TEAM LAOS Braden Betts
Khamla Sibounheuang
Having grown up in Kuwait, Thailand, and Singapore, Braden brings over 20 years of international experience and knowledge of SE Asia to our team. Braden applies his energy to the enrichment of our operations as our Laos Country Director. He previously managed our Ricefields Service Base in Thailand. In his free time, you can find him surfing or hunting for spicy street food.
Khamla has managed our Laos operations for nine years. Originally from the Xayaboury province, he received a degree in economics from Souphanuvong University in Luang Prabang, where he now lives with his wife and young daughter. He has also been instrumental in the expansion of our Luang Prabang base house on the Mekong River.
Davanh ‘Paradon’ Souliya
Lin Lin Ooh
Born in Nam Ma village in the northern province of Bokeo, Laos, Paradon studied business and law at Manivanh College in Luang Prabang. There he learned English which he applies as a tutor for other members of the Laos staff. He lives in Luang Prabang with his wife and two sons. Paradon is also a skilled soccer player and show-stopping karaoke singer.
Born in Myanmar’s Bago Division, Lin Lin Ooh has been an integral member of the Rustic Pathways team for more than nine years. He is fluent in Burmese, English, and Thai, and is known for his strong leadership skills. He has traveled extensively throughout Southeast Asia and the U.S. as one of our senior program managers. He now manages our beautiful base in Luang Prabang, Laos.
Somphan Lorxouamai
Chanthavong ‘Vong’ Keopanya
Somphan grew up in Na Som, a small Hmong village in Vang Vieng, Laos. Somphan helps to manage Sticky Rice Service Adventure program with deep connections to the Na Som community. Somphan’s father is a respected village leader and shaman who shares Hmong traditions with our students. In his free time, Somphan enjoys studying English and playing soccer.
Originally from a small village outside of Luang Prabang, Laos, Vong joined Rustic full-time in 2012. He is a graduate of Luang Prabang Technical School, and his knowledge of construction and engineering are great assets to our Come With Nothing: The Mekong Expedition program. He is WFR-certified, is trilingual in Lao, Thai, and English, and can tell jokes in all three languages.
Khamphao Sivilay
Anou Phetsila
Khamphao is a student favorite on Team Laos. He completed three years of vocational study in electronics in Luang Prabang before joining Rustic seven years ago. Khamphao grew up in Xayaboury, the province with the highest number of elephants in Laos, and lends his expertise to our programs. Recently married, Khamphao looks forward to starting a family of his own.
Hailing from the rural western frontier of Xayaboury province along the border of Laos and Myanmar, Anou has been with us for seven years. As a certified WFR, he has been one of the key staff members on the Come With Nothing: The Mekong Expedition for several years. Anou has traveled extensively with our group trips throughout the Southeast Asia region.
Buapha ‘Pha’
Mengyang ‘Meng’
Buapha grew up in a small village near the beautiful Kuang Xi Waterfall in Luang Prabang, Laos. After finishing school, he worked as a tour guide and taxi driver before joining our Laos team nine years ago. Buapha is a key leader on our Come With Nothing: The Mekong Expedition program. Buapha enjoys playing cards and learning English from our students.
Mengyang joined Rustic Pathways in 2008 and has become one of our most experienced staff members in Laos. He grew up in Na Som village, one of the core locations on our Sticky Rice Service Adventure program. Mengyang’s happy nature and passion for teaching students about his native Laos culture and homeland make him a valuable leader across a variety of programs.
Laos Country Director
Laos Country Manager
Laos Country Manager
Mekong Service Base Operations Manager
Laos Administration Manager
Laos Senior Program Manager
Laos Senior Program Manager
Laos Senior Program Manager
Laos Program Manager
Laos Program Manager
rusticpathways.com/la 131