"It has played a crucial role in promoting local economic activities, stimulating investment, and creating jobs and income for the population on both sides of the Mekong River, as well as connecting the transportation networks of the two countries and the region," said a statement by the Ministry.

The first Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge is the only friendship bridge between Thailand and its neighboring countries that features both road and rail systems.

According to the Ministry, Thailand and Laos are working on a project to construct a new railway bridge alongside the current bridge in anticipation of future cross-border rail freight that may exceed the capacity of the current rail track on the first Friendship Bridge.

The project is expected to begin in 2026 and be completed by 2029. Multi-modal transshipment centers will also be developed on both sides of the bridge, at Natha Rail Station on the Thai side, to handle both road and rail freight. The new railway bridge will also connect with Thailand's future high-speed rail line from Bangkok to Nong Khai province.