GWR
10-10-07, 10:23 PM
Not to be confused with the 2nd Thai-Laos Mekong Bridge at Mukdahan, which could doubtless be termed the 3rd Thai-Laos Friendship Bridge:
Cross country bike race starts on Oct 28
To boost the usage of a small bridge over a small river bordering Thailand and Laos, the Association of Thai-Lao friendship is organising a cross country mountain bike race later this month, officials said.
The race will be on October 28. The small bridge across the Huan River connecting Loei's Tha Lee district with Lao Xayabouli's Kean Tao district was opened in October 2004 but failed to generate as much interest as expected.
The bike race will help boost the utilisation of the bridge as well as tourism in Loei province and Xayabouli province in Laos, said the friendship association Vice President Seree Chintanaseree.
Previous events in 2004 and 2005 involved around 15,000 respectively, he said, adding the organisers hoped to draw as many people and cyclists from Thailand, Laos and elsewhere.
Participants can either race the 35 kilometres from the bridge into Lao territory or use a touring bike to ride just 12 kms for sightseeing in Thalee and Kean Tao districts.
The winners will receive an award from HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn plus cash, Seree said.
The Lao Ambassador to Thailand, Ouan Phommachack, said Xayabouli province has great potential for tourism, trade and investment as it was linked to the western and northern parts of the country.
"Bike racing is a part of people-to-people diplomacy to boost relations of the two countries and the tourists and cyclists will have a chance to see the simple lifestyles of the Lao people during the event," he told a press conference.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/10/10/regional/regional_30052020.php
Cross country bike race starts on Oct 28
To boost the usage of a small bridge over a small river bordering Thailand and Laos, the Association of Thai-Lao friendship is organising a cross country mountain bike race later this month, officials said.
The race will be on October 28. The small bridge across the Huan River connecting Loei's Tha Lee district with Lao Xayabouli's Kean Tao district was opened in October 2004 but failed to generate as much interest as expected.
The bike race will help boost the utilisation of the bridge as well as tourism in Loei province and Xayabouli province in Laos, said the friendship association Vice President Seree Chintanaseree.
Previous events in 2004 and 2005 involved around 15,000 respectively, he said, adding the organisers hoped to draw as many people and cyclists from Thailand, Laos and elsewhere.
Participants can either race the 35 kilometres from the bridge into Lao territory or use a touring bike to ride just 12 kms for sightseeing in Thalee and Kean Tao districts.
The winners will receive an award from HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn plus cash, Seree said.
The Lao Ambassador to Thailand, Ouan Phommachack, said Xayabouli province has great potential for tourism, trade and investment as it was linked to the western and northern parts of the country.
"Bike racing is a part of people-to-people diplomacy to boost relations of the two countries and the tourists and cyclists will have a chance to see the simple lifestyles of the Lao people during the event," he told a press conference.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/10/10/regional/regional_30052020.php