The Laos government has announced that the construction of the fifth Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge, across the Mekong River linking Borikhamxay province in Laos and Bueng Kan province in Thailand, is on track for completion by the end of the year.

The upcoming 1,350-meter bridge is set to enhance travel and trade between Laos and Thailand and neighboring countries within the Greater Mekong Subregion. In Laos, the project involves constructing a 535-meter bridge section along with related infrastructure like access roads, immigration and customs facilities. This bridge will join a network that includes four existing bridges over the Mekong River, facilitating connectivity at various points.

Construction progress is over 80% as of November 2023, with completion expected by late 2024. Initially surveyed in 2014 and officially approved in 2018, construction began in January 2021. Funding for the Lao segment has been supported by a THB 1.38 billion (US$ 38 million) loan from Thailand's Neighbouring Countries Economic Development Cooperation Agency (NEDA), with costs shared between the two nations.