(KPL) The planned construction project of the third Lao-Thai Friendship Mekong River Bridge between central Khammouane province of Laos and Nakhon Phanom province of northeastern Thailand has been put on hold due to the high price of construction materials.
After the completion of the second Lao-Thai Friendship Mekong River Bridge in Savannakhet province, the Lao and Thai governments decided to build a third bridge, the Third Lao-Thai Friendship Mekong River Bridge. It will connect Veuntay village, Khammouane province, Laos, with Hom village, Nakhon Phanom province’s Thailand.
Mr Nongsavanh Thammavong, Deputy Director of the Third Lao-Thai Friendship Mekong River Bridge Construction Project in Khammouane province told KPL news yesterday that the survey and design of the third bridge was completed in early 2008 and construction work should commence soon. However, because of the sudden increase in the prices of construction materials the project might be delayed for two months, he added. He also said that after the announcement of the tender, many Thai construction firms bought the bid envelopes and submitted them but they would not be opened because of the economic situation.
According to the time table, the construction work should commence in September 2008 and its completion date should be 2011.
The Thai government has agreed to invest 1,400 billion baht in the construction of this bridge, 780 metres long and 7 metres wide.
If the bridge completed officially it would increase opportunities in trade, investment, tourism and transport between Laos, Thailand and Vietnam. This bridge will facilitate transport and communication to Vietnam, Vientiane and southern provinces of Laos.
The longer the delays the costs of construction will increase. The costs won't come down in the next few years they will increase instead. Vietnam should come help in building this new bridge.
please don't wait for Thailand , Laos , we still have a lot friendly countries to help us, Thailand is main absctucle to our country Development. pleae take care of your country, late or soon Thailand will fell down and devide in to 4 parts.. ha.ha ...ha
i'm sure there are so many factors to suspend the construction of 3rd bridge. economy is bad everywhere.. thailand is putting this project on hold and pulling out from buying electricity from laos..
i hope Laos goes out and look for other countries to partner with.. build it and charge a high fee for using the bridge. hopefully, in 10 years or so.. it can pay itself back
I'm a Lao american. It more profitable to trade with vietnam then Thai, because thai living cost is so high everything is expensive. It better to build better road to vietnam than thai. If thai had nobody to trade with they begging to build those briedge.
