Lowly soldier becomes prominent businessman 

Working hard to overcome difficulties was the well of strength that enabled a Second Lieutenant to become a businessman and eventually a millionaire in Khammuan province.
Mr Khemphet Keophiachan is a high-flying business operator who holds the concession to Nang Aen Cave - a popular tourist attraction - while also running a furniture factory.

Lao National Television interviews Mr Khemphet Keophiachan about the management of Nang Aen Cave.

He told Vientiane Times about his life and how he went from being a poor man to earning millions of dollars.
Mr Khemphet is 63 and was born in Xieng Khuang province, where he became a soldier serving his country in his hometown.
He was later based in Luang Prabang and Xayaboury provinces before moving to Khammuan province, where he eventually settled.
“I was hurt while fighting bandits in the north in 1978 and then I moved to Khammuan province to work in a state-owned sawmill. After many years, I had saved up some money and I decided to stop working and open my own sawmill. Then I also got a concession from the government to operate Nang Aen Cave.”
“I never dreamed that it would be possible to make hundreds of dollars, or that I would ever be a businessman. I only know that working hard, honesty, and responsibility has helped me to succeed and survive in this world. Meanwhile, I’ve also been given opportunities to prove myself after some supporters helped me to become a businessman,” he added.
After moving to Khammuan province, in 1990 he married a local lady who sold noodles in the main town. They have four sons and a daughter, with most of them attending or having graduated from universities in China and the USA.
One year after he married, Mr Khemphet started his first business venture, owning the concession to Nang Aen Cave and also running a sawmill.
This was the start of his path to business success, building on the skills he had picked up at the state-owned sawmill.
Some years later, he started a construction company, and built houses, offices, buildings and roads. But many years later he gave up the business as he had trouble collecting all the debts owed by his customers.
Ten years ago he also gave up the sawmill when the government reined in the timber industry to protect the environment. Instead he converted the premises into a furniture factory so he could fall in line with the government’s policy and this proved to be the right move.
Some years ago, he built a shopping mall in Thakhaek district, which his wife manages.
Reflecting on his success, Mr Khemphet said “I don’t think I would have done so well if I hadn’t been given opportunities and not been so determined. I came from a poor family but now I’ve made sure my family has millions of dollars in their pockets.”
“I am now old enough to give up one of my businesses, which I will hand over to my children,” he added.
He advises people from poor families never to stop working hard and not to hesitate when it comes to achieving things through your own efforts. At the same time, it’s important to be honest and responsible. Opportunity and success is never far away if you can just seize it.    

By Panyasith Thammavongsa
(Latest Update January 6, 2018)