The Department of Highways updated on the construction of the 6th Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge (Ubon Ratchathani-Salavan), valued at 5.2 billion baht. Design adjustments on the Lao side are underway to accommodate future traffic. Laos has requested Thailand's help with 185 million baht for the main bridge construction. Laos plans to borrow from NEDA before submitting the budget request for 2028. Piling is expected in 2029 and the bridge to open in 2031. The project aims to boost travel and logistics, stimulating trade among Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, and China, reducing transport costs and enhancing the border economy.
A report from the Department of Highways detailed progress on the 6th Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge construction project (Ubon Ratchathani-Salavan) with a total investment of 5.221 billion baht. Currently, design modifications on the Lao side have increased the road connecting the bridge to Highway R13 from two lanes (one each way) to four lanes (two each way) anticipating higher traffic volume after the bridge opens. The intersection on Highway R13 will be changed to a roundabout. This requires further impact studies, especially regarding additional land expropriation. Meanwhile, Laos has requested Thailand's financial assistance with about 185 million baht for the main bridge construction over the Mekong River.
At present, Laos is finalizing its budget framework and plans to negotiate a loan from the Neighboring Countries Economic Development Cooperation Office (NEDA) before the Department of Highways submits the budget request for the fiscal year 2028. The project will then seek Cabinet approval. Following this, procurement and contract signing will proceed immediately. Construction is expected to begin in 2029, with a three-year timeline to complete, aiming to open the bridge for service in 2031.
The 6th Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge project (Ubon Ratchathani-Salavan) has a total investment of 5.221 billion baht (as of mid-2025). This includes construction costs of 5.056 billion baht, divided into three parts: Part 1 covers roads and checkpoint buildings on the Thai side at 1.38 billion baht; Part 2 includes the bridge over the river on both Thai and Lao sides at 1.977 billion baht; Part 3 covers roads and checkpoint buildings on the Lao side at 1.699 billion baht, plus 165 million baht for project supervision.
The project involves a total bridge length of 1,607 meters, with a two-lane (one each way) bridge connecting Highway 2112 (Thailand) with Highway 13 (Laos), linking Na Tan district (Thailand) and Muang Lek Peng (Laos). On the Thai side, there will be 4.325 kilometers of four-lane road (two lanes each way), and on the Lao side, 17.509 kilometers of four-lane road. Both countries will have border checkpoint buildings. The traffic direction switch on the bridge will be located on the Thai side.
Once completed, the 6th Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge will connect Ubon Ratchathani province with Salavan province in Laos, enhancing transportation efficiency with faster, safer travel. It will support exports from Thailand to Muang Lek Peng in Salavan, promote bilateral goods transport, improve international trade efficiency, reduce transport costs, and link transport routes to the port of Da Nang in Vietnam and further to China.
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