Trade highway to link Laos with neighbours

Planning phase for Route R12 underway

- WICHIT CHANTANUSORNSIRI

Planning has started to construct Route R12, a new trade corridor in Laos linking Thailand, Vietnam and China.

According to Perames Vudthitor-netiraks, president of the Neighbouring Countries Economic Development Cooperation Agency (Neda), the road will start in the town of Thakhek in the Laotian province of Khammouane, 17 kilometres from Thailand's Nakhon Phanom border checkpoint, connecting the towns of Yommalath and Boualapha, and ending at the border checkpoint of Napao in Laos opposite the Cha Lo checkpoint in Vietnam's Quang Binh province. The total length of Route R12 is 147km.

Mr Perames said this highway will play a crucial role in facilitating trade between Thailand and Vietnam, while serving as another route for Thailand to connect with China.