Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
TIMBER!
Laos has some of the largest remaining tracts of primary rainforest in mainland Southeast Asia and re-
mains a vulnerable target for foreign companies who have a keen eye on its timber. The Environment-
al Investigation Agency (EIA) claims that the furniture industry in Vietnam has grown tenfold since
2000, with Laos facilitating the flow of its timber to enable this. An estimated 500,000 cu metres of
logs find their way over the border every year. Although an outwardly hard-line approach has been
taken against mass logging by the Lao government, the self-funded military and local officials in re-
mote areas can fall prey to bribes.
Forest cover fell from 70% in the 1940s to less than 40% in the early 2000s, with an annual rate of
900 sq km disappearing every year. NPAs (National Protected Areas), which are supposed to be pro-
tected under Lao law, are prey to heavy illegal logging, due to the fact that they contain so much com-
mercially valuable timber. An estimated 30% of forest cover will remain in Laos by 2020.
NONALCOHOLIC DRINKS
Water purified for drinking purposes is simply called nâm deum (drinking water), whether
it's boiled or filtered. All water offered to customers in restaurants or hotels will be puri-
fied, and purified water is sold everywhere. Having said that, do be careful of the water
you drink - there was an outbreak of E. coli in 2008, so check the ice in your drink origin-
ated from a bottle.
Juice bars proliferate around Vientiane and Luang Prabang, and smoothies are usually
on the menu in most Western-leaning cafes. Lao coffee is usually served strong and sweet.
Lattes and cappuccinos are springing up across the country with pasteurised milk coming
from Thailand.
Chinese-style green tea is the usual ingredient in nâm sáh or sáh lôw - the weak, re-
freshing tea traditionally served free in restaurants. If you want Lipton-style tea, ask for
sáa hâwn (hot tea).
TOP OF CHAPTER
Environment
Deforestation & Hydroelectric Power
With a land mass of 236,000 sq km, Laos is a little larger than the UK and, thanks to its
relatively small population and mountainous terrain, it's one of the least altered environ-
 
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