bombed countries in history of any World Wars by the US. Between 14 December 1964 and 29 March 1973 Us dropped 260 millions bombs on Laos. One would imagine the yanks would come back, clean up the place, invest and rebuild these countries. Well, 51 years gone by still no sign of restitution. Btw, the place looks so clean! Was expecting litters every where.
I heard soon over there won’t be any Laotian ppl left that true ? Sad to hear that Laos already small country and beautiful, now we let other taking advanced !
For Thailand Myanmar laos. to develop economy there is huge challenging. why las vegas allow gambling while other state do not. the gambling activity however need to be well regulated which inevitably will attract some illict activity such as loan shark, extortion or even kidnapping
I called the motorbike guy who dropped me off, he accepted Lao Kip via qr code transfer. And for the bus back to Luang Prabang I also paid via the QR Code
This is very sad to see. Seems like Lao people is being pushed blindly out of their homeland. Thank you for showing us the this and thanks for telling the history as well Nat.
It is interesting to see what's going on there, but at the same time, you can't help but scratch your head and wonder. Thanks for keeping up with my adventure always
@havechopstickswilltravel2990: That area is a 99 year lease. You can learn more here: Inside The Chinese Colony In Laos" (#167) by Sabbatical RUclips channel and here: "How One Man Rules in Asia’s Golden Triangle" by Bloomberg Originals RUclips channel. Posted Aug 20, 2024.
Nice to see the economic development in that zone with the collaboration of China Lao Thailand and Myanmar. Especially with those commercial or residential real estate which means more business opportunities.
It’s not really nice if you think about it long term. China is changing the landscape and I honestly don’t think it’s for the best. It’s a strategy that will benefit them in the long run and poorer countries will be in debt to them. I can’t speak for Laos or other countries, but I am aware Thailand is concerned about falling into China’s debt trap and destroying of the country’s nature and deforestation.
@@Mikomido5but now the Thai pm is ditching the USD for the yuan. This is part of the chinafication process. Politicians in Laos have benefited from selling their country to the Chinese but the people have lost their future. Laos is being trampled on.
@@Mikomido5 According to the World Bank, UNdata, Trading Economic - Thailand GDP Per Capital growth in Dec 2022 increased from previous year to 2.5% but dropped to 1.9% at end of 2023 due to Political unrest.The country still manages to maintain a strong economic growth despite that. Thailand is no position fall in debt.. As to deforestation, between 2000 and 2008, the Thai Government made a commitment to accelerate urbanisation to accommodate the growing populations. Bangkok is the most populous city, being the 5th largest city in East Asia, with heavy traffic congestions, pollutions, and housing affordability. In 2018 with EU funding, Thai Government launched the Smart City Programme to promote digital technologies and innovations for urban and industrial development. The changing landscape has nothing to do with China. Its the Thai government initiatives doing what is best for her country economic growth and sustainability for Thai population growth.
Hi there, thanks for the greetings. I love Vietnam. I've been there 5 times and I still haven't seen all those sightseeing. I skipped Nha Trang, next time I won't miss it😊
By the way “Tob chat” or “called-center” is con jobs, what kind of government supporting con jobs? I’m afraid that one day Laotian will not know the difference good and evil. Sad when you have to con people to make a living
Lao government is doing their part to tackle this online scamming operation if you read the news. Last week, 84 Chinese nationals were deported back to China in relating to the online fraud coming from the SEZ.
I'm glad you went there to see what it was like. It definitely felt like you were in a totally different country. It's a shame that a Lao citizen had such a difficult time navigating that area, especially since you were technically still in Laos. I hope you made it back home safely and found something nice to eat. Thanks for sharing your travels, Nat. ❤
Back home safe and sound. Thank you for keeping up with my new episodes😊🙏 It is a very interesting place to be in for a day, so different from Laos. It's more like a country within a country, with their own rules and regulations.
Many Lao women go there for the weekends. It is safe but the thing that one needs to look out for is never give your passport to anyone. And don't just go on a date with a random dude there.
I know, it was frustrating trying to get money out of the ATM. Thanks to my snacks that saved me for the day hehe. Thank you brother for always keeping up with my new adventure.
I am not sure, but maybe your card is LAK based and they won't convert it to anything "useful" like THB or USD or CNY, the bank simply does not sell you those currencies. This has been the case for over 2 years now. If you have a THB account, you *might* be able to take out THB from that THB atm, but mostly all of the bank branches will deny your request for foreign currency ... This is why we cancelled our USD account 2 years ago. From now on, i am using only my Thai account for foreign currency transactions ...
I've tried both my Lao card as well as the Wise Card(worldwide master card), and both got rejected. Could be because of the sanction that my Wise Card didn't work there. It works fine in most parts of Laos.
@@natnomad Terima kasih. Kalau saya sudah masuk ke Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone, jika saya mau lanjut ke Boten apa ada terminal bus di Kota Zona Ekonomi, Tonpheung tersebut? Mohon bantuannya
I don't know why the ATM didn't work, could be because of the sanction. My card usually works fine anywhere. I think most people are inside those buildings. Like the young man I talked to in the van said, they work from 9am-11pm from Mondays to Saturdays
Most people are inside the buildings during the day. Like the guy on the van said. They work from 9am till 11pm. Many said on Sunday evening is crowded
@majorcarlton137: " It doesn’t feel right to me." You're right. You might find these videos of interest: ""Inside The Chinese Colony In Laos" (#167) by Sabbatical RUclips channel and here: "How One Man Rules in Asia’s Golden Triangle" by Bloomberg Originals RUclips channel. Posted Aug 20, 2024.
