# data[].attributes.body
-  Investment is flowing into agriculture, typically rubber plantations, market gardening and other cash crops.  The side-effects include a loss of forests and biodiversity, serious soil erosion and growing numbers of people in this multi-ethnic province being pushed off their land.

- The fear of one expert in Laos is the emergence of a class of landless poor.
- The collateral [financial guarantee] for such a huge project lies in the mines of Laos.
-  It is true that cash from China and Vietnam has helped to double the size of the economy in a decade. Dams have brought electricity to four-fifths of the population. Yet indicators of maternal health are worse than in Cambodia (which attempts a democratic front), and levels of malnutrition are terribly high.
- At present, a bus is the only way to get down from the mountains of Oudomxay. Monsoon rains cause chaos with the 200km stretch of road to Luang Prabang, which served as the royal capital until the Communists, after a long civil war, consolidated their power in 1975. (In Luang Prabang the king’s favourite Citroën car survives, unlike him and his family.) It can then take another ten hours, over rugged terrain, to get to Vientiane.

# data[].attributes.body
1. Investment is flowing into agriculture, typically rubber plantations, market gardening and other cash crops, much of it destined for the huge Chinese population to the north

2. Side-effects include a loss of forests and biodiversity, serious soil erosion and growing numbers of people in this multi-ethnic province being pushed off their land

3. More land is now in the hands of foreigners than is used to grow rice

4. The $7.2 billion price tag (including interest) is nearly as big as Laos’s entire formal economy [Lao’s current GDP is around 12.3 billion USD].

5. Vientiane is growing fast in the hands of a Communist kleptocracy whose members line up on Saturdays in their big cars to cross the Mekong for a dose of shopping across the border.

6. One-third of the country is still contaminated by unexploded American ordnance. Hundreds of people lose limbs every year to cluster bombs.

7.It is true that cash from China and Vietnam has helped to double the size of the economy in a decade

# data[].attributes.body
1)
More land is now in the hands of foreigners than is used to grow rice.

2)
The fear of one expert in Laos is the emergence of a class of landless poor.

3)
The $7.2 billion price tag (including interest) is nearly as big as Laos’s entire formal economy

4)
The collateral [financial guarantee] for such a huge project lies in the mines of Laos. In other words, the extraction of natural resources in this undeveloped country is about to accelerate.

5)
It is true that cash from China and Vietnam has helped to double the size of the economy in a decade.

6)
Laos has given concessions on 30% of its land to foreigners

# data[].attributes.body
[Lao’s current GDP is around 12.3 billion USD].

Investment is flowing into agriculture, typically rubber plantations, market gardening and other cash crops, much of it destined for the huge Chinese population to the north.

Chinese firms have secured rubber concessions [special privileges] in the province covering 74,000 acres.

One-third of the country is still contaminated by unexploded American ordnance. Hundreds of people lose limbs every year to cluster bombs.

# data[].attributes.body
1. There are a lot of benefit from foreigner coming to Lao, however, there are also disparities which follow.

2.

# data[].attributes.body
1)
Laos seems to realize the despair that is coming from the use of foreign powers, but continues on with it.

2)
A lot of the money in the country comes from other, and is not Lao-made money but rather from china and Vietnam.

3)
Due to Lao's actions aiming towards gaining more economic growth rather than trying to preserve the state that the country is in

# data[].attributes.body
1. Laos’s government publishes little information about anything

2. In the past decade the government has granted land concessions across the country for up to 100 years, often at cheap prices, to Chinese, Vietnamese and, to a lesser extent, Thai operators.

3. Lao’s current GDP is around 12.3 billion USD

4. A man who has seen the blueprint for a planned Chinatown east of Vientiane says that the final stop for the proposed railway is smack in the middle of new living space for over 100,000 Chinese.

5. The collateral [financial guarantee] for such a huge project lies in the mines of Laos. In other words, the extraction of natural resources in this undeveloped country is about to accelerate.

6. Investment is flowing into agriculture, typically rubber plantations, market gardening and other cash crops, much of it destined for the huge Chinese population to the north

# data[].attributes.body
1. Lao's government only published small about of information about anything that they are doing. Which this means they are not being transparent to the public about what they are doing and how it will affect anything.

2. Lao's government did not understand how will it effect the people and their own economy because according to the article, Laos GPD only worth 12.3 B USD, and they have to spend about 7 B USD to accomplished the project, which is more than half of how much Lao worth. While the project might benefit the government in a long run, but it will will take long time to do that and before that time comes, Laos will lost almost everything.

