The Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge linking Bolikhamxay province in Laos and Bueng Kan province in Thailand across the Mekong River. (File photo)

Planned river, rail bridges set to expand Laos-Thailand links

Two more bridges linking Laos and Thailand across the Mekong River are in the planning stages, along with a railway bridge across the river between Vientiane capital and Nong Khai province in Thailand.
The governments of Laos and Thailand are stepping up cooperation on cross-border infrastructure, with senior officials reviewing progress on planned Mekong River bridges and the potential rail link.
To further these developments, Lao Minister of Public Works and Transport, Mr Leklai Sivilay, met with the Chairperson of Thailand’s Neighbouring Countries Economic Development Cooperation Agency (NEDA), Mr Theeraj Athanavanich, for talks at the ministry in Vientiane.
Discussions reviewed past collaboration, including construction of the newly-built 5th Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge between Bolikhamxay province in Laos and Bueng Kan province in Thailand.
Future priorities include a 6th bridge linking Salavan province with Ubon Ratchathani in Thailand, a 7th bridge connecting Vientiane province with Loei province, a railway bridge across the Mekong between Vientiane and Nong Khai, and improvements to wastewater treatment and water supply systems.
According to an earlier report, plans for the Salavan-Ubon Ratchathani bridge are the most advanced, with construction expected to begin in 2029 and completion targeted for 2031.
The 1,607-metre structure will connect Thailand’s Highway 2112 in Na Tan commune with Laos’ National Road 13 in Lakhonpheng district.
Total project costs are estimated at around 5.22 billion baht, based on mid-2025 figures.
Lao authorities also plan to widen the connecting road to Road No. 13 from two to four lanes to handle the expected growth in traffic.
When operational, the bridge will ease cross-border travel and trade, and improve freight transport between Laos, Thailand, Vietnam and China.
In terms of trade, the two countries have set a target of US$11 billion in two-way trade by 2027. The figure was announced at the 23rd meeting of the Laos-Thailand Joint Commission on Bilateral Cooperation in Luang Prabang last month.
In 2025, the value of bilateral trade rose to US$8.4 billion (excluding electricity exports), with Thailand remaining Laos’ largest trading partner. Trade in the first eight months of this year totalled US$4.39 billion.
Rail connectivity is also advancing. The first phase of Thailand’s high-speed railway, under construction between Bangkok and Nakhon Ratchasima and intended to link with the Laos-China railway at Nong Khai, is now 55 percent complete with a scheduled completion date of 2030.
Following Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul’s five-day visit to Beijing in mid-July, the Thai government announced plans to open bidding in December for the second phase of railway construction between Nakhon Ratchasima and Nong Khai, completing the link with the Laos-China railway across the Mekong River. China’s 15th Five-Year Plan for 2026-2030, which emphasises high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, is seen as providing additional momentum for regional connectivity and Laos’ goal of building on its landlocked location to become a land-linked transport hub.

By Times Reporters
 (Latest Update November 5, 2026)