On 6 June 2025, H.E. Mr. Russ Jalichandra, Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs attended the Final Casting Ceremony of the Fifth Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge (Bueng Kan – Bolikhamxay). The Ceremony was presided over by H.E. Mr. Suriya Jungrungruangkit, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport of Thailand and H.E. Mr. Saleumxay Kommasith, Deputy Prime Minister of Lao PDR. The event was also attended by H.E. Mr. Ngampasong Muongmany, Minister of Public Works and Transport of Lao PDR, H.E. Mrs. Phongsamouth Anlavan, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lao PDR and distinguished guests from both countries.

The Bridge is scheduled to officially open by the end of this year, and will be another historic symbol of close friendship and joint commitment for common development between the governments and peoples of both countries.

On this occasion, both sides also signed the Agreement on the Ownership, Usage, Management and Maintenance of the Fifth Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge (Bueng Kan – Bolikhamxay).

The Fifth Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge will serve as a crucial logistics and transportation link, enhancing trade, investment, and tourism between Thailand and Lao PDR and strengthening people-to-people connections.
The Bridge will be another vital economic route linking Thailand - Lao PDR - Viet Nam - China as part of the East-West Economic Corridor under Greater Mekong Subregion.

The ceremony today is part of the commemoration of the 75th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations between Thailand and Lao PDR this year.