3. Laos have giving up a land to Chinese and Vietnamese in the pass 100 years. Since most of the people in Laos grow crops for their living, if the government continue to gives the Chinese and Vietnam land, it can affect the people to not have works or jobs to get any income for their living, which it can cause more poverty in Laos.

# data[].attributes.body
1. The fact that Lao's government are not being transparency can means that they are trying to hide something from their people. Hiding something that will affect other's LIFE can be critical, because it can cause a fight between people who get cause the problem and people who got effect my the problem. This can cause country to break ups into two group or even breaking up into separate land.

2. The project that the government are doing will have a critical outcomes to their own country. Laos have lots of rural areas or mostly known as underdeveloped areas. The fact that Laos have more underdeveloped city effect the way other country sees Laos. They will mostly sees Laos as an underdeveloped country. This means that Laos is still an underdeveloped country. Not only that Laos only worth 12.3 billions USD and the project cause about 7 billions USD. The fact that Laos worth 12.3 billions USD doesn't means they will have 7 billions USD to pay for the project. Since Laos is an underdeveloped country, it is almost impossible for the government to have 7 billions USD to pay for the project. But how are the government going to pay? They are going to pay by giving land because it is what Laos worth, have lots of land. And because most of Lao people growing crop for living which require lots of land, it will directly effect those people, which will causing more poverty. Not only that, Laos might have to give up HALF of Laos the Chinese because the price tag for the project is about half the GPD of Laos. Even if they might not lost half of the country, they will still be more Chinese people in Laos, because according to the article, the project will smack in the middle of the new living space for over 100.000 Chinese, and where will those people go, if not coming to Laos. They will come to Laos because Lao's government will have nothing to pay for the project that they have to bring those people to Laos as one of the strategies to pay the Chinese, and the Chinese government would agree to take it as a small payment since Chinese are over populated. Because of this, Laos will become a dead country. While the government might thinking that it will benefit them in the long run, but making a railway will not bring more people into Laos, because Laos doesn't really have anything that will drag others country attention to comes to Laos, and until that day, Laos would probably not being Laos anymore.

# data[].attributes.body
-Chinese people tend to crowded up on the northern area of Laos because of the availability of resources and rubber plantation
- the extraction of natural resources in this undeveloped country is about to accelerate.
- Dams have brought electricity to four-fifths of the population. Yet indicators of maternal health are worse than in Cambodia (which attempts a democratic front), and levels of malnutrition are terribly high.
-Last December a well-known democratic activist and advocate of sustainable development, Sombath Somphone, disappeared. At the same time, the government became strict with foreign NGOs, especially those advocating land rights
-Unlike Myanmar, Laos has never had a Western-educated opposition leader to remind outsiders of the nasty nature of the regime
- The $7.2 billion price tag (including interest) is nearly as big as Laos’s entire formal economy [Lao’s current GDP is around 12.3 billion USD]

# data[].attributes.body
1.Investment is flowing into agriculture, typically rubber plantations, market gardening and other cash crops, much of it destined for the huge Chinese population to the north
2.The side-effects include a loss of forests and biodiversity, serious soil erosion and growing numbers of people in this multi-ethnic province being pushed off their land.
3. Vientiane says that the final stop for the proposed railway is smack in the middle of new living space for over 100,000 Chinese.
4.  Four of the province’s districts are among the fastest-growing rural economies in the country, according to the researchers in Sweden.
5. Deforestation stretches all the way to the Chinese border

# data[].attributes.body
1. There are a lot of benefits from foreigner coming and investing in Lao such as increasing in country's economy. However, with such benefit always come with negative side effects as Laos is losing more and more land to those foreigner.

2. As long as the unexploded ordnance (UXOs) from the Vietnam War remand undisposed, the development of Laos will be withdrawn and unable to become a developed country like others surrounding it.

# data[].attributes.body
The fear of one expert in Laos is the emergence of a class of landless poor.

One-third of the country is still contaminated by unexploded American ordnance.

The extraction of natural resources in this undeveloped country is about to accelerate.

The $7.2 billion price tag (including interest) is nearly as big as Laos’s entire formal economy [Lao’s current GDP is around 12.3 billion USD].

Economic rents from land concessions already accumulate for an oligarchy [government made up of a small group of people] that will further benefit from the railroad project.

A man who has seen the blueprint for a planned Chinatown east of Vientiane says that the final stop for the proposed railway is smack in the middle of new living space for over 100,000 Chinese.

Laos has given concessions on 30% of its land to foreigners.

