The toll tax on Vientiane-Vangvieng expressway was hiked to keep up with the value of kip reducing against the US dollar.
The Laos-China Expressway Development Cooperation Co., Ltd announced its new toll rates would apply from 1 January, on the 109.11 km expressway that connects Vientiane Capital with the popular tourist town of Vang Vieng.
The one-way journey cost for a regular car has now been increased from LAK 100,000 to LAK 113,000 while a pickup truck has to pay LAK 193,000 instead of the previous amount of LAK 166, 000, says Laophattana.
The price changes have caused outrage among numerous residents as they are already affected by the ever-increasing inflation rate.
“Another reason for me to not take the expressway,” one social media user commented.
“The price of everything is going up nowadays, not to mention how we have to keep up with the cost of living nowadays. Have we haven’t had enough?!,” another person opined on social media.
The inflation rate in Laos reached 39.27 percent, marking the highest rate of the year, according to the Lao Statistics Bureau (LSB). Fuel prices were also adjusted five times in 30 days, with two upward spikes and decreasing three times.
