lThat Luang marshland development plan

Lao authorities say they will not be able to allocate lands in the That Luang marshland to Chinese companies to develop into a new urban and commercial center, because only 20% of the promised 1,000 hectares have been acquired so far. Local residents and land owners refuse to relocate because the government is not able to provide them enough compensation.

The government had promised the lands to Chinese

New stadium being built

companies in exchange for the new stadium and sports facilities they are building at KM 18 on Route 13 South, which will be used for the 25th SEA Games that Laos will be hosting at the end of 2009.

So the government is still obligated to look for new lands for the Chinese. Officials have reportedly been looking at areas adjacent to the new sports facilities in Saythani district and areas next to the Tha Nalaeng train station in Dongphosy village, Hadsayfong district.

The Chinese companies expect to spend about 58 million dollars on the sports facilities they're building for Laos, and plan to invest more than $88 millions to develop the lands they will receive in return for building the sports complex. The development is expected to be completed by the end of 2010, in time for the commemoration of the 450th anniversary of the founding of the capital city of Vientiane.

Listen to Songrit's report for more details in Lao.