Controversy surrounds contract for road construction in Laos.

Byline: Wichit Chantanusornsiri

Aug. 9--The Finance Ministry has awarded a 1.3-billion-baht road contract in Laos to Praetumrongwit Co.

The R3 road project is part of a programme to build "economic corridors" within the Greater Mekong Subregion, and will eventually link Chiang Rai, Kunming in Southern China and Laos.

Funding is being provided by the Thai and Chinese governments as well as the Asian Development Bank. Thailand is offering a soft loan for a 84.77-kilometre segment of the R3 road, under the condition that a Thai contractor is selected for the construction work.

Bidding for the road project has been the subject of some dispute. …