Deputy Prime Minister Saleumxay Kommasith (fourth from left) and Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit attend the final casting ceremony in Bolikhamxay Province, Laos, on June 6.

(KPL) The 5th Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge, spanning the Mekong River between Bolikhamxay Province, Laos and Bueng Kan Province, Thailand, will officially open to traffic in December 2025 following a successful connection ceremony held on June 6, 2025.

This 1,350-meter infrastructure project represents a significant milestone in bilateral cooperation, with construction progress now reaching 98.4% completion on the Lao side and all approach roads and immigration facilities fully finished.

Deputy Prime Minister Saleumxay Kommasith led the Lao delegation at the ceremony, joined by Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit, marking the strong partnership between the two nations.

The bridge's design features a unique combination of pre-stressed concrete for land sections and an eye-catching cable-stayed segment spanning the river's main channel, with a total width of 17.4 meters accommodating two traffic lanes and dedicated pedestrian walkways for safer cross-border movement.

Funded through a 1.38-billion-baht (approximately $38 million) concessional loan from Thailand's Neighboring Countries Economic Development Cooperation Agency (NEDA), the project has created hundreds of local jobs during its construction phase from January 2021 to present. Transport Minister Ngampasong Meuangmani emphasized the bridge's strategic importance, noting it will slash travel times between the two provinces by up to 3 hours while supporting Laos' national development goals of transforming from landlocked to land-linked.

Economic analysts predict the new crossing will increase bilateral trade volume by an estimated 15-20% annually, particularly benefiting agricultural exports and tourism sectors. The bridge forms a critical link in the East-West Economic Corridor, connecting Thailand's northeastern region with Laos' central provinces and onward to Vietnam's seaports. Local businesses in Bolikhamxay have already reported increased investment interest, particularly in logistics and hospitality sectors, anticipating the bridge's opening.

Complementing the physical infrastructure, both nations signed a comprehensive management agreement covering maintenance responsibilities, toll collection systems, and joint border control procedures. The bridge will operate under a 24/7 schedule with modern scanning equipment at both immigration checkpoints to facilitate efficient cargo and passenger clearance. Safety features include advanced lighting systems, emergency response stations, and real-time traffic monitoring technology.

Environmental mitigation measures were incorporated throughout construction, including fish migration channels and erosion control systems to protect the Mekong ecosystem. The project team completed extensive geotechnical studies to ensure the bridge's resilience against seasonal flooding and seismic activity common in the region. Final testing of all systems, including structural load assessments and emergency drills, will continue through November before the official opening ceremony attended by both countries' prime ministers.

This fifth friendship bridge between Laos and Thailand follows successful precedents in Vientiane, Savannakhet, and other border provinces, with combined annual crossings exceeding 5 million vehicles. Transportation authorities project the Bolikhamxay-Bueng Kan crossing will initially handle 1,200 vehicles daily, growing to 3,000 within five years as regional trade networks expand. The development coincides with upgrades to Route 13 in Laos and Thailand's Highway 212, creating a seamless transport corridor between Bangkok and Vientiane.

KPL