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Prime Minister Urges Unity to Tackle Illegal Drug Trade

By
Laotian Times
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yaba
yaba

Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith has implored for Lao citizens to unite in an effort to join the global fight against the illegal drug trade.

Monday, June 26, 2017 marked the 30th anniversary of the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.

In an effort to crack down on the illicit drug trade amid Lao communities, the prime minister has addressed the global problem, stressing the dangers it evokes amongst humanity by arousing opportunities for crimes and corruption.

Deeming the drug trade a hindrance to socio-economic development, PM Thongloun has stressed that the illegal activity must be suppressed and has outlined seven measures to tackle the issue.

The PM has explicitly informed all party committees and authorities at all levels and sectors to consider drug prevention, control and solution efforts as their obligation and duty. During an address, the prime minister stated, “The task must be taken as a focal task associated with grass-root political building affairs.”

Urging for a vast improvement in the organizational structure regarding drug inspections, relevant authorities have been ordered to take definitive action in preventing and suppressing traffickers, as well as identifying targeted traffickers regardless of their nationalities.

Prime Minister Thongloun has requested increased cooperation with international communities, particularly neighboring countries, with the aim to exchange information that will help prevent and eradicate production, trade and transport of drugs. 

Authorities have been directed to implement awareness-raising campaigns in the communities, targeting young adults to educate them on the risks and consequences of drug abuse. PM Thongloun has advised relevant sectors to continue offering those who previously cultivated opium and marijuana, other alternative incoming-generating endeavors in an effort to deter them from returning to planting illegal crops as a source of income.

The Prime Minister realizes that action must be taken to treat and rehabilitate drug abusers, while offering real world skills that will help their return to society. To achieve this, the prime minister emphasized that existing drug rehabilitation centers require a dire upgrade in professional competence of staff and medical doctors, along with facilities, equipment and funding.

In past years, the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party and government have approached the prevention of addictive drug use as a critical issue. Officials have carried out multiple campaigns in an effort to inform young adults in Lao society of the dangers of indulging in addictive drugs.

 

Frustrated Road Users Insist Government Take Over Tolls

By
Laotian Times
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toll
toll

Frequent commuters and traders on Road 16 in Champassak province, are voicing their discontentment on the high toll fares collected on the road that links  the province to the Vangtao-Chongmek International Border Checkpoint in  Thailand.

As previously reported by The Laotian Times, back in November of 2016,  business operators, transporters and locals called for the provincial government to shut down the toll booths, complaining that the fares were excessive. However, since the toll booths are still up and running, road users are now imploring for the government to take over so that fares will be reduced.

Privately owned Duangdy Bridge-Road Construction Company was granted a concession for charging tolls for forty-five years by the government, and currently sets and manages fee collection for the two collection booths on the road. However, the high fees burden motorists and business sectors, and despite the public’s complaints the company has ignored the criticism and continues to charge the same fees.

The company began collecting tolls on August 17, 2016 after it heavily invested in widening and improving the road, 42 kilometers from the Lao-Japan Bridge to the Lao-Thai borders. The fee charged is contingent upon the type of vehicle and its destination. The rate for a small pickup truck and SUV is 20,000 kip per trip, 60,000-80,000 kip for a larger truck and 100,000 kip per trailer.

Champassak provincial Governor, Dr Bounthong Divixay disclosed that authorities have presented three possible solutions in attempt to reduce tolls, at a meeting between the Ministers of Planning and Investment, Public Works and Transport and other provincial officials.

The first proposed option was to negotiate with the private company to cut the fee base on a higher income per day. The second option was for the government to acquire 50 percent of shares because purchasing the project in its entirety would not be financially feasible. The third option was to convince the existing firm to sell its business to another private operator that would agree to lower fees.

The governor has confirmed that provincial authorities are currently bargaining with the company to provide flexible policies to accommodate regular officials and locals. For instance, officials who travel to work at the checkpoint will have a specially issued card distributed by the provincial authority, that does not require them to pay a toll.

However, entrepreneurs in the province have insisted on the government taking over the toll point, as the current high tolls managed by the private company have created a barrier for traveling, trade and tourism.

A senior official of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the province, Mrs Souksavanh Inthaphone, stated that many traders have also complained about toll payments and seeks for the government to intervene in order to control the fares and manage it appropriately.

At the same time, a senior official of provincial Information, Culture and Tourism Department revealed that tour operators have also raised the topic at discussions and urged the public sector to seek appropriate methods to solve it.

