Prayut, Lao PM agree more bridges needed

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and his Lao counterpart Phankham Viphavanh agree there ought to be extra bridges linking their nations throughout the Mekong River, the federal government spokesman mentioned.

In addition they agreed on the necessity to hyperlink the Thai rail community with the brand new Laos-China railway line. 

Anucha Buraphachaisi, the PM’s secretary-general, mentioned the 2 males agreed on this whereas attending a ceremony to put basis stones for the fifth Thai-Lao friendship bridge on Friday. The ceremony was held on each side of the Mekong River, in Bolikhamxai of Laos after which Bueng Kan province in Thailand.

“This bridge will present one other handy route for visits between folks alongside the border and there might be extra bridges at different places,” Mr Anucha quoted Gen Prayut as saying.

The 2 prime ministers have been assured the fifth bridge would stimulate financial improvement in each nations and facilitate transport between Thailand, Laos and Vietnam, the spokesman mentioned.

In addition they mentioned improvement of Thai-Lao railway hyperlinks and the necessity to scale back obstacles to the connection of the Thai railway community to the railway line between Laos and China, and maximise its use, Mr Anucha mentioned.

The fifth Thai-Lao friendship bridge is a cable-stayed construction, a part of the 16.34-kilometre-long route between the 2 nations.

The longest strategy is on the Thai facet. It begins from the 123 kilometre marker of Freeway 222 in Bueng Kan, then passes via Bueng Kan municipality, throughout the Mekong River and adjoins Freeway 13 in Bolikhamxai. It’s going to facilitate use of routes from Laos to Vietnam and southern China.

Building began in 2020, is 56% accomplished and the brand new bridge is anticipated to open to visitors in 2024.

The primary 4 bridges  over the Mekong River service the Nong Khai-Vientiane, Mukdahan-Savannakhet, Nakhon Phanom-Khammouane, and Chiang Khong-Huay Xai routes.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha (in yellow, centre)  and Lao Prime Minister Phankham Viphavanh stroll hand in hand on the development website of the brand new bridge in Bueng Kan province on Friday. (Picture: Authorities Home)