# data[].attributes.body
Although allowing foreigner to buy land in the country allow the Laos' Economy to increase, is it really worth it? Because in order for Laos government to sell more land to foreigner especially for agriculture purpose, deforestations are required which may turn Laos into a country with polluted air as well, because since carbon dioxide are unable to get out of the Earth's atmosphere the only way to get rid of it is by growing trees, and since Laos is cutting down trees for agriculture, the carbon dioxide rate will increase, and I would hypothesize that the carbon dioxide rate will increase rapidly since public transport in Laos is uncommonly seen causing citizens to buy their own vehicle for transportation. In addition, deforestation can also bring other side effects to the country, such as a loss of habitats for millions of species, increase in natural disaster such as flood, and more. These side effects lead me to thinking, if Laos continue to rely on other countries and sell lands to them, and if one they we were able to disposed all the UXOs, will Laos be able to develop at its full potential? since by the time the scenario is possible, Laos would be relying on other countries, Laotians would be spending money on foreigner instead of on their own fellows Laotian.

# data[].attributes.body
One-third of the country is still contaminated by un-exploded ordinates which is making it harder for Lao to be able to develop the more rural areas.

# data[].attributes.body
The natural resources will be loss if the government cares about gaining an economic more than the living condition of people.

It is challenging and difficult for the rural areas to get develop because of the numerous unexploded ordnance. It is difficult for the farmers to grow plants and earn their income as usual because more land is now in the hand of foreigners.

# data[].attributes.body
Increasing economy, but the quality of living is still concerned?.  Even though the country has tones of projects which can benefit to economy, but sometimes it can affects the local people especially their quality of life and social factor.
- Did the government consider the environmental consequences as they go through their project? if no, why not?
- To what extend, does the government action's affects social factor?

# data[].attributes.body
Does Laos have a goal in mind to be striving for all of this development?

Once it is over, will Laos need to take steps to help its environment? what will be needed?

Will all of this work drive up the cost of living?

Who is all of this development helping? who is it harming? is this correct? should we be striving to change this?

# data[].attributes.body
- Most Chinese people tend to crowded up on the northern area of Laos may be because of how things are not well 'urbanized' or developed, making the area a good place for investment. Especially rail roads for business,transportation as well as rubber plantation. The northern part also has a rich resources.
-Because of the big investment projects accompanying with a plenty amount of resources, Laos will start to be urbanized and developed by investors especially Chinese business men/women. to which most of the resources will be 'extracted' to use.
- Lao's maternal health is more worse than in Cambodia, this show cases how Laos is one of the most corrupted and undeveloped country

# data[].attributes.body
-Considering that Lao's GDP is 12.3 billion usd, would the price tag decreases when the country faced deforestation and lack of resources?
-Most Chinese business people tend to targeted Lao because it is an undeveloped, rich of resources and 'easy to trick' country. What would happen if all the resources disappeared? would they move down to the south? leave?
- It is true that Laos tried to live sustain ably however, many citizens suffered from maternal health and common mental illnesses, some even reported to passed away from just a common illness, does this issue have to do with money and the price? if so, why the government did not took the issue to consideration?

# data[].attributes.body
- The Lao government is clearly unable to afford the investments to improve the country's urban development, especially when relying on neighboring countries such as Chinese and Vietnam, which result into many financial obstructions that if not resolved fast, can lead to serious loss of resources and food rations for citizens. It's already happening now.
- According to the article, farmers are suffering congregation from the government. It means they are not receiving a sufficient amount of profit in return of their contribution to agricultural resources made for Lao citizens.

# data[].attributes.body
1. Four of the province’s districts are among the fastest-growing rural economies in the country,
2. Investment is flowing into agriculture, typically rubber plantations, market gardening and other cash crops, much of it destined for the huge Chinese population to the north.
3. The side-effects include a loss of forests and biodiversity, serious soil erosion and growing numbers of people in this multi-ethnic province being pushed off their land.
4.  Economic rents from land concessions already accumulate for an oligarchy [government made up of a small group of people] that will further benefit from the railroad project.
5. In the past decade the government has granted land concessions across the country for up to 100 years, often at cheap prices, to Chinese, Vietnamese and, to a lesser extent, Thai operators.
6.

The collateral [financial guarantee] for such a huge project lies in the mines of Laos. In other words, the extraction of natural resources in this undeveloped country is about to accelerate

# data[].attributes.body
From the

Does this mean that there will be more disparities? Will only a few benefit finally from this railroad?

# data[].attributes.body
"(Laos’s government publishes little information about anything.)"
This makes the Laos government seem shady.
"(Last December a well-known democratic activist and advocate of sustainable development, Sombath Somphone, disappeared. At the same time, the government became strict with foreign NGOs, especially those advocating land rights. )"
This supports the earlier claim, that the government is hostile or being agressive.

"(To make things look not quite as bad, NGO workers say, the government purposely went around feeding children in villages monitored by the UN for the Millennium Development Goals—until it was found out.)"
These statements show that the government is not taking ethical actions when governing the country.

