Thai Cabinet Approves Toll Rates for Fifth Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge

On August 18, 2026, the Thai Cabinet officially approved the draft ministerial regulation regarding toll fees for the Fifth Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge, which links Bueng Kan province in Thailand to Bolikhamxai province in Laos. According to Deputy Government Spokesperson Ploytalay Laksameesangchan, the proposal submitted by the Ministry of Transport has been cleared for review by the Office of the Council of State.

The approved toll structure is tiered based on vehicle size. Passenger cars with up to seven seats will be charged 50 baht. Small buses carrying between seven and 12 passengers will pay 100 baht, while medium-sized buses with 12 to 24 seats are set at 150 baht. Higher rates apply to larger vehicles, with the maximum toll reaching 500 baht.

For residents and travelers, this development marks a significant step toward the operational phase of the new border crossing, which aims to facilitate regional trade and tourism between the two nations. While the cabinet has approved the principles of the fee structure, the final implementation date and the specific regulations for larger commercial vehicles remain subject to the completion of the legal review process by the Council of State. Travelers should monitor official announcements for the exact date when the bridge will open to public traffic.