By Vinnaly

(KPL) The government has announced that there will be a four-day holiday to celebrate Pi Mai Lao or the Lao New Year on 14-17 April.

Authorities concerned have been asked to monitor and control the prices of goods, to keep security in society and to prevent road accidents.

The celebration of Pi Mai Lao aims to preserve the traditional culture of Lao and promote unity among Lao people.

The announcement by the Government Office was issued on 2 April.  The Lao New Year (B.E 2558) celebration and water festival is the biggest and most important festival of the nation and an opportunity for Lao people to give good wishes by throwing water.

The announcement calls on the public to celebrate the New Year with happiness and in accordance with the existing fine Lao culture as well as to promote tourism.

The public should celebrate economically, and civil servants have been asked not to spend any state budget or use any government vehicles for the celebration.

The Lao New Year will fall on 14-16 April this year but the government has agreed to extend the holiday through 17 April.  Saturday, 11 April 2015 will be a normal compensation day.

Government assigned authorities of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, Vientiane Capital and provinces have been tasked to control prices of goods to prevent merchants from taking advantage of the celebration by raising the prices of goods.

The Ministry of National Security should cooperate with the Ministry of Public Works and Transport to provide safe roads for public use and conduct a campaign of awareness about the dangers of drinking and driving and strictly inspect to prevent road accidents.

The Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism has been asked to increase public awareness about the history of the celebration through an advertising campaign on television, on the radio, and in newspapers.

KPL