A new friendship bridge between Thailand and Laos, connecting the cities of Bueng Kan and Bolikhamsai, had its cornerstone laid today in a ceremony attended by both countries’ prime ministers.
Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha, Prime Minister of Thailand, and Phankham Viphavanh, Prime Minister of Laos, presided over today’s foundation stone laying ceremony for the fifth Thailand-Laos Friendship Bridge across the Mekong River.
By joining Thailand’s Bueng Kan province with Laos’s Bolikhamsai province, the bridge would facilitate ground travel between the two countries and enhance traffic flow along the R8 route that connects Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, and China.
It is intended that by building this bridge between Thailand’s upper northeast and central Laos, bilateral development and economic growth would be stimulated, local people will get access to new employment opportunities, and the region as a whole will benefit from the resulting positive effects.
As part of commemorating 75 years of diplomatic ties, the Prime Minister of Thailand has called for all relevant agencies in both countries to work together to achieve tangible progress on this project by 2025.
The Prime Minister stated that his administration is eager to collaborate closely with the Laotian government to advance safety, prosperity, and long-term stability between the two nations.
