Committee urged to monitor ticket sales
Standing Deputy Prime Minister and SEA Games Organising Committee Chairman Somsavat L engsavad asked the SEA Games Marketing and Benefit Committee yesterday to keep a close watch on ticket sales after complaints about forgeries.
“It is not only Laos that has experienced this problem; other countries have had the same issues when organising the SEA Games, because there are always some people who seize this opportunity to sell tickets illegally, particularly for the opening ceremony,” he said.
Mr Somsavat advised the committee to seek ways to combat the sale of counterfeit tickets and bulk buying of tickets by individuals or business for resale at higher prices, saying it damaged the reputation of this important event.
Vongkhanty Construction Company recently reported that all tickets for the 25th SEA Games in December would have design features making them impossible to copy.
Company President Phankham Vongkhanty said that security against fake tickets was of the highest priority.
SEA Games opening ceremony tickets fall into four price brackets from 200,000 to 500,000 kip based on the location of the seat. The cost of the ticket also includes access to the closing ceremony.
T ickets for sports events will be based on popularity, ranging from 30,000 to 100,000 kip. Football tickets will be highly popular and so sell at higher prices, while other events will be cheaper. Some events will be free, including cycling, golf, billiards, snooker, athletics, petanque, weightlifting and archery.
Mr Somsavat said that counterfeiting and touting would not only affect opening ceremony tickets but also the more popular events.
“We should really monitor this situation to avoid complaints from both local and foreign visitors,” he said.
The games will run from December 9 to 18 in Vientiane .
Athletes from Laos , Vietnam , Cambodia , Brunei Darussalam, Thailand , Malaysia , Indonesia , Myanmar , the Philippines , Singapore and Timor Leste will compete in 383 events across 25 sports.
By Souknilundon Southivongnorath
September 22, 2009
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