Thailand fully supported the construction of a new bridge to link the country with central Laos, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said on Thursday.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha (left) talks with his Vietnamese counterpart Nguyen Tan Dung as they walk toward Mr Dung’s Cabinet Office in Hanoi on Thursday. Gen Prayut was in Hanoi after visiting Vientiane. (AFP photo)
Gen Prayut said Thailand will offer loans to Laos to build a bridge over the Mekong River between Bung Kan province and Laos’ Borikhamsay.
Thailand had also considered a plan to build another bridge between Ubon Ratchathani province and Salavan province in Laos in the future, he added.
Construction cost of international bridges between Thailand and Laos is shared by the two countries.
The proposed bridge in Bung Kan will connect with a road in central Laos to Vietnam.
The construction of a railway from China to Laos financed by Beijing is expected to kick off early next year, he added.
The issue was tabled in talks with Lao Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong in Vientiane on Wednesday.
The railway in Laos will link up with the Thai tracks in Nong Khai province as part of the Asean rail network to boost trade, investment and travel between Southeast Asia and China.
Gen Prayut wrapped up his first visit to Laos on Thursday and left for Hanoi for another stop.
Gen Prayut and Vietnamese Prime Minister Ngyuen Tan Dung will witness the signing ceremony of an agreement on strategic partnership in the Vietnamese capital.
He will return to Thailand on Friday.
Source: http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/445789/new-thai-lao-bridge-in-bung-kan
