Pi Mai is the Laotian New Year (also known as Songkran). It is a time of renewal. But how are Lao, Thai, and Cambodian celebrants dealing with this holiday during a time of sheltering at home, closed businesses, and a raging pandemic?
We'll talk with four community activists about New Years in the age of the coronavirus.
Notes
This program is free, though we invite you to make a donation during registration
This program will be online only via the Zoom video conferencing software; and you must pre-register for a link to the program.
This program is generously supported by the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative and a collaborative of local funders and donors. We are grateful for their support and hope others will follow their example to support the Club during these uncertain times.
![](https://cdn.commonwealthclub.org/s3fs-public/default_images/Speaker%20%28No%20Photo%29%20V1.png)
Amy Chomthakham
Former President, Laotian American Society; Former CEO, Atlanta Hydraulic Systems; Former Manager, Bank of America; Former Operations Manager, M & S Home Care
![Image - Bounchanh Senthavong](https://cdn.commonwealthclub.org/s3fs-public/2020-04/Bildschirmfoto%202020-04-14%20um%209.20.13%20AM.png)
Bounchanh Senthavong
Former President, Union for Lao Nation (2015–2019); Community Activist; Former Secretary-General, Union for Lao Nation and Laotian Human Rights Council; Co-founder, Lao American Women Association, Washington, D.C. Area
![](https://cdn.commonwealthclub.org/s3fs-public/default_images/Speaker%20%28No%20Photo%29%20V1.png)
Dr. Watt Sengkhyavong
Ph.D., Community Activist, Lao Global Heritage Alliance, Lao Heritage Foundation, Lao American Women Association, and Wat Lao Buddhavong, Washington, D.C. Area
![Image - David Phommavong](https://cdn.commonwealthclub.org/s3fs-public/2020-04/Bildschirmfoto%202020-04-14%20um%209.21.25%20AM.png)
David Phommavong
Community Activist; Child Autism Advocate, Lao Autism Center, Vientiane Lao PDR; Former IT Executive
![Image - Michelle Meow](https://cdn.commonwealthclub.org/s3fs-public/2020-04/sm_Michelle%20Meow.png)
Michelle Meow
Producer and Host, “The Michelle Meow Show”; Member, Commonwealth Club Board of Governors—Co-Host
![](https://cdn.commonwealthclub.org/s3fs-public/default_images/Speaker%20%28No%20Photo%29%20V1.png)
John Zipperer
Producer and Host, Week to Week Political Roundtable; Vice President of Media & Editorial, The Commonwealth Club—Co-Host