Kyaiktiyo Pagoda takes action against unsavory vendors

Kyaiktiyo Pagoda has cracked down on vendors selling unhealthy and unsanitary food on the pagoda grounds. Twenty-two vendors were issued a warning on October 21 to clean up their act.

“Fried chicken, vegetable sticks and preserved mangoes were sold without any covers on the pagoda platform. We don’t know if flies landed on them. They are not suitable for eating. We asked them [the vendors] to sign a pledge not to sell such food again because it’s not good for both their reputation and the pagoda’s reputation if something happens to the guests after they eat the food from the vendors,” said U Aye Myint Thein, a member of the Kyaiktiyo Pagoda’s board of trustees.

“We told them that we will take action against them in accordance with the law if they sell [such food] again,” continued U Aye Myint Thein.

He said the pagoda’s board of trustees will cooperate with the pagoda security and market committee members to clampdown on the 22 vendors selling unhealthy food to pilgrims.

Two vendors were also warned after they were caught selling fake sandalwood on October 16.

“We are trying to eradicate such kind of acts during the term of the new board of trustees,” said U Aye Myint Thein.

Souvenir sellers are likewise under scrutiny and have been cautioned not to trade in fakes. The pagoda trustees say all operations should be above board.

“We also disrobed two fake monks and made them sign the pledges,” said U Khin Saung, who heads the pagoda’s board of trustees.

Around 2.8 million people visited Kyaiktiyo Pagoda last year. The Mon State government expects around 5 million visitors this year.