However, the provincial Trade and Commerce Department has stated that toll collection was not a pressing issue for trading within the province and imports and exports have been operating normally.

 

“Visit Laos Year 2018” to Launch in November

By
Laotian Times
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elephant festival
elephant festival

With government officials strongly promoting tourism on the national agenda, the country is preparing to launch the “Visit Laos Year 2018” campaign in an effort to attract more foreign travelers.

According to the Director General of the Tourism Marketing Department, Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, Sounh Manivong, the Visit Laos Year 2018 campaign is scheduled to kickoff in November in time for the That Luang Festival, and will be hosting a number of high ranking officials and journalists from other countries.

Additional well-known festivals unique to each province will be highlighted during the launch, including the Blossom Festival in Bokeo Province, the Elephant Festival in Xayaboury Province, and Lao New Year celebrations in Luang Prabang Province.

The proactive push follows a 12 percent decrease in the number of overseas tourist arrivals in Laos, in the first three months of 2017; dropping  from 1.24 million visitors in the same period last year to 1.11 million this year.

The first quarter of 2017 saw an 11 percent decrease in the number of ASEAN visitors to Laos, plunging from 866,000 people in the first quarter of 2016, to 763,000 this year.

A significant downtrend has also been recorded for European, African, Middle Eastern and Western Hemisphere travelers visiting Laos in the first quarter of 2017.

Thailand, which dominated the list of foreign arrivals in Laos for several years, indicated a decline in the number of Thai nationals visiting Laos in the first quarter of 2017, dropping from 573,000 people in the same period last year to 498,000 this year.

The Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism has suggested to the government  to create appealing conditions to attract potential foreign visitors who may consider visiting Laos in the future.  

Officials Continue to Regulate Illegally Imported Cars

By
Laotian Times
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illegal imports
illegal imports

Government officials are attempting to address the slew of illegally imported cars in the country, by implementing measures that will prevent and regulate vehicles that are being sold in Laos unlawfully.

At a  two-day monthly cabinet meeting for June, chaired by Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith, government officials focused on the pressing issue of illegally imported cars  in the country, and the progress of previously implemented measures.

In January, The Ministry of Finance was ordered by government officials to collaborate with the relevant departments, in facilitating an investigation into 5,639 cars that were identified as being illegally imported.

Under the finance ministry, the customs department had reported that the number of illegally imported vehicles had cost the state an estimated 66 billion kip in lost revenue.

In response, authorities were directed to perform a number of measures to address the issue, which included returning the illegally imported cars back to the country of origin, likely a neighboring country.

Cars that had been determined to have been imported into Laos accompanied with fake documents, had been ordered to be seized as state assets.

In cases where a vehicle had been sold to an individual buyer, who had unknowingly purchased the illegally imported car, the buyer was required to  pay  fines that pertained to the relevant law and regulations, but was not required to relinquish the car.

However, those who were found guilty of being  involved in the illegal activity, were subjected to punishment according  to the country’s laws.

Laos and Thailand Build One Map to Improve Resource Management

By
Laotian Times
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gis
gis

With the vision of “one map, one community, one nation,” government and private sector representatives from Laos and Thailand have exchanged information on a geographic information system (GIS) with the goal to construct a single map for improved natural resources management.

The Minister of Science and Technology, Prof Dr Boviengkham Vongdara, chaired a meeting organised by the Technology and Innovation Department, Thepsymeuang Trading Company and companies from Thailand in Vientiane on Monday.

One map via GIS will be beneficial in natural resources management by saving time and funds for investments on information surveys and mapping. GIS will also enhance communications and collaboration between government and private sectors.

The meeting emphasized the versatility of GIS, enabling the user to discover and share maps from any device from anywhere and at anytime. It also highlighted that in order to better understand, exchange and develop natural resources from both countries, it is imperative to build an online system for a closer partnership between governments and private sectors.

The advantage of a single shared map includes authoritative data, high-quality mapping, improved visualizations, spatial analysis and models and rich applications.

Furthermore, GIS allows greater sharing and collaboration for government operation centers and clarifies administrative boundaries, transportation, hydrology, land parcels, forest boundaries and other topographic features.

Government Plans to Settle Debts by Second Quarter

By
Laotian Times
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dam
dam

Government officials are planning to settle over 400 billion kip on balances owed to companies, for completing State investment projects by the end of the second quarter.

Officials are planning to clear their debt for development projects that were pre-approved by the National Assembly (NA), to enable private companies to maintain their financial stability so they can continue contributing to the growth of the Lao economy.

