The First Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge marks its 31st anniversary on 8 April.
Opened in 1994, it was the first major land link between Laos and Thailand, designed to boost the region’s economy, trade, and social, cultural, tourism, and transportation connections.
Stretching across the Mekong River, the bridge was a joint project between Laos, Thailand, and the Australian government. It connects Nong Khai in Thailand to Tha Duea in Laos, just 20 km from the capital, Vientiane.
At 1,174 meters long and 12.7 meters wide, the bridge has two traffic lanes and a railway line linking Thailand to Thanaleng in Laos.
Over the past three decades, the bridge has facilitated millions of crossings each year and played a vital role in the region’s economic growth.
A Network of Friendship Bridges
The First Lao–Thai Friendship Bridge laid the foundation for a growing network of cross-border connections between Laos and Thailand along the Mekong River. Since its opening, a series of additional bridges were built to strengthen economic ties, boost regional trade, and make travel more accessible for communities on both sides.
The second bridge, completed in 2006, connects Mukdahan Province in Thailand with Savannakhet in Laos. It plays a key role in supporting trade and forms part of the Asian Highway Route AH16.
Building on this momentum, the third bridge was inaugurated in 2011, linking Nakhon Phanom in Thailand to Khammouane Province in Laos. This route has since become an important corridor for trade extending toward Vietnam and southern China.
Further north, the fourth bridge opened in 2013, connecting Chiang Rai Province in Thailand with Bokeo Province in Laos. This crossing completed a section of the Asian Highway 3, enhancing connectivity across the Greater Mekong Subregion.
Now nearing completion, the fifth bridge will link Borikhamxay Province in Laos with Bueng Kan Province in Thailand. Scheduled to open in May 2025, it will be part of celebrations marking the 75th anniversary of Lao-Thai diplomatic relations.
Looking ahead, both countries are preparing for the construction of a sixth bridge, which will connect Ubon Ratchathani in northeastern Thailand with Salavan Province in southern Laos.
With an estimated cost of around USD 140 million, this new link aims to further deepen cross-border cooperation and regional integration.
The Lao government is teaming up with Thailand to introduce ViaBus, a real-time bus tracking system designed to improve the efficiency of public transportation in Vientiane.
This initiative is a collaboration between the Vientiane Capital State Bus Enterprise and Via Group (Thailand) Co., Ltd. The goal is to develop an application that offers convenient tracking of public transportation for passengers.
The ViaBus app will provide live updates on bus locations, routes, and schedules across Vientiane. All of this information will be available in one easy-to-use system.
The app is the brainchild of Intouch Marsvongpragorn, a Chulalongkorn University alumnus and Managing Director of Via Group. He was recognized on Forbes’ 30 Under 30 Asia list in 2021 for his contributions as an innovator and entrepreneur under the age of 30.
Currently, Vientiane’s public transport system relies on Lao Bus Navi, the only real-time bus tracking app in Laos. Developed by LekPKD, Lao Bus Navi has been downloaded over 10,000 times.
It tracks 17 major routes and is available for Android users on Google Play or through its official website. The app aims to help commuters by providing real-time schedules and navigation assistance.
However, despite its efforts to improve the passenger experience, Lao Bus Navi has faced operational issues, such as buses not appearing on the map, inaccurate timings, and occasional problems with bus location transmitters not being active.
https://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/IMG_7330-2048x1365-1.jpg13652048Sylivanla Vongphachanhhttps://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lao-Simply-Beautiful-.webpSylivanla Vongphachanh2025-04-20 01:19:002025-04-07 13:20:57Vientiane to Get Real-Time Bus Tracking with ViaBus
On 30 March, the governor of Savannakhet Province officially recognized three cultural treasures in the province as national heritage sites: Hor Tai Pee Dok (The Library of Buddhist Manuscripts), Taleo Temple, and Khonesavanh Singing.
Hor Tai Pee Dok
Hor Tai Pee Dok, the Library of Buddhist Manuscripts, was founded at the end of the 14th century by Lukkhampha, the abbot of the Tai Pee Dok temple.
Originally serving as a school for monks and a place to preserve Buddhist manuscripts, the library was renovated in 2006 and has since become a popular tourist destination. It is celebrated for its historical importance and unique architectural style.
The library remains a sacred site, particularly for the Champhone people, who visit to worship and seek blessings. Visitors are required to dress respectfully—women must wear traditional Lao skirts (sinh), and shoes are not allowed inside.
Taleo Temple
Vat Taleo, located about 60 km southeast of Savannakhet, was built shortly after World War I.
The exact date of the main building’s construction is unclear, but it is believed to have been created by the Phu Tai community, an ethnic group found in Laos and Thailand. The inscriptions at the temple are in classical Lao, though locals now speak modern Lao.
While much of the original temple was destroyed, the main hall (Vihaan) survived, with only minor repairs to the roof and structural damage. The murals inside, depicting the Vessantara Jataka, are likely original and date back to the 1930s.
During the Vietnam War, North Vietnamese soldiers occupied the temple before a bombing raid by American forces. A bomb that hit the Vihaan failed to explode. The temple was later abandoned, and a new one was built nearby. Today, the altar at Vat Taleo is still used for worship and remains a sacred site.
Khonesavanh Singing
Khonesavnah singing, or Lum Khonsavanh, is a traditional form of Lao music from Savannakhet. The performance includes instruments such as the Khaen, Lao drum, and Phin, and is an important part of the province’s cultural heritage.
https://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/DSC03218-copy-1536x1025-1.jpg6271200Sylivanla Vongphachanhhttps://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lao-Simply-Beautiful-.webpSylivanla Vongphachanh2025-04-19 01:16:002025-04-07 13:18:22Three Cultural Treasures of Savannakhet Earn National Heritage Status
First Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge Marks 31st Anniversary
The First Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge marks its 31st anniversary on 8 April.
