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The Permanent Border Crossing – Friendship Bridge 4 (Chiang Khong – Huay Xai) serves as a checkpoint for individuals and vehicles entering and exiting Thailand. It also facilitates immigration and customs procedures at the Chiang Khong border checkpoint in Chiang Rai Province.
Located opposite Huay Xai, Bokeo Province, Laos, Friendship Bridge 4 connects Thailand and Laos. Huay Xai is the capital and a major tourist destination in Bokeo Province, with a population of approximately 62,223 people. From Huay Xai, the distance to Boten, which borders Bohan in Yunnan, China, is 219.8 km, taking approximately 5 hours via Route R3A. This route is part of China’s Kunming-Bangkok Expressway, known in Chinese as “Kunman Gonglu” (昆曼公路), which spans approximately 1,880 km. On the Chinese side, a direct highway has been constructed from Kunming, the capital of Yunnan Province, through Jinghong, Xishuangbanna, and finally reaching Bohan.
The China-Laos border, opposite Boten in Luang Namtha Province, is connected via Route R3A, which extends from Boten to the base of the Fourth Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge in Huay Xai, Bokeo Province. This two-lane road, spanning 228 km, was completed and opened in 2008, significantly enhancing trade and transportation between Thailand and China.
The Fourth Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge (Chiang Khong – Huay Xai) (Lao: ຂົວມິດຕະພາບລາວ – ໄທ ແຫ່ງທີ 4) spans the Mekong River, linking Ban Don Maha Wan, Village No. 9, Wiang Subdistrict, Chiang Khong District, Chiang Rai Province, Thailand, with Ban Don, Huay Xai Town, Bokeo Province, Laos. The bridge is 2.48 km long and constructed using the Segmental Concrete Box Girder design. It features four piers, a width of 14.70 meters, and two lanes, each 3.50 meters wide, running down the center.
Beyond the bridge, a 6 km paved road extends into Huay Xai, leading to the immigration checkpoint, which is designed in Lanchang architectural style. This road seamlessly connects to Route R3A, facilitating transportation and trade between China, Laos, and Thailand.
The construction of the Fourth Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge was undertaken by CR5-KT Joint Venture, a partnership between China Railway No.5 (CR5) from China and Krung Thon Engineer Co., Ltd. from Thailand. The construction budget was approximately 1.624 billion baht, jointly funded by the Thai and Chinese governments, while the Lao government was responsible for compensating affected residents. The bridge was completed on December 12, 2012, and was officially opened for service on December 11, 2013.
Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn presided over the official opening ceremony of the Fourth Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge (Chiang Khong – Huay Xai) alongside Mr. Bounnhang Vorachith, Vice President of Laos.
This bridge serves as a vital link for Route R3A, which connects Bangkok to Kunming, supporting the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) in 2015. Route R3A starts from Chiang Khong, Thailand, passes through Bokeo, Luang Namtha, and Boten in Laos, and continues to Bohan, Jinghong (Xishuangbanna), and Kunming in Yunnan Province, China. The total distance from Bangkok to Kunming exceeds 1,800 kilometers.
The construction of Route R3A is a key initiative to enhance transportation connectivity within the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS). It plays a significant role in economic integration, tourism growth, and cultural exchange. Notably, the tourism sector stands to benefit greatly, as Thailand will have increased opportunities to attract tourists from southern China who will travel by road and waterway to explore northern Thailand’s provinces.
