Pictures of the other side

The brotherhood that Thais and Lao share is divided only by the Mekong River, and even that has been no barrier since the Friendship Bridge opened two decades ago. The new Museum Siam photo exhibition “Nong Khai-Vientiane: Relationship on the Mekong River” celebrates this.
Thai and Lao photographers have come up with some wonderful images for the show marking the bridge’s 20th anniversary and promoting tourism between the neighbouring communities.
The province of Nong Khai and the Lao capital Vientiane are hosting the exhibition along with the National Discovery Museum Institute (Museum Siam), the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Thailand Post and Thailand’s Union of Photographers.
“The Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge was officially opened on April 8, 1994,” Nong Khai Governor Wirat Limsuwat said in announcing the show, adding that his province has designated 2014 “The Year of Tourism”.
Nong Khai and Vientiane are together organising travel-oriented promotions that include sport competitions, a photo contest and the commissioning of sculpture and sand drawings by “famous artists”.
“This is to create more awareness about our way of life, art, culture and tourism attractions,” Wirat said. “I am confident the cooperation will strengthen the relationship between the two countries and especially between Nong Khai and |Vientiane.”
The more than 20 photos on view offer glimpses of the lifestyles, local wisdom, food, art and architecture on either side of the river.
Phetsamy Philavanh and Vilasak Sengphetmany of Laos were at the show’s opening, pointing out their own lovely scenes and the beautiful landscapes taken by members of Thailand’s Union of Photographers. Thai-Lao film star |Ananda Everingham |displays his stunning |black-and-white portraits of four smiling old men.
Jiranan Pitpreecha, president of the Union of Photographers and a consultant to Museum Siam, noted how well the pictures capture the livelihoods, landscape, cultural life and abundance of natural resources.
The 20th-anniversary photo contest will gather images for a souvenir book. Anyone can enter with a photograph matching one of these themes: “Bridge and Friendship”, “Vientiane is Colourful” and “Nong Khai: Gateway to Asean”.
Entries in Jpeg format with resolution of not less than six million pixels, with details attached, |must be submitted by November 30. Contact the Nong Khai Governor’s Office at (042) 411 778, extension 46148, or see www.NongKhai.go.th or the “nongkhainews” page on Facebook.

Bridge of sights

“Nong Khai-Vientiane: Relationship on the Mekong River” continues through September 29 at Museum Siam.
Find out more at www.MuseumSiam.com.