Police Announce Traffic Plans For That Luang Festival
Source: Vientiane Times
The police have announced plans for parking and road access during this year’s That Luang festival from November 16-22, hoping to ease the traffic congestion that always plagues this popular event.
The arrangements were announced at a meeting on Tuesday attended by Vientiane Police Office Deputy Chief, Lieutenant Colonel Youttaphong Souvannasing, who is in charge of festival traffic planning.
Director of the Vientiane Traffic Police Department under the Ministry of Public Security, Lieutenant Colonel Phengsavanh Thammaboun, said that as notified by the Vientiane Public Security Headquarters, VIP parking will be available at a site east of That Luang near CNP company, while P1 and P2 parking sites will be allocated for special guests in front of the National Assembly.
Public transport vehicles, three-wheeled vehicles and passenger pick up will be permitted along Xangpheuak, Hongkaikeo, That Luang Market, Sisangvone-Phonxay, Patouxay, and Phonsaart roads, and a side road near Nongsangthor Secondary School.
Delivery vehicles may enter the festival area from 8am to 12 noon and then in the area allocated by the festival organising committee. Private vehicles, motorbikes and bicycles may park in areas allocated by the committee.
Vehicles travelling from Road 13 North towards That Luang may park in areas designated by the committee or at Patuxay, in front of the Indochina Bank and on side roads in Sibounheuang village, but must not obstruct other vehicles.
Vehicles travelling from Road No. 13 South and Road No. 10 (Ban Kern) may park on side roads in Phonphanao village, without obstructing traffic.
Public buses and passenger vehicles with more than six wheels coming from Thadeua and Hadxaifong district may park on Phonsinuan and Saphangmor roads.
Vehicles travelling from Xamkhey, Nakhuay, Dongkhamxang and Xiengda can park at Huakhua Market, and vehicles heading to the Lao-International Trade Exhibition and Convention Centre (Lao-ITECC) can park on site.
Meanwhile, trucks travelling on Roads 13 North and South, and those bound for the Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge, are advised to use the Dongdok-Nongbuek and 450 roads.
Lieutenant Colonel Phengsavanh said the roads around the festival area are expected to be heavily congested, especially Kaysone Phomvihane, Nongbone, T4, That Luang and Kamphaengmeuang roads, where vehicles are often at a standstill.
The Vientiane Traffic Police Department will station almost 365 police officers at 70 police posts around That Luang and Lao-ITECC to direct traffic. Police will also be on standby to deal with any accidents.
Police called on road users to comply with the regulations and obey police officers’ instructions, in order to minimise congestion and accidents.
