Thailand, Laos sign road and rail deal

• Jul 01, 2019

Thailand and Laos have sealed an agreement to upgrade a road and build a rail extension worth over 3 billion baht to boost cross-border economic cooperation, according to the Neighbouring Countries Economic Development Cooperation Agency (Neda).

Neda vice-president Perames Vudthitornetiraks said the agreement was signed over the weekend in Vientiane for two projects, one of which involves work on improving the R11 road linking the Phudu border checkpoint in Uttaradit province with Vientiane. The upgrade calls for a two-lane road to be paved with asphalt at a cost of 1.8 billion baht.

Mr Perames said the projects would make the transport of goods and passengers faster and safer along the Chiang Mai-Vientiane Economic Corridor route. Also, the agreement will see the train route from Nong Khai to Thanaleng in Laos extended to Vientiane. The 7.5km extension from Thanaleng will cost 1.6 billion baht.

Source: https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/1704660/thailand-laos-sign-road-and-rail-deal