U.S, April 23 -- Thailand, Laos and Australia are this week holding a series of activities to mark the 30th anniversary of the 1st Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge, the first infrastructure project to reinforce the peace and promote travel, tourism, transportation and trade as a conduit for the economic development of the post-war Indochina region.

The 1,170-kilometre bridge was launched on 08 April 1994, completed ahead of schedule at a cost of $A42 million (750 million Baht, at the then exchange rates), including cost of construction, feasibly studies, design and fabrication. Funded entirely by the Australian government, it was inaugurated by His Majesty the late King Rama IX the Great, Laotian President Nouhak Poumsavanh and Australian Prim...