Mr. Khamla Luangsaengphet, Head of the International Border Checkpoint Management Committee of the bridge linking Bolikhamxay Province and Thailand’s Bueng Kan province, told local media that the bridge was officially inaugurated on December 25, 2025, and opened for public travel and formal transport services two days later, on December 27.

After two months of operation, the bridge has significantly improved transportation and facilitated cross-border travel between the people of the two neighboring countries. Revenue collection at the checkpoint — particularly from customs duties and related fees — has shown encouraging growth. For 2026, authorities have set an ambitious revenue target of 350 billion kip, with more than 47.5 billion kip already collected in January alone.

In terms of passenger movement, over 6,800 Lao and foreign nationals entered Lao PDR via the bridge during the first month, while more than 7,500 people exited the country, reflecting increasing cross-border mobility.

However, as a newly opened international checkpoint, some operational challenges remain. While domestic trade activities have increased, the volume of goods imported and re-exported to third countries has remained largely unchanged. A key obstacle is infrastructure limitation, particularly along Route No. 8 connecting to Vietnam. The road’s deteriorated condition and inability to support international standard axle weight limits of 11 tons have discouraged some transport operators, who often face the need for transshipment, leading to higher costs and logistical complications.

Authorities are expected to continue improving infrastructure and services to maximize the bridge’s economic potential.

KPL