ROAD TRANSPORT / LINKS WITH LAOS

Third bridge to be built across the Mekong

ANUCHA CHAROENPO

A third bridge will be built over the Mekong river, this time linking Chiang Rai with Huaysay in Laos, with China agreeing to share the cost equally with Thailand. The estimated price is US$31 million (1.085 billion baht).

Deputy government spokesman Nattawat Suttiyotin said Thailand will be responsible for construction on the Thai side and Beijing will be responsible for the Lao side of the bridge.

He could not say when the construction would begin. Further talks between Thai and Chinese officials were needed.

The cabinet passed a resolution on the cost-sharing budget for construction of the bridge on Dec 19 and directed the Commerce Ministry to propose the idea to China.

Beijing recently informed Thailand in a letter that it agreed with the idea, he said.

The cost-sharing approach to the bridge's construction was under the Greater Mekong Subregion scheme.

The bridge will start in Chiang Khong district of Chiang Mai, crossing to Huaysay town in the northern Lao province of Bokeo. It will be 630 metres long and 16.7 metres wide.

The bridge will serve a road linking Thailand and China through Bokeo and Luang Namtha and boost trade in the subregion.

Bangkok Post
Wednesday January 31, 2007