Lone Rider
Blokes Who Can
From the Vientiane Times - July 31, 2012
They write about the customs point having become International - Not sure if this crossing (Chiangsaen to Thonpheung) will now also be open for people to cross into Laos (doubt that very much) or only into the Economic Zone which includes the Casino.
======================================
Bokeo upgrades special economic zone checkpoint
A new golden triangle border checkpoint at Tonpheung, Bokeo province, will allow upgraded customs checks of imported and exported goods after it was officially opened on Sunday. The international border checkpoint will also help develop the region's economy and encourage more tourism arrivals. The ceremony was attended by Ms Bounpheng Mounphosay, Minister to the Government Office and Vice President of the Lao National Committee for Special Economic Zones, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ms Sounthone Sayachack, and Chairman of the Golden Triangle Special Economic Board, Chio Wai, as well as representatives from central, provincial and district authorities.
The special economic zone covers three countries: Laos, Thailand and Myanmar, and is bordered by the Mekong River and the Huak river. “In 2007, the Lao government agreed to concede 800 hectares of land in Tonpheung district to the Dok Ngiew Kham Group, with the aim to developing the area into the golden triangle economic zone over a period of 50 years,” the provincial Governor, Mr Khammanh Sounvileut said at the opening of the checkpoint.
The checkpoint first opened on September 9, 2009, but was without facilities to scan and detect goods travelling in and out of the country. “Opening this international checkpoint will provide better facilities to manage and inspect goods being imported and exported, improve travel and provide more regulation on behalf of Laos,” said Mr Khammun. In the past, this checkpoint was used for communication, trade, exporting and importing goods, and as a transit route for people conducting business but there was no official approval.
The number of people arriving at the checkpoint increased every year. In the last nine months, there have been over 18,000 border crossings, mostly by Thai, Chinese and Korean visitors – a number of them repeat visitors. The province now has three international checkpoints, including the golden triangle checkpoint, Mr Khammun said. The province also has three traditional checkpoints and one local checkpoint.
They write about the customs point having become International - Not sure if this crossing (Chiangsaen to Thonpheung) will now also be open for people to cross into Laos (doubt that very much) or only into the Economic Zone which includes the Casino.
======================================
Bokeo upgrades special economic zone checkpoint
A new golden triangle border checkpoint at Tonpheung, Bokeo province, will allow upgraded customs checks of imported and exported goods after it was officially opened on Sunday. The international border checkpoint will also help develop the region's economy and encourage more tourism arrivals. The ceremony was attended by Ms Bounpheng Mounphosay, Minister to the Government Office and Vice President of the Lao National Committee for Special Economic Zones, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ms Sounthone Sayachack, and Chairman of the Golden Triangle Special Economic Board, Chio Wai, as well as representatives from central, provincial and district authorities.
The special economic zone covers three countries: Laos, Thailand and Myanmar, and is bordered by the Mekong River and the Huak river. “In 2007, the Lao government agreed to concede 800 hectares of land in Tonpheung district to the Dok Ngiew Kham Group, with the aim to developing the area into the golden triangle economic zone over a period of 50 years,” the provincial Governor, Mr Khammanh Sounvileut said at the opening of the checkpoint.
The checkpoint first opened on September 9, 2009, but was without facilities to scan and detect goods travelling in and out of the country. “Opening this international checkpoint will provide better facilities to manage and inspect goods being imported and exported, improve travel and provide more regulation on behalf of Laos,” said Mr Khammun. In the past, this checkpoint was used for communication, trade, exporting and importing goods, and as a transit route for people conducting business but there was no official approval.
The number of people arriving at the checkpoint increased every year. In the last nine months, there have been over 18,000 border crossings, mostly by Thai, Chinese and Korean visitors – a number of them repeat visitors. The province now has three international checkpoints, including the golden triangle checkpoint, Mr Khammun said. The province also has three traditional checkpoints and one local checkpoint.
