Thailand to build Thai-Lao Bridge The Ministry of Transport of Thailand has announced a plan to construct a bridge between Beungkan province and Laos, in an effort to boost trade and logistics between Thailand and its neighbor. Following a meeting between representatives from the government and private sector, Deputy Permanent Secretary of Transport, Sornsak Sansombat, said a plan to increase bilateral trade, investment and transportation between the two nations was hatched, involving a project to build a bridge across the Meh Kong River connecting Thailand and Laos via Beungkan. According to Sornsak, the construction project is currently in its initial stages with a blueprint being penned by relevant officials. Construction of the bridge is expected to begin at the end of 2013. He added that the bridge, once completed, will also serve as a major transport route between Thailand and several major ASEAN cities, including Hanoi , Danang and Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam ./. (VNA)