Mekong bridge agreements mark end of PM's Laos visit
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Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha yesterday wrapped up his official visit to Laos with the promise to Vientiane of Thai support for the construction of two more Mekong bridges linking the two countries and a special economic zone in Nong Khai.
Thailand will provide financial support in terms of a soft loan for the construction of the fifth and sixth bridges, between Bueng Kan and Paksan and between Ubon Ratchathani and Salavan, Prayut said.
“We will boost trade, investment and agriculture productivity between the two countries as well as establish a special economic zone in Nong Khai, in addition to the existing one in Mukdahan, which is already busy,” he said.
Prayut said officials from the two countries were also looking into establishing more permanent border checkpoints.
In a meeting with his Laotian counterpart Thongsing Thammavong, Prayut said he had made inquiries about the proposed rail project connecting the two countries as both sides were considering using Chinese rail technology.
China has agreed to help develop an 867-kilometre dual-track electric railway linking Bangkok with Kaeng Khoi district in Saraburi and Nong Khai with Map Ta Phut in Rayong through Kaeng Khoi. Vientiane, meanwhile, has been engaged with Beijing for some time about having a rail route linking China’s border to the Laotian capital.
China has plans to link the three countries via rail.
For the Thailand-China rail project, there will be tangible results next year, Prayut said.
Thailand and Laos have agreed to continue surveying and demarcating borders, combat drug smuggling and cooperate on labour issues, investment, tourism, human-resource development, infrastructure development and border security.
Thailand is among the top three sources of foreign investment in Laos, and Thai nationals represent the largest number of foreign tourists visiting that country.
During Prayut’s visit, Thailand and Laos signed three documents designed to strengthen relations and cooperation, according to state-run newspaper Vientiane Times.
The first two were memoranda of understanding for Phase 2 of the Bokeo Provincial Hospital project and for cooperation in science, technology and innovation.
The final document was an agreement on capital provisions for a road-construction project linking Hongsa and Luang Prabang.
Upon his arrival on Wednesday, General Prayuth paid courtesy visits to President Choummaly Sayasone and National Assembly President Pany Yathortou.
