As a frequent visitor to Vientiane over several years I'd like to bring some disturbing matters to the attention of Bangkok Post readers.
I have spoken to some of the locals in the inner-city villages of Hadsady and Sailom who say they have been told that by the end of the year they will be given notice to quit their homes to make way for the ''big boys''. They are being offered land about 20km outside the capital with schools and hospitals.
There is no clear picture yet of any compensation, assistance or employment though, and one family I know are going to have to strip the wood from the top floor of their house along with doors and windows in order to build a new home. Many of these families have been there 100 years or more. People not signing up to the new deal are being threatened with ''visits'' and ''invitations to attend''.
On the upside of the development boom around Vientiane however, now on Route 13 going east there are hotels, government buildings and enterprises such as a one-rai plot of brand new trucks and earth-movers, warehouses selling timber and paint and motorbike franchises, right out as far as the 35km mark. I expect it is all financed by China. Hopefully the locals will be taking part and benefiting in this revolution.