Laos officially opened Bokeo International Airport on 6 March, marking a major milestone in the country’s aviation development and regional connectivity plans.
Located in Ban Nyai Simueangngam, about five kilometers from the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone, the airport is the first privately financed international airport in Laos, developed under a Build–Operate–Transfer (BOT) agreement in which the company finances, constructs, and operates the facility.
The airport operates under a 50-year concession granted by the Lao government to Greater Bay Area Investment and Development (Hong Kong), an affiliate of the Dok Ngiew Kham Group, the concessionaire of the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone.
The project covers an area of approximately 300 hectares and carries an estimated construction cost of USD 175 million.
Construction began in September 2020, and the airport was built in accordance with safety standards set by Laos’ Department of Civil Aviation and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
The airport features a 2,500-meter runway with a width of 45 meters, with runway shoulders measuring 7.5 meters on each side. The design allows the facility to accommodate most narrow-body aircraft commonly used on regional routes.
Aircraft such as the Boeing 737-900ER and Airbus A320 and A321, which carry up to around 200 passengers, will also be able to operate at the airport.
Economic Growth Goals
Thienthong Sopha, Director of Bokeo International Airport Co. Ltd, said the airport was designed to support economic growth, strengthen transport links, and create new employment opportunities in the region.
Domestic routes are expected to include flights to Vientiane, Luang Prabang, Houaphanh, Xieng Khouang, Savannakhet, and Champasak.
The company is also planning to open international routes to connect Bokeo with major regional destinations including Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Kunming, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Phnom Penh, and Siem Reap.
According to Phoun Khampha, Director of Bokeo (public) Airport, the new facility is designed to handle up to two million passengers annually once fully operational.
Officials say the project will play an important role in supporting tourism, trade, and investment in the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone, one of Laos’ fastest-growing economic areas.
During the ceremony, Deputy Prime Minister Saleumxay Kommasith officially inaugurated the airport by cutting the ribbon and striking a ceremonial bell nine times to mark the opening.
https://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/485154167_1084635913693533_6447904161804815105_n.jpg7201080Soutsada Xaphouvonghttps://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lao-Simply-Beautiful-.webpSoutsada Xaphouvong2026-03-13 09:17:002026-03-10 11:23:10Laos Opens First Privately Financed International Airport in Golden Triangle Area
The 5th Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge, which officially opened on 27 December 2025, generated more than LAK 47.5 billion (approximately USD 2.2 million) in state revenue during its first month of operation.
This strong start comes as authorities set a revenue collection target of LAK 350 billion (around USD 16 million) for 2026.
The key goods passing through the checkpoint include fuel, consumer products, electrical appliances, and construction materials. Over the past month, the bridge recorded more than 6,800 entries into Laos and over 7,500 departures, indicating a rise in cross-border movement and trade activity.
The bridge directly connects Laos’ Route 13 with Thailand’s Highway 244, creating a seamless road link between the two countries. It also forms part of the shortest land route connecting Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam, with an estimated distance of just 150 kilometers via Lao National Road No. 8.
While the bridge has had a strong start, some operational challenges persist. As a newly opened international checkpoint, certain services are still being streamlined.
Despite the growing imports for domestic use, transit trade to third countries has remained largely unchanged.
Moving forward, authorities emphasized that continued improvements in logistics and road infrastructure will play a significant role in determining the bridge’s long-term contribution to Laos’ economy.
Officials in Savannakhey have recognized two historic landmarks in Champhone district as National Heritage sites, marking a key step in preserving the province’s religious and cultural history.
The town celebrated Ho Tay Pidok Library and Old Taleo Temple during a three-day ceremony held from 2–4 March, which brought together provincial and district officials, Buddhist monks, and local residents.
The event featured Champhone’s traditional Palm Leaf Manuscript Procession, a cultural ceremony that represents the district’s long connection to Buddhist learning and manuscript preservation.
Residents dressed in traditional clothing joined the procession, while cultural performances including folk dances and khene music added to the festivities.