According to the government’s report, completed construction projects and debts belonging to completed projects from 2012 and earlier will be placed on the first priority list for payment. Meanwhile, projects completed between 2013 and 2016 will be placed on a second tiered priority list.

Debts owed to companies that performed flood relief and recovery projects from the Nock Ten storm in 2011 and other storms will also be allocated for payment.

A senior economist from the National Economic Research Institute, Dr Leeber Leebouapao, stressed that paying off balances owed to companies that completed construction of NA approved projects was critical. He stated, “The government’s delays to pay out debts not only affects the financial liquidity of companies, but also affects commercial banks’ business.”

Dr Leeber also emphasized the importance of inspection standards for State investment projects, and those who met met the required standards should be given priority for payment.

According to the Ministry of Finance, as of April, 2017, 245 billion kip out of the 400 billion kip state budget had been compensated to 1,451 State investment projects, representing 61 percent of the total budget.

Projects executed by 16 ministries/ministry equivalent organizations and three provinces have now received money owed. The Ministry of Finance expects to disburse the remaining 155 billion kip to seven ministries/ministry equivalent organizations and 14 provinces by the end of June.

Minister of Planning and Investment, Dr Souphanh Keomixay, recently revealed that the debts owed to private companies who performed State investment projects was as high as 13,118 billion kip.

Last year, the government allocated 963 billion kip to clear debts incurred by State investment projects and requested the NA to approve an additional 700 billion kip during the fourth quarter.

Although the money allocated will not meet the financial needs of all entrepreneurs who invested in State investment projects, the government is committed to making debt payments in a transparent manner and in line with financial principles.

Lao Drug Lord Maintains ‘Not Guilty’ Plea

By
Laotian Times
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xaysana
xaysana

Notorious Lao drug baron, Xaysana Keopimpha, has plead not guilty to smuggling 1.2 million methamphetamine pills into Thailand last September.

As previously reported by The Laotian Times, the 42 -year-old Lao national was arrested  by Thai police at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport in January and had plead not guilty to all charges brought against him in April. The alleged international kingpin has been linked to several of Thailand’s rich and high-profiled but has consistently denied being a major player in the regional narcotics trade.

On Monday, the accused drug lord continued to deny all charges before the Criminal Court in Bangkok, where the pre-trial examination of the case’s evidence was held. Mr Xaysana is charged with colluding to import a Type-1 drug and possessing drugs with the intent to sell, though he maintains that he has nothing to do with the 1.2 million ‘ya ba’ pills that were caught being smuggled into Thailand.

Prosecutors on Monday submitted evidence to the court, claiming that 9 witnesses were prepared to testify, including investigators, intelligence officers and a detainee at a prison, who implicated the king pin himself.

According to the indictment filed in April, on September 30, 2016 Mr Xaysana and six other alleged accomplices conspired to smuggle 1.2 million ya ba pills into Thailand from Laos through the Nong Khai border checkpoint.

It is speculated that members of the drug ring were going to transfer the pills to other members in Mr Xaysana’s network in the south of Thailand, who were then going to attempt to smuggle the drugs into Malaysia.

Police arrested several members of the network who were identified to be in possession of the drugs on October 1, 2016. After a thorough investigation, Mr Xaysana was arrested at Suvarnabhumi airport on arrival from Phuket on January 19, 2017.

The court has scheduled the first hearing for February 13, 2018.

More as this story develops.

Police Regulate Unauthorized Street Traders

By
Laotian Times
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vendors
vendors

In an effort to declutter the streets of Vientiane, authorities took to the footpaths along Khouvieng Road, surrounding areas of Kuadin market and several other various locations around town last week, ordering unsanctioned street vendors and traders to vacate the premises.

The crackdown was issued by the Vientiane Public Works and Transport Department, in relation to the ongoing “Clean Vientiane” campaign.

Director of Vientiane Public Works and Transport Department, Dethsongkharm Thammavong declared on June 16, that the removal and relocation of street vendors from busy roads to designated areas will be completed by this week.

With an attempt in providing constant traffic flow, better transportation for both domestic and foreign visitors along with maintaining a cleaner city, tuk-tuks have also been ordered to relocate to the assigned areas, otherwise risk being fined in accordance with traffic laws.

There are several areas in and around the capital that are notoriously known to be gridlocked during rush hour. By restricting street vendors and tuks-tuks from parking themselves in the middle of chaotic traffic, officials hope to alleviate the amount of congestion and blockage within the city.

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