ientiane Times, Paxaxon newspapers set to relocate
The offices of Lao Press in Foreign Languages and Paxaxon newspaper will have a new home in Phonpapao village, Sisattanak district, after the government agreed an exchange deal with a local company on Wednesday.
Under the agreement, TK Road and Bridge Construction Company will build twin 3-storey buildings at a cost of more than US$2.7 million to house the offices of both news organisations.
It is estimated it will take at least two years to complete the new premises.
The new buildings are part of an exchange deal where the company will be allowed to develop the newspapers' current offices on Pangkham Road opposite the Nam Phou fountain in central Vientiane.
The agreement was signed between Deputy Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism Mr Savankhone Razmountry and TK Road and Bridge Construction Company President Mr Thatsakhone Thammavong.
Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism Prof. Dr Bosengkham Vongdara, Deputy Ministers Buangeun Xaphouvong, Chaleun Warinthrasak and other senior officials also attended the signing ceremony.
The construction company will build two buildings each 30 metres long and 18 metres wide on a 2,480 square metre site. The relocation will take place following the completion of the new premises, about four kilometres away from the existing newspaper offices.
During the signing ceremony, Director General of Paxaxon newspaper Mr Bualaphan Thanphilom said the move responds to the needs of national development and will help to reduce congestion in the city centre.
He said the current two-storey building in Xieng Ngeun village, Chanthabouly district, is quite old and has been in use since 1965.
Mr Thatsakhone said his company will convert it into a commercial building. They will construct a seven-storey building, with the first two floors to be used as restaurants and the upper floors to be rented out as office space.
Lao Press in Foreign Languages comprises two publications – the English language daily Vientiane Times and the French weekly magazine Le Renovateur , which employ about 60 reporters and staff in total.
Vientiane Times was established in 1994 and covers topics ranging from politics to economic and socio-cultural issues, aiming to publicise the Party's policies, push for national development and examine issues of public concern.
Last month, the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism gave permission for the Khamphay Sana Construction Group to build a four-storey building to house the National Museum which will be relocated to the Km 6 area near the Kaysone Phomvihane Museum in Xaythany district.
Also last month, the ministry gave permission for the Chitchareune Construction Company to build a four-storey building in the same area to house the National Library. Both the museum and library come under the supervision of the ministry.
