Plan to improve goods distribution centre in Nong Khai

NONG KHAI, March 19 (TNA) -- Signs of rising bilateral trade between Thailand and neighbour Laos have made Transport Minister Arkhom Termpittyapaisith thinking of improving goods distribution centre by train in Nong Khai province bordering the Laotian capital of Vientiane. Mr Arkhom traveled to the Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge in Nong Khai early Saturday and told journalists following the inspection that the number of people and vehicles passing through Nong Khai customs checkpoint have increased steadily. There is a need to renovate buildings to improve services, he said. There will be more heavy trucks passing through the customs checkpoint in future and trucks carrying goods should be first inspected at the checkpoint before the checking of necessary documents. It should reduce congestion but an agreement will have to be made with the Laotian government. The idea will be first implemented at the customs checkpoint between Mukdahan and the Laotian province of Savannakhet soon, he said. Mr Arkhom also noted that more containers used be used in transporting goods by train while goods distribution centres will be made at the railway stations in Nong Khai provincial seat, at Udon Thani railway station and at another station. (TNA)