Bueng Kan furthers the Friendship

Fifth Thai–Lao bridge set to open

20-Dec-2025, Phitsanu Thepthong | BangkokPost

Bueng Kan province is preparing for a historic moment later this month as the Fifth Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge officially opens on Dec 25.

Bueng Kan province is preparing for a historic moment later this month as the Fifth Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge officially opens on Dec 25, linking Bueng Kan province in northeastern Thailand with Bolikhamxay province in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic. His Majesty the King expected to preside over the inauguration ceremony. Ministry of Transport

His Majesty the King expected to preside over the inauguration ceremony.

The announcement was made by Bueng Kan Governor Surapol Charoenphumee, accompanied by Deputy Governors Somwang Aree-ua and Nakhon Siriprinyanan.

Speaking to the Bangkok Post, Deputy Governor Nakhon confirmed the opening date and emphasised the bridge’s strategic importance for regional connectivity.

The bridge spans the Mekong River, linking Bueng Kan province in northeastern Thailand with Bolikhamxay province in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic.

It connects Thailand’s Highway No.212 with Laos’ National Road No.13, forming a key transport corridor within the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS).

On the Thai side, the bridge begins in tambon Bueng Kan and crosses through tambon Wisit and tambon Kai Si before reaching Paksan district in Laos.

The two-lane structure stretches 1.35 kilometres and was completed on June 6, after nearly five years of construction.

Officials say the bridge will boost trade, tourism, and economic cooperation between the two nations.

“This project will strengthen cross-border connectivity and foster regional development,” Deputy Governor Nakhon said.

Representing a major investment in infrastructure, the total cost for the Fifth Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge project is estimated at 3.93 billion baht, covering bridge construction, road networks, and border facilities.

Thailand contributed 2.63 billion baht from its budget, while Laos financed its share through a 1.3-billion-baht loan from the Neighbouring Countries Economic Development Cooperation Agency (Neda). Construction began in mid-2020 following a bilateral agreement signed by both governments.

A new four-lane bypass road connects Highway No.222 on the Thai side to the bridge, linking Bueng Kan with major routes to Nong Khai, Sakon Nakhon, and Nakhon Phanom.

In Laos, a 2.86km access road provides direct connectivity to National Road No.13 and onward to National Road No.8, which leads to Vietnam’s deep-sea ports at Vung Ang and Da Nang. This strategic link is expected to shorten transit routes and enhance logistics across the East–West Economic Corridor.

Local leaders and residents have expressed optimism about the bridge’s potential to transform Bueng Kan into a regional trade hub. “It will create jobs, attract investment, and promote tourism,” said one community representative.

The bridge’s design, a prestressed concrete box girder with an extradosed system, ensures durability long-term use, while vehicle fees into Laos have been set at 50 baht for private cars, 100 baht for small passenger vans and up to 500 baht for large trucks.

Officials believe the bridge will not only strengthen Thai–Lao relations but also serve as a gateway to Vietnam and southern China, reinforcing the region’s role as a vital economic corridor in Southeast Asia.

Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn says the Fifth Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge linking Bueng Kan and Bolikhamxay will open in December to boost connectivity

16-Oct-2025 | NationThailand
Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn announced that the Fifth Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge, linking Bueng Kan in Thailand with Bolikhamxay in Laos, is scheduled to open in December, marking another milestone in Thai-Lao transport cooperation.

Phiphat made the remarks to reporters after accompanying Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul on his official visit to Laos.

He said the two neighbouring countries have been working closely on several transport projects that aim to improve connectivity, create economic opportunities, and enhance the quality of life for communities along both banks of the Mekong River.

Phiphat noted that the Fifth Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge is among the key infrastructure projects jointly developed by the two nations. The bridge will be completed and open to traffic in December, helping to shorten transport time, reduce logistics costs, and improve connectivity between Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam. It will also boost tourism and border trade in Thailand’s Northeast, he added.

Mekong bridge to spur momentum for Vietnam – Laos – Thailand connectivity

The cable-stayed Laos – Thailand friendship bridge No.5 spans 1,350 metres over the Mekong River, connecting Thailand’s Beungkan province and Laos’ Bolikhamsai province.

