Enhancing the Quality of Life of Thai and Lao People Living on the Thai-Laos Border: A Case Study of the Fifth Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge (Bueng Kan Province—Paksan, Bolikhamxai Province)

Abstract

The objectives of this research were to study the quality of life of Thai and Lao people living on the Thai-Laos border, especially around the fifth Thai-Lao friendship bridge (Bueng Kan—Bolikhamxai) and provide the ways to improve the quality of life of these people. A qualitative research method was used in this research. The researchers conducted an in-dept interview with 12 key informants from both Thailand and Laos PDR and analyzed data using a contents analysis. This research found that before constructing the bridge, the Lao government agencies did not pay much attention to the quality of life of the Lao people. Lao people had to develop and take care of their own quality of life. Still, Lao people reported that they were satisfied with their quality of life, happiness, and life satisfaction. In terms of Thailand, before constructing the bridge, community leaders played a critical role in improving the quality of life of the Thai people. However, during the construction of the bridge, the quality of life of people from both countries has been affected in several ways, such as having a lot of dust emission from the road constructions, road safety hazards, social interaction problems due to commuting difficulties. When asking people’s perception about the quality of life after the completion of the bridge, both Thai and Lao people reported that they could travel easily and quickly, shorten travel time, and promote tourism in both countries. Moreover, there would be an increase in investment and ultimately boost economic growth in the area. Finally, guidelines for improving the quality of life of the Thai and Lao people living around the bridge included coordinating relevant government agencies to solve existing problems, namely accelerating road constructions, controlling dust during road constructions, adjusting the U-turn points, adding streetlights, accelerating the compensation of the expropriated land. After the bridge is completed, both countries should also create cultural activities, find tourist attractions, and provide enough homestay accommodations for tourists and investors. These will ultimately improve the quality of life of the Thai-Lao people living around the fifth Thai-Lao friendship bridge (Bueng Kan—Bolikhamxai).