A Library on Water
Ho Tay Pidok Library, often referred to as the Ancient Buddhist Scripts Library, is one of the most distinctive landmarks in the province. The wooden structure sits in the middle of a lake in Nong Lamchan Village and dates back to the late 14th century.
Originally built as a place where monks could study and safeguard Buddhist teachings, the library continues to hold an important collection of 219 palm-leaf manuscripts. For the local community, the site remains both a cultural treasure and a sacred place.
Visitors are normally required to dress respectfully when entering the library.
A Temple with Historic Murals
Nearby, Old Talaeo Temple is known for its striking architecture and historic mural paintings.
The temple’s main hall, built in the early 20th century, survived periods of conflict that affected the region. Inside, murals depicting scenes from the Vessantara Jataka, one of the most well-known Buddhist stories, are believed to date back to the 1930s.
Officials say the national heritage designation will help protect both sites while also encouraging cultural tourism in the province.
Strengthening Savannakhet’s Cultural Identity
Authorities believe the recognition will help highlight Champhone district as an important cultural destination in southern Laos. Visitors are increasingly drawn to sites like the “Library on Water” and Old Talaeo Temple, where history, religion, and local traditions continue to shape daily life.
The announcement also comes as part of wider efforts to preserve cultural heritage in Savannakhet. Authorities are currently working toward seeking UNESCO World Heritage status for That Ing Hang Stupa, one of the country’s most sacred Buddhist monuments.
Located near Savannakhet City, That Ing Hang was built in 1560 by King Setthathirath on the site of an earlier Khmer temple. The stupa is believed to house a relic of the Buddha’s collarbone and has attracted pilgrims for centuries.
Officials say protecting historic sites while keeping local traditions alive will play an important role in strengthening Savannakhet’s identity and expanding cultural tourism in the years ahead.
https://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/LT-FB-Square-Template-e1772686092433-1920x727-1.png7271920Soutsada Xaphouvonghttps://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lao-Simply-Beautiful-.webpSoutsada Xaphouvong2026-03-10 11:02:472026-03-10 11:02:52Savannakhet Marks National Heritage Status for Ho Tay Pidok Library, Old Talaeo Temple
Laos Opens First Privately Financed International Airport in Golden Triangle Area
Laos officially opened Bokeo International Airport on 6 March, marking a major milestone in the country’s aviation development and regional connectivity plans.
Located in Ban Nyai Simueangngam, about five kilometers from the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone, the airport is the first privately financed international airport in Laos, developed under a Build–Operate–Transfer (BOT) agreement in which the company finances, constructs, and operates the facility.
The airport operates under a 50-year concession granted by the Lao government to Greater Bay Area Investment and Development (Hong Kong), an affiliate of the Dok Ngiew Kham Group, the concessionaire of the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone.
The project covers an area of approximately 300 hectares and carries an estimated construction cost of USD 175 million.
Construction began in September 2020, and the airport was built in accordance with safety standards set by Laos’ Department of Civil Aviation and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
The airport features a 2,500-meter runway with a width of 45 meters, with runway shoulders measuring 7.5 meters on each side. The design allows the facility to accommodate most narrow-body aircraft commonly used on regional routes.
Aircraft such as the Boeing 737-900ER and Airbus A320 and A321, which carry up to around 200 passengers, will also be able to operate at the airport.
Economic Growth Goals
Thienthong Sopha, Director of Bokeo International Airport Co. Ltd, said the airport was designed to support economic growth, strengthen transport links, and create new employment opportunities in the region.
Domestic routes are expected to include flights to Vientiane, Luang Prabang, Houaphanh, Xieng Khouang, Savannakhet, and Champasak.
The company is also planning to open international routes to connect Bokeo with major regional destinations including Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Kunming, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Phnom Penh, and Siem Reap.
According to Phoun Khampha, Director of Bokeo (public) Airport, the new facility is designed to handle up to two million passengers annually once fully operational.
Officials say the project will play an important role in supporting tourism, trade, and investment in the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone, one of Laos’ fastest-growing economic areas.