08-Jun-2025 | vietnamplus

Laos and Thailand put the final touches to their friendship bridge No.5 on June 6. (Photo: VNA)

Laos and Thailand put the final touches to their friendship bridge No.5 on June 6, marking a significant move in transport infrastructure connectivity and trade promotion within the Mekong sub-region, especially among Vietnam, Laos, and Thailand.

Speaking at the ceremony, which saw the joining of final segments, Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport Suriya Jungrungreangkit stressed that the bridge, upon operational, will boost trade turnover between Thailand and Laos, create a strategic logistics connection to Vietnam’s Vung Ang Port, and establish a land transport link from Thailand through Laos to Vietnam and onward to China.

The bridge is seen as an important step to develop society, economy, and security of the three countries and the region as a whole, he underscored.

Meanwhile, Lao Minister of Public Works and Transport Ngamprasong Muangmani echoed the sentiment, highlighting it backs the Laos’ transformation from a landlocked country into a regional connectivity hub.

The cable-stayed Laos – Thailand friendship bridge No.5 spans 1,350 metres over the Mekong River, connecting Thailand’s Beungkan province and Laos’ Bolikhamsai province. With the bridge, the route from Beungkan through Bolikhamsai to Cau Treo Border Gate in Vietnam’s central Ha Tinh province will be reduced from over 350 kilometres to just around 200 kilometres. This is the shortest and most convenient route to transport goods from Beungkan to Ha Tinh, helping enhance regional economic connectivity as well as boost cross-border trade.

This latest friendship bridge, expected to be put into use in late 2025, continues a pattern of transport infrastructure cooperation between Thailand and Laos that has already yielded in four previous crossings, namely Vientiane – Nongkhai, Savannakhet – Mukdahan, Khamouane – Nakhon Phanom, and Huayxai – Chiangkhong./.

Thailand and Mekong River

• Chiang Saen in the northern part of Chiang Rai province, along with the Mekong River, forming the boundary with Laos, is an important entrepot for Thailand’s international trade with the upper Mekong River region.
• Once famous for the most extensive opium-producing areas of Asia before the emergence of Afghanistan, it is named Golden Triangle of Southeast Asia. Derived from the natural geographical triangle where Thailand, Myanmar and Laos divided by Mekong River and its tributary Ruak River. Is one of the popular tourist destinations in the region today.
• Mekong River also forms the boundary with Laos along Phayao, Nan and Uttaradit provinces.
• Isan is Thailand’s largest region located in the northeastern.
• Mekong River forms most of the border between Thailand and Laos to the north and east of Isan.
• Many Laotians living in the Mekong Valley have relatives and friends in Isan.
• Moon (Mun) River, is a tributary of the Mekong River, which begins in the Khao Yai National Park area, near Nakhon Ratchasima. It flows east through the Khorat Plateau in southern Isan for 750 kilometres, until it joins Mekong River at Khong Chiam in Ubon Ratchathani.
• Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok is a regional hub and connecting point for many foreign carriers, is the gateway for international visitors travelling to Mekong Region. It is the main hub for the following carriers:

           Asia Atlantic Airlines
           Bangkok Airways
           Jet Asia Airways
           K-Mile Air
           Orient Thai Airlines
           Thai Airways International
           Thai Vietjet Air
           Thai Smile

• Don Mueang International Airport is Asia’s oldest operating airport, also world’s largest LCC airport. It is the main hub for many Low Cost Carriers, such as:

           New Gen Airways
           Nok Air
           NokScoot
           Orient Thai Airlines
           R Airlines
           Siam Air
           Thai AirAsia
           Thai AirAsia X
           Thai Lion Air

• Bangkok is situated towards the west of Mekong River,
  • 630 km away from Nong Khai, where the 1st Thai-Laos Friendship Bridge crosses over Mekong River to Vientiane.  
  • 220 km away from Aranyaprathet/PoiPet – the popular checkpoint to Cambodia (Tonle SAP, Battambang and Siem Reap)
• Hong Kong (Singapore & Seoul–Incheon is 2nd & 3rd) is the busiest international route to Suvarnabhumi Airport, and Phuket (Chiang Mai & Ko Samui is 2nd & 3rd) is the busiest domestic route.
• Whereas Kuala Lumpur is the busiest international route to Don Mueang International Airport, and Chiang Mai (Hatyai & Phuket is 2nd & 3rd) is the busiest domestic route.