On June 6, at the midpoint of the Mekong River, the national border marker between Laos and Thailand in Bolikhamxay province of Laos and Beung Kan province of Thailand, the closing ceremony of the Laos-Thailand Friendship Bridge No. 5 took place, marking an important step forward in efforts to enhance transport infrastructure connectivity and promote trade in the Mekong sub-region, especially between the three countries of Vietnam-Laos-Thailand.
According to VNA correspondent in Laos, the event was attended by representatives of the two governments and leaders of relevant ministries, sectors and local authorities of Laos and Thailand.
Speaking at the event, Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport Souriya Cheungrungreungkit emphasized that when the bridge is officially put into use in December, it will not only help increase trade value between Thailand and Laos, but also help connect with the strategic logistics route to Vung Ang Port in Vietnam, connecting road traffic infrastructure between Thailand and Laos via Vietnam to China.
Therefore, the completion of this bridge is considered an important step forward in helping to develop the socio-economy and security of not only the three countries of Thailand-Laos-Vietnam but also the whole region.
Representing the Lao Government, Lao Minister of Public Works and Transport Ngamprasong Muangmani also emphasized the importance of building the 5th Laos-Thailand Friendship Bridge across the Mekong River.
This is a project of great significance in promoting cooperation in developing transport infrastructure, especially the construction of roads and bridges across rivers along the East-West Economic Corridor passing through Laos, connecting with neighboring countries, especially Vietnam and the Mekong Sub-region.
The project not only facilitates regional integration and transport connectivity, but also contributes to the socio-economic development of both Laos and Thailand. At the same time, it demonstrates support for the Lao Government’s policy of transforming from a landlocked country into a hub for regional integration and connectivity.
At the event, representatives of the governments of Laos and Thailand performed the concrete pouring ceremony for the Laos-Thailand Friendship Bridge No. 5 in the presence of many guests, delegates and representatives of functional agencies of the two countries.
The 1,350-meter-long Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge No. 5 spans the Mekong River and is designed with a modern cable-stayed structure, connecting Beungkan Province of Thailand with Bolikhamxay Province of Laos.
The 1,350-meter-long Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge No. 5 is designed with a modern cable-stayed structure, connecting Bueng Kan province of Thailand with Bolikhamxay province of Laos, across the Mekong River.
When put into operation, the No. 5 Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge will significantly shorten the travel distance from Beungkan province in northeastern Thailand, through Bolikhamxay province in central Laos, to Cau Treo border gate in Ha Tinh province of Vietnam, to only more than 200 km compared to more than 350 km as before, becoming the shortest and most convenient route for transporting goods from Beungkan province of Thailand to Ha Tinh province of Vietnam, contributing to strengthening regional economic connectivity and promoting cross-border trade.
The project is expected to open up many opportunities for economic, trade, investment and tourism development not only for the two border provinces of Bolykhamxay of Laos and Beungkan of Thailand, but also for the entire Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS), including Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar, and the provinces of Yunnan and Guangxi of China.
The Laos-Thailand Friendship Bridge No. 5 is a project that continues the chain of transport infrastructure cooperation between the two countries, after 4 bridges that have been put into operation: Vientiane-Nongkhai (Bridge No. 1), Savannakhet-Mukdahan (Bridge No. 2), Khamouane-Nakhon Phanom (Bridge No. 3) and Huayxai-Chiangkhong (Bridge No. 4).
As a strategic bridge in both transportation and foreign affairs, this bridge promises to contribute to deepening the traditional friendship and comprehensive cooperation not only between Laos and Thailand, but also with Vietnam, while promoting the regional integration process, towards a more dynamic, sustainable and connected Mekong Sub-region.
Currently, this border gate area connecting the two banks of the Mekong is gradually emerging as a new, potential trading center on the regional economic map. It is expected that the Laos-Thailand Friendship Bridge No. 5 will officially be put into operation from the end of 2025.
(According to Vietnam+)
Source: https://baoyenbai.com.vn/12/351379/Dong-luc-moi-cho-viec-ket-noi-duong-bo-Viet-Lao-Thai.aspx
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