Khounkham District, November 27, 2019
Khounkham Community Radio Station has celebrated getting on the air in Khammouane Province with a launch party at Phousaat village.
Supported by a grant from the Theun-Hinboun Power Company (THPC), the station has been testing broadcasts across Khounkham district since June. It now transmits for 13 hours every week day. According to Mr Keomany Keonyodkhoun of the district Information, Culture and Tourism (ICT) Department, the station can reach 90% of villages in Khounkham plus adjacent areas in Hinboun, Khamkeuth and Viengthong districts.
THPC Deputy General Manager Soulideth Baomanikhoth officially handed over the broadcast equipment to Khounkham District Governor Keolandon Chanthapany at a ceremony in the village, witnessed by Khammouane Deputy Governor, Mr Khamsy Outhivong.
Established by Khounkham authorities to improve access to public information across the district, the radio station project was supported by provincial and central ICT offices and the Ministry of Energy and Mines. THPC, the main driver of economic growth and infrastructure in the district since its inception, provided over US$32,000 of funding.
At the station launch government officials thanked THPC for their constant support to development in Khounkham and presented the company with a certificate of appreciation signed by the Prime Minister, Thongloun Sisoulith. The handover was followed by traditional dances and performances as part of Ban Phousaat’s Boun Kong Kao, or harvest festival.