Thailand and Laos to Open Fifth Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge to Public on December 27, Strengthening Cross-Border Connectivity
New Mekong River link inaugurated amid celebrations of 75 years of diplomatic ties, to begin daily crossings with no initial toll
Thailand and Laos are set to open the Fifth Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge to the public on December 27, 2025, marking a significant advance in regional infrastructure and cross-border connectivity.
The permanent crossing between Bueng Kan province in northeastern Thailand and Bolikhamxay province in Laos will operate daily from six a.m. to ten p.m. for motorists and travellers, subject to standard immigration and customs procedures.
His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn and Her Majesty Queen Suthida of Thailand presided over the official inauguration of the bridge on December 25 alongside Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith in a ceremony held at the midpoint of the structure, marking the seventy-fifth anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two neighbouring states.
The bridge spans approximately one thousand three hundred fifty metres across the Mekong River and features two traffic lanes with pedestrian walkways, designed to facilitate both commercial and personal movement.
Initially, authorities said no toll would be collected as legal processes in both Thailand and Laos are finalised, allowing travellers to use the crossing without charge during the early period of operations.
The Thai Department of Highways advised motorists to ensure they have all necessary travel and vehicle documents and to adhere to traffic regulations and official instructions when crossing at the Ban Don Yom–Ban Kluai Udom checkpoint.
Officials in Bangkok and Vientiane have emphasised the bridge’s strategic role in boosting trade, tourism and people-to-people relations, particularly as part of broader integration efforts in the Greater Mekong Subregion, including the East-West Economic Corridor.
Thailand’s government also anticipates that the new link will reinforce economic activity in its northeastern provinces and enhance logistical capacity between the two countries.
The opening reflects a shared commitment to long-term cooperation and mutual development, building on decades of diplomatic engagement and infrastructure cooperation.
The permanent crossing between Bueng Kan province in northeastern Thailand and Bolikhamxay province in Laos will operate daily from six a.m. to ten p.m. for motorists and travellers, subject to standard immigration and customs procedures.
His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn and Her Majesty Queen Suthida of Thailand presided over the official inauguration of the bridge on December 25 alongside Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith in a ceremony held at the midpoint of the structure, marking the seventy-fifth anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two neighbouring states.
The bridge spans approximately one thousand three hundred fifty metres across the Mekong River and features two traffic lanes with pedestrian walkways, designed to facilitate both commercial and personal movement.
Initially, authorities said no toll would be collected as legal processes in both Thailand and Laos are finalised, allowing travellers to use the crossing without charge during the early period of operations.
The Thai Department of Highways advised motorists to ensure they have all necessary travel and vehicle documents and to adhere to traffic regulations and official instructions when crossing at the Ban Don Yom–Ban Kluai Udom checkpoint.
Officials in Bangkok and Vientiane have emphasised the bridge’s strategic role in boosting trade, tourism and people-to-people relations, particularly as part of broader integration efforts in the Greater Mekong Subregion, including the East-West Economic Corridor.
Thailand’s government also anticipates that the new link will reinforce economic activity in its northeastern provinces and enhance logistical capacity between the two countries.
The opening reflects a shared commitment to long-term cooperation and mutual development, building on decades of diplomatic engagement and infrastructure cooperation.
