Lao PDR’s
The airport upgrade in the southern Lao city of Pakse was financially supported by Thailand’s Neighbouring Countries Economic Development Cooperation Agency Plc (NEDA) with a low-interest loan of Bt320 million (US$10.6 million). The project was advised by
According to Lao PDR Public Works and Transportation Minister Sommart Ponsena, the Lao government wants its country to be a transit passage for tourists.
“Now that the
The airport upgrade included a runway extension, an aircraft apron, a power station, and an aviation control tower.
Lao aviation authorities had also asked
As geographic location of Lao is a connecting point to other countries in the South East Asian region,
As said by NEDA director Akkasiri Buranasiri, transportation costs will be lowered as a result of road development, and Thai goods can be more competitive in the market in terms of prices compared to merchandise coming from other countries like
“It’s for the mutual benefit of
The two countries’ governments at the end of this year will sign another cooperation agreement on two major projects valued over Bt3 billion (US$100 million).
The first project is the two-lane R11 road construction from 2011-2014, costing Bt1.39 billion (US$46 million) covering a 56-km route and linking
The other programme worth Bt1.65 billion (US$55 million) is a 7.5 km railway extension from Tha Na Lang in Laos, already linked to Nong Khai, to the neighbouring Lao capital Vientiane. Construction is set to begin next year and be completed in 2014.
Both projects will enable