Prime Minister unveils plan for new road along Thai border

Prime Minister Hun Sen with Mr Xiong Bo at the inauguration ceremony of National Road 6 yesterday. AKP

The government yesterday announced its intention to pitch a new project to China that would consist of a road along the border with Thailand connecting the provinces of Pailin and Koh Kong.

Speaking yesterday at the inauguration ceremony of a new section of National Road 6, Prime Minister Hun Sen said the project will soon be presented to the Chinese government, who he hopes will finance it through a concessional loan.

The road would stretch 200 kilometres, passing through the provinces of Pailin, Battambang, Pursat and Koh Kong. According to the premier, the envisioned thoroughfare would enhance road connectivity with Thailand.

At least $200 million would be required to build it, Mr Hun Sen said.

“We will propose the road to the Chinese government as a priority project for this year and the next,” Mr Hun Sen said.

“It will connect Koh Kong province to Thmar Da in Pursat’s Veal Veng district and to Samlaut in Pailin province, increasing land connectivity between Cambodia and Thailand,” he said.

According to Mr Hun Sen, the announced road is the only missing piece of infrastructure in the network of roads linking Cambodia and Thailand.

“We have strong connectivity with Thailand thanks to our Chinese friends who have helped us build many roads, but there is still one key road missing,” Mr Hun Sen said.

Sin Chanthy, president of the Cambodia Freight Forwarders Association, said the road will reduce the cost of transportation in the country.

“We commend the government for its efforts to build new roads that help improve transportation in Cambodia and bring down costs for our industry,” Mr Chanthy said.

Khmer Times
Chea Vannak