Fifth Lao-Thai Mekong Friendship Bridge Completion

The construction of the fifth Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge, an infrastructure project connecting the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) and Thailand, is on schedule to be completed by the end of 2024. This bridge spans the Mekong River, linking Bolikhamxay province in Lao PDR with Bueng Kan province in Thailand. The project is a testament to the ongoing cooperation between the two nations and is expected to enhance travel and trade within the Greater Mekong Subregion.
As of November 2023, construction on the 1,350-meter bridge project was over 80% complete. Planning for the bridge began in 2014 with surveys, and the design was approved by both governments in 2018. Construction commenced in January 2021.
Lao PDR secured a 1.38 billion baht loan from Thailand's Neighboring Countries Economic Development Cooperation Agency (NEDA) to fund construction on the Lao PDR side, which includes building the 535-meter bridge section, as well as access roads, immigration/customs facilities, and other infrastructure.
This will be the fifth bridge link across the Mekong between Lao PDR and Thailand, joining the existing crossings at Vientiane-Nong Khai, Savannakhet-Mukdahan, Khammuan-Nakhon Phanom, and Huayxai-Chiang Khong.