Post by Spend Pi Mai on the beach off on Mar 7, 2005 6:13:45 GMT -5
ປີໃຫມ່ນີ້ ບໍ່ຮູ້ຈະໄປທ່ຽວໃສດີ ເຊີນມາເຫຼ່ນທີ່ຫາດດອນຈັນ ເດີພີ່ນອ້ງ
CHANTHABOULY district on Friday started making an access road to Don Chan beach, where the authorities hope Vientiane residents will go to celebrate Lao New Year (Pi Mai Lao), to reduce the potential for road accidents.
The Lao nationwide celebration of Pi Mai is a moveable feast, taking place this year on April 13, 14 and 15.
Don Chan road contractor and district authority staff member Bounchan Kandavong said that there are very few suitable sites in the city for the celebration, which involves a great deal of water being thrown, so many Vientiane residents take to the roads, often going to other provinces; more traffic increases the possibility of accidents.
He also claimed that the Don Chan beach availability would encourage young people to play games rather than take drugs.
He said that Don Chan would make a very suitable and enjoyable venue for Vientiane residents to enjoy the water festival on the beach.
He explained that the district last year built a pilot beach project, to which thousands of local and foreign people came for Pi Mai activities.
"The number of people who visited the beach was larger than we expected," said Bounchan.
The organisers will offer beach soccer and volleyball in a competition predicted to attract entries from at least 200 teams, for age groups from eight years to seniors. This will begin next week, and winners will receive a Chathabouly district governor's trophy.
There will also be motocross races involving 50 motorbikes, 25 from Thailand.
The project anticipates the road access will be ready early next month and hopes to add a 30-metre bamboo bridge across the Mekong to the beach island for dry-foot access.
The district is also considering putting in separate entry/exit roads to avoid traffic jams. "Last year we allowed entry and exit along the same road, which caused many delays and traffic confusion," he said. "Last year's pilot gave us many ideas from the experience so that this year everything will work much more smoothly."
The district will put up red flags at dangerous points and will position staff at dangerous point to ensure safety on the beach and neighbouring boating areas. "I believe that everybody will be able to enjoy their New Year in safety," said Bounchan.
The beach will open at 10am and close at 5pm during the three days of Pi Mai. "We will not charge people to enter the beach but there will be a 3,000 kip parking fee for motorbikes, 5,000 kip for cars," he concluded.
Source: vientianetimes.org.la
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