The third Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge that connects Nakhon Phanom Province in Thailand with Thakhek, Khammouane Province in Laos. Photo by Yothin M
The fifth Laos–Thailand Friendship Bridge spanning the Mekong River was inaugurated on Dec. 26, strengthening transport connectivity within the Mekong sub-region, particularly among Vietnam, Laos and Thailand.
The 1,350 m bridge shortens the distance from Buengkan in northeastern Thailand, through Bolikhamxay in central Laos, to the Cau Treo border gate in Vietnam’s central Ha Tinh province to just over 200 km, compared to more than 350 km previously, creating the shortest and most convenient route for transporting goods from Thailand to Vietnam.
The project is expected to open up new opportunities for economic development, trade, investment and tourism for the two border provinces of Bolikhamxay and Buengkan, and the wider Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS), which includes Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar, and China’s Yunnan and Guangxi provinces.
The fifth bridge continues a series of Laos–Thailand transport cooperation projects following four friendship bridges already in operation.
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