Laos and Thailand are nearing completion of their fifth Friendship Bridge, a key infrastructure project linking Borikhamxay province in Laos with Bueng Kan province in Thailand. As of January 2025, the bridge is 96 percent finished, with final construction work underway. Originally slated to open in November 2024, the project faced delays due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Once operational, it will serve as a crucial transport corridor connecting Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam, facilitating regional trade and mobility.
However, while infrastructure development continues, environment concerns along the Mekong River are mounting. A public hearing on the proposed Sanakham hydropower project, chaired by Thailand’s Office of National Water Resources (ONWR), brought together government officials, civil groups, and affected residents. The project, located near the Thai-Lao border with a planned capacity of 684 Megawatts, has sparked significant opposition due to fears of flooding during monsoon season. This hearing, the third in a series of four, highlighted criticism from Thai provinces like Ubon Ratchathani and Amnat Charoen, where communities could be impacted. Local fishermen also expressed concerns that the dam could affect native fish populations, lead to riverbank erosion and disrupt the local ecosystem. With no power purchase agreement signed yet for the dam, the project’s future remains uncertain and could be withdrawn if opposition persists.
The ongoing dialogue reflects broader tensions between economic growth and environmental sustainability in the Mekong region, as Laos continues to pursue hydropower as a key driver of its economic strategy with aims to become the “Battery of Southeast Asia”. As Laos expands its infrastructure network while facing scrutiny over hydropower projects, the country must balance development with environmental and social considerations.
