Our Mission

The Lao Association in the United Kingdom (L.A.U.K.) is an entirely voluntary organisation, primarily founded to promote any charitable purpose for the benefit of the Lao persons or persons with Lao origins resident in the United Kingdom, including the advancement of education and the relief of poverty and distress.

We strive to maintain, promote and introduce the Lao tradition, language and culture within our community and wherever possible throughout the broad spectrum of British Society.

Meet the Committee

  • Linda Ratanavong Hagues

    PRESIDENT

    LAUK committee member since July 2018. Linda is an Executive Assistant primarily focusing on fundraising, marketing and finance and has worked for International Humanitarian Agency CARE International which operates in over 120 countries including Laos.

  • Oliver Oguz

    VICE-PRESIDENT

    Born in the UK to Lao heritage, Oliver is a lawyer by profession with a background in organising cultural events. His mother came to the UK as a refugee and is now Patron of Laos in the UK. Oliver says ‘I’m honoured to serve as Vice President of the Laos Community and to support our committee as we respectfully continue the work of the generation before us. Together, we aim to celebrate and preserve our rich culture with heart, humility, and unity.’

  • Sithideth Souriyadeth

    TREASURER

    Qualified accountant with the ACCA and been treasurer of LAUK since August 2011.  Works for an international IT recruitment business headquartered in the City of London.

  • Virunee Viravong

    COMMITTEE MEMBER

    Sabaidee everyone, I am a Senior Software Engineer currently living and working in London. I've been going to LAUK events since I was little and my father, Virasene, was a previous president. I'm excited to bring my technical skills to help the Lao community. My favourite food is laap, or khao soy Luang Prabang-style, washed down with an ice cold Beer Lao of course!

  • Kristian Sakulku

    COMMITTEE MEMBER

    Sabaidee my name is Kristian and I’m excited to join the LAUK Executive Committee. I’m of dual Lao heritage – My father is Lao and my mother is Austrian. I was born and raised in London and often visited the VLC Centre in East London over the years. It’s very important to me to be connected with my Lao heritage, I love continuing to learn about Lao culture and traditions and have visited Laos several times. If I had to choose a favourite Lao dish it would be laab tao, I miss it when I return to the UK. I enjoy cooking and am most proud of my sai oua and mok gai.

  • Nini Thongsalak

    COMMITTEE MEMBER

    Hi, my name is Malavane Thalongsak. You may recognise me or my name because my mum is quite a present and long standing member of the Lao community in the UK.

    This is my first year on the Lao committee board and I’m hoping to bring a lot to the table in terms of helping out with key events in the Lao calendar.

    I’m very pleased to be a part of this community and hope that we can grow as a unit in the UK.

    Also very happy and privileged to work alongside some great people from the Lao descent.

  • Anthony Sihapanya

    COMMITTEE MEMBER