@@natnomad In todays climate it should be harder to do violence on nature. At least publically China claims to take sustainability seriously. I hope Laos makes sure they do.
@@ricavilaychit9218 I don't see how they wouldn't be aware of the environmental laws. I assume they are clear in Laos? There are of course international agreements too to consider.
Well, as they're planning to turn this place into a main trading and tourism hub, maybe adding English to the signs would help a lot because not everyone coming in speaks Mandarin or Lao.
Thanks for the show, Nat. It looks very sad, you can't even use Laotian kip in your country 😞 It reminds me of Bokor Hill and Sihanoukville in Cambodia, I visited 5 years ago which I felt like I lost in China. I heard Boten, Laos has the same issue - A China town instead of Laos town. I feel sorry for your country and other countries nearby. You can't choose neighbors just as you can't choose close relatives.
Laos willingly chose to create this area. You can learn more here: "How One Man Rules in Asia’s Golden Triangle" by Bloomberg Originals RUclips channel. Posted Aug 20, 2024. And here: "Inside The Chinese Colony In Laos" (#167) by Sabbatical RUclips channel.
Thank you for the video. It's really sad 😞I totally agree with you, without receiving the help from someone there, I don't think Zhao Wei could commit those criminal activities at GTSEZ in Laos.
I just read this story on Diplomat, "Inside Southeast Asia’s Casino Scam Archipelago". It confirms what you said when a local government official in Mae Sai, Thailand, said that "Laos can’t do anything there. If Lao police go inside they need to leave their guns. Even if they kill someone, the Lao government has to ask permission to come into Kings Romans. They have their own law."
@@natnomad Lao and Chinese security forces detained 771 people in the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone during a joint operation conducted ahead of a deadline for illegal call centers in the notorious zone to close. August 21, 2024 Among the 771 people detained were 275 Laotians, 231 Burmese and 108 Chinese, the ministry said. Other nationalities included people from the Philippines, India, Indonesia, Ethiopia and Vietnam. “Most of them are just workers who were hired to work at the centers,” a ministry official told Radio Free Asia. “It’s a form of human trafficking because they were lured to come to the SEZ to work at stores or restaurants, but later they were forced to work as scammers.”
Well, are you going to say that the day the train opened was the day Lao economy collapsed. Look at the Laotian now, everyone is longing to get out of the country, what a sad life. There are many reasons contributing to Lao economy collapsing but one of them is the debt from the train. Laotians have never been this poor before maybe the same situation as in 1975 - 1980 when the first communist took over.
Các bạn Lào thân mến ! Nhân dân, nhà nước Việt Nam lúc nào cũng ở bên các bạn ngay cả trong lúc khó khăn nhất ! Bản chất của người Trung Quốc là thích thống trị, chúng tôi có hàng nghìn năm lịch sử với trung quốc và họ không bao giờ chiến thắng được chúng tôi ! Các bạn hãy cố gắng học tập, yêu nước và có tinh thần tự tôn dân tộc các bạn sẽ tự mình xây đất nước giàu, mạnh hơn ! Fighting!
US destroyed Laos with millions bombs and still plenty of those bombs become dangerous mines for locals, and yet US didn’t assist Laos to develop its economy. Please tell how do you develop your economy with infrastructure.
Người Lào không ngu và hiếu chiến như VN, chúng tôi chỉ mong đất nước phát triển giàu mạnh, TQ không bao giờ muốn tàn phá Lào như Mỹ, TQ có tiền và sức mạnh, họ đang đầu tư và phát triển kinh tế khắp thế giới đã hơn 30 năm rồi, chẳng thấy họ đem bom đạn đến bắn phá, giết hại người dân, thống trị một nước nào cả .
Yes, that's the rule. Basically everyone has to sign the contract before they start working. The contract is from 3 months -1 year. And they'll get their passport detained throughout the contract period. That's to prevent the workers from leaving before the contract ends.
@woodyyohoe: You are correct. You might find these videos of interest: "Inside The Chinese Colony In Laos" (#167) by Sabbatical RUclips channel. And "How One Man Rules in Asia’s Golden Triangle" by Bloomberg Originals RUclips channel. Posted Aug 20, 2024.
18:00, I'm confused - Chinese currency is used in Laos? Shouldn't it be Kip? I get wanting economic development - but not at the cost of allowing another country (China, in this case), to dictate tthe currency, living/working conditions. Unfortunately, China is doing similar things worldwide. USA has its problems and I 18:14 hope we don't allow another nation to dictate what currency we must use or work conditions. 14 hour days with one day off! Exploitation at its worst.
I think it's because it is a special economic zone. Chinese investors and Chinese benefits. So I guess it would make sense if they'd choose their own primary currency.
18:04, don't call dark skin people from Africa "colored" - that's a term used by the South Africa goverment during apartheid to denote mixed race (African, European, Southeast Asian and South Indian) contributions and correct me if I'm wrong but you probably didn't have a conversation with the "dark-skinned colored man." Thanks for sharing your travels.
@laointer55: This area is under a 99 year lease. You might find these videos of interest: "How One Man Rules in Asia’s Golden Triangle" by Bloomberg Originals RUclips channel. Posted Aug 20, 2024. And ""Inside The Chinese Colony In Laos" (#167) by Sabbatical RUclips channel.
