Silencing of a Laotian Son : the life, work and enforced disappearance of Sombath Somphone by Ng Shui Meng

Silencing of a Laotian Son

            The book describes how Sombath’s ground-breaking community and youth development work earned him widespread recognition as Laos’ leading development specialist.

            It also documents the Lao authority’s cynical denial of state involvement in Sombath’s disappearance and his wife Shui Meng’s tireless and agonizing struggle to rally international support to secure Sombath’s safe return.

Contents

Foreword

Acknowledgements

Prologue

1.The Abduction

2.Family Background

3.Education in Laos

4.A Year in the U.S. as an AFS Student

5.Study in Hawaii

6.Finding Love in Hawaii

7.Building a New Life in Laos

8.Sombath – Developing a Meaningful Role in Laos

9.Charting a New Development Path and Establishing PADETC

10.Setting the Stage for Sombath’s Abduction

11.The Response to the Enforced Disappearance of Sombath Somphone

12.Facing the Reality of a Life Changed Forever

13.Sombath’s Vision and Legacy

Epilogue

Annexes