Third Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge

The Third Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge^[a] over the Mekong is a bridge that connects Nakhon Phanom Province in Thailand with Thakhek, Khammouane Province in Laos. The bridge's foundation stone was laid on 6 March 2009, and it opened for traffic on 11 November 2011.^[1][2] The bridge is 1,423 metres long and 13 metres wide.^[3]

Coordinates17°29′33″N 104°43′42″E

CarriesMotor vehicles

CrossesMekong River

LocaleAt Samat, Nakhon Phanom Province, Thailand
Thakhek, Khammouane Province, Laos

Quick facts Third Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge สะพานมิตรภาพ ไทย-ลาว แห่งที่ ๓ຂົວມິດຕະພາບ ລາວ-ໄທ ແຫ່ງທີສາມ, Coordinates ...

Third Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge สะพานมิตรภาพ ไทย-ลาว แห่งที่ ๓ ຂົວມິດຕະພາບ ລາວ-ໄທ ແຫ່ງທີສາມ
Coordinates	17°29′33″N 104°43′42″E
Carries	Motor vehicles
Crosses	Mekong River
Locale	At Samat, Nakhon Phanom Province, Thailand Thakhek, Khammouane Province, Laos
Official name	Third Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge
Characteristics
Design	Box girder bridge
Total length	1423 m
Width	13 m
History
Opened	11 November 2011
Location
Interactive map of Third Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge

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The name "Third Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge" was previously also used to refer to the planned bridge from Chiang Khong, Thailand to Houayxay, Laos, but this bridge is now known as the Fourth Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge.

The bridge was expected to boost tourism and trade by reducing travel and cargo delivery time between the two countries.^[4]

Traffic on the bridge drives on the left, as in Thailand, while traffic in Laos drives on the right; the lane-change is on the Laos side.