BANGKOK, Dec 11 - The fourth friendship bridge between Thailand and Laos will be officially inaugurated today.

HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of Thailand and Bounnhang Vorachit, vice president of the Lao PDR, will preside over the opening ceremony in Thailand’s northernmost province of Chiang Rai.

The bridge which links Chiang Kong on the Thai border with Huay Xai in Laos is part of the economic development under the North-South Economic Corridor, connecting Thailand and Laos with Kunming in southern China.

The three countries have their shares in the construction together with the Asian Development Bank. Thailand and China have equally allocated their budgets for the total construction cost at Bt1.57 billion (some US$48 million).

The Thai Highway Department was in charge of building the 11.6-km, four-lane bridge across the Mekong River.

Thailand and Laos have jointly developed their border provinces under the Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS) which also includes Cambodia, Myanmar and Vietnam.

The three other friendship bridges connect Nong Khai and Vientiane, Mukdaharn and Savannakhet, as well as Nakhon Phanom and Khammouane. (MCOT online news)

MCOT-News

11-12-2013

http://blog.mcot.net/mcot-testing/site/content?id=52a7d459150ba08b030000e5

Great news! Thanks for posting this:)

I liked the ferry but progress

An 11.6 km long bridge to cross a 500 metre wide river??? Can we see some pictures? Maybe this includes a ramp like they built for the bridge from Shanghai to Pudong...

Who remembers when the voyage from Chiang Khorng to Luang Namtha was really wacky. Anyway, it's all over now.

You can guarantee there will be a steady convoy of Chinese trucks coming down through this route to Thailand.

Is the immigration open on the bridge also or is it still in Chiang Khong , ?

I heard that the immigration has not moved there yet is that orrect ?

Yet another step in Chinese colonization of the South-East Asia. This bridge actually fills the last gap on the smooth road all the way straight from Kunming to Singapore, long pushed for by the Chinese as a strategic goal.

An 11.6 km long bridge to cross a 500 metre wide river??? Can we see some pictures? Maybe this includes a ramp like they built for the bridge from Shanghai to Pudong...

Several issues are in play here.

1. The land on the Thai side is low and within the flood-plain when the Mekong rises during heavy rains.

2. A road running parallel to the Mekong needed to be accommodated so the bride was extended to allow it to underpass.

3. Acts as a Security Perimeter (to cut down on unsanctioned smuggling)

These pics were taken during construction last year:

Is there any casino on the Laos side ?

Here's another photo from the Laos side........12/12/2012 (Final Casting Ceremony day).

Hope the Government didn't pay for an 11.6km long bridge. That sucker looks like 1.16km to me

An 11.6 km long bridge to cross a 500 metre wide river??? Can we see some pictures? Maybe this includes a ramp like they built for the bridge from Shanghai to Pudong...

Several issues are in play here.

1. The land on the Thai side is low and within the flood-plain when the Mekong rises during heavy rains.

2. A road running parallel to the Mekong needed to be accommodated so the bride was extended to allow it to underpass.

3. Acts as a Security Perimeter (to cut down on unsanctioned smuggling)

These pics were taken during construction last year:

IMAG2878.jpg IMAG2880.jpg IMAG0053.JPG IMAG0054.JPG

Thanks, RichCor, you should have reported on the project rather than MCOT-News, so 11.6 km is not the span of the bridge but rather the total distance of all feeder and auxiliary roads that were built.

Another bridge too far.

Hope the Government didn't pay for an 11.6km long bridge. That sucker looks like 1.16km to me

11.6 Kms seems to be out of the question, unless the Mekong flood plains extend for 11 Kms!!! 1.16 seems more likely.

no casinos on laos side ( YET)

i recall the long trip up to Luang Namtha an love it i can now do it in under 4 hours!!!

Still no word if they will allow Thai motorcyles to cross or if the small car/motorycle ferry will cease. I know the small human ferry will keep running

no casinos on laos side ( YET)

i recall the long trip up to Luang Namtha an love it i can now do it in under 4 hours!!!

Still no word if they will allow Thai motorcyles to cross or if the small car/motorycle ferry will cease. I know the small human ferry will keep running

Yes, the $64 questions- can I cross there on my motorbike?