The First Lao–Thai Friendship Bridge celebrates its 31st anniversary on 8 April, marking over three decades of vital economic and cultural connectivity between Laos and Thailand. Opened in 1994, the bridge was the first major land link across the Mekong River, connecting Nong Khai in Thailand to Tha Duea in Laos, just 20 km from Vientiane.

A joint effort by Laos, Thailand, and Australia, the 1,174-meter-long bridge includes two vehicle lanes and a railway line. It has since supported millions of crossings annually, fueling tourism, trade, and social exchange between the two nations.

Its success inspired the construction of additional Lao–Thai Friendship Bridges. These include connections at Savannakhet, Khammouane, Bokeo, and a fifth bridge due to open in May 2025, with a sixth already planned. Together, these bridges form a growing web of cooperation, cementing regional ties and supporting long-term integration across the Mekong subregion.

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