This 200km-long route runs from Nakhon Phanom province (northeastern Thailand), through Kham Muon province (Laos) into Quang Binh province (Vietnam).

Mr. Surapong said that the company’s plan has been accepted in principle by Laotian and Vietnamese authorities.

The third friendship bridge across the Mekong River between Nakhon Phanom province (Thailand) and Kham Muon (Laos) is being built at a cost of 1.8 billion Baht, funded by the Thai Government. When completed in 2011, it will shorten the way from Thailand to Vietnam and reduce travel fares between the two countries.

Meanwhile, a bus ticket from Thailand, through Laos to Vietnam will be reduced to 500 Baht (VND300,000).

It currently costs tens of thousands of Baht.