The National Convention Centre in Vientiane. - EPA
VENTIANE: Leaders of the government and the Lao Peoples Revolutionary Party are giving up their luxury cars in an attempt to show they are serious about being frugal.
Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith and President Bounnhang Vorachit last week returned their BMW 7 Series cars. They now ride in Toyota Camry 2.5 cars, an official at the Prime Ministers Office in charge of state vehicle affairs told Vientiane Times last Friday. Vice President Phankham Viphavanh was to return his 7 Series yesterday, the official added.
The government last week issued an order to withdraw all BMW and Mercedes-Benz cars that had been purchased for use by individual leaders and for state duties. The cars will be sold through a bidding process starting next month and replaced with cheaper brands such as Toyota.
In total, 36 Mercedes-Benz comprising 15 S-Class and 21 E-Class have been bought for use in state affairs by central and local departments, such as receiving foreign guests, while some have been provided for high-ranking officials.
Another 11 BMW 7 Series cars were bought for use by current and former members of the Party Politburo including those who have retired. The Prime Ministers Office and the Ministry of Finance have been tasked with recovering the cars.
However, the BMW 7 Series cars allocated to retired Politburo members are unlikely to be withdrawn because they were gifts, said an official at the Ministry of Finance who is close to the authorities in charge. — Vientiane Times/Asia News Network
