VIENTIANE, Oct 30 (TNA) – Prime Minister and Finance Minister Srettha Thavisin held discussion on bilateral cooperation with his Lao counterpart Sonexay Siphandone during his official visit to Lao PDR.
Thailand is ready to support economic connectivity between Lao PDR and the Northeastern region of Thailand and transforming it into a Growth Area.
On the infrastructure front, Thailand supports the Lao PDR government’s vision to transition from a land-locked to a land-linked country and is ready to collaborate in various infrastructure development projects to enhance transportation and connectivity between the two nations.
To facilitate this, both parties are expediting detailed negotiations to begin the construction of a railway bridge across the Mekong River (Nong Khai to Vientiane). Thailand is also prepared to provide special interest rate loans and fast-track the framework agreement to commence railway operations between Thailand’s Thanaleng Station and the Vientiane Station (Khamsavath) by early next year, which will boost travel and tourism between the two nations.
Regarding road and bridge connectivity, the fifth Friendship Bridge project (Bung Kan to Bolikhamxay) is nearing completion, while both parties have agreed in principle on the sixth Friendship Bridge project (Ubon Ratchathani to Salavan).
Additionally, plans for the upgrade of Highway 12 (Nakhon Phanom /Thakhek, Khammouane, Bolikhamxay in Lao PDR to Chalo, Quang Binh in Vietnam) are in progress to further facilitate swift and convenient transportation between Thailand, Lao PDR, Vietnam, and China and to foster economic development along this corridor. (TNA)
