BKK Post / April 5, 1998
   
Thailand and Laos agree on site for second bridge  
Two nations to split cost of construction  

Mukdahan  
   Thailand and Laos have agreed on the construction site 
for a second Thai-Laos bridge.
   Communications deputy permanent secretary Thaweepat 
Tinnamart said an agreement was reached last Monday to 
build the bridge linking Ban Soongpuea, in Muang district 
with Suwannakhet's Ban Na-kae in Muang Kanthaburi.
   He said the bridge could bring prosperity to the area.
   Thailand and Laos will share equally the estimated 1.4 
billion-baht construction cost.
   Japan has already offered a 700-million-baht soft loan 
to Thailand with a 2.7-percent interest rate to be repaid 
over 25 years, with a grace period of seven years.
   Laos will receive a 30-year soft loan at one percent 
interest with a 10-year grace period.
   The bridge is expected to be finished in three years.