Research Networking Event
RNE is one of the important programs of BMEiCON. One of the main objectives of RNE is to create BME Network among BMEiCON delegates. With BMEiCON RNE, professors, researchers, lecturers and students join the trip to visit some of the attractions. On the trip, BMEiCON delegates will get to know each other, exchange name cards and ideas, discuss research and possible cooperation, etc. Professors in different aspects will be seen in RNE in the cool, calm and collected fashion.
There are few places to visit in the are of Ubon Ratchathani and Lao People's Democratic Republic.
Ubon Ratchathani area
Wat Sirindhorn Wararam aka Wat Phu Prao (Ubon Ratchathani)
This temple is located in the Chong Mek district near the Laotian border, 90 kilometers from Ubon Ratchathani. The icon of this place is the beautiful glow in the dark back facade of the main chapel. It’s been a challenge to take a photo of this glow in the dark paintings, a tripod is recommended. This place will be very busy at dusk, prepare for mosquito repellant to be able to observe this illuminating moment.
Pha Taem National Park
This is where you can get the first sunshine of Thailand, as the place is the most far east of the country. It is notable for its Dipterocarp forest cover and for extensive rock art on cliffs above the Mekong. The art is estimated to be 3,000 years old. The park also has several examples of mushroom rocks as well as the largest flower field in Thailand.
Located only 30 kilometers from Khong Chiam District, Namtok Soi Sawan is considered as one big waterfall which the steepness of the flows from both sides are about 20 meters high. Only 500 metres walk from the car park to the waterfall.
Not far away from Soi Sawan Waterfall, Namtok Saeng Chan is a very beautiful waterfall with a special characteristic of the small steam of water cascades down the face of the cliff through an open hole between the resembled rocks. At noon, the sunlight will shine through that hole giving the view of cascading water which is similar to the full-moon light.
Lao People's Democratic Republic area
Dao Heuang Market in Pakse
For a real Asian market experience, you cannot miss the Dao Heuang Market in Pakse. It’s a sprawling, noisy, crowded, sociable place housed in and around a giant white building and several adjacent red roofed hangars.
You will find everything you ever thought you’d need, as well as many other exotic and not so familiar products. From household goods, plastic ware, shoes, jewellery and clothes; to fresh fruit and vegetables laid out in stalls and on sacks on the ground; dozens of food stalls with smells wafting through the air; and the ubiquitous ‘wet’ market of fish, meat and everything else Lao people like to eat.
Bolaven Plateau
Bolaven Plateau in southern Laos is famous for its great scenery, ethnic villages and unexplored corners. It’s probably best known for being home to some of Southeast Asia’s most spectacular waterfalls including Tad Fane and Dong Hua Sao (aka Taat Fang). The plateau’s elevation ranges approximately from 1,000 to 1,350 metres above sea level and here the weather in general is milder than the rest of the country, getting cool, especially at night.
Its fertile plains allow farmers to produce some of the best tea and coffee in the country (coffee remains Laos’ biggest agricultural export.) Tourism has become another important source of income for locals as the area has almost unlimited trekking and daytrip opportunities.
Tad Fane twin falls over 100 metres down the steep cliffs into a gorge, located a few kilometres west of Paksong Town, Champasak Province. The scenic rainforest spot is part of a big national park where wild animals live, including leopards, tigers, elephants and monkeys. Hornbills are among the 300 bird species found in this area.
This is also the area of coffee lovers to explore. If visiting between the months of October and February, visitors can observe the harvesting of coffee around the plateau
Tad Yuang is impressive, with its twin torrents falling about 40 meters and flowing into lush jungle. It’s hugely popular with day-trippers from Pakse and Thailand who like to picnic at the top, so getting there early or lingering until dusk after the crowds have cleared out is a good idea. It’s ok to swim at the bottom.
