The respective proposal was made to the government by Vientiane provincial authorities on August, 16. It is currently under consideration in which district of Vientiane – Sanakham or Meun – it will be more sensible to build the bridge. The dates when construction is expected to start are not yet stated.
Currently there are 4 fully operational Thai-Lao Friendship Bridges over the Mekong:
– First Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge between Nong Khai in Thailand and Vientiane Prefecture in Laos, opened in 1994;
– Second Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge between Mukdahan in Thailand and Vientiane Prefecture in Laos, opened in 2007;
– Third Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge between Nakhon Phanom in Thailand and Thakhaek in Laos, opened in 2011;
– Fourth Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge between Chiang Khong in Thailand and Ban Houayxay in Laos, opened in 2013.
Two more possible crossings are at the different stages of studying and construction. They are:
– Fifth Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge between Bueng Kan in Thailand and Bolikhamsai in Laos
and
– Sixth Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge between Ubon Ratchathani in Thailand and Salavan in Laos.
If approved, Loei–Vientiane will become the seventh Thai-Lao bridge crossing over the Mekong.
Construction of 7th Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge Discussed
News in AsiaLaos and Thailand are mulling the construction of one more friendship bridge over the Mekong. The new bridge may connect Vientiane Prefecture in Laos and Loei province in Thailand.