Laos, Thailand agree to start “Third Friendship bridge”


Photo: view of sunset from Thakek

(KPL) Laos and Thailand agreed last week to start as quick as possible the construction of the third Friendship Mekong bridge linking Laos’ central province of Khammouane and Nakhon Phanom (Thailand).

According to last week’s seminar held in Nakhon Phanom, the bridge is to benefit the two provinces of the two countries and neighbouring countries.
The government of Thailand has claimed to be responsible for the construction cost of over one billion baht while still allows its counterpart who faces the limitation of finance to contribute to the construction as much as it can.

“The possible Khammouane-Nakhon Phanom Friendship bridge is a connection between Laos and Thailand. It is determined in the economic-integration framework of Greater Mekong Sub region countries (GMS) and it is on the East-West Economic Corridor,” said Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Hiem Phommachan.

The third Mekong friendship bridge was initiated in 2005 and became a cooperation project later.

“The bridge is an important factor for the economic expansion of the two countries and their neighbouring Vietnam,” Mr Hiem furthered. “It will promote and expertise the economic integration, communication, and tourism of regional countries.”

Attending the function were also Deputy Minister of Information and Culture, Mr Bosengkham Vongdala, Thailand’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr Nit Pibulsongkram, Viraphong Ramangkul Thai-Lao Friendship Association, diplomatic corps of two countries as well as the administrations of Khammouane and Nakhon Phanom.

Source: kpl.net.la