On 6 June, Laos and Thailand held a ceremony to connect the final section of the Fifth Friendship Bridge spanning the Mekong River, linking Borikhamxay Province in central Laos with Bueng Kan Province in Thailand.

This new bridge is part of the strategy to develop cross-border transport infrastructure and increase trade value among the three countries of Thailand, Laos and Vietnam.

Construction of the Fifth Lao–Thai Friendship Bridge began in 2020. The bridge is over 1.3 km in length, with its Lao end situated in Pakxan Town, Borikhamxay Province, approximately 220 km from Cau Treo International Border Gate in Ha Tinh Province, Viet Nam.

Once officially operational at the end of this year, the bridge will provide the shortest road route from Thailand to Viet Nam, greatly facilitating travel, the transport of goods and services, and cross-border trade between Thailand, Laos, and Viet Nam.

Currently, four friendship bridges span the Mekong River, connecting Laos and Thailand. Among these, the First Friendship Bridge linking the Lao capital of Vientiane with Nong Khai Province in northeastern Thailand is considered the busiest route.

Beyond linking the Thai and Lao economies, these bridges also play a crucial role in improving regional transport connectivity, promoting economic cooperation among ASEAN member states, and increasing trade value between Thailand, Laos, and Viet Nam.