Facebook / Ther Una
Authorities in Laos have arrested a popular young Lao musician and producer known for singing songs criticizing official corruption in the one-party communist state, sources in the country say.
Syphone Vongchinda, better known as Ther Una, was taken into custody last week in the Sepon district of Savannakhet province in southern Laos, according to a district police officer and his neighbors.
“According to reports, he was summoned and taken away by provincial police,” the district police officer told RFA’s Lao Service on July 27, speaking on condition of anonymity. “I don’t know why they arrested him, he said.
Remarks by U.S. Ambassador to Thailand Michael George DeSombre
for Indo-Pacific Business Forum Panel Discussion
“Business Opportunities and Outlook in the Mekong Countries”
Introduction
Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the panel discussion ‘Business Opportunities and Outlook in the Mekong Countries.’
I am Michael George DeSombre, U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom of Thailand. It is a privilege to join you today as part of the Indo-Pacific Business Forum, the premier U.S.-sponsored business event in Asia. This year, the Forum is co-hosted by the Vietnamese Government, and I would like to thank the organizers and hosts for putting on such a successful event under difficult circumstances.