Thailand-Laos friendship bridge to be opened this month

BANGKOK: -- The Lao and Thai prime ministers will officially open the new Thai-Lao friendship bridge across the Hueng River in Thailand's northeastern Loei province on 28 October.

The border checkpoints at the foot of the bridge in both countries will also act as immigration offices, a senior adviser to Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, Pharada Nanebamrung, told TNA on Tuesday.

People travelling between the two countries will not require a visa for entry or temporary residence, Mr. Pharada said

The bridge, which has not been given any official name, is nine-metres wide and 110-metres long.

It cost Bt22.25 million to build.

--TNA 2004-10-06

Will private motorists be allowed to drive across this one.

They can't on the first bridge.

So much for friendship??

Are non-Thais, non-Lao allowed across it??

French-ship Bridge would be more accurate.

Wasn't it after the Paknam incident that the Thais were forced south of the Mekong and that any kind of Thai soldierboy was not allowed to approach the river within 40 kilometers?

I think that private vehicles ARE allowed on the friendship bridge in NongKhai....arent they? I think Irecall that the owner of the MutMee Guesthouse in NongKhai drives across from time to time.

Will private motorists be allowed to drive across this one.

They can't on the first bridge.

So much for friendship??

You can drive over in a car at nong khai, how do you think they get across? swim?

People travelling between the two countries will not require a visa for entry or temporary residence, Mr. Pharada said

Would the foreigners be concerned if they intend to come back on the same day like they can do at burmese borders ?

Until now, it hasn't been possible, so in case, that would be some excellent news.

Will private motorists be allowed to drive across this one.

They can't on the first bridge.

So much for friendship??

You can drive over in a car at nong khai, how do you think they get across? swim?

I seen cars go across when I was there in 2003