The Thai cabinet has agreed to provide 1.8 billion baht to the Lao government today, for the upkeep and enhancement of the R12 highway. This will reduce the travel time from Thailand’s Nakhon Phanom province, through Laos, to the Vietnamese border in Quang Binh province.
Deputy Government Spokesperson Kaenika Oonchit explained that the R12 highway begins in Thakhek, the capital of Khammouane province in Laos, at the junction with the R13 highway, about 17km from the border checkpoint in Thailand’s Nakhon Phanom. It stretches through Laos and ends in the Vietnamese border town of Quang Binh, covering a total distance of 147km and forming an important part of the Asian Highway.
Kaenika mentioned that the funds will also be utilized to improve cargo terminals, storage facilities, lighting at intersections, public utilities, the drainage systems in communities, and the enhancement of tourist attractions along the route.
The R12 highway will improve road connections and logistics linking Thailand with Laos, Vietnam, and China, cutting the travel time from ten to just four hours and reducing customs procedures from five to just two checkpoints.
The R12 is seen as the most direct route, compared to R8 or R9, along the East-West Economic Corridor.
Kaenika stated that the volume of goods transported from Nakhon Phanom into Laos via R12 is expected to increase by around 50% after the maintenance works are completed.
