THAILAND-LAOS: Thailand and Laos have opened a second bridge across the Mekong River that marks the border between the two countries. The bridge cost 70 million dollars to build over a three year period, and was partially funded by loans from Japan. It connects the northeastern Thai province of Mukdahan with the southern Lao province of Savannakhet.
Thai Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont and his Lao counterpart, Bouasone Bouphavanh, attended (Wednesday's ) opening ceremony.
Mr Surayud says the bridge will boost trade and investment ties with Laos by improving transportation across the Mekong.
The bridge is part of a regional effort to connect Burma and Thailand to the Vietnamese port city of Danang, via landlocked Laos. More than 10 thousand Thai and Lao attended the ceremony.
Listen to our Laos Today report for details.