Fairs and events organised in Khammuan province often see the sale of not only legitimate products and foods but also expired goods, which are subject to seizure by officials.
The relevant provincial authorities regularly find expired goods at fairs and events, including its annual Phathat Sikhottabong Stupa festival.
A relevant provincial authority official, Mr Phonsavanh Phommany told Vientiane Times on Thursday that the main reason is because traders and buyers don’t care to examine the expiration dates on many goods.
“If they had read it, they would not have bought products which were expired,” he said.
Most expired food products are usually beverages imported from Thailand and Vietnam.
The Phathat Sikhottabong Stupa festival will take place in Thakhek district from January 9-11, so the relevant authorities need to start checking many shops at the festival in order to help consumers avoid buying expired goods.
Many products, handicrafts and foods will be on sale during the three-day festival that will attract thousands of people, including many from other provinces and also foreign visitors.
Provincial authorities held a meeting recently in preparation for the festival to make sure it creates a lasting impression on visitors.
The golden-tipped Sikhottabong Stupa is 29 m high. It is one of Laos’ most sacred sites and is located 6km south of the town of Thakaek on the banks of the Mekong.
It was originally built by the Sikhottabong Empire to keep relics of the Lord Buddha around the 6th century, at the same time as the That Ing Hang Stupa in Savannakhet province and That Phanom in Thailand.
The province has about 18 hotels, four resorts and more than 69 guesthouses.
Khammuan province has 198 officially designated tourist sites; 139 of them are scenic, 30 are of cultural interest, and 29 are of historical interest.
More sites to visit are the caves, namely Tha Falang, Kong Lor cave, Xebangfai cave, Tham Heup cave, Nam Don Resurgence (Khoun Nam Don), Tham Phi Seua cave (Tiger Spirit cave/Butterfly cave), Tham Pha Chan cave (Sandalwood Buddha cave), Tham Pha Nya Inn cave, Tham Nang Aen cave (Sitting and Flirting cave), Xieng Liab cave, and Buddha cave.
Also of interest are the Kamphaeng Yark (The Giant Wall) and the old part of Thakhaek town.
Source: Vientiane Times
