25th SEA Games, Laos

Vientiane Labour and Social Welfare Service has assigned direct call numbers for tracing beggars to ensure keeping orderliness within Vientiane capital during the 25th SEA Games which will fall on 9-18 December this year.

Individuals can inform village authorities, security officers stationed in nearby village clusters or dial or and 56 17 044 if they see beggars within the capital, said on Tuesday Mr. Khonesavanh Phommadouang, Head of Social Welfare Division, Vientiane Labour and Social Welfare Service.

Mr. Khonesavanh said that committees for dealing with beggars had been established at central and district levels as well as a taskforce to work with public security officers and grassroots political strengthening units in village clusters across the capital. According to Mr. Khonesavanh, beggars who are arrested will be sent back to their hometowns or to a detention centre at Somsa-nga village which currently houses 22 beggars from Vientiane province and Vientiane capita