The Governments of Laos and Thailand have announced plans to build a sixth bridge across the Mekong River which is aimed at reducing travel time between the La Lay international border gate in Vietnam and Thailand. The proposed bridge would link Ubon Ratchathani in Thailand and Saravan province in southern Laos.
These bridges enhance connectivity between Laos and Thailand and improve transportation links within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), fostering economic cooperation and increasing trade among Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam.
Additionally, the two countries are also working on completing the fifth friendship bridge, which will connect Bolikhamxay province in central Laos with Bueng Kan province in Thailand. This bridge, set to open by the end of 2024, will reduce the travel distance from Thailand through Laos to Vietnam’s Cau Treo international border gate to just 150 km.
