Luang Prabang to search for rumoured treasure


Cave somewhere near Luang Prabang

Luang Prabang authorities have set up a special taskforce to explore a cave said to be a place where French colonial army troops hid valuable items several decades ago.

The Phadao cave is located in Chom village, Chomphet district, some 30 km from the capital city of Luang Prabang province.

“We have heard locals talking about the treasure in this cave for more than 10 years, so we've decided to officially explore it,” a member of the taskforce, Mr Bounkhong Khoutthao, said in a telephone interview with Vientiane Times.

Mr Bounkhong, who is also deputy director of the Luang Prabang Information and Culture Department, said the taskforce officials had visited the cave several times but the official exploration had not begun because the taskforce did not have archaeological experts.

“We have invited archaeologists from the Ministry of Information and Culture to join the taskforce and they have agreed with the proposal. We expect to begin the explorations this month,” he said.

Mr Bounkhong said the provincial authorities had not allowed any individuals or companies to explore the cave, and was confident no one had gone against these orders. He added that local people also believed the caves were guarded by ghosts, and did not dare get closer to the cave.

The cave is located inside a forest surrounded by mountains, and is difficult to access, he said. Survey team officials must walk for at least two hours before they arrive at the cave, where there is only a small entrance to the cave.

In a report on Lao National Radio on Monday, the reporter quoted a member of the survey team as saying that the team had found evidence of soil used by the French troupes to fill the small hole, and archaeologists would need to negotiate this soil before entering the cave.

Although people have been saying for ten years that French colonial army troops hid their valuables inside the cave before escaping from Japanese soldiers during the 1940s, Mr Bounkhong said that he could not confirm what would actually be inside the cave, as all the evidence was based on local rumours.

However, he said the project would be good experiences for the survey team, and that perhaps the cave could eventually be developed as another tourist site for the province.

He said the scenery surrounding the Phadao cave was lush and forested with clean air, and would be a good place for tourists to set up camps and organise trekking activities. He added that he had plans to discuss the possibilities of the area with tourism officials at a later date.

By Ekaphone Phouthonesy
vientianetimes
photo: flickr