The Golden Triangle Rider

[Auke]

<b>Pakxan to Thasi</b>
A few weeks ago I was driving north from Pakxan in the direction of Phonsavan. Noticed quite a bit of roadworks in and just past Borikham. According to my sources, they will asphalt the road from Pakxan to Thasi (total 78.3 km.) which will shorten the travel time from Pakxan to Phonsavan.

This year they plan to asphalt 20 km. to Muang (probably Borikhan). The road will continue via Muanh Huang to Ban Ken Yong where they plan to build a 100 meter long Baily bridge over the Nam Xan river. From the bridge to Thasi the road will become a single lane road (3.5 meter wide). Should be ready sometime in 2010. Nothing appears to be planned yet either for the stretch from Thasi to Mouang Khoune nor from Muang Huang to Mouang Khoune.

<b>Linking Laos and Cambiodia.</b>
The Chinese Government has apparently agreed to fund a 6 km. stretch of road to connect Rd. 13 in the south of Laos across the border to Rd. 7. in Cambodia with construction to start after the rainy season and to be ready before the rainy season in 2008.