LAOS: Celebrations and Development Debates

• Published in: Southeast Asian affairs Vol. SEAA11; no. 1; pp. 107 - 128
• Main Author: Creak, Simon
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Singapore Institute of Southeast Asian Studies 01.01.2011; ISEAS - Yusof Ishak Institute
• Subjects: Anniversaries; Awards & honors; Celebrations; Countries; Dams; Foreign investments; Government; Heads of government; Hydroelectric power; International development; International relations; Laos; Mining; Olympic games; Patriotism; Prime ministers; Sports; Sports facilities; Success
• ISSN: 0377-5437; 1793-9135
• DOI: 10.1355/aa11-1h

Hosted thanks to vast assistance from the region, the SEA Games sparked a national celebration of unparalleled scale and popularity while the 450th anniversary consolidated the royalist turn in post- socialist historiography.2 The commemorations took place against the backdrop of robust economic growth as the Lao economy bounced relatively unscathed through the global financial crisis, allowing the ruling Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) to present the patriotic festivities as a celebration of increasing Lao prosperity as well as pride and patriotism. National Celebrations The success of the SEA Games, hosted by Laos for the first time from 9 to 18 December 2009, was far from a fait accompli.3 Pre-games deals to build critical sporting infrastructure raised questions about the impact of foreign investment on Lao sovereignty - the issue of the times.4 Online critics accused Deputy Prime Minister Somsavat Lengsavad, head of the games organizing committee and broker of a deal to grant prime land to the Chinese stadium developers, of treason (khai sat), a charge based on the perception that his Chinese heritage made him favourable to Chinese interests.5 Privately locals denounced the government as a leech on society.