Lao-Thai 3rd friendship bridge (สะพานไทย-ลาวแห่งที่ 3)

thawach 2012-09-16

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Lao-Thai 3rd friendship bridge

The third Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge across the Mekong River officially opened yesterday, with the new bridge reflecting the growing cooperation between the neighboring countries.

The bridge will serve to enhance this cooperation and help to promote trade, investment and tourism as well as mutual understanding between the people of the two countries.

Lao Vice President Bounnhang Vorachit and Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of Thailand officially opened the bridge, which connects Hom village in Meuang district of Thailand's Nakhon Phanom province to Veun Tai village, 13km north of Thakhek in Khammuan province.

The ceremony was attended by high-ranking officials from both nations including Lao Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong and Thai Prime Minister Ms Yingluck Shinawatra.

Speaking at the bridge opening ceremony, Ms Yingluck said Thailand and Laos have a joint policy to promote economic development in the region, and the bridge will help to build twin towns on either side of the river.

"We already have two friendship bridges across the Mekong. The first bridge links Vientiane in Laos to Nong Khai province in Thailand and the second one links Savannakhet province in Laos to Mukdahan in Thailand."

Ms Yingluck said the third bridge would contribute to strengthening relations between Thailand and Laos and also form part of the Asean highway, linking the northeast of Thailand through Khammuan province to Vietnam.

Mr Thongsing said the bridge represented the hopes of the Lao and Thai people, particularly those living in Khammuan and Nakhon Phanom provinces, for a more prosperous future.

"This achievement is the outcome of the cooperation between Laos and Thailand. The third bridge symbolises the friendship and close neighbourly relations between Laos and Thailand," he said.

The bridge will bring prosperity to the people of Laos and Thailand in the long run, he added, thanking the people and government of Thailand for financing its construction.

It is envisaged that the bridge will boost cooperation between the two countries in line with the Mekong and Ayeyawady cooperation strategy. The additional link is important in promoting

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