The fifth Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge under construction across the Mekong River.

New Lao-Thai friendship bridge nears completion, set to boost regional trade

The fifth Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge linking the two countries across the Mekong River, with construction now almost complete, is expected to significantly enhance trade, investment, tourism, and overall economic cooperation as it will improve transport links to Vietnam and southern China.
The new 1,350-metre bridge will enable easy travel between Borikhamxay province in Laos and Bueng Kan province in Thailand and spur trade with other countries in the Greater Mekong Subregion.
Access to the Lao side of the bridge is from Kouy Oudom village in Pakxan district, about 10km north of the main town in Pakxan district and 2,860 metres from National Highway No. 13 South.
The final concrete casting ceremony for the bridge took place on Friday and was attended by Laos’ Deputy Prime Minister Mr Saleumxay Kommasith and Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister, Mr Suriya Juangroongruangkit.
Addressing the ceremony, Governor of Borikhamxay province, Dr Sonethanou Thammavong, said that Borikhamxay province has designated the area at the end of the bridge in Kouy Oudom village to be developed into a special economic zone, creating a cargo and logistics zone, along with a transportation infrastructure development project to connect with key transportation network. It will become an important transportation connector for countries in the region in the future.
Speaking at the ceremony, Laos’ Minister of Public Works and Transport, Mr Ngampasong Muongmany, said construction of the bridge began in January 2021, funded by a loan of 1,380million baht from Thailand’s NeighbouringCountries Economic Development Cooperation Agency (NEDA).
The bridge on the Lao side of the Mekong over a distance of 535 metres is now 98.4 percent complete.
The 2,775-metre-long access road, immigration offices and other buildings are now 100 percent complete and it is expected that the bridge will open to traffic at the end of this year, MrNgampasong said.
Following the concrete casting ceremony, the two sides signed an agreement covering ownership, usage, management, and maintenance of the bridge.
The agreement was signed by Mr Ngampasong Muongmany and Mr Suriya Juangroongruangkit.
The completion and opening of the bridge will be among several events taking place this year to celebrate the 75th anniversary of Lao-Thai diplomatic relations.
The bridge will be especially beneficial for businesses engaged in trade and transport between Thailand, Laos and Vietnam, which borders Laos.
Borikhamxay province borders Vietnam to the east and is close to Vinh, a large city in Vietnam and a key point on the East-West Economic Corridor linking Myanmar, Thailand, Laos and Vietnam.

By Times Reporters
 (Latest Update June 9, 2025)