“The last of Laos’ white elephants, a sacred symbol of both Buddhism and royalty, perished long ago under communist rule. As the number of real white elephants in Southeast Asia declines, metaphorical white elephant property developments can be seen across Laos, particularly in Vientiane, its once sleepy, now bustling, riverside capital.

Previously an elegant human-scale city, Vientiane boasted avenues lined with mahogany trees, Lao and French heritage buildings, and, enviably in these global times of carbon consciousness, city-based farming. Now, congested with vehicles jostling for road space and parking, Vientiane is increasingly dominated by the grandiose utilitarian architecture of the ruling communist dictators and their allied Chinese investors.”

Source: Continue Reading @ atimes.com