Opened in 1994, it was the first major land link between Laos and Thailand, designed to boost the region’s economy, trade, and social, cultural, tourism, and transportation connections.
Stretching across the Mekong River, the bridge was a joint project between Laos, Thailand, and the Australian government. It connects Nong Khai in Thailand to Tha Duea in Laos, just 20 km from the capital, Vientiane.
At 1,174 meters long and 12.7 meters wide, the bridge has two traffic lanes and a railway line linking Thailand to Thanaleng in Laos.
Over the past three decades, the bridge has facilitated millions of crossings each year and played a vital role in the region’s economic growth.
A Network of Friendship Bridges
The First Lao–Thai Friendship Bridge laid the foundation for a growing network of cross-border connections between Laos and Thailand along the Mekong River. Since its opening, a series of additional bridges were built to strengthen economic ties, boost regional trade, and make travel more accessible for communities on both sides.
The second bridge, completed in 2006, connects Mukdahan Province in Thailand with Savannakhet in Laos. It plays a key role in supporting trade and forms part of the Asian Highway Route AH16.
Building on this momentum, the third bridge was inaugurated in 2011, linking Nakhon Phanom in Thailand to Khammouane Province in Laos. This route has since become an important corridor for trade extending toward Vietnam and southern China.
Further north, the fourth bridge opened in 2013, connecting Chiang Rai Province in Thailand with Bokeo Province in Laos. This crossing completed a section of the Asian Highway 3, enhancing connectivity across the Greater Mekong Subregion.
Now nearing completion, the fifth bridge will link Borikhamxay Province in Laos with Bueng Kan Province in Thailand. Scheduled to open in May 2025, it will be part of celebrations marking the 75th anniversary of Lao-Thai diplomatic relations.
Looking ahead, both countries are preparing for the construction of a sixth bridge, which will connect Ubon Ratchathani in northeastern Thailand with Salavan Province in southern Laos.
With an estimated cost of around USD 140 million, this new link aims to further deepen cross-border cooperation and regional integration.
Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2025/04/08/first-lao-thai-friendship-bridge-marks-31st-anniversary/
Vientiane to Get Real-Time Bus Tracking with ViaBus
The Lao government is teaming up with Thailand to introduce ViaBus, a real-time bus tracking system designed to improve the efficiency of public transportation in Vientiane.
This initiative is a collaboration between the Vientiane Capital State Bus Enterprise and Via Group (Thailand) Co., Ltd. The goal is to develop an application that offers convenient tracking of public transportation for passengers.
The ViaBus app will provide live updates on bus locations, routes, and schedules across Vientiane. All of this information will be available in one easy-to-use system.
The app is the brainchild of Intouch Marsvongpragorn, a Chulalongkorn University alumnus and Managing Director of Via Group. He was recognized on Forbes’ 30 Under 30 Asia list in 2021 for his contributions as an innovator and entrepreneur under the age of 30.
Currently, Vientiane’s public transport system relies on Lao Bus Navi, the only real-time bus tracking app in Laos. Developed by LekPKD, Lao Bus Navi has been downloaded over 10,000 times.
It tracks 17 major routes and is available for Android users on Google Play or through its official website. The app aims to help commuters by providing real-time schedules and navigation assistance.
However, despite its efforts to improve the passenger experience, Lao Bus Navi has faced operational issues, such as buses not appearing on the map, inaccurate timings, and occasional problems with bus location transmitters not being active.
Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2025/04/03/vientiane-to-get-real-time-bus-tracking-with-viabus/
Three Cultural Treasures of Savannakhet Earn National Heritage Status
On 30 March, the governor of Savannakhet Province officially recognized three cultural treasures in the province as national heritage sites: Hor Tai Pee Dok (The Library of Buddhist Manuscripts), Taleo Temple, and Khonesavanh Singing.
Hor Tai Pee Dok
Hor Tai Pee Dok, the Library of Buddhist Manuscripts, was founded at the end of the 14th century by Lukkhampha, the abbot of the Tai Pee Dok temple.
Originally serving as a school for monks and a place to preserve Buddhist manuscripts, the library was renovated in 2006 and has since become a popular tourist destination. It is celebrated for its historical importance and unique architectural style.
The library remains a sacred site, particularly for the Champhone people, who visit to worship and seek blessings. Visitors are required to dress respectfully—women must wear traditional Lao skirts (sinh), and shoes are not allowed inside.
Taleo Temple
Vat Taleo, located about 60 km southeast of Savannakhet, was built shortly after World War I.
The exact date of the main building’s construction is unclear, but it is believed to have been created by the Phu Tai community, an ethnic group found in Laos and Thailand. The inscriptions at the temple are in classical Lao, though locals now speak modern Lao.
While much of the original temple was destroyed, the main hall (Vihaan) survived, with only minor repairs to the roof and structural damage. The murals inside, depicting the Vessantara Jataka, are likely original and date back to the 1930s.
During the Vietnam War, North Vietnamese soldiers occupied the temple before a bombing raid by American forces. A bomb that hit the Vihaan failed to explode. The temple was later abandoned, and a new one was built nearby. Today, the altar at Vat Taleo is still used for worship and remains a sacred site.
Khonesavanh Singing
Khonesavnah singing, or Lum Khonsavanh, is a traditional form of Lao music from Savannakhet. The performance includes instruments such as the Khaen, Lao drum, and Phin, and is an important part of the province’s cultural heritage.
Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2025/04/02/three-cultural-treasures-of-savannakhet-earn-national-heritage-status/