The third Thailand - Laos friendship bridge spanning Mekong river was inaugurated in Muong town, Nakhon Phanom province, Thailand on Nov. 11.

The 1.4km long bridge, connecting Muong town and Laos ’ Khammoune province.

The bridge, which was built since 2009, is part of the Asia highway and the Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong economic cooperation strategy. It is expected to become a gateway to boost trade exchange between Thailand and Laos , Vietnam and south China .

The first friendship bridge, built in 1994, connected the capital city of Laos , Vientiane and Thai Noong Khai province, while the second one, linking Thailand ’s Mukdahan province, and Laos ’ Savannakhet province was put into operation in 2006.

The Thai government said early this year that it plans to build two more bridges spanning Mekong river to boost economic, trade, investment, culture and tourism sectors in the region./.