Second Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge

The Second Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge (Lao: ຂົວມິດຕະພາບ ລາວ-ໄທ ແຫ່ງທີສອງ) is a bridge crossing the Mekong River, connecting Mukdahan Province in Thailand with Savannakhet Province in Laos. It is part of the East-West Economic Corridor, which starts in Myanmar, passes through Thailand and Laos, and ends in Vietnam. This corridor is a key component of the Mekong River Basin development project by the Asian Development Bank. The bridge spans a total length of 1,600 meters, with a width of 12 meters and two traffic lanes. The construction cost approximately 70 million USD, funded by low-interest loans from the Japanese government—4,011 million yen to the Lao government and 4,079 million yen to the Thai government. Construction began in December 2003 and was completed in December 2006. In the evening, the atmosphere around the bridge is delightful, with barbecue restaurants offering delicious meals and a bustling walking street where visitors can shop and enjoy the riverside ambiance while dining.