Fourth Thai-Lao Friendship bridge to open in December

Thailand and Laos expect to open the fourth Thai-Lao Friendship bridge linking Chiang Rai’s Chiang Kong district with Huay Sai in Laos in December, Thai Foreign Minister Surapong Tohvichakchaikul said on Thursday.

The construction of the Bt1.4 billion bridge straddling the Mekong River is about 64 percent complete, the minister said.

The bridge was discussed when Laotian Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong met his Thai counterpart Yingluck Shinawatra during an official visit last week in Bangkok.

The leaders agreed that the bridge would open on December 12, he said.

Thailand allocated half the construction expenses, the minister said, while Laos obtained a loan from China. However, construction was delayed while China considered the loan request.

The first Thai-Lao Friendship bridge links Nong Khai with Vientiane, while the second connects Mukdahan province with Savannakhet. The third links Nakhon Phanom with Kammouane.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2012/06/07/fourth-thai-lao-friendship-bridge-open-december.html