To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Australian-built and funded Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge, Nong Khai province and the city of Vientiane will host a series of special events starting tomorrow until April 8.
Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge.
Held in collaboration with the Australian embassies in Bangkok and Vientiane, the celebratory week will begin with a trade fair featuring booths with Australian products in front of the Old Nong Khai Provincial Hall Sports Stadium, tomorrow from 10am to 9pm.
Saturday will see the opening of a photo exhibition titled “The Nong Khai-Vientiane Relationship on the Mekong River” at the Thai-Lao Botanical Garden from 8am. Up to 100 photos captured by Thai and Laos photographers will be displayed daily from 10am to 5pm until April 8.
The garden is located in Nong Kom Ko sub-district, Muang district, Nong Khai. The opening ceremony to commemorate 60 years of Thai-Lao diplomatic relations will be held after the exhibition opening at 10.40am.
In the same evening there will be musical performances at Wat Meechai Ta, also in the Muang district. Australian saxophonist Matt Keegan will join Thai guest artists Pajone Peebung on drums and Prasobchok Duangmalai on bass to perform The Bridge To Friends Suite starting at 6.40pm.
Composed by Keegan especially for the celebration, the piece will feature six parts, taking the audience from Bridge To Friends, The Mekong, The Meeting, The Construction, The Bridge At Night to The Celebrations.
Prior to his performance in Nong Khai, Matt will head a saxophone workshop at the Khon Kaen University on April 4 from 10am to noon. Pre-registration is required. Call 043-20-2396.
Another highlight is the “Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge 20th Anniversary Cycling Race”, which will kick off at 8.40am on April 6. The route starts on the Nong Khai side of the Friendship Bridge, crosses the bridge and finishes at Pha That Luang in Vientiane. A second starting point will depart from Pha That Luang and finish on the Lao side of the bridge.
Participants are required to bring their own bikes. Registration fee is 200 baht including a T-shirt, lunch voucher and certification. Registered cyclists must wear the event T-shirt to be escorted through the border.
On the same day, there will also be the “20th Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge Anniversary Golf Challenge” running from 10am to 8.30pm at the Victory Park Golf and Country Club in Nong Khai. Limited spaces are available first come, first served for the cycling race and golf challenge.
Email Charintip.pimphan@dfat.gov.au or call 02-344-6464. Contact the Nong Khai Tourism And Sport Office at 042-420-745.
Australian saxophonist Matt Keegan.