During the ceremony, Deputy Prime Minister Saleumxay Kommasith officially inaugurated the airport by cutting the ribbon and striking a ceremonial bell nine times to mark the opening.
source: https://laotiantimes.com/2026/03/09/laos-opens-first-privately-financed-international-airport-in-golden-triangle-area/
Fifth Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge Generates LAK 47.5 Billion in First Month of Operation
The 5th Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge, which officially opened on 27 December 2025, generated more than LAK 47.5 billion (approximately USD 2.2 million) in state revenue during its first month of operation.
This strong start comes as authorities set a revenue collection target of LAK 350 billion (around USD 16 million) for 2026.
The key goods passing through the checkpoint include fuel, consumer products, electrical appliances, and construction materials. Over the past month, the bridge recorded more than 6,800 entries into Laos and over 7,500 departures, indicating a rise in cross-border movement and trade activity.
The bridge directly connects Laos’ Route 13 with Thailand’s Highway 244, creating a seamless road link between the two countries. It also forms part of the shortest land route connecting Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam, with an estimated distance of just 150 kilometers via Lao National Road No. 8.
While the bridge has had a strong start, some operational challenges persist. As a newly opened international checkpoint, certain services are still being streamlined.
Despite the growing imports for domestic use, transit trade to third countries has remained largely unchanged.
Moving forward, authorities emphasized that continued improvements in logistics and road infrastructure will play a significant role in determining the bridge’s long-term contribution to Laos’ economy.
source: https://laotiantimes.com/2026/03/04/fifth-lao-thai-friendship-bridge-generates-lak-47-5-billion-in-first-month-of-operation/
Savannakhet Marks National Heritage Status for Ho Tay Pidok Library, Old Talaeo Temple
Officials in Savannakhey have recognized two historic landmarks in Champhone district as National Heritage sites, marking a key step in preserving the province’s religious and cultural history.
The town celebrated Ho Tay Pidok Library and Old Taleo Temple during a three-day ceremony held from 2–4 March, which brought together provincial and district officials, Buddhist monks, and local residents.
The event featured Champhone’s traditional Palm Leaf Manuscript Procession, a cultural ceremony that represents the district’s long connection to Buddhist learning and manuscript preservation.
Residents dressed in traditional clothing joined the procession, while cultural performances including folk dances and khene music added to the festivities.
A Library on Water
Ho Tay Pidok Library, often referred to as the Ancient Buddhist Scripts Library, is one of the most distinctive landmarks in the province. The wooden structure sits in the middle of a lake in Nong Lamchan Village and dates back to the late 14th century.
Originally built as a place where monks could study and safeguard Buddhist teachings, the library continues to hold an important collection of 219 palm-leaf manuscripts. For the local community, the site remains both a cultural treasure and a sacred place.
Visitors are normally required to dress respectfully when entering the library.
A Temple with Historic Murals
Nearby, Old Talaeo Temple is known for its striking architecture and historic mural paintings.
The temple’s main hall, built in the early 20th century, survived periods of conflict that affected the region. Inside, murals depicting scenes from the Vessantara Jataka, one of the most well-known Buddhist stories, are believed to date back to the 1930s.
Officials say the national heritage designation will help protect both sites while also encouraging cultural tourism in the province.
Strengthening Savannakhet’s Cultural Identity
Authorities believe the recognition will help highlight Champhone district as an important cultural destination in southern Laos. Visitors are increasingly drawn to sites like the “Library on Water” and Old Talaeo Temple, where history, religion, and local traditions continue to shape daily life.
The announcement also comes as part of wider efforts to preserve cultural heritage in Savannakhet. Authorities are currently working toward seeking UNESCO World Heritage status for That Ing Hang Stupa, one of the country’s most sacred Buddhist monuments.
Located near Savannakhet City, That Ing Hang was built in 1560 by King Setthathirath on the site of an earlier Khmer temple. The stupa is believed to house a relic of the Buddha’s collarbone and has attracted pilgrims for centuries.
Officials say protecting historic sites while keeping local traditions alive will play an important role in strengthening Savannakhet’s identity and expanding cultural tourism in the years ahead.
source: https://laotiantimes.com/2026/03/05/savannakhet-marks-national-heritage-status-for-ho-tay-pidok-library-kao-talaew-temple/