# data[].attributes.body
Wouldn't funding into bomb removal be more beneficial to laotians than railroads?

# data[].attributes.body
1. Investment is flowing into agriculture, typically rubber plantations, market gardening and other cash crops, much of it destined for the huge Chinese population to the north

2. In the past decade the government has granted land concessions across the country for up to 100 years, often at cheap prices, to Chinese, Vietnamese and, to a lesser extent, Thai operators. More land is now in the hands of foreigners than is used to grow rice

3.  "(Last December a well-known democratic activist and advocate of sustainable development, Sombath Somphone disappeared. At the same time, the government became strict with foreign NGOs, especially those advocating land rights. )"

4. Deforestation stretches all the way to the Chinese border. It is so recent and so extreme that scientists from Sweden’s Lund University picked Laos as a testing ground for a new method of monitoring economic activity from space.

5. The collateral [financial guarantee] for such a huge project lies in the mines of Laos. In other words, the extraction of natural resources in this undeveloped country is about to accelerate.

6. It is true that cash from China and Vietnam has helped to double the size of the economy in a decade.

# data[].attributes.body
Since there is a lot of deforestation in Laos, the government has to use their GDP which is only 12.3 billion dollars right now so that they can support their people from the lack of food.
The part which says that Sombath Somphone suddenly disappeared might suggest that the government or the leaders of the organisation that he was working for or against might have been trying to cover up something that they did or something that Sombath was trying to prove.

# data[].attributes.body
Is there anything that the government is trying to cover up from the rest of the people?
Wouldn't it be beneficial for the government to invest money into clearing UXOs in farms and villages first so that Laos makes a steady supply of food to support its people?

# data[].attributes.body
Recently a deputy prime minister, Somsavat Lengsavad, announced the closure of a Chinese-run casino near the border that had attracted drugs and prostitutes along with gamblers

# data[].attributes.body
Lao's government really needs help from other countries because they are unable to afford things in different domains, and the government do appreciate the help from other countries but sometimes due to lack of management sometimes things are not welcomed. The Lao government needs to develop their own system to do stuff on their own without relying on other countries.
Also, the development in some domains of Laos is difficult because of the UXOs, so I think the government should clear out all the UXOs first before doing any further developments like railroad because the UXOs might explode and harm workers.

# data[].attributes.body
- If these projects continue without a resolve for other growing problems in Laos, especially financial problems, the rate of Lao's GDP will drop significantly fast.
- Lao is already proven to be one of the poorest countries in the world, even when classified as a developing country. Why can't the government do something about it first? Are all these costly investments worth sacrificing the citizens' and workers' basic needs?
- If we solely rely on other countries to help us inverse this, is it going to have our desirable results? What losses are we going to face instead? If our machines are made by Vietnam, our buildings made by China, how is Laos going to look in the future when neighboring countries are now taking over our own? Is the government making rash decisions without thinking far ahead, or are they aware but indifferent

# data[].attributes.body
Investment is flowing into agriculture, typically rubber plantations, market gardening and other cash crops, much of it destined for the huge Chinese population to the north.

The side-effects include a loss of forests and biodiversity, serious soil erosion and growing numbers of people in this multi-ethnic province being pushed off their land.

It is true that cash from China and Vietnam has helped to double the size of the economy in a decade. Dams have brought electricity to four-fifths of the population.

# data[].attributes.body
1. Investment is flowing into agriculture, typically rubber plantations, market gardening and other cash crops, much of it destined for the huge Chinese population to the north. The side-effects include a loss of forests and biodiversity, serious soil erosion and growing numbers of people in this multi-ethnic province being pushed off their land.
2. Cash from China and Vietnam has helped to double the size of the economy in a decade.
3.

# data[].attributes.body
- If in the future most things in Laos is built by China and Vietnam the result won't be very well because the government is relying on other countries, what will the result be?

# data[].attributes.body
1. Investment is flowing into agriculture, typically rubber plantations, market gardening and other cash crops, much of it destined for the huge Chinese population to the north.

2. Not all Chinese influence is welcomed by the government. Somsavat Lengsavad, announced the closure of a Chinese-run casino near the border that had attracted drugs and prostitutes along with gamblers.

3. It is true that cash from China and Vietnam has helped to double the size of the economy in a decade.

4.  Dams have brought electricity to four-fifths of the population.

# data[].attributes.body
Should the government have this much power in terms of being able to decide where extremely large amounts of money goes?

# data[].attributes.body
The lao government are struggling to

# data[].attributes.body
Bark

# data[].attributes.body
tark

# data[].attributes.body
Park