A planned new expressway in northern Laos will link with Thailand via the bridge over the Mekong River in Chiang Khong district of Chiang Rai. (Bangkok Post photo)

 

Surveyors are already designing a route for a new expressway in Laos that will cut travel time between northern Thailand and southern China.

 

Liu Jingwei, an official overseeing the project, said officials were surveying the route for the expressway that will connect Huayxai in Laos' Bokeo province and Boten, the Lao town in Luang Namtha bordering China, according to the Vientiane Times.

 

The expressway was approved by the Lao government in 2020, with construction costs estimated at US$3.8 million.

The new road will connect with Chiang Khong district of Chiang Rai via the existing bridge over the Mekong River.

 

Two Hours from Thailand to China

 

The 180-kilometre highway would enable vehicles that are travelling at a constant 80 kilometers per hour from Thailand, to reach China through Laos in less than two hours.

 

Bokeo governor Buakhong Nammavong told media, “the new road would pave the way for quick delivery of goods within Laos and with other countries”.

 

The Vientiane–Boten Expressway is a partially completed expressway between Boten, on the China–Laos border, and Vientiane, the capital of Laos. It roughly parallels Route 13.

 

The expressway is the first in Laos. 

 

Construction of the expressway is divided in four sections: Vientiane–Vang Vieng (113 km (70 mi),Vang Vieng–Luang Prabang (137 km (85 mi))Luang Prabang–Oudomxay,Oudomxay–Boten.

 

The first section to be completed is the Vientiane–Vang Vieng Expressway.

 

Preparation work for the Vang Vieng–Luang Prabang section is to commence after opening of the Vientiane–Vang Vieng section.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From Vientiane to Vang Vieng is a dangerous twisty mountain road, hardly an expressway.  They must be building a new highway. Vang Vieng is an airport from the America Vietnam war, the headquarters  of air america.

Also good for troop movements heading south.

Thailand to China in two hours...........as if a pandemic was not depressing enough.

Edited July 8, 20215 yr by Surelynot

How long for a Chinese tank,  heading in the opposite direction?

After 18 months of bad news comes this gem, one day you will be able to get to China in 2 hours, Deep joy and proceed with haste. With this life saving project. 

15 hours ago, Surelynot said:

Thailand to China in two hours...........as if a pandemic was not depressing enough.

Indeed, after my vaccination [whenever that might be] maybe it's time to contemplate pastures new.

16 hours ago, jobsworth said:

From Vientiane to Vang Vieng is a dangerous twisty mountain road, hardly an expressway.  They must be building a new highway. Vang Vieng is an airport from the America Vietnam war, the headquarters  of air america.

Yes, they (the Chinese), built a new expressway from Vientiane to Vang Vieng.  It opened about 6 weeks ago.  It's unlit at night, so quite a few accidents so far as the rich and/or stupid finally get a chance to 'exercise' their fast cars.....

Some one needs to check the Maths!

Is it really only 160 km from Thailand to China - would dispute that!!

1 hour ago, amdy2206 said:

Is it really only 160 km from Thailand to China - would dispute that!!

Through Burma using roads it's 255Km (Mae Sai to Mongla).

If you could build a road in a straight line between the 2 shortest points 160Km might work.

Don't do it! For every Thai person who wants to go north to China there are at least 20 Chinese people who want to go south to Thailand. Or, on full scale, 70 million Thai people at one end and more than 1.4 billion Chinese at the other. Don't do it!

180 kilometre Highway at a cost of $3.8 million  !!!  Should last at least a week.