His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua, accompanied by Her Majesty Queen Suthida Bajrasudhabimalalakshana, on 25 December 2025 presided over the official opening of the fifth Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge, connecting Bueng Kan Province of Thailand with Borikhamxay Province of the Lao PDR.

The opening ceremony took place at the ceremonial site in the middle of the bridge, with Mr. Thongloun Sisoulith, President of the Lao PDR and his spouse, Mrs. Naly Sisoulith, representing the Lao PDR. Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn were also present at the ceremony.

The fifth Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge is a joint project of the governments of Thailand and Lao PDR, marking an important milestone in celebrating the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Spanning 1,350 meters across the Mekong River, the bridge features two traffic lanes and pedestrian walkways on both sides. 

It will reduce travel time between the two provinces by up to three hours, promising to boost trade and tourism in the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS), and is also expected to strengthen connectivity and integration between the two countries and the wider GMS East-West Economic Corridor.

Previously, on 23 December, Mr. Sisavath Inphachanh, Ambassador of the Lao PDR to Thailand, paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul at Government House. Both sides believed that the bridge would help connect people, promote closeness, and enhance trade, investment, and tourism opportunities, thereby elevating livelihoods of the people of the two countries. 

Thailand hopes that after the official opening of the fifth Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge, the Lao PDR will move ahead with construction of the new railway bridge across the Mekong River between Nong Khai in Thailand and Vientiane in Laos.

Thailand has placed high priority on the Lao PDR as a close neighbor and underscored the deep and longstanding connection between the two nations rooted in their shared faith and cultural heritage. The Thai government has also reaffirmed its commitment to further strengthening cooperation with the Lao PDR in all areas, based on the Strategic Partnership for Growth and Sustainable Development.