Uttaradit to develop Thai-Lao border pass as part of economic corridor

UTTARADIT, 20 July 2016, (NNT) - The Uttaradit Provincial Administrative Organization has announced that Phu Doo Thai-Lao border crossing will be developed as a part of the economic corridor linking the two countries.

Deputy Governor of Veerachai Phuphiengjai made the announcement on an episode of the Thailand Moves Forward television program. He spoke about the border crossing's historic significance dating back to Thailand's Lanna and Laos' Lan Xang eras. Currently, the area serves as a vital transportation hub, due to its proximity to Vientiane and Luang Prabang in Laos.

Mr. Veerachai said that the government would set aside nine million baht to renovate public facilities, construct more roads, and establish local community markets and information centers. He expects to see further cooperation with Lao partners in trade, investment, tourism, logistics, public health and education. The Deputy Governor also spoke of the need for local businesses to remain competitive in the ASEAN markets.

Meanwhile, the Uttaradit provincial chamber of commerce highlighted the importance of developing more transportation routes for logistics, in order to facilitate goods distribution to the neighboring countries.

-- NNT 2016-07-20

I've been across this border twice. The Lao side is all new with a big customs house, well surfaced access roads including a 25km road to the route 4 intersection and lots of new signposts. The Thai side is in a bit of a mess. The short road up the hill between the customs house and the borderline is narrow and potholed. The customs house is rather small, though staff are friendly and efficient. Given the low traffic volume, there is probably not much need to do anything much, but at least upgrading it to look similar to the Lao side might be in order - after all you can't have a more powerful country like Thailand having a small, old customs building and bad roads while a poorer country [Laos] has the better infrastructure, right?

are you able to do visa runs through this place or will I still need to go through Tak . returning home after march 2017 after doing my 2 year residence for age pension in Aus .