Sad part is young Lao women go work there and end in massage parlor and do the cheap sell. You figure out what kind of sell is. I went to Boten .. so sad !!especially for those young ladies.
Great video. Keep it up 🙂.
Thank you so much for your support. I really appreciate 😊🙏
my first time watching your channel from Thailand and firstly surprise I thought you are a westerner because your looks and secondly surprise you are our neighbor country, but your English is amazing and finally your story had been being a monk before choosing a new life travelling. sorry for my poor English and hope you come to visit our country someday in the future it may increases your followers.
Thank you for the greeting, Sawaddeee Krup😊
I like Thailand and Thai food a lot, I've been to Bangkok many times and up north to Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai. Beautiful places.
Thanks for watching my videos krup🙏😊
Thanks for your video to tell us about this before we traveling to golden triangle thanks again
As of these days, things are getting improved a lot. Lao government is working hard trying to crackdown online fraud.
Thank you Nat for this special video.
Thank you for watching always🙏😊
I like your Nat,thank you for sharing ❤
Thank you. I'm glad to hear that
Thanks so much for sharing 👍👏💪
Thank you for watching, too
Wow, that's look modern and beautiful, wish the tourism and investment would benefit Laos' economy
I hope so too🙂
Sabaidi Nat, I started watching your channel a couple months ago because my parents are from Lao. Can you post a donation link or something ? I enjoy watching your videos. Can't wait to see more of Laos.
Yeah he should add the 'super thanks" on .
Sabaidee, thank you for the greetings. And thanks for following my journey, I'm happy to hear that you enjoyed it.
I've thought about adding super thanks but I feel embarrassed 😁hehe.
One when I add on I'll let you know. Thanks very much😊🙏
@@natnomad
No need to be embarrassed.
Most of us living here in the U.S. come from Laos or have parents that come from Laos because the war back then. Also I have some church friends over there as well. Take Care !
Great information and a lot of details. This is more how it is like when you are visiting new countries. You will run into a lot of unexpected.
amazing. this is journalism. I wish i was on this adventure with you lol
Thank you 😊 🙏
Thank you Nat for a good tour, the down side to these areas are local/international crimes, they needed to clean up before tourists will want to come visit
My pleasure ☺️.
Just recently, Thai and Lao as well as the Chinese government came together to tackle all these online frauds related to this zone. So it's getting a lot better now.
@natnomad You keep it up Nat👍, you're doing a fantastic job to deliver the awareness to the society globally
I love your channel is very educational
Thank you🙂🙏
Thanks for the tour 🎉🎉🎉
The Chinese are very impressive builders. The modern city looks fantastic. This and the railway is a great benefit for the country. Thanks for such an informative video, this is an area I would never have the opportunity to explore. 👍
I was amazed that it only took 17 years to build this whole city up from the scratch. And with the fact that the construction was put on hold for two years due to the Covid, and look at it now.
So impressive that they house criminal and criminal activities.
@@andyangchannel Sure everyone is a criminal, too bad they are not saints like in every other country. Go back to your CNN 😂
Do you know what you are talking about? The railway a great benefit? Only for the elite and for tourists. A one way ticket from Vientiane to Luang Prabang costs more than 40 USD; the median income in Lao PDR is 192 USD per month. Go figure! The Lao government took on an enormous debt to China to finance this pipe-dream, and now inflation is through the roof, which of course hits the poor. Poverty and malnutrition are on the rise. Don't get fooled by all the Chinese bling.
chinese are good at cutting corner
Incredible to see this new city. You always seem so calm…😊
I got panic a bit, but was trying to stay cool 😎
Very interesting video! Thanks for sharing some insights of the SEZ. You said that foreigners have to register before they want to go inside. Do you know where and how?
Hi Chris, I'm glad you enjoyed the video.
As a foreigner you have to register at the checkpoint where i showed my passport. I'm not sure though if that's also including getting your passport detained while you're in the zone. And besides before you arrive in Ton Pheung there are two police checkpoints that the van has to stop and the authority will come inspect the van, if any foreigner inside they will ask for your passport and some other question like what's the purpose of going there, where you stay and for how long...etc
@@natnomad all right. Thanks for sharing these information. 🙏
OMG .... while I was in Chaing Khon, which was about 60 Kms from the SEZ, I wanted to visit that area and learned that I could take a bus from Chaing Khon to a border town on the Thai side, then take a ferry across to the SZE as long as I had a Laotian visa. I had a visa, but once I went to seek out transport, all vendors turned me away , telling me Americans were not allowed in the SZE from the Thai side (this was in 2018), maybe it has changed, but since then I have heard so many stories, that I would not even want to visit it now. Especially the ATM situation! SOrry, you couldn't get some cash. Nevertheless, I am thankful that you did visit the SZE and your video really was very helpful and covered alot. Thanks for sharing!
Seems alright now. I saw some foreigners went there. You just have to show the passport to the authorities when they come check the van. And some questions to answer such as what's your purpose of visit, where and how long you stay. You will have to register at the checkpoint before you enter their zone. To be fair, there's not much to see there.
Nationals of USA, Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan are not allowed to enter (from any side), unless they have a special permission from "the big boss".
Well produced...
I am from Thailand , cheer❤
Thanks for the greeting. I love Thailand and the food. Cheers😊
Très beau reportage,merci
, Very sad what's happening this place now, I used to work here back in before 1975 since ever been back to visited, I am so sad and too said for beautiful old city, miss back then! Thank you for your experiencing sharing the world for eyes openner!!
