Comments of people on several issues

Many people expressed their comments on governance, social, cultural and Vientiane Capital issues via the telephone hotline (021) 911528, 413526 or email: na_session@na.gov.la set up by the National Assembly. The telephone hotline team of the National Assembly summarized their comments as follows:

Comments on the governance issue

            In the consulate next to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, it is crowded and unconformable for those who have passports and want only apply for visa. It is suggested that application for visa is not necessary to be processed in the consulate so people can obtain visa in border checkpoints. Application for visa in the consulate is slow and makes this place crowed. Many countries have issued visa in border checkpoints. Even though the consulate is a government organisation, some people seek profits from passport applicants.

            They called on relevant organisations to check street lights on Mekong riverside and Km3 roads, where the lights are turned on at daytime, but off at night.

            Logging in Vientiane province is over a quota so they asked the Government to impose a strict measure to stop this activity. Unless the action is taken, forests in Laos will finish.

            They asked the Government to improve the living conditions of officials. Even though the GDP increases, their living condition is still the same as before, they said.

            Medicines in Vientiane Capital’s clinics are too expensive so they asked the relevant organisation to check it.

            Lottery is too frequent. They suggested that the lottery should be organised once month.  

            Concerning the anti-corruption issue, they like to know what measure, plan for getting of corruption as well as priority target.  

            Illegal logging is found in Phouphanang area, Sangthong district, Vientiane Capital so it is nearly deserted. The relevant must check this area, they asked.

            The health insurance should be set up for the military and police officers, they suggested.

            Previously, the state budget was quite well dispatched to localities, but did not reach to the needy target. It is advisable that before the Government sends budget to localities, the relevant organosation should collect data and information in grassroots and find out what sector is needy. This will help the Government send the budget to the needy target and reduce poverty among people effectively, they said.

            Customers complained that in the post office, next to the morning market, post office officials do not show the weight of a parcel or letter but only ask for payment and sometimes bills are not available.  

            Goods and some foodstuffs that are produced domestically have no stickers showing production and expire date. The relevant organisation should solve this issue, they asked.

            They asked the Ministry of Public Health to improve dispensaries in provinces, particularly in remote areas. This is to help the people have an access to healthcare.

Comments on social and cultural issues

Foreign ads are found more in print and radio programmes, but local ones are limited. Some stalls in Vientiane capital use foreign media to advertise their products and services. What measure to deal with this issue the Government will impose?

Many foreigners confuse the name of Vientiane Capital and Vientiane province. Vientiane province should have new name, they suggested.

Comments on Vientiane Capital issues