Thai-Laos Friendship Bridge: A Remarkable Experience in Nong Khai

The Bear Team 3 min read

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One of the most north-easterly places in Thailand is the town of Nong Khai, which is a great place to visit. Whether you want to check out some of Nong Khai’s most popular attractions or you want to either visit Laos or extend your Thai visa, the Friendship Bridge on the Thai-Laos border is vital to the region in so many ways. 

The Thai-Laos Friendship Bridge is 1.2 km long and connects the Thai border town of Nong Khai with Vientiane in Laos. Some shuttle buses run across the bridge daily, while the border itself is open daily from 6 am to 10 pm. Nong Khai itself is a lovely border town that is linked directly to Krung Thep Maha Nakhon (Bangkok) via a direct train link. There is also a bus service between Nong Khai and Udon Thani.

If you are planning your next trip from Thailand to Laos, be with us on this tour of the Thai-Laos Friendship Bridge.

  Did You Know?

Built at $25 million, this piece of engineering connects Thailand with Laos over the mighty Mekong river. The capital of Laos is just 20 km from the bridge, and visitors can get a 30-day visa at the border crossing from Thailand.

Exploring Thai-Laos Friendship Bridge

The Thai-Laos Friendship Bridge was constructed in 1994 and stretched across the legendary Mekong River. The construction of the bridge cost the region $25 million. It was a show of strength and a demonstration from Australian companies that wanted to prove they could compete for major projects in South East Asia. 

The actual design of the bridge used balanced cantilever bridge technology proposed by the Aussie Bruce Ramsey of the VSL company. However, the actual construction was performed by Maunsell Consulting Engineers. 

If you visit the bridge and border post from Vientiane in Laos, the border is 20 km from the city center. 

  Trivia!

The Thai-Laos friendship bridge is 1.2 km long.

Passing Through The Bridge

You must get a visa when you pass through the Thai-Laos Friendship Bridge. Most nationalities can get a visa through the border post, so you will not have to pre-organize one.

If you pass through the border at the bridge into Laos, as long as you have a valid passport, you will be given a 30-day Laos Visa. The visa costs usually range from $20 to $45, depending on the country you are from. The best form of currency to pay for the visa is Thai Baht or US dollars, so make sure you have some handy when crossing the bridge. Another great tip is to ensure you have a couple of passport-size photos handy; if you don’t, it will cost you a further charge. 

Crossing the border into Laos outside of regular working hours, or on Saturday or Sunday, will cost you another nominal fee in Thai Baht or US dollars. Once you have stamped into Laos at the border crossing, you have a few options to make the 20 km journey into Vientiane. Most people take the green and white air-conditioned buses for approximately 100 THB, which will take about 20 to 30 minutes. 

Whether you want to enjoy the sight of the Thai-Laos Friendship Bridge or you are looking to cross the border into Laos from Nong Khai, it will still be an exciting experience. 

 Fun Fact!

Thai-Laos Friendship Bridge will connect you to the Laos capital, and getting a visa is very easy at the border. The most fun thing is driving change over that happens in Laos from left to right.

Map & More Information

Thai-Laos Friendship Bridge in Nong Khai is a 3,839 ft long bridge with pedestrian pathways, a railway line in the middle, and a four-lane highway connecting both Thailand and Laos over the Lower Mekong river. Nong Khai is an ideal spot to access neighboring Laos and is within proximity to its capital, Vientiane.