I can't imagine what it used to look like in the 70s
@@natnomad , More media of the truth is in fact of transparency to be judged in the future times journey!!
😂nothing worse than looking out your hotel room when exhausted and seeing a construction site.
Enjoyed the video. You offered a unique perspective.
Totally agree haha. Thanks for watching my video😊
Omg ! I can't believe you went there. But I'm gald you cover that part of Laos. I told you, you don't look Lao. That's why they kept asking are you Lao. Ha ! Stay safe in the part of lao/china region. Gosh your English is so proficient.
Are Lao Americans welcome there?
@untouchablelah yeah I heard something like that, Americans are not allowed inside the golden triangle casino. But definitely i know you can travel there. I seen this one Caucasian youtuber man he had went there, but could not enter into the casino.
Thank you for your compliment on my English😊
Back home safe and sound now.
It was good to see it finally.
You can travel there holding an American passport, but you have to register at the checkpoint where I showed my ID Card. Though I'm not sure if that's also including detaining your passport while you're inside the zone.
What do lao people look like?
You not even being able to use your own currency in your own country...
Unreal!
Thanks for the video, Nat!
I await to see you again in places that are more of your element!
Thanks bro, it is a very interesting place to be in and to see it for a day. Sadly the Lao currency is not accepted, but again, as the name itself suggested, "The special economic zone" they have their own rules and regulations.
in the huay xai area Thai baht is more commonly used and also in some Myanmar Thai city such like tachliek
People CAN use Laos currency there, the government does not ban the Kip, it’s the business(both Chinese and and Laotian)who are preferred the Yuan over the Kip, because the Chinese currency is stronger, worths more and convenient to buy Chinese goods later on, every poor countries like to attract hard currency to improve their economy, its happening all over the world: in Cuba, most businesses only except USD over Cuban Peso, even in VN too, Vietnamese business preferred the Dollar over Vietnamese currency. However,,,,,no matter what, anti-China people will always criticize China, and blame Laos governments , ignoring the hardship of locals.
Thank you for sharing your trip. Actually I like to visit golden triangle Laos side.
It’s very few information on RUclips. It’s really helpful clip.
Wandering sisters Moe
I hope you'll come visit someday. Maybe in 5 years' time when everyone finishes, it'd be much more beautiful
@@natnomad actually I have a plan visit on next month. When I visit, I want to share my experience too.
Wandering sisters Moe
Hi Nat. What is the name of that tree behind you with orange flower? Thanks. BTW, love all your videos. Very informative.
Umm...I honestly don't know what it call. We have quite a few flowers that look like that, it can be Dok Koun flower or something like that.
Thanks for watching the video. I am glad that you enjoyed it
@@natnomad thanks Nat. I think I know the English name but not the Lao name for it. The tree like the one on this video at @17:44 . It is is call by few names and one is Flame Tree (Delonix regia). I think it is the same as the one in a mosaic wall at Wat Xieng Thong in Luang Prabang.
If female solo go there is it dangerous ?
Have been there for 4 times, i love your cultures, but cops are dreadful nuisance on my trips in Laos, they keep asking for money for whatever reasons.
Oh I'm sorry to hear that. It is annoying, really. And I hope they do something about it
I visited Laos in 2016 during April during the water festival. A border police made it hard for me ro enter from Nan Thailand, the next night he saw me in Luangprabang he begged me for money to buy beer. I gave him $200,000 kip. Terrible
@@dshchannel6259 last time I entered Laos driving from China , a traffic cop stopped me saying I was speeding. What’s funny is they even had no any radar devices to detect the speed, I was like I am not speeding all u want is nothing but money, guess how much he SUCCESSFULLY took from me? 10,000 kips LOL it can’t even buy a Lao beer.
Just avoid anything run by Chinese, those things have no business in SEA historically except to extort the locals
Wow, what an eye-opener.
As you said, like a country within a country: their rules, their money, their expensive prices, their architecture, have to show your ID to see your own country.
This makes me sad for some reason. 😢
Yes, in Laos but not Laos at the same time. Kind of weird to be in there but it was good to experience it
I get butterfly tummy when watching certain rural areas of Laos :)
but this is certainly nice to see.
As much as many lost of words, many things are still shady and uncommon for western norms.
Anyhow, more power to you that you have courage to do this :)
TYSM for sharing.
Thank you for spreading kind words😊
these countries were heavily bombed by the us so dont talk about western norms
Was that a Wise card you used before using a BCEL card? Things have gotten easier for me in Laos since I got a BCEL account but the Wise card has been great for travel, pretty sad if both aren't working in the area.
Yes, the wise card. It has been so useful for travelling
look like you are in China. Have fun Nat and travel safe.😊
That's how I felt walking around. It's like a country within a country.
It's good to see it😊
What QR-code-based system are you using for payments? Loca?
Most banks local banks have QR code payment system. Loca is just an Uber App for taxi.
@@natnomad Isn't Loca Pay actually working?
I never tried it.
Thanks again Nat: some of my Laotian friends work there and they describe the working conditions as demanding - I have the impression that people from neighboring countries are being exploited here. So it is both exciting and shocking for me to see what is happening here on Lao soil - thank you for sharing this with us in a neutral way
Thank you, too. I'm glad you enjoyed the video. It is interesting to see both sides of the coin. I hope everyone is safe.
Beautiful city.
Quite beautiful 😊
From Thailand I love you Laos 🧡🧡🧡👍👍👍
Thank you. I love Thailand and Thai food too, Bangkok is my street food heaven 😍😍🙏🙏
I used this road from Huai xai to GT hundreds of times… sweet memories
Hi Nat👍❤️this is my first time that I came across your channel. I find that your channel is very educational, especially to younger generation whom don’t have opportunity to explore Northern part of their own country. I just hope people who watched your clips can segregate and see the difference of how it’s being managed in Northern part of Laos. This is Laos country, my question is; why they using Chinese currency? I’m pretty sure majority of people would have the same question. Thanks Nat for sharing this video👍enjoy your adventure and be safe out there !
Thank you for the greetings.
The reason that they prefer Chinese Yuan over Lao currency is because there is no trade deal between the Lao government and this particular zone. And most of the people living here are Chinese investors. Lao people only come for work and they leave. That's why i didn't feel like i was in Laos. And also the name itself says a lot about the place "The special economic zone" is fully run by the private investors so they have their own rules and regulations
@jasminelee979: You can learn more here: "How One Man Rules in Asia’s Golden Triangle" by Bloomberg Originals RUclips channel. Posted Aug 20, 2024. And here: "Inside The Chinese Colony In Laos" (#167) by Sabbatical RUclips channel.
Enjoyed your time !
Thank you😊
I used to stay in GT for a year back in 2016-17 and it was totally different from now. It wasn’t locked as it’s now.
Wow, I wish I saw it back then.
One things we need to understand that, Chinese investments have helped these poor SE Asian countries develop fast, bringing jobs and prosperity, it may also caused some skepticism and criticism too(thanked to anti-China media). In the past 10 years, things had progressed very good and fast, then came the pandemic(covid-19), therefore,most developments came to halted and delayed(but not abandoned or gone bankrupted), thats why we see a lot of unfinished projects in Cambodia, Laos, and all over the world as well, but now those constructions coming alive and slowly recovering, and things will looking much better in the years to come.
I think what you say is correct, but we must also consider the harmful effects and political desires of China. China invests not for charity, they want profit and influence. Take a look at the casinos and online scams in Cambodia, most of which are Chinese. China's public projects in Sri Lanka caused the country to default on its debt. Chinese public projects in Vietnam either triple their capital or stop operating. I agree that Western media exaggerates about China, we can't trust them 100%, but we also shouldn't trust China's media.
There house of criminal..
Presenting Laos to the world
Its also good and bad way...What I read is people grown there vegetation fruits and vegetables... Support by SEC and get pick up and deliver to hotels and restaurants in SEC district Bring income to families live near the area.
What part of lao PDR are you from?
I'm from Luang Prabang
Just came back from there. Made a boarder run and stayed there one day.
Crazy place, like a fake version of Las Vegas. There are only chinese there. You have to change your Cash to Yuan, they don't except THB. Crazy place.
Oh they don't even accept Baht.
Thanks for sharing us your experience.
Sabaidee Nat, I’m from Laos 🇱🇦 but live in USA 🇺🇸. Its very sad to see our country got took over by China 🇨🇳 😢
Sabaidee, thanks for the greeting.
It is sad really, but for the sake of progress and development, we have to accept it this way as we can't afford to do it ourselves.
Let's hope for the best
Ethnic Chinese dominate the economies of all of SE Asia...
Atleast they are not causing the demise of people like you Americans are
As your military is causing the demise of people in 20 countries in just Africa alone...
Simply because the religion these people practice in these African countries is deemed too strict for yourAmerican Government liking, to Govern that a African Nation
Why don't ask the country you are residing now to go and help your country.
Golden Triangle: How do you know the water bottle you have in your hand is pure water (before you bought it)?
It's fine. It's all sealed. Bought in from the convenience store.
Would you like to tell me how much the speed train ticket Vientiane to Nateuy? Can I get it from counter on the day?
For the slower train K12 that leaves from Vientiane at 8:42am cost 394,000 Kip. Faster train C82 leaves at 13:30pm cost 547,000 Kip
You can get the ticket at the counter but is recommended to get it a day before hand because sometimes it is sold out. I mean you can try.
@@natnomad thank you for your kind information
My pleasure, good luck and enjoy your trip🙂
Looks similar to Sihanoukville in Cambodia. Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar are dominated by Chinese investors.
Not just Laos, Cambodian... china people & business are everywhere !! Here in the US theirs a Chinatown like in almost every state.
Laos and Cambodia two most heavily bombed countries in history of any World Wars by the US. Between 14 December 1964 and 29 March 1973 Us dropped 260 millions bombs on Laos.
One would imagine the yanks would come back, clean up the place, invest and rebuild these countries. Well, 51 years gone by still no sign of restitution.
Btw, the place looks so clean! Was expecting litters every where.
I've been to Sihanoukville and that is true. The Chinese in southeast Asia doesn't want to learn lao, only take over.
@@viexay
WRONG !!!
Where is the "Chinatown" in Kansas, Missouri, Mississippi, Tennessee, Arkansas, Nebraska, Wyoming, Utah , Montana ???
@@untouchablelah
The Chinese were invited by the SEA goverments.
I heard soon over there won’t be any Laotian ppl left that true ? Sad to hear that Laos already small country and beautiful, now we let other taking advanced !
I don't think that Lao people would want to live in this part of Laos anyway. Most people go there just for work, for a short term and then I leave.
For Thailand Myanmar laos. to develop economy there is huge challenging. why las vegas allow gambling while other state do not. the gambling activity however need to be well regulated which inevitably will attract some illict activity such as loan shark, extortion or even kidnapping
Thank you
My pleasure, thank you for watching, too 😊
This place reminds me a little of Phu Quoc Vietnam
Same type of development with mostly vacant buildings
I see. Many compared it to Sihanoukville.
I wanna try that same trip one day.
It's worth to check it out
Its clean very good
Very clean city
Thank you Nat, please let us know how you go back with out any cash ?
I called the motorbike guy who dropped me off, he accepted Lao Kip via qr code transfer. And for the bus back to Luang Prabang I also paid via the QR Code
This is very sad to see. Seems like Lao people is being pushed blindly out of their homeland. Thank you for showing us the this and thanks for telling the history as well Nat.
It is interesting to see what's going on there, but at the same time, you can't help but scratch your head and wonder.
Thanks for keeping up with my adventure always
เพราะรัฐบาลฉลาดส่องใสในขายสัมปทาน
@havechopstickswilltravel2990: That area is a 99 year lease. You can learn more here: Inside The Chinese Colony In Laos" (#167) by Sabbatical RUclips channel and here: "How One Man Rules in Asia’s Golden Triangle" by Bloomberg Originals RUclips channel. Posted Aug 20, 2024.
Not only they are taking golden triangle, they are taking everything, everywhere.
Yes, Chinese and expanding their empire across the globe. A modern colonization.
There are gold mines in Laos, but the Lao commie government is giving it to the Chinese to mine it... 😂 seriously WTF.
Nice to see the economic development in that zone with the collaboration of China Lao Thailand and Myanmar. Especially with those commercial or residential real estate which means more business opportunities.
I think in the future it'll become a main hub for both trading and home to the elite.
It’s not really nice if you think about it long term. China is changing the landscape and I honestly don’t think it’s for the best. It’s a strategy that will benefit them in the long run and poorer countries will be in debt to them. I can’t speak for Laos or other countries, but I am aware Thailand is concerned about falling into China’s debt trap and destroying of the country’s nature and deforestation.
@@Mikomido5but now the Thai pm is ditching the USD for the yuan. This is part of the chinafication process. Politicians in Laos have benefited from selling their country to the Chinese but the people have lost their future. Laos is being trampled on.
@@Mikomido5 According to the World Bank, UNdata, Trading Economic - Thailand GDP Per Capital growth in Dec 2022 increased from previous year to 2.5% but dropped to 1.9% at end of 2023 due to Political unrest.The country still manages to maintain a strong economic growth despite that. Thailand is no position fall in debt.. As to deforestation, between 2000 and 2008, the Thai Government made a commitment to accelerate urbanisation to accommodate the growing populations. Bangkok is the most populous city, being the 5th largest city in East Asia, with heavy traffic congestions, pollutions, and housing affordability. In 2018 with EU funding, Thai Government launched the Smart City Programme to promote digital technologies and innovations for urban and industrial development. The changing landscape has nothing to do with China. Its the Thai government initiatives doing what is best for her country economic growth and sustainability for Thai population growth.
@@Mikomido5always remember rumours, lies n propaganda r carried by haters, spread by fools n accepted by idiots 😂
Any body know if you can find opium there? Not Heroine just natural opium
I am not sure about it.
Hi Nat, love your vid. I am fr Hanoi. Do you have plan to visit Vietnam? Ha Long bay, Sapa, Hanoi, Ninh Binh, Da nang, Nha Trang...
Hi there, thanks for the greetings.
I love Vietnam. I've been there 5 times and I still haven't seen all those sightseeing. I skipped Nha Trang, next time I won't miss it😊
By the way “Tob chat” or “called-center” is con jobs, what kind of government supporting con jobs? I’m afraid that one day Laotian will not know the difference good and evil. Sad when you have to con people to make a living
Lao government is doing their part to tackle this online scamming operation if you read the news. Last week, 84 Chinese nationals were deported back to China in relating to the online fraud coming from the SEZ.
I have been there. Actually Thai baht is also widely accepted and it is better to use Thai baht since it's cheaper.
I see, thanks for the information. I'll keep that for my next visit 😊
I went to a wedding in Ton Pheeng district in 2009. I wouldn't recognise it from this video.
It has changed so much
I'm glad you went there to see what it was like. It definitely felt like you were in a totally different country. It's a shame that a Lao citizen had such a difficult time navigating that area, especially since you were technically still in Laos. I hope you made it back home safely and found something nice to eat. Thanks for sharing your travels, Nat. ❤
Back home safe and sound. Thank you for keeping up with my new episodes😊🙏
It is a very interesting place to be in for a day, so different from Laos. It's more like a country within a country, with their own rules and regulations.
If female solo go there is it dangerous ?
Many Lao women go there for the weekends. It is safe but the thing that one needs to look out for is never give your passport to anyone. And don't just go on a date with a random dude there.
New subscribers, just curious brother your look is unique. Are you mixed?
Aw...thank you for following me. I'm 100% Lao. I do have a weird look hehe
omg 😱 I feel so bad for you, can get no money 💴. that’s good 👍 you got some snack with you. hope you’re doing ok 👌. take care. fc from USA 🇺🇸
I know, it was frustrating trying to get money out of the ATM. Thanks to my snacks that saved me for the day hehe. Thank you brother for always keeping up with my new adventure.
@@natnomad I’m a lady
I am not sure, but maybe your card is LAK based and they won't convert it to anything "useful" like THB or USD or CNY, the bank simply does not sell you those currencies.
This has been the case for over 2 years now. If you have a THB account, you *might* be able to take out THB from that THB atm, but mostly all of the bank branches will deny your request for foreign currency ...
This is why we cancelled our USD account 2 years ago. From now on, i am using only my Thai account for foreign currency transactions ...
I've tried both my Lao card as well as the Wise Card(worldwide master card), and both got rejected. Could be because of the sanction that my Wise Card didn't work there. It works fine in most parts of Laos.
Apakah bisa ke Boten dari Bokeo itu?
From Hauy Xai by van is only 2 hrs
@@natnomad Terima kasih. Kalau saya sudah masuk ke Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone, jika saya mau lanjut ke Boten apa ada terminal bus di Kota Zona Ekonomi, Tonpheung tersebut? Mohon bantuannya
Apa nama terminal bus di Tonpheung tersebut?
Good job
Very nice clip, the place is beautiful, but no Lao people there! Ha ! ATM is not working? Thank you for sharing! Enjoy your day!
I don't know why the ATM didn't work, could be because of the sanction. My card usually works fine anywhere. I think most people are inside those buildings. Like the young man I talked to in the van said, they work from 9am-11pm from Mondays to Saturdays
Did you grew up in France?
No, I was born and raised in Luang Prabang ,Laos
It's quite bizarre like a Chinese ghost city. Beautiful structures with no people. It doesn’t feel right to me. Thanks for posting this!
Most people are inside the buildings during the day. Like the guy on the van said. They work from 9am till 11pm. Many said on Sunday evening is crowded
@majorcarlton137: " It doesn’t feel right to me." You're right. You might find these videos of interest: ""Inside The Chinese Colony In Laos" (#167) by Sabbatical RUclips channel and here: "How One Man Rules in Asia’s Golden Triangle" by Bloomberg Originals RUclips channel. Posted Aug 20, 2024.
It’s hard to believe this is really part of Laos. Quite disturbing really. Well done for showing the world this.
Totally agree. It's more like a country within a country. So different, not even Lao currency is accepted here. But it is so nice to see it.
As long as it is sustainable it is good. I also hope they take care of those scammers I have read about.
Hopefully they'll keep it healthy😊
@@natnomad In todays climate it should be harder to do violence on nature. At least publically China claims to take sustainability seriously. I hope Laos makes sure they do.
you're probably unintentionally break their law,
@@ricavilaychit9218 I don't see how they wouldn't be aware of the environmental laws. I assume they are clear in Laos? There are of course international agreements too to consider.
Why should any sign be in english?
Well, as they're planning to turn this place into a main trading and tourism hub, maybe adding English to the signs would help a lot because not everyone coming in speaks Mandarin or Lao.
Thanks for the show, Nat. It looks very sad, you can't even use Laotian kip in your country 😞 It reminds me of Bokor Hill and Sihanoukville in Cambodia, I visited 5 years ago which I felt like I lost in China. I heard Boten, Laos has the same issue - A China town instead of Laos town. I feel sorry for your country and other countries nearby. You can't choose neighbors just as you can't choose close relatives.
Yes, it is completely different from the rest of Laos. It's more like a country within the country that has its own rules and regulations.
Laos willingly chose to create this area. You can learn more here: "How One Man Rules in Asia’s Golden Triangle" by Bloomberg Originals RUclips channel. Posted Aug 20, 2024. And here: "Inside The Chinese Colony In Laos" (#167) by Sabbatical RUclips channel.
Thank you for the video. It's really sad 😞I totally agree with you, without receiving the help from someone there, I don't think Zhao Wei could commit those criminal activities at GTSEZ in Laos.
I just read this story on Diplomat, "Inside Southeast Asia’s Casino Scam Archipelago". It confirms what you said when a local government official in Mae Sai, Thailand, said that "Laos can’t do anything there. If Lao police go inside they need to leave their guns. Even if they kill someone, the Lao government has to ask permission to come into Kings Romans. They have their own law."
@@natnomad
Lao and Chinese security forces detained 771 people in the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone during a joint operation conducted ahead of a deadline for illegal call centers in the notorious zone to close. August 21, 2024 Among the 771 people detained were 275 Laotians, 231 Burmese and 108 Chinese, the ministry said. Other nationalities included people from the Philippines, India, Indonesia, Ethiopia and Vietnam.
“Most of them are just workers who were hired to work at the centers,” a ministry official told Radio Free Asia. “It’s a form of human trafficking because they were lured to come to the SEZ to work at stores or restaurants, but later they were forced to work as scammers.”
ເຈົ້າເວົ້າພາສາລາວໄດ້ເກັ່ງຫຼາຍ❤
I dont get the exchange rate right
50000kip=14 yuan
why motorbike taxi ask 9 yuan and charge you 50000kip. it seems unfair
Oh that's what it is🤣.
I didn't even check 😕
Did you say: "The King's Roman Casino"??? And you're a former Buddhist monk right??? Well... some contradiction there isn't there.
The casino has Buddha's footsteps in the lobby.. 🪷
🙏🇱🇦♥️
you should of went during the night time. thats where the real adventure is
I'd like to go back there again to film during the night someday
You show your ID card in your town 😮
Certain European countries has similar law. I am not surprised if you are from common law country
The name itself tells it all, "The Special Economic Zone " they have their own rules and regulations.
这有什么奇怪的，中国深圳经济特区以前中国人进入深圳特区还需要办理边防证才可以进入。特区有特区的管理模式。
Well, are you going to say that the day the train opened was the day Lao economy collapsed. Look at the Laotian now, everyone is longing to get out of the country, what a sad life. There are many reasons contributing to Lao economy collapsing but one of them is the debt from the train. Laotians have never been this poor before maybe the same situation as in 1975 - 1980 when the first communist took over.
👍👍👍
Các bạn Lào thân mến ! Nhân dân, nhà nước Việt Nam lúc nào cũng ở bên các bạn ngay cả trong lúc khó khăn nhất ! Bản chất của người Trung Quốc là thích thống trị, chúng tôi có hàng nghìn năm lịch sử với trung quốc và họ không bao giờ chiến thắng được chúng tôi ! Các bạn hãy cố gắng học tập, yêu nước và có tinh thần tự tôn dân tộc các bạn sẽ tự mình xây đất nước giàu, mạnh hơn ! Fighting!
You are absolutely right.
US destroyed Laos with millions bombs and still plenty of those bombs become dangerous mines for locals, and yet US didn’t assist Laos to develop its economy. Please tell how do you develop your economy with infrastructure.
Người Lào không ngu và hiếu chiến như VN, chúng tôi chỉ mong đất nước phát triển giàu mạnh, TQ không bao giờ muốn tàn phá Lào như Mỹ, TQ có tiền và sức mạnh, họ đang đầu tư và phát triển kinh tế khắp thế giới đã hơn 30 năm rồi, chẳng thấy họ đem bom đạn đến bắn phá, giết hại người dân, thống trị một nước nào cả .
Thank you... our vietnamese brothers for standing strong side by side with the Laotian people. Words of encouragement
Weird that they take their passports. Like they're forcing them to stay and work
Yes, that's the rule. Basically everyone has to sign the contract before they start working. The contract is from 3 months -1 year. And they'll get their passport detained throughout the contract period. That's to prevent the workers from leaving before the contract ends.
@woodyyohoe: You are correct. You might find these videos of interest: "Inside The Chinese Colony In Laos" (#167) by Sabbatical RUclips channel. And "How One Man Rules in Asia’s Golden Triangle" by Bloomberg Originals RUclips channel. Posted Aug 20, 2024.
อ้ายใช่คนลาวหรือบ่
โดย, อ้ายเป็นคนลาว
ເຈົ້າແມ່ນຄົນລາວ❤🇱🇦😊😊
ໂດຍ, ຄົນລາວຄືກັນ😊
u dont show the massive redlight districs where chinese men having fun?
or the human trafficing hubs?
well
its all just a glossy front, but behind the scenes you would not like or agree with..
I agree.
18:00, I'm confused - Chinese currency is used in Laos? Shouldn't it be Kip? I get wanting economic development - but not at the cost of allowing another country (China, in this case), to dictate tthe currency, living/working conditions. Unfortunately, China is doing similar things worldwide. USA has its problems and I 18:14 hope we don't allow another nation to dictate what currency we must use or work conditions. 14 hour days with one day off! Exploitation at its worst.
I think it's because it is a special economic zone. Chinese investors and Chinese benefits. So I guess it would make sense if they'd choose their own primary currency.
18:04, don't call dark skin people from Africa "colored" - that's a term used by the South Africa goverment during apartheid to denote mixed race (African, European, Southeast Asian and South Indian) contributions and correct me if I'm wrong but you probably didn't have a conversation with the "dark-skinned colored man." Thanks for sharing your travels.
Ah good to know. Thank you, I'll keep that in mind.
you’re in China 🇨🇳 beautiful city but no people’s no tuk tuk 🛺 or taxi 🚕 can’t spends lao. money 💴.
It is not easy to find a taxi outside of the zone but inside there are a lot but again, Lao currency is not accepted.
ສົງສັຍເຈົ້າຫລົງເຂົ້າໄປໃນເມືອງລັບແລ ເພີ່ນຈື່ງບໍ່ຮັບເງິນກີບ₭..So weird that you can't use your own currency(₭)inside your own country...poor Laos.!!!
As the name suggests, "the special economic zone" it's fully controlled by the private sector with their own rules and regulations.
@laointer55: This area is under a 99 year lease. You might find these videos of interest: "How One Man Rules in Asia’s Golden Triangle" by Bloomberg Originals RUclips channel. Posted Aug 20, 2024. And ""Inside The Chinese Colony In Laos" (#167) by Sabbatical RUclips channel.
Sad part is young Lao women go work there and end in massage parlor and do the cheap sell. You figure out what kind of sell is. I went to Boten .. so sad !!especially for those young ladies.
It is really sad indeed, but they gotta do what they gotta to survive. Working in the field is no longer an option for many
A city built on drug money, one of the greatest money laundering casinos in the world
No thank you 🙏🏼
ນັດເວົ້າພາສາກັງກິດຫລາຍກົ່ວພາສາລາວ ກໍ່ພາໄຫ້ເວົ້າພາສາລາວພ້ຽນໄປຫລາຍ , ຄືກັນກັບຄົນລາວ ອາເມຣິກາ , ເວົ້າພາສາລາວພ້ຽນ ,
ຂອບໃຈ😊
Just called it little China, Laos are not getting it back
U r wrong. A lot of laos r getting jobs
Is China America? Look at what they did to Native Indians!!!
Looks like a ghost town.
Mostly they're inside the buildings. Like the guy i talked to in the van said, they work from 9am till 11pm