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.
Laos and Thailand put the final touches to their friendship bridge No.5 on June 6. (Photo: VNA)
Vientiane (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.
ಞ 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./.
Key infrastructure projects include the opening of the 5th Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge between Bueng Kan and Bolikhamxay, to be completed by December this year.
The goal of the discussions was to develop a seamless and more efficient rail freight network connecting Thailand, Laos and China, as well as to enhance logistical efficiency with Malaysia, he said.
Connectivity is expected to improve further with the completion of the fifth Laos–Thailand Friendship Bridge by the end of 2025, facilitating logistics and agricultural exports to Vietnam, Thailand, and China.
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