The confidence index for this route is slightly higher than for the transit
route via Vietnam at 2.89. This index would have been up to the ``confident’’
level if the ``tea-money’’ factor were not included. Similar to the route via
Vietnam, areas of low confidence are at the border crossing between Lao PDR
and Thailand. Offering financial incentives for speedier and reliable customs
processing can again increase this confidence. Tea money must also be paid at
Bangkok port for port services. Non-payment will result in disappearance or
non-loading of cargo on feeder ship.