robert cooper
English expat in Laos
Forum posts
19
Contacts
2
About me
English
Lives in Vientiane
Speaks English French, Lao, Thai, Malay, Indonesian
Registration: 04 April 2012
Activity
In retrospect, would you move again to Laos? by Christine
Hi all, If you had to look back on your expat experience in Laos, would you heartily say "let聮s do it again"? From the preparation stage to your actual everyday life in your new country, what did you enjoy the most? Would you do certain ...
To sum up: there are worse places. Read More
In retrospect, would you move again to Laos? by Christine
Hi all, If you had to look back on your expat experience in Laos, would you heartily say "let聮s do it again"? From the preparation stage to your actual everyday life in your new country, what did you enjoy the most? Would you do certain ...
I wouldn't change those wonderful early years for anything. Sure I was younger then and Laos was a lot poorer. But if by 'do it again' I would be starting out in the Laos of today, I would definitely think a few times before deciding. ... Read More
Business etiquette in Laos by Julien
Hello everybody, As you know, professional habits may differ from one country to another. In order to help newly arrived expats better understand their new professional environment in Laos, we warmly encourage you to share information and ...
Julien. Nothing is really out of place, given that you are a foreigner. But Lao do not do as the French and bonjour and handshake everybody first thing in the morning. Some may say nothing to you at all. No snub is intended. If you want to ... Read More
Best cities to live in Laos by Julien
Hi, It聮s not always easy to decide in which area to settle in when moving to Laos. According to you, what are the best cites to live in? Which regions offer most of the job opportunities, a good quality of life, an affordable cost of ...
Dreamtime. Laos and even Pakse are changing so fast ~ maybe too fast. 'Coffee shop culture' is now evident everywhere in Vientiane and Luang Prabang, and not just confined to foreigners who can afford the comparatively high prices. Most ... Read More
Tips and advice to thrive in Laos by Priscilla
Hi, When living in a foreign country, you have to adapt to a new environment, various cultures and different social codes. How did you manage to adjust to Laos? How long does it take to feel at home? Would you say it is an easy ...
I have written widely on this subject, my two principal books being "Culture Shock Laos" and "The Lao, Laos, and you". The visitor will meet as many or more cultural differences in Laos as in other countries, but perhaps the ... Read More
Essentials to live in Laos by Christine
Hi, As an expat living in Laos, what would you advise the ones about to pack to bring along? What are the items you can easily find in Laos? On the other hand, what is less common or quite expensive? Share with us what you would recommend ...
Most essentials are now available in towns in Laos. Do bring a supply of any medicines you take, especially if these relate to diseases more prevalent in the West; but common medicines (for hypertension etc) are readily available in Vientiane and ... Read More
Best cities to live in Laos by Julien
Hi, It聮s not always easy to decide in which area to settle in when moving to Laos. According to you, what are the best cites to live in? Which regions offer most of the job opportunities, a good quality of life, an affordable cost of ...
Choice depends entirely on what you are doing for a living. However, if retired or of uncertain health, Luang Prabang and the more attractive northern towns pose difficulties if unwell. Vientiane has the advantage of being within two hours of Udon ... Read More
Registering a birth in Laos by David
Hi, About to have a baby or already had children? Let's share your experience about the paperworks for registering a birth in Laos. What are the formalities to obtain a birth certificate? What is the procedure to follow if both parents are ...
Yes, Stumpy, things change and are changing. Indeed in slow Laos the lawyers can't keep up with the laws and legal requirements (or just don't bother to do so). Back when there simply was no legal code (1980s) I too had two daughters born ... Read More
Registering a birth in Laos by David
Hi, About to have a baby or already had children? Let's share your experience about the paperworks for registering a birth in Laos. What are the formalities to obtain a birth certificate? What is the procedure to follow if both parents are ...
Quite wrong to think that the only certification for births, marriages and deaths is entry in the family book. Certification exists for each eventuality. Read More
Registering a birth in Laos by David
Hi, About to have a baby or already had children? Let's share your experience about the paperworks for registering a birth in Laos. What are the formalities to obtain a birth certificate? What is the procedure to follow if both parents are ...
Stumpy. You are quite wrong. There IS a birth certificate in Laos and everybody must have one if they later wish to get any other documentation without great difficulty. Even to get a nationality other than Lao, a birth cert is needed if the ... Read More
Healthcare in Laos by Julien
Hi, how does the healthcare system work in Laos ? Is it efficient ? What are the main differences between public and private sectors? Is it recommended to purchase private health insurance in Laos? Thanks in advance for sharing your ...
The old retort, "If you can't accept things as they are, find another country." Just too easy. Laos does NOT have to have one of the worst health care systems in the world. It could organise what it's got to make access easier ... Read More
Healthcare in Laos by Julien
Hi, how does the healthcare system work in Laos ? Is it efficient ? What are the main differences between public and private sectors? Is it recommended to purchase private health insurance in Laos? Thanks in advance for sharing your ...
How does the Health Care system work in Laos? It doesn't. Read More
Cost of living in Laos 聳 2015 by expat.com
Hi all, We invite you to talk about the cost of living in Laos in 2015, with an updated price listing. Don't forget to mention in which city of Laos you are living in. How much does it cost to live in Laos? > accommodation prices > ...
Okay,now I know there were NO survey questions. This makes the survey pretty useless, in fact not a survey at all, just a small collection of bits and pieces. I go into the cost of living for expats vs Lao in my 2014 book 'LAOS: Work in ... Read More
Cost of living in Laos 聳 2015 by expat.com
Hi all, We invite you to talk about the cost of living in Laos in 2015, with an updated price listing. Don't forget to mention in which city of Laos you are living in. How much does it cost to live in Laos? > accommodation prices > ...
I cannot get a response clicking on survey questions. Read More
Residency visa Laos by stumpy
I have heard that it may be possible to get aresidnecy visa for Laos. I am interested in finding out more about this as I am married, living in Vientiane and will eventually settle there fulltime. Anyone have any info on this !!!
Thanks. But I think things are very confused, and not just in my head. A German friend got a 5-year 'resident card' and a special 'family book' in addition to the normal one of his wife. He thought that was it, but when leaving the country his ... Read More