New Route, Linking Nan and Luang Prabang Opened

LUANG PRABANG, July 4 (TNA) – The new route, linking Thai-Lao sister cities – Nan and Luang Prabang has unofficially opened and it is expected to boost tourism between the two cities by 10-20 per cent. The 114-km road construction project from Hongsa district in Xayaburi to Jom Phet district in Luang Prabang is part of the Neighbouring Countries Economic Development Cooperation Agency (NEDA)’s strategic plan. The Thai Cabinet approved the NEDA to give financial assistance of 1.9 billion baht to Laos in 2014 and the road construction started in the following year before it was completed in April, 2019. NEDA president, Perames Vudthitornnetiraks led NEDA executives and media members to explore the new route from Thai northern province of Nan to the World Heritage town of Luang Prabang, which will facilitate goods transportation and boost tourism of the two countries. The new route will support the tourism industry. The travelling period is shortened from 5-6 hours to only 3 hours from the Huay Khon border crossing in Nan to Luang Prabang, Perames said. The NEDA president said convenient transportation gives opportunities for Thai private sector to invest in the neighboring countries, distributes income to local residents and raises their living standard. When the route is officially opened, it is expected to boost the number of tourists in the sister cities by 10-20 per cent. The new route becomes the shortest route, connecting Thailand and Luang Prabang, passing Xayaburi and can also link to Vietnam’s Dien Bien Phu. (TNA)