As part of the excursion, they first cycled from the Phaya Srisattanagaraj Plaza along the Mekong River towards the 303-metre-long Naga tunnel, enjoying the northeastern province’s cultural and historical landmarks, before the two ministers presided over the tunnel-opening ceremony.

The group, which included provincial governor Somchai Witdamrong, then moved onto the third Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge and made a U-turn back to the starting point to complete the 30-kilometre journey. The three-metre-wide, |concrete-paved Naga tunnel is part of a planned 60-kilometre cycling route between the third Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge (Nakhon Phanom-Khammoun) and Wat Phra That Phanom, aimed at boosting the province’s tourism.