What should be done to tackle the problem of roadside vendors?

Thousands of vendors illegally ply their trade on roadsides, while shop owners have to pay taxes. Trade without the payment of taxes contravenes the concept of national development. Vientiane Times asked members of the public and vendors for their thoughts on this issue.

Ms Bounchin Chanthavong, a resident of Xayaboury province: If we compare shopkeepers and roadside traders, the second group are not playing by the rules. Shopkeepers have to pay taxes and the price of their goods is quite high, but people buy goods on roadsides because the prices are lower and it’s also easier to shop this way when driving. The authorities should step in and regulate this problem, especially as the government has said it wants to control this situation. Some vendors seem to be ignorant of the rules and the authorities should arrange suitable places for them to sell their wares.
 
Ms Bounthom, a vendor in Pakngum district, Vientiane: I respect the rules laid down by authorities and know that selling goods by the roadside breaks the regulations and causes congestion. But I don’t have much choice because I don’t have enough money to pay for a shop or a stall in a market. Besides, there is no space in the market near my house. It would be good if the authorities provided better places for us to sell our goods, and somewhere that doesn’t cost too much.

Ms Davone Kommanivan, an official in Chanthabouly district, Vientiane: Sure, it is simple to sell and buy goods on the roadside, both for vendors and customers. On the other hand, this practice is unfair to traders who pay rent as well as water and electricity bills. Roadside traders just pay for fuel and take up space to sell their products. This is unfair and I’d like officials to get them to follow the rules. They ought to have their own place and pay taxes like shop owners. Officials need to explain the rules for trading and they should be fined if they don’t follow the rules.

Ms Dor Inthavong, a resident of Luang Prabang province: The solution to this lies in the hands of the people who live in areas where roadside vendors operate. They need to lodge a complaint with the relevant officials. First, traders should be cautioned if they are not following the rules. Next, officials can use the law to stop them selling goods by the roadside because this causes problems for motorists. One afternoon, I saw a vendor having an argument with drivers because his roadside stall was blocking the traffic. I call on everyone to pay attention to this issue and not to be selfish.
 
Ms Keo Xoumphonphakdy, a vendor in Xaythany district, Vientiane: I know that selling goods by the roadside is against the regulations, and can sometimes cause congestion. I don’t want to do this, but I don’t have much choice. If possible, the authorities should enforce measures to curb this problem right across the country, not just in a few places. To make sure that our country is clean and tidy, I will make an attempt to sell my goods in a more suitable location.

By Lamphone Pasanthong
(Latest Update February 4, 2022)