Bangkok will be linked by road to China

Thai commerce minister Krirk-krai Jirapaet said to chinese commerce minister Bo Xilai on
friday that China is ready to provide financial aid to construct a third bridge across the Mekong
River linking northern Thailand, Laos and Yunnan province in southwestern China.
Krirk krai said reporters Bo said China will provide financial assistance for Laos for the
construction of the bridge.China has agreed to pay half the $34 million with Thailand to build a bridge to replace pontoon like ferries that provide the only link across the river into the darkly forested land beyond. The project could be completed by 2011.
Exports of the countries in the greater Mekong region have quadrupled to $179 billion in 2006 from $36 billion in 1992 when regional integration was launched.
Two-way trade between Thailand and China has expanded between 26 percent and 30 percent annually.
Annual tourist arrivals more than doubled to more than 21 million in 2006 from 9 million in 1995.
C. Lawrence Greenwood, ADB vice president declared reporters referring to the Mekong region : "What we've done is to replace the tanks and troops with trade and tourism".