A spokesperson said he hoped the public would give generously so the 16th century monument could be restored to its erstwhile glory. A fund-raising promotion was staged yesterday on the plaza outside the pagoda to inaugurate the campaign.
The approximate cost of the renovation is US$1.2 million. Historians say Phra That Luang dates from the 1560s. Public records show it has previously been given makeovers in the 1990s as well as in 1976, 1930 and 1819. Phra That Luang is coated with gold leaf and gold paint which gives it a unique facade.
The pagoda plus the likes of the Talat Sao Morning Market, the Lao Revolutionary Museum and Patuxai Gate ensure Vientiane has become a popular stopover in Southeast Asian travel odysseys. Its laid-back aura and fine-dining options are added bonuses. 12GO offers reservations services for tickets between Bangkok and Vientiane.
Vientiane holds funds drive for Phra That Luang restoration
News in Asia
Authorities in Vientiane have kicked off a campaign to encourage the public to donate funds for the restoration of one of the city’s most beloved landmarks. The monument in question is the Lao capital’s golden-hued Phra That